Yongle Emperor - Emperor Chengzu Zhu Di

Author: Yue Shengyuan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-05-01
Features: This book is part of the "Chinese Emperors Series" and focuses on the Ming Emperor Chengzu Zhu Di. The Yongle Emperor—Ming Emperor Zhu Di—was a controversial figure. He achieved remarkable accomplishments: he organized the compilation of the massive and comprehensive "Yongle Dadian," pioneering the tradition of encyclopedia compilation in world cultural history; he built what was then the most powerful navy in the world, making seven voyages to the Western Oceans and bringing the Maritime Silk Road to its peak; he personally led five expeditions to the northern deserts, upholding national unity, and died on the campaign. However, he was also infamous for his cruelty: after seizing the throne by force from the deposed Jianwen Emperor, he brutally executed Jianwen's loyalists, establishing the horrific precedents of "executing ten clans" and "tracing like vines." He suspected that Empress Wang had been poisoned to death and created a, killing over 600 people in one go. He viewed same-sex relationships in the palace as a grave offense, executing over 2,000 people. He relied heavily on eunuchs and secret agents, sowing the seeds of political turmoil in the Ming Dynasty.
The book does not hastily affirm or deny, but instead focuses on uncovering the psychological trajectory of the Yongle Emperor's personality shifts—his mother's suspected infidelity leading to her brutal death, the profound trauma inflicted on his young mind, and its impact on his character formation. The book features vivid storytelling and grand scenes. It vividly portrays the unwavering love between the Yongle Emperor and his younger sister, Princess Xu Miaojin, as well as the cleverness of the famous monk Daoyan and the dashing charm of the scholar Jie Zhen.