Wei Zhongxian and the Tianqi Court Dominance (1620–1627)

1. Tianqi Emperor ascends the Ming throne

   Jan 1, 1620Labels: Tianqi Emperor, Zhu Youjiao, Madame Ke

   • Britannica
   • Britannica

2. Wei Zhongxian placed in a key palace post

   Jan 1, 1620Labels: Wei Zhongxian, Directorate of

   • Britannica
   • Madame Ke

3. Donglin memorials begin targeting Wei

   Jul 1, 1622Labels: Donglin faction, Wei Zhongxian

   • Wei Zhongxian

4. Ye Xianggao resigns, weakening opposition

   Jan 1, 1624Labels: Ye Xianggao, Grand Secretariat

   • Ye Xianggao
   • Wei Zhongxian

5. Wei secures near-plenipotentiary authority

   Jan 1, 1624Labels: Wei Zhongxian, Palace authority

   • Britannica

6. Wei becomes minister of the Eastern Depot

   Jan 1, 1625Labels: Eastern Depot, Wei Zhongxian

   • Wei Zhongxian
   • Britannica

7. Donglin leaders arrested in the “Six Gentlemen” case

   Jan 1, 1625Labels: Six Gentlemen, Donglin leaders

   • Wei Zhongxian
   • China Project

8. Zuo Guangdou dies after persecution

   Aug 26, 1625Labels: Zuo Guangdou, Censorate

   • Zuo Guangdou
   • Wei Zhongxian

9. Battle of Ningyuan fought amid court purges

   Feb 2, 1626Labels: Battle of, Yuan Chonghuan

   • Ningyuan

10. Wanggongchang (Tianqi) Explosion devastates Beijing

    May 30, 1626Labels: Wanggongchang Explosion, Beijing

    • Explosion

11. Tianqi Emperor dies, succession opens political reversal

    Sep 30, 1627Labels: Tianqi Emperor, Succession

    • Tianqi Emperor
    • Britannica

12. Chongzhen Emperor enthroned

    Oct 2, 1627Labels: Chongzhen Emperor, Zhu Youjian

    • Chongzhen
    • Wei Zhongxian

13. Edict lists Wei’s crimes and exiles him

    Dec 8, 1627Labels: Exile of, Chongzhen edict

    • Wei Zhongxian
    • Dardess PDF

14. Wei Zhongxian commits suicide while fleeing arrest

    Dec 12, 1627Labels: Wei Zhongxian, Suicide

    • Wei Zhongxian
    • Dardess PDF