This emperor, posthumously referred to as Zhun, whose courtesy name was Zhongmou, also known as Zhiguan in his childhood, was the third son of the Ming Emperor. He was born on the Gui Chou day in the fifth year of the Taishi era. At the age of seven, he was granted the title of Prince of Ancheng, with a fief that included three thousand households, and was also appointed as the General of the Fumilitary, with attendants. After the abdication of the previous emperor, he became the governor of Yangzhou.
In the second year of Yuanhui, he was promoted to the position of General of Chariots and Cavalry and also held the position of military commander for both Yangzhou and Nanyuzhou, with a ceremonial band accompanying him, while still retaining his role as governor of Yangzhou. Four years later, he was promoted to the rank of Grand General of the Cavalry, given the privilege of establishing a residence, with thirty guards bearing swords, and his duties as commander and governor remained unchanged.
In the seventh month of the fifth year of Yuanhui, on the night of Wuzi, the previous emperor passed away. He was then unanimously chosen to enter the palace and take residence in the court. On the day of Renchen, he officially ascended the throne and declared himself emperor.
In the first year of Shengming, a new dynasty was established, a general amnesty was declared, and civil and military officials were all promoted by two ranks. On the fifth day of the first month, the Prince of Qi was named General of the Garrison stationed at East City, assisting in government affairs, and was appointed Prime Minister. On the seventh day of the first month, the Emperor proclaimed: "The construction of the Lutai platform reflects the Han Dynasty's emphasis on frugality; the burning of the Zhiqiu fur coat follows the simplicity of the Jin Dynasty. Therefore, in order to restrain extravagance, promote frugality, reduce state financial expenditures, and avoid excessive waste, the regulations regarding carriages, horses, and attire should be simplified, maintaining rank distinctions without excessive luxury. Now, two departments of the Imperial Household are abolished. All ornate carvings that corrupt morals and harm the people are prohibited. It is hoped that this new decree will be upheld for a long time." General of the West, Governor of Jingzhou Shen Youzhi was promoted to Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, and granted the title of Exalted Imperial Secretary; Left Supervisor of the Masters of Writing, Central Army Commander, General of the Garrison, and Governor of Nanyanzhou, Prince of Qi, was appointed Minister of Works, Recorder of the Imperial Secretariat, and General of the Valiant Cavalry, with his position as Governor unchanged. Chief of the Palace Secretariat, Guard General, Grand Marshal, and Governor of Southern Yanzhou Liu Bing was appointed Minister of Works and additionally titled General of the Central Army; General of the West, Governor of Yingzhou Prince of Jinxi was appointed Grand Marshal and Governor of Yangzhou; Prince of Nanyang was appointed as Governor of Yingzhou. On the ninth day of the first month, Right Supervisor of the Masters of Writing Wang Senqian was appointed as Left Supervisor of the Masters of Writing, Right Guard General Liu Yun was appointed as Central Army Commander, and Golden Purple Palace Attendant Wang Kun was appointed as Right Palace Attendant. The Prince of Qi was granted five million coins and five thousand bolts of cloth. On the thirteenth day of the first month, the Emperor made sacrifices at the ancestral temple. On the sixteenth day of the first month, Extraordinary Imperial Attendant Ming Qingfu was appointed Governor of Qing and Ji provinces, Prince of Wuling was appointed as Governor of Yingzhou, and the newly appointed Governor of Yingzhou, Prince of Nanyang, was reassigned as Governor of Xiangzhou; the Minister of Works and Governor of Nanyanzhou, Prince of Qi, was reassigned as Governor of Nanxuzhou, and General Who Subdues the Enemies Li Anmin was appointed as Governor of Nanyanzhou. Yongzhou experienced a major flood on the ninth day of the eighth month, and the court sent relief and exempted taxes. Chief Clerk of the Valiant Cavalry Liu Chengzhi was appointed as Governor of Nanyuzhou. Shan Yang Prefect Yu Tianbao and Qin Li, son of Xinwu County, committed crimes, were imprisoned, and eventually died. On the twenty-fifth day of the first month, the Pingzhun Bureau was reformed. On the twenty-eighth day of the first month, Xuan Cheng, the Prefect of Xuan City, was appointed as Governor of Yanzhou. On the thirtieth day of the first month, Minister of Works Yuan Can was stationed at Shitou City. On the fourth day of the second month, previous overdue taxes were waived; the lands of the counties were restored. On the sixth day of the second month, the Emperor posthumously honored his mother, Chen Zhaohua, as Empress Dowager. On the eighth day of the second month, Chief of Works Long Xie, Guard General Jiang Jiao, Palace Attendant Chu Xuan, and Prince of Wuling's Literary Officer Liu Hou entered the palace to assist the Emperor in handling documents. The Prince of Qi firmly declined the position of Minister of Works, and on the tenth day of the second month, was appointed Grand General of the Valiant Cavalry and Exalted Imperial Secretary. On the sixth day of the ninth month, the Emperor proclaimed: "After the death of the ancient sage kings, good customs faded, and ancient texts were lost. Therefore, in the late periods of the Three Dynasties, moral governance and punishment conflicted with each other, society was in turmoil, and people's hearts were treacherous. However, there are still some upright talents. Since ascending the throne, I have been diligent in political affairs, working day and night, never forgetting the rise and fall of the country, always pondering the principles of historical prosperity and decline. The texts from the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties are still preserved today; the literature from the Han and Wei dynasties is also plentiful. Therefore, I order all provinces and counties to seek out talent, regardless of their origins; as long as they have talent, they should be recommended, and I will personally inspect and select outstanding talents, hoping that all talented individuals in the world can be discovered, so that the country can prosper." On the eighth day of the ninth month, Prince of Luling passed away. On the eighth day of the eleventh month, the Wa country sent envoys to pay tribute. On the fifteenth day of the eleventh month, Attendant Cavalry Officer Hu Xiansheng was appointed as Governor of Yuezhou, and Governor of Jiaozhou Shen Jingde was appointed as Governor of Guangzhou. On the twelfth day of the twelfth month, General of Agile Cavalry Wang Guangzhi was appointed as Governor of Xuzhou. Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, Governor of Jingzhou Shen Youzhi revolted. On the fourteenth day of the twelfth month, Grand Secretary Prince of Qi entered the court to guard, while Palace Attendant Xiao Yi guarded the East Palace. On the fifteenth day of the twelfth month, martial law was declared. On the sixteenth day of the twelfth month, Governor of Yingzhou Prince of Wuling was appointed as General Who Pacifies the West and Governor of Jingzhou, and General Who Subdues the Enemies, Governor of Yongzhou Zhang Jing'er was promoted to General of the Garrison. Right Guard General Huang Hui was appointed as General Who Pacifies the West and Governor of Yingzhou, leading the army south to suppress the rebels. General Who Subdues the Enemies Lu Anmin was appointed as Governor of Xiangzhou, and Director of the Imperial Clan Wang Kuan was promoted to General Who Pacifies the West. On the eighteenth day of the twelfth month, the newly appointed Left Guard General, the Crown Prince of Qi, was ordered to assist the newly appointed General Who Pacifies the Enemies and Governor of Yangzhou, Prince of Jinxi, in guarding the city of Pencheng in Xunyang. On the twentieth day of the twelfth month, Agile Cavalry General Zhou Panlong was appointed as Governor of Guangzhou. On the same day, Minister of Works Yuan Can revolted in Shitou City, and Grand Secretary Liu Bing, Chamberlain for Law Enforcement Liu Shu, and Champion Wang Yun led troops to suppress the rebellion. Huang Hui, along with Vice General Sun Tangguan, Colonel Wang Yixing, Vice General Ren Houbai, and General of the Left Army Peng Wenzhi, covertly backed the rebellion. Central Army Commander Liu Yun and Director of the Palace Library Bu Boxing conspired in the palace. Grand Secretary Prince of Qi executed Liu Yun and others in the palace. Military leaders Su Lie, Wang Tiansheng, Xue Daoyuan, and Dai Sengjing captured Shitou City, slaying Yuan Can within. Liu Bing, Liu Shu, and Wang Yun escaped the city but were later captured and executed; the remaining participants in the rebellion were not pursued. Governor of Yuzhou Liu Huaizhen, Governor of Yongzhou Zhang Jing'er, and Governor of Guangzhou Chen Xianda all rose in support of the court. Governor of Shizhou Yao Daohe, Governor of Liangzhou Fan Bainian,
In January of a certain year, Shen Youzhi sent General Gongsun Fangping to occupy Xiyang. In just a few days, Zhang Mo, the Prefect of Jianning, defeated Gongsun Fangping. Shortly after, Shen Youzhi himself fled from Yingcheng and was then caught by the common people in Huarong County, having his head delivered to the authorities. Liu Huaizhen was promoted to General of Pingnan. Zhang Jing'er captured Jiangling and killed Shen Youzhi's son, Shen Guangyan. The conflict in Jingzhou finally came to an end, and Shen Youzhi's associates were all killed. With the situation resolved, the court lifted the martial law. Liu Shilong was appointed Right Deputy Minister. On the same day, the Prince of Qi returned to his residence in the Eastern Palace. Wang You, the Prince of Shaoling, was appointed General of Annan and Inspector of Nanyuzhou; the Crown Prince of Qi was appointed Inspector of Jiangzhou; Xiao Yi became General of the Army; Zhang Jing'er was promoted to General of the Westward Expedition; Huang Hui was promoted to General of the Western Garrison.
In February, Wang Senqian became the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and Wang Yanzhi became the Left Deputy of the Ministry of Personnel. The Prince of Qi was promoted again, being appointed Grand Commandant, while Chu Yuan became the Director of the Palace Secretariat and the Minister of Works. A general amnesty was declared in Jingzhou. Prince Jinxi, Wang Xie, was promoted to General of the Central Army and was also granted the title of Supervisor of the Central Army, with equal authority over the Three Guards. The court exempted the disaster-affected people near the Mian River in Yongzhou from taxes for three years. Huang Hui was appointed General of the Northern Garrison and Inspector of Nanyuzhou, while Li Anmin took over as the Inspector of Yingzhou. Fu Yan was appointed Inspector of Yizhou. Peng Wenzhi committed a crime, was imprisoned, and ultimately died. Ren Houbai killed Yu Peiyu and sent his severed head to the capital.
In March, Zhou Panlong became the Administrator of Sizhou, while Liu Quan became the Administrator of Guangzhou. The court provided a magnificent procession and orchestra for Prince Qi. In April, Yuan Chongzu became the Administrator of Yanzhou. Huang Hui was sentenced to death for his crimes. Xiao Ying succeeded Huang Hui as the Administrator of South Yanzhou. In May, the King of Wa sent envoys to offer tribute. The court appointed the King of Wa as Grand General of An Dong. Ren Hou was killed for committing a crime. In June, Zhao Chaomin became the Administrator of Jiaozhou. Yang Wenhong became the Administrator of North Qinzhou and was also titled the King of Wudu. In August, Prince Qi submitted a memorial suggesting the prohibition of wearing peculiar attire, presenting a total of fourteen suggestions. The Crown Prince of Qi was appointed as both the General of the Army and the Military Governor. Xiao Yi became the Administrator of Jiangzhou. On the first day of September, there was a solar eclipse. Prince Qi was subsequently promoted to Grand Tutor and was granted the Yellow Battle-axe, commanding the national army, allowed to wear court attire in the palace, no longer required to kneel before the emperor, permitted to address the emperor by name, and was given four additional officials. Prince Jingxi Wang Xie became the Minister of Works. Xiao Ying officially took office as the Administrator of South Yanzhou. Prince Qi received three luxurious horse carriages. An envoy from the state of Rui Rui presented tribute. Zhang Dan, the Intendant of Wuling, committed a crime, was imprisoned, and eventually died.
In October, Xiao Huang became the Administrator of Yuzhou. Sun Tangguan had previously escaped, was later captured, and then killed. The court appointed Xie Shi as the Empress and announced the reduction of the highest penalty, with all punishments of five years or less being pardoned. In November, Liu Kun's son was appointed as the King of Nanfeng County. Liu Huang rebelled, and he and his accomplices were all killed. Prince Nanyang Hui was reappointed as Prince of Suijun, and Suiyang County was also renamed. In December, the Empress conducted sacrificial rites at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. An envoy from Goryeo offered tribute.
In a certain year, during the Common Era, on the first day of the lunar New Year, Xiao Yi was promoted to General of the West and appointed Governor of Jingzhou, while Wang Yanzhi was also promoted to General of Annan and Governor of Jiangzhou. Xiao Shunzhi was appointed as the Governor of Yingzhou. The next day, the Prince of Qi presented a memorial, pardoning everyone sentenced to hard labor for their offenses. A few days later, Wang Xuanmiao was appointed as the Governor of Liangzhou and Nanqinzhou. The Crown Prince of Qi was promoted and given a raise; his official title was elevated to Supervisor of the Left, and he was appointed Grand General of the Central Army, granted the title of Duke, and awarded the Nine Bestowments, steadily rising in rank and wealth. Afterwards, the Prince of Qi bestowed additional honorary titles and retained his original positions. Zhang Jing'er was appointed as General of the Guard, and Xiao Changmao was appointed as Governor of Yongzhou. On a certain day in the second month, Prince Shaoling passed away. On the first day of the third month, a solar eclipse occurred. Subsequently, the Prince of Qi was promoted to Prime Minister, wielding immense power over all the ministers, and was granted ten counties with the title of Duke, enjoying the Nine Bestowments and various honors, enjoying a higher status than other princes. His son, Xiao Ze, was appointed as Governor of Nanyuzhou and titled as the Duke of Qi's heir, assisting the Prince of Qi and rising in status. Shortly after, Prince Linchuan led a rebellion but ultimately failed, leading to him and his accomplices being killed. Since the state of Qi was newly established, the court allocated five million coins, five thousand bolts of cloth, and one thousand bolts of silk for the Prince of Qi's use.
On a certain day in April, the title of Duke Qi was once again elevated, from Duke to King Qi, and his fiefdom was expanded by an additional ten counties. Not long after, Prince Wuling Zan passed away. Subsequently, King Qi was allowed to use twelve plumes, the flags reserved for the emperor, and his travel arrangements were elevated to that of the emperor, traveling in a golden-rooted carriage and driving six horses, with all the trappings of grandeur, akin to that of an emperor. The crown prince of King Qi was also promoted to Crown Prince, and the titles of other royal family members were assigned based on established customs. Eventually, King Qi ascended to the throne, while the old emperor abdicated and relocated to Danyang Palace. After the new emperor ascended the throne, the former emperor was bestowed the title of King Ruyin, but his status was distinct from that of his subjects. The new dynasty adopted the reign title of the Song dynasty, with the emperor exempt from writing memorials when submitting reports, and not needing to write edicts when responding to memorials. On the Jiwu day in May of the first year of the Jianyuan era, he passed away in Danyang Palace at the tender age of thirteen. He was posthumously honored as Emperor Shun. In the sixth month of Yiyu, he was interred at Suining Mausoleum. In short, those wise and virtuous emperors in history did not ascend to the throne lightly. Either the nation was in turmoil, requiring their leadership to restore order, or it was their divine destiny to become emperors. Since the time of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, those emperors divinely appointed, which of them did not rise to power when the nation was on the brink of collapse? The decline of the Water Virtue had already begun long ago, and it was far more complex than just the abdication of King Ruyin!
