Many people are not familiar with the lifespan of Ming emperors. Let’s follow the editor of the History Encyclopedia to appreciate it together. Preface
Tang Dynasty had Emperor Xuanzong Li Longji, who lived to the age of 77; During the Song Dynasty, there was Emperor Gaozong Zhao Gou who lived to the age of 81; During the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Gaozong Hongli lived to the age of 88. The longest lived Taizu of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang, was even shorter than the shortest among these three, Li Longji. Even the average lifespan of Ming emperors was shorter than that of Tang, Song, and Qing dynasties. Is it really because the Ming dynasty royal family had serious genetic diseases? According to relevant information, the average life expectancy of emperors in the Tang, Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties was 46 years, 46 years, 43 years, and 52 years, respectively.
From the data, we can see that the emperors of the Ming Dynasty were not much shorter than those of the Tang and Song dynasties. In other words, if genetic diseases were the dominant factor, then the Tang and Song dynasties may also have had this problem. So the main reason why the average life expectancy of Ming emperors was relatively short was still due to the lifestyle and dietary issues of their successive emperors.
Portrait of Ming Taizu
1、 Six emperors with a lifespan of no less than 40 years
1
Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang passed away in the 31st year of the Hongwu reign at the age of 71. After dealing with Hu Weiyong, he directly led the six tribes, doubling their daily workload exponentially. It is not easy for him, who is diligent in political affairs, to reach such an advanced age. Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin, and Emperor Taizu of Qing, Nurhaci, both came from military backgrounds and had good physical foundations. They only lived to be 50 and 68 years old respectively, neither of whom lived as long as he did. After the Xuanwu Gate Incident, Tang Gaozu Li Yuan enjoyed nearly 10 years of happiness and only lived to be 71 years old like him.
2
Emperor Chengzu Zhu Di passed away in the 22nd year of Yongle at the age of 65. According to relevant historical records, his death was due to infection with wind cold and abuse of medicinal pills, but his lifespan was not short. Tang Taizong Li Shimin, who also rose to power through a mutiny, lived to 52 years old, while Song Taizong Zhao Kuangyi, who left behind the mystery of the sound of candles and axes, lived to 59 years old. Even Huang Taiji, who was labeled as “snatching the throne of Dorgon”, only lived to 52 years old. None of the three lived as long as him.
Portrait of Ming Chengzu
3. Emperor Renzong Zhu Gaochi passed away in the first year of Hongxi at the young age of 47. He died suddenly after only ten months as emperor, and the specific reason is not reflected in the Ming History. However, according to experts’ research, the main cause of his death was obesity and excessive indulgence. Although his lifespan is still within the normal range of an emperor’s lifespan, compared to Tang Gaozong Li Zhi who lived to 56 years old and Song Zhenzong Zhao Heng who lived to 55 years old, he appears to have a shorter lifespan.
4
Emperor Xianzong Zhu Jianshen passed away in the 23rd year of Chenghua, at the young age of 41. He was the only emperor of the Ming Dynasty who had two crown princes, and due to his tumultuous early years, he particularly favored his elder consort Wan Guifei. About half a year after the death of Consort Wan, he passed away due to excessive grief. Tang Zhongzong Li Xian and Tang Ruizong Li Dan, who had similar experiences to him, both lived to the age of 55. In comparison, his lifespan was relatively short.
Portrait of Emperor Xianzong of Ming Dynasty
5
Emperor Shizong Zhu Houzhao passed away in the 45th year of the Jiajing reign at the age of 60. He was a famous Taoist emperor in history, who not only practiced Taoism for many years, but also enjoyed taking various strange elixirs mixed with toxic substances such as mercury and arsenic. If it weren’t for these elixirs, he would definitely have lived a few more years.
6
Emperor Shenzong Zhu Yijun passed away in the 48th year of the Wanli reign at the age of 58. He ascended to the throne at the age of 10 and reigned for 48 years, making him the longest reigning emperor of the Ming Dynasty. According to historical records, the main cause of his death was due to his lack of restraint in drinking and sex, which led to premature exhaustion of his body. In addition, the disastrous defeat of Sarhu made him worried and ultimately led to his early death. Like him, Xuanye, who ascended the throne at a young age and also had the longest reign in his dynasty, lived to the age of 69.
Portrait of Emperor Ming Shizong
2、 Nine emperors with a lifespan of over 40 years
1
Emperor Xuanzong Zhu Zhanji passed away ten years after going to Xuande, at the age of only 38. In theory, he was also rolling and crawling on the battlefield, and his physical condition was not worse than that of his grandson Zhu Jianshen. In addition, during his reign, it can be said that there were many prosperous dynasties, and the burden of national affairs on him was not too great. What’s even more incredible is that he only took 3 days from illness to death. It is said that he suffered from a genetic disease, but the credibility of this is not high. His younger brother, Zhu Zhanqian, who was a sibling of his mother, lived to be 72 years old. His true cause of death was probably due to consuming pills rich in heavy metals.
2
Emperor Yingzong Zhu Qizhen passed away in the eighth year of the Tianshun reign at the young age of 37. He became a prisoner of Vala after the Tumu Fortress Incident, and after being released, he rose to power twice through the Siege of the Gates Incident. He lived like a prisoner for 8 years, under immense mental pressure, and his body would definitely not improve much.
Portrait of Emperor Xuanzong of Ming Dynasty
3
Emperor Daizong Zhu Qiyu passed away in the first year of Tianshun at the young age of 28. He was the younger brother of Zhu Qizhen. After the Tumu Fort Incident, he was the one who helped stabilize the situation. However, he also suffered the resentment of Zhu Qizhen because of this, so he was greatly affected after his brother was reinstated and passed away early. It is said that he was killed, but it is difficult to verify, but even if he is not killed, he will not live long. He was deeply saddened by the passing of his beloved son Zhu Jianji before this, and subsequently fell seriously ill, even bedridden. Otherwise, there would not have been such a drastic change.
4
Emperor Xiaozong Zhu Youzhong passed away in the 18th year of the Hongzhi reign at the young age of 36. Because his father Zhu Jianshen doted on Wan Guifei, she became arrogant and spoiled, which led to him being frequently persecuted by Wan Guifei during his childhood, resulting in a poor foundation. Due to his diligence in national affairs after ascending to the throne, his body quickly collapsed and he ultimately passed away at a young age.
5
Emperor Wuzong Zhu Houzhao passed away in the 16th year of the Zhengde reign at the young age of 29. Because he was the sole heir of his father Zhu Youzhong (whose younger brother died young), he was loved by his parents from a young age. Unfortunately, due to the limitations of the system, the main companions he grew up with were eunuchs. Under the influence of these eunuchs, he developed a playful nature and even sacrificed his life. His cause of death is also widely known. He was not accustomed to swimming, but he was brave enough to personally drive a boat to fish. In the end, he contracted pneumonia due to drowning and died of illness shortly after.
Portrait of Emperor Xiaozong of Ming Dynasty
6
Muzong Zhu Zaiyang passed away in the sixth year of the Longqing reign at the young age of 36. Because his mother fell out of favor, he was not favored by his father Zhu Houzhao for a long time. Originally, there wouldn’t have been anything wrong with him on the throne, just because his two elder brothers had passed away early, so he was fortunate enough to ascend to the throne. Because of his early experiences, he couldn’t control his mentality after taking office and became obsessed with women, often taking aphrodisiacs. Even a strong young man like him would not be able to withstand it, let alone him?
7
Guangzong Zhu Changluo passed away in the first year of Taichang at the age of only 38. His death also caused a major earthquake in the officialdom, commonly known as the Red Maru case. Because his father Zhu Yijun often wanted to appoint his younger brother Zhu Changxun as the heir, he, like his grandfather Zhu Zaiyi, did not have a peaceful life before ascending to the throne. Even his hobbies are exactly the same as his grandfather’s. Due to his indulgence in women’s sex, his health has never been very good, and he still takes “red pills” as a life-saving elixir, but it turns out that it is difficult for immortals to save him.
Portrait of Emperor Muzong of Ming Dynasty
8
Emperor Xizong Zhu Youxiao passed away due to illness in the seventh year of Tianqi, at the young age of 23. If it is rare for an emperor like his great grandfather Zhu Houzhao to fall into the water and die of illness, then he has turned this rarity into a probable event. One day, he became interested and accompanied by Wei Zhongxian and others, went to a boat in Xiyuan to drink and have fun. After drinking, he even took a small boat to swim in the lake, but unfortunately fell into the water. He also fell ill as a result and did not improve for a long time. He took a medicine called “Linglu Yin” as a fairy medicine every day. His old illness did not improve, but instead he developed a new swelling disease and eventually died young.
9
Emperor Sizong Zhu Youjian committed suicide in Meishan in the 17th year of Chongzhen, at the young age of 37. As the last emperor of the Ming Dynasty, he was unable to turn the tide due to internal and external troubles, which was a matter of his personal ability. However, when Li Zicheng captured the capital, he did not become a foreign captive like Emperor Huizong and Emperor Qinzong of Song. He decisively chose to end his young life. His death was tragic and he preserved his final dignity.
Portrait of Ming Xizong
Conclusion
In addition to the fifteen emperors mentioned above, there was another Emperor Jianwen of the Ming Dynasty, but his situation was somewhat special. After the Jingnan Incident, his life and death were unknown. So, there is no introduction to his lifespan here. Leaving aside Emperor Jianwen, the average lifespan of these fifteen emperors of the Ming Dynasty was indeed somewhat short. Only 3 people have reached the age of 60, accounting for only 20%; Only 4 people have reached the age of 50, accounting for 27%; Only 6 people have reached the age of 40, accounting for 40%; Only 5 people reached the average, accounting for 33%.
More than half of the emperors in the Ming Dynasty were lowering the average, and among these fifteen emperors, 8 died due to indulgence in women’s sex and abuse of elixirs, accounting for as much as 53%. The Ming Emperor used these data to tell us that life is truly precious! Apart from unverified genetic disease factors, the lifestyle and dietary issues exhibited by the Ming emperors are worth reflecting on and taking as a warning.
References:
Ming History
Lectures on Ming History
The Emperor of the Ming Dynasty
