Yongle Emperor: Emperor Chengzu of Ming, Zhu Di

Author: Yue Shengyuan
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Features: This book is part of the "Chinese Emperors Series," specifically the volume on "Ming Chengzu Zhu Di." The Yongle Emperor—Ming Chengzu Zhu Di—was a controversial ruler. 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 West, 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 forcefully seizing the throne from the deposed Jianwen Emperor, he brutally executed Jianwen's loyalists, establishing the horrific precedents of "executing ten clans" and "tracing like a gourd vine." He suspected that his concubine Wang of poisoning death and created a, killing over six hundred people in one go; He viewed same-sex relationships in the palace as treasonous, executing over two thousand people in a single sweep; 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 his legacy but focuses on uncovering the psychological trajectory of the Yongle Emperor's personality shifts—his mother's suspected infidelity leading to her brutal torture and 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 Xu Miaojin, as well as the cleverness of the famous monk Daoyan and the dashing charm of the scholar Jie Zhen.