Yu Qian (; 1398–1457),

courtesy name A courtesy name ( zh, s=字, p=zì, l=character), also known as a style name, is an additional name bestowed upon individuals at adulthood, complementing their given name. This tradition is prevalent in the East Asian cultural sphere, particula ...

Tingyi (廷益),

art name An art name (pseudonym or pen name), also known by its native names ''hào'' (in Mandarin Chinese), ''gō'' (in Japanese), ' (in Korean), and ''tên hiệu'' (in Vietnamese), is a professional name used by artists, poets and writers in the Sinosp ...

Jie'an (節庵), was a Chinese official who served under the

Ming dynasty The Ming dynasty, officially the Great Ming, was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol Empire, Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming was the last imperial dynasty of ...

. Under Emperor Yingzong, he worked in the Ministry of War, eventually becoming a vice minister. He distinguished himself in the Tumu Crisis, leading the defense of the imperial capital against the Mongols, and was promoted to the position of Minister of War. For the next eight years, he remained the most influential member of the government of the new Jingtai Emperor. In January 1457, Emperor Yingzong returned to power and Yu Qian was promptly executed.

Biography

Yu Qian was born in Qiantang County,

Hangzhou Hangzhou, , Standard Mandarin pronunciation: ; formerly romanized as Hangchow is a sub-provincial city in East China and the capital of Zhejiang province. With a population of 13 million, the municipality comprises ten districts, two counti ...

Zhejiang ) , translit_lang1_type2 = , translit_lang1_info2 = ( Hangzhounese) ( Ningbonese) (Wenzhounese) , image_skyline = 玉甑峰全貌 - panoramio.jpg , image_caption = View of the Yandang Mountains , image_map = Zhejiang i ...

. He started his career in the Ming civil service after obtaining the position of a ''jinshi'' (進士; successful candidate) in the

imperial examination The imperial examination was a civil service examination system in History of China#Imperial China, Imperial China administered for the purpose of selecting candidates for the Civil service#China, state bureaucracy. The concept of choosing bureau ...

in 1421. He helped to suppress a rebellion by the prince Zhu Gaoxu in 1426 and earned the favour of the Xuande Emperor (r. 1425–1435), who appointed him as the Grand Coordinator of

Shanxi Shanxi; Chinese postal romanization, formerly romanised as Shansi is a Provinces of China, province in North China. Its capital and largest city of the province is Taiyuan, while its next most populated prefecture-level cities are Changzhi a ...

and

Henan Henan; alternatively Honan is a province in Central China. Henan is home to many heritage sites, including Yinxu, the ruins of the final capital of the Shang dynasty () and the Shaolin Temple. Four of the historical capitals of China, Lu ...

. During Emperor Yingzong's first reign (1435–1449), Yu offended the influential court eunuch Wang Zhen and ended up being imprisoned. However, he was released later, reinstated as an official, and further promoted to serve as the

Minister of War A ministry of defence or defense (see American and British English spelling differences#-ce.2C -se, spelling differences), also known as a department of defence or defense, is the part of a government responsible for matters of defence and Mi ...

. In 1449, Yu played an important role in leading the Defense of Beijing from attacks by the Oirat Mongols, who had earlier captured Emperor Yingzong at the Battle of Tumu. Emperor Yingzong's brother and successor, the Jingtai Emperor (r. 1449–1457), appointed Yu as the Crown Prince's Guardian and Tutor. In 1457, Emperor Yingzong, who had returned after he was released by the Mongols, seized power from the Jingtai Emperor in a coup and began his second reign (1457–1464). Yu was accused of treason and executed. He was later posthumously rehabilitated by the Chenghua Emperor (r. 1464–1487) and given the

posthumous name A posthumous name is an honorary Personal name, name given mainly to revered dead people in East Asian cultural sphere, East Asian culture. It is predominantly used in Asian countries such as China, Korea, Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia and Thailand. ...

Sumin (lit. "Stern and Suffering") by the Hongzhi Emperor, afterwards changed into "Zhongsu" (lit."loyal and stern") by the

Wanli Emperor The Wanli Emperor (4 September 1563 – 18 August 1620), also known by his temple name as the Emperor Shenzong of Ming, personal name Zhu Yijun, art name Yuzhai, was the 14th List of emperors of the Ming dynasty, emperor of the Ming dynasty, reig ...

(r. 1572–1620). There are memorial halls and shrines built in Beijing and Hangzhou to commemorate and honour Yu Qian.

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References

* Zhang, Tingyu et al. '' History of Ming'', Volume 170. {{DEFAULTSORT:Yu, Qian 1398 births 1457 deaths Ming dynasty government officials Politicians from Hangzhou People executed by the Ming dynasty People executed by the Ming dynasty by decapitation Executed people from Zhejiang Burials in Hangzhou Deified Chinese men

Biography

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See also

References