In what year was Cao Jixiang, the great eunuch of the Ming Dynasty, born?

Cao Jixiang

Cao Jixiang (? ~ 1461) was born in Luanzhou (now Luan County, Hebei). Before Yingzong ascended the throne, he entered the palace as an eunuch and had a family. The reason for his "purification" is unknown. After Cao Jixiang entered the palace as a eunuch, he has been under Wang Zhen and attached to this powerful eunuch.

In the "Tumu Fort Incident", Yingzong was captured and Wang Zhen was killed. Yingzong's younger brother Zhu Qiyu succeeded to the throne as Emperor Jing.

In the spring and summer of the first year of Jingtai (1450), Yingzong was released and returned to Beijing, where he lived in the South Palace of the Imperial City and was called the Supreme Emperor. Seven years later, in the first month of the eighth year of Jingtai (1457), with the help of the eunuch Cao Jixiang and others, Yingzong took advantage of Emperor Jing's serious illness and returned to power, which was called the "Nangong Restoration". The "Nangong Restoration" happened like this.

In the first month of the eighth year of Jingtai (1457), Daizong became seriously ill. Shi Heng, the commander of the capital regiment, and the Hanlin minister Xu Youzhen discussed with the eunuch Cao Jixiang to abolish Daizong and reestablish Yingzong, so they decided to use Cao Jixiang's convenient access to the palace and let him contact Yingzong at the third watch on the 16th day of the first lunar month. He led more than 1,000 soldiers into Chang'an Gate, and Cao Jixiang acted as the internal response, and entered the Nangong directly. Under the protection of Cao Jixiang, Shi Heng and others, Yingzong got on the sedan and ran towards the palace. When dawn came, Cao Jixiang knocked on the door. The bells and drums were sounded and the palace door was opened. The ministers who were waiting for the morning meeting did not expect that it was Ying Zong who was sitting in the court hall. They looked at each other and were at a loss. They only heard Xu Youzhen say: "The emperor has been restored to power, why don't you pay your respects?" ! "

Because of his meritorious service in planning and participating in the "Nangong Restoration", Cao Jixiang quickly became a popular figure in the eyes of Yingzong and was highly favored. The Yingzong restoration was successful and those who supported him were rewarded for their merits. Cao Jixiang He was appointed to be in charge of the ceremonial department and the governor of the three camps, and he took control of the military and political power in the capital. >

Cao Jixiang controlled the Yingzong, and the first thing they did after gaining power was to suppress the upright ministers of the DPRK. They first targeted Yu Qian, the Minister of War, who was the direct commander of the defense of Beijing, and who served the country loyally. The loyal minister was wrongly accused and killed.

Cao Jixiang of the Donghua Gate of the Forbidden City deceived Yingzong, excluded Zhongliang, and even dreamed of becoming the emperor one day. He could come in and out of the palace at will; his sons and nephews all had military power. His heir Cao Qin became the governor and was granted the title of Zhaowu Bo soon after. His nephews Cao Xuan and Cao Duo became the governors. From then on, there was a precedent in the Ming Dynasty for the children of eunuchs to be granted titles. There was another group of treacherous people around Cao Jixiang who followed the trend, and their arrogance was close to that of the "old-timer" Wang Zhen.

In July of the fifth year of Tianshun (1461), Cao Jixiang also knew that a disaster was coming. Deciding to take the risk and strike first, he agreed with Cao Qin that Cao Qin would lead the troops into the palace, and he would lead the imperial army to support him, and he would depose Yingzong in one fell swoop. However, Yingzong hurriedly ordered Cao Jixiang to be arrested. After closing the four gates of the palace and the nine gates of the capital, Cao Qin committed suicide by throwing himself into a well. Cao Duo and his family were massacred, regardless of age.

The mutiny launched by Cao Jixiang's family was suppressed overnight. Three days later, Cao Jixiang was tortured by splitting his limbs, and his accomplices Tang Xu and Feng Yi were also executed.