Yu Qian

Led the Defense of Beijing after the Tumu Crisis, saving the Ming dynasty.

Life

Nothing but a Breeze in His Sleeves

Yu Qian, from Qiantang in Zhejiang, passed the jinshi examination and served for 19 years as Grand Coordinator of Shanxi and Henan. He was a clean official who never brought local produce on his trips to the capital, saying he came with "nothing but a breeze in his sleeves." As a youth he wrote the Ode to Lime: "Ground to powder and bones crushed, I have no fear at all; I only wish to leave my purity in the world."

Defense of Beijing

In the Tumu Crisis of 1449, Emperor Yingzong of Ming was captured by the Oirats, and some at court urged moving the capital south. Yu Qian, then Vice Minister of War, declared sternly: "Anyone who speaks of moving south should be beheaded!" He enthroned Zhu Qiyu, Prince of Cheng, as emperor (the Jingtai Emperor), gathered troops from across the realm, personally directed the fighting at Desheng Gate and repelled the attack of Esen of the Oirats, an episode known as the Defense of Beijing.

Wrongful Death after the Duomen Coup

In 1457 Yingzong was restored to the throne (the Duomen Coup). Shi Heng, Xu Youzhen and others falsely accused Yu Qian of plotting to enthrone a prince from outside the capital, and he was beheaded outside Chongwen Gate; when his house was confiscated, no surplus wealth was found. He was rehabilitated under Emperor Xianzong of Ming and later given the posthumous name "Zhongsu."

Legacy

Yu Qian turned the tide when the state was on the brink of ruin and is regarded as a national hero; together with Yue Fei and Zhang Huangyan he is known as one of the "Three Heroes of West Lake."

Major works & achievements

• Led the Defense of Beijing
• Enthroned the Jingtai Emperor to stabilize the court

Did you know? The idiom "Nothing but a Breeze in His Sleeves," meaning incorruptible, comes from him.

Key dates

• 1421Passed the jinshi exam
• 1430Grand Coordinator of Shanxi and Henan
• 1449Led the Defense of Beijing after the Tumu Crisis
• 1450Emperor Yingzong released
• 1457Executed after the Duomen Coup
• 1466Rehabilitated