Zhengde Emperor
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The Zhengde Emperor (October 26, 1491–April 20, 1521) was emperor of China (Ming dynasty) between 1505-1521. Born Zhu Houzhao, he was the Hongzhi Emperor's eldest son.
Zhengde ascended the throne at the age of 14. Unlike his father, Zhengde was not interested in ruling and disregarded all state affairs. He took up a luxurious and prodigal lifestyle and also indulged himself in women. It was said that he likes to frequent brothels. Zhengde also sanctioned the rise of eunuchs around him. One particular Liu Jin was notorious for taking advantage of the young emperor and squandered immense amount of silver and valuables. There was even rumor of a plot that Liu Jin had intended to murder the emperor and place his own grandnephew on the throne. Liu Jin's plot was ultimately discovered, and he was executed in 1510.
Emperor Zhengde died in 1521 at the age of only 31. One day in the fall of 1520 it was said that Zhengde was drunk while boating on a lake. He fell off his boat and almost drowned himself ¹. After that he became ill and died the following year. He had no heir and was succeeded by his cousin.
¹ Source: Imperial China - 900-1800, F.W. Mote, Pages 658, First Harvard University Press, 2003.
| Preceded by: Hongzhi Emperor | Emperor of China (Ming Dynasty) 1505–1521 | Succeeded by: Jiajing Emperor |