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China: Emperor Hongxi, 4th ruler of the Ming Dynasty (r. 1424-1425).

Emperor Hongxi, 4th ruler of the Ming Dynasty (r. 1424-1425). Personal Name: Zhu Gaochi, Zhū Gāochì. Posthumous Name: Zhaodii, Zhāodì. Temple Name: Renzong, Rénzōng. Reign Name: Ming Hongxi, Ming Hóngxī.

The Hongxi Emperor was the fourth emperor of the Ming dynasty in China. He succeeded his father, Yongle, in 1424. His era name means 'Vastly Bright'. As Yongle's eldest son, Zhu Gaozhi was born August 16, 1378 and was educated by prominent Confucian tutors. He often acted as regent at Nanjing or at Beijing during his father's northern military campaigns. Zhu Gaozhi, as soon as he became Emperor Hongxi in September 1424, canceled Zheng He's maritime expeditions permanently and abolished the frontier trade of tea for horses as well as missions for gold and pearls to Yunnan and Vietnam. Emperor Hongxi ordered that the capital be moved back to Nanjing from Beijing (which had been made the capital by the Yongle Emperor in 1421). However he died, probably of a heart attack, a month later in May 1425. His son had been declared heir apparent and became the Xuande Emperor at age 26. Although Hongxi had a short reign, he is credited with reforms that made lasting improvements, and his liberal policies were continued by his son.