Overview
The Jiajing Emperor (; 16September 150723January 1567), personal name Zhu Houcong (朱厚熜), was the 12th emperor of the Ming dynasty, reigning from 1521 to 1567. He was the former Zhengde Emperor's cousin. His father, Zhu Youyuan (1476–1519), Prince of Xing, was the fourth son of the Chenghua Emperor (reigned from 1464 to 1487) and the eldest son of three sons born to the emperor's concubine, Lady Shao. The Jiajing Emperor's era name, "Jiajing", means "admirable tranquility".
Known for his intelligence, he however neglected his official duties. He faced criticism for his reliance on corrupt officials, his cruelty and promiscuity, the latter of which contributed to the Palace plot of Renyin year. He had to face several external challenges such as Mongol harassment and pirate attacks. His pursuit of Taoist practices and alchemy strained the government financially and after a long reign, he died, contributing to the decline of the dynasty.
Early years
Born as heir apparent of a vassal prince, Zhu Houcong was not brought up to succeed to the throne. However, the throne became vacant in 1521 after the sudden death of the Hongzhi Emperor's son, the Zhengde Emperor, who did not leave an heir. Prior to the Zhengde Emperor's death, the line of succession was as follows:
Zhu Jianshen, the Chenghua Emperor (1447–1487)
Unnamed son (1466–1466)
Zhu Youji (1469–1472)
Zhu Youcheng, the Hongzhi Emperor (1470–1505)
Zhu Houzhao, the Zhengde Emperor (1491–1521)
Zhu Houwei, Prince Dao of Wei (1496–1497, title posthumously)
Zhu Youyuan, Prince Xian of Xing (1476–1519) Zhu Houxi, Prince Huai of Yue (1500–1500, title posthumously) '''(1) Zhu Houcong, Prince of Xing (b. 1507) The 13-year-old Zhu Houcong, then heir presumptive, succeeded to the throne, and so relocated from his father's princedom (near present-day Zhongxiang, Hubei) to the capital, Beijing. As the Jiajing Emperor, Zhu Houcong had his parents posthumously elevated to an "honorary" imperial rank, and had an imperial-style Xianling Mausoleum built for them near Zhongxiang.
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