Emperor Wanli of the Ming Dynasty, reigning from 1572 to 1620, has earned a notorious reputation in Chinese history for his failure to govern effectively. History books, like the Ming Shi (History of the Ming), harshly criticize him, declaring: “The fall of the Ming Dynasty was truly sealed by Emperor Wanli’s reign,” and pointing out his negligence with the stark judgment: “He retreated to his palace, neglected his duties, and abandoned the state’s principles, leading to a separation between the emperor and his ministers.”

But what exactly caused Wanli’s infamous political apathy? And how severe were the consequences of his inaction?

The Root Cause: Pleasure and Excess

Let’s take a moment to reflect. Early in his reign, Wanli received strict education and appeared to have a strong sense of discipline. For the first decade of his rule, he was on the right track, especially under the guidance of his influential advisor, Zhang Juzheng. But something changed after Zhang’s death in 1582, and it didn’t take long for Wanli to fall into a life of excess—especially indulging in the pleasures of drink, women, and luxury.

Let’s just say that Wanli’s relationship with alcohol wasn’t exactly healthy. In fact, there’s a well-known incident where he got so intoxicated that he had a eunuch sing for him, and when the eunuch failed, Wanli, in a drunken rage, threatened him with a sword. This incident was, of course, condemned by his mother, Empress Dowager Li.

By 1586, Wanli’s excessive lifestyle started affecting his health. At just 23 years old, he was already reporting chronic physical ailments, including dizziness and weakness, likely a result of his hedonistic habits. His advisors, like Lu Hongchun, tried to caution him, warning that excessive indulgence was taking a toll on his body, but Wanli responded by punishing them severely.

The emperor’s obsession with pleasure extended beyond just wine and women. He became notoriously irritable, throwing temper tantrums, and even had a reputation for being excessively greedy. He was known to hoard wealth, often indulging in corrupt practices. His poor health, driven by a life of indulgence, was just one of the many signs of his deteriorating reign.

Political Stagnation: The “Succession Struggle”

If Wanli’s personal life was a disaster, his political decisions weren’t much better. One of the major sources of his neglect was his inability to address the issue of succession. Wanli had no legitimate heir early on, and the struggle to name a successor led to a long-running conflict with his court officials, known as the “Succession Struggle” (争国本).

For decades, Wanli delayed the formal acknowledgment of his eldest son, Zhu Changluo, as his heir, favoring his third son instead. This constant back-and-forth with his ministers over the imperial succession further alienated the ruling class, deepening political chaos. The conflict over the heir became so intense that it resulted in the firing of four prime ministers and countless officials.

Wanli’s procrastination in selecting an heir didn’t just create political chaos; it left the state in a state of paralysis. Government positions were left vacant, and policies were delayed or ignored. The emperor’s refusal to perform his duties undermined the Ming government, creating a situation where even the smallest matters were left unresolved, eventually contributing to the dynasty’s decline.

Wanli’s Neglect: The Collapse of Governance

One of the most telling signs of Wanli’s neglect was his refusal to hold regular court meetings. By the time Wanli’s reign was in full swing, the structure of government in the Ming Dynasty had already begun to weaken. Without the emperor’s active participation, the government struggled to function effectively. Administrative work ground to a halt, as Wanli refused to process documents or meet with his officials regularly. The central government’s failure to function was disastrous for the stability of the empire.

In fact, according to historians, this failure to govern actively was what set Wanli apart from his predecessors. Even emperors like Jiajing, who had their own flaws, were still able to run the country through other means. Wanli, on the other hand, preferred to stay secluded in his palace, allowing the nation to slowly descend into political chaos.

Was There More to It? Could Opium Have Played a Role?

Some scholars have even suggested that Wanli’s neglect might have been linked to the growing use of opium. While it’s difficult to draw direct conclusions, there are indications that opium use began to spread in China during Wanli’s reign. This could have potentially played a role in his decline—perhaps contributing to his physical and mental deterioration. However, the evidence is speculative at best.

Conclusion: A Monarch Who Failed to Lead

In the end, Wanli’s reign serves as a cautionary tale of how personal indulgence and political stagnation can bring down even the most powerful of empires. His refusal to address the needs of the state, his focus on personal pleasure, and his failure to act decisively left the Ming Dynasty vulnerable to collapse. The political paralysis he caused by delaying critical decisions about succession and governance weakened the state and set the stage for the eventual fall of the dynasty.

Wanli may have been an emperor, but in the end, he was a monarch who chose to abdicate his responsibilities, leaving his empire to suffer the consequences.