A Sudden Ascension to Power

In 1521, the Ming Dynasty faced an unprecedented succession crisis. The Zhengde Emperor had died without an heir, thrusting his 15-year-old cousin Zhu Houcong onto the throne as the Jiajing Emperor. This unexpected turn of events would shape one of the most turbulent periods in Ming history.

The young emperor’s improbable rise from provincial obscurity to the Dragon Throne convinced him of divine favor. Unlike his pleasure-seeking predecessor, Jiajing combined authoritarian rule with mystical obsessions that would consume his 45-year reign. Historians would later view his rule as the beginning of Ming decline, when imperial eccentricities eclipsed statecraft.

The Descent into Daoist Mysticism

By the 1530s, the emperor’s early reformist zeal had given way to religious mania. Court records describe his growing fascination with Daoist alchemy and immortality elixirs. Three charlatan priests—Shao Yuanjie, Tao Zhongwen, and Duan Chaoyong—became his closest advisors, replacing Confucian scholars at court.

Duan Chaoyong’s advice proved particularly damaging. He convinced Jiajing that seclusion was essential for creating the elixir of life. When minister Yang Zui protested the emperor’s plan to withdraw from governance, he was beaten to death in a shocking public execution. This brutal display marked a turning point—henceforth, criticism of the emperor’s Daoist pursuits became tantamount to treason.

The Palace Rebellion of 1542

Jiajing’s quest for immortality took a grotesque turn as he began harvesting menstrual blood from palace maids for alchemical recipes. The abuse culminated in a dramatic assassination attempt when sixteen maids, led by Yang Jinying, tried strangling the emperor with a silken cord during his sleep. Their inexperience proved fatal—a poorly tied knot allowed Jiajing to survive what became known as the Renyin Palace Rebellion.

The failed coup had profound consequences. The executed maids were publicly dismembered, while the traumatized emperor abandoned the Forbidden City for the Western Park complex. Rather than reforming, he doubled down on his mystical pursuits, leaving state affairs to corrupt ministers.

The Rise of the “Green Lyrics” Faction

Court politics transformed around Jiajing’s religious rituals. The “Green Lyrics”—flowery prayers burned during Daoist ceremonies—became an unlikely path to power. Skilled composers like Yan Song and Xu Jie rose through the ranks by crafting flattering verses, earning the derisive nickname “Green Lyrics Chancellors.”

This system rewarded sycophancy over merit. As historian Ray Huang noted, “The court became a theater where literary talent in composing Daoist prayers counted for more than administrative ability.” The resulting corruption saw talented officials like Hai Rui sidelined while opportunists flourished.

The Tyranny of Yan Song

From 1544-1562, Grand Secretary Yan Song dominated the corrupt court. His reign exemplified the decay of Jiajing’s later years. Yan and his son Yan Shifan created an elaborate extortion network, demanding bribes for military appointments while embezzling border defense funds.

When censor Yang Jisheng exposed their crimes in 1553, Yan manipulated the emperor into executing him. The incident became emblematic of Ming justice’s collapse. Contemporary accounts describe border troops starving while the Yans amassed fortunes—their eventual confiscated wealth included 3 million taels of silver, enough to cover several years of imperial expenses.

Military Crises and the Gengxu Incident

The court’s dysfunction invited external threats. In 1550, Mongol leader Altan Khan exploited weakened defenses to besiege Beijing in the “Gengxu Incident.” Rather than fighting, Yan Song advised letting the Mongols “eat their fill and leave,” leaving the capital’s suburbs to be plundered.

This humiliation forced temporary border market reopenings, but Jiajing soon reneged, prolonging conflict. Only after his death would the 1571 “Altan Khan Settlement” bring lasting peace—a testament to opportunities squandered during Jiajing’s reign.

The Long Shadow of Misrule

When Jiajing died in 1567 from mercury poisoning (a side effect of his elixirs), he left a crippled empire. The treasury, drained by temple construction and military failures, recorded unprecedented deficits. A popular saying captured the era: “Jiajing—the household is emptied.”

Yet his reign’s cultural impact endured. The “Green Lyrics” phenomenon birthed a literary subgenre, while court intrigue inspired later novels like “The Golden Lotus.” Historians view his rule as pivotal—the moment when Ming governance shifted from bureaucratic collegiality to autocratic caprice, setting the stage for the dynasty’s eventual collapse.

The Jiajing era remains a cautionary tale about power’s corrupting influence and the dangers when governance yields to personal obsession. Its legacy reminds us that even the most powerful institutions crumble when leaders prioritize fantasy over reality.