Zhu Jianshen
Ming emperor and painter
Ming Emperor Xianzong(憲宗), Zhu Jianshen(朱見深) (December 9, 1447 – September 9, 1487), later renamed Zhu Jianru(朱見濡), was the eldest son of Emperor Yingzong(英宗) of Ming, Zhu Qizhen(朱祁鎮), and his mother was Empress Xiaosu(孝肅), surnamed Zhou(周). He was the eighth emperor of the Ming dynasty. Zhu Jianshen was raised by his grandmother, Empress Dowager Xiaogong, from a young age. In 1449, during the Tumu Crisis, Emperor Yingzong was captured by the Oirat, and the Vice Minister of War Yu Qian and others declared Zhu Qiyu as emperor, starting the Jingtai era, while Zhu Jianshen was made crown prince. In 1452, the Jingtai Emperor demoted Zhu Jianshen to Prince of Yi and appointed his own son, Zhu Jianji, as crown prince. After Emperor Yingzong reclaimed the throne in the 1457 Seizing the Gate Coup, Zhu Jianshen was reinstated as crown prince and renamed Jianru. In 1464, when Emperor Yingzong passed away, Zhu Jianshen succeeded the throne, starting the Chenghua era. At the beginning of his reign, Zhu Jianshen followed the wishes of the people, redressed the wrongful case against Yu Qian, restored the title of Emperor Jingtai, and gained support from both the court and the public, ensuring political stability. At first, he relied on ministers like Li Xian and Shang Lu, dismissed flatterers, understood public sentiment, reduced taxes and punishments, and assessed officials, gathering capable people in the court. After suppressing a rebellion in Yunyang, he also set up local prefectures and counties to stabilize the lives of displaced people, easing the refugee problem. In the later part of the Chenghua period, Zhu Jianshen gradually became negligent in governance, indulged in studying mystical arts, and spent much time in the harem, showing extreme favor to Consort Wan, who managed many internal matters. He strongly believed in Daoist practices and massively promoted foreign monks. In his later years, Zhu Jianshen realized the overreach of monks and Taoists and corrupt officials, and began to gradually remove them. His imperial decrees often relied on virtuous inner officials like Huai'en and Qin'en, keeping court politics peaceful and society generally prosperous, enjoying relative stability. In 1487, Zhu Jianshen passed away at the age of forty-one. His temple name was Xianzong, and his posthumous title was Jitian Ningdao Chengming Renjing Chongwen Suwu Hongde Shengxiao Chun Huangdi. He was buried in Maoling. During Zhu Jianshen's reign, the cultural atmosphere was relatively relaxed. He personally compiled the book 'Wenhua Daxun' as a guide for his descendants. He was also a highly skilled painter and calligrapher; besides 'A Picture of Harmony,' he painted 'A Propitious New Year Scene.' These two works, along with Qing court painter Ding Guanpeng's 'Amitabha Buddha,' were honored by the public as the 'Three Treasures of Good Fortune.'