After Liu Jin's downfall, the actor Zang Xian (臧賢) and officers Qian Ning and Jiang Bin became the emperor's favorites, while Grand Secretary Yang Tinghe managed the general administration.

The administration of Liu Jin was marked by high tax pressure and a decline in the government's authority, which ultimately led to multiple large-scale rebellions.

On his deathbed, he called upon his closest aides, Grand Secretaries Liu Jian (劉健), Li Dongyang, and Xie Qian (謝遷), to faithfully serve his son.

[2] Upon ascending to the throne, the Zhengde Emperor was confronted with three major issues that had been passed down to him: insufficient state revenue, a vulnerable military presence on the northwestern border with the Mongols, and conflicts between the imperial eunuchs and officials regarding problem-solving methods.

This disagreement between the ruler and his officials was partly due to a generational gap, as the Zhengde Emperor was young and the youngest Grand Secretary was fifty-six years old.

[2] In contrast to his father, who exercised imperial authority sparingly, delegated power effectively, and dutifully fulfilled his responsibilities, the Zhengde Emperor showed little concern for state affairs.

While the Ministry of Revenue theoretically brought in 1.5 million liang in silver (equivalent to about 56 tons), the actual amount was much lower due to tax remissions and arrears.

The eunuchs, feeling threatened by the rise of the "Eight Tigers", initially only wanted Liu Jin to be transferred to the south, but on 27 October 1506, the Minister of Revenue, Han Wen (韓文), petitioned for the execution of all eight.

In December 1506, Han Wen was dismissed due to accusations of abuse of power, and in February 1507, twenty-one officials who protested against the resignation of the Grand Secretaries were punished.

[13] While Liu Jin focused on governing the state, the emperor indulged in the pleasures of the new "Leopard Quarter",[d] surrounded by flattering eunuchs, officers, musicians, lamas, and beauties.

Believing himself to be a potential candidate for the throne, Zhu Zhifan gathered a group of loyalists, including officers from the Ningxia garrison and members of the local gentry.

[21] In addition, he promoted several officers from the Ningxia garrison, offered amnesty to lower-ranking rebels, and promised rewards for those who returned to the government's side.

[29] Any documents related to his proposed reforms were destroyed, effectively rendering his efforts to change the administrative structure of the Ming Empire and increase the emperor's direct control through eunuch officials futile.

[30] In the summer of 1509, the security situation south of Beijing deteriorated as Liu Jin's attempts to raise levies on military households resulted in desertions.

[6] After the downfall of Liu Jin, the emperor faced financial difficulties and, due to the refusal of officials to change the established order, he turned to eunuchs for extraordinary acquisitions.

He impressed the emperor with his archery and military skills, and later by catering to his personal preferences by procuring musicians, Muslim women for the harem, and Tibetan monks who were experts in tantric Buddhism.

[31] In 1512, a twenty-year-old officer named Jiang Bin from the Xuanfu garrison caught the attention of the emperor after his bravery in a battle against rebels the previous year.

In early 1514, his distant relative Zhu Chenhao, Prince of Ning, presented him with several hundred new lanterns and experts to install them for the New Year celebrations.

[39] In recognition of their bravery, the Zhengde Emperor decorated a large number of officers and soldiers, including Jiang Bin and Xu Tai who were both granted the title of count.

In August 1518, he forced the Grand Secretaries to write an edict naming him "Zhu Shou" (朱壽)[41] and granting him the titles of general[39] and duke for his successes in fighting against the Mongols.

[40] Zhu Chenhao, Prince of Ning, belonged to a minor branch of the Ming dynasty, which was based in Nanchang, the capital of the southern Chinese province of Jiangxi.

[49] The prince then returned south with his main forces, but was defeated in a three-day river battle at Lake Poyang, resulting in his capture by Wang Yangming's army.

[58] Jiang Bin's plan was to take control of the imperial city and place the emperor's distant relative, Zhu Junzhang, a prince from Datong, on the throne.

Yang Tinghe obtained permission for his arrest from the eunuch-heads of the Directorate of Ceremonial, Wei Bin and Zhang Rui (張銳), in exchange for the other eunuchs being granted immunity.

[63] During the Hongzhi and Zhengde eras, the government showed little interest in Southeast Asia, in stark contrast to the first third of the 15th century when it actively enforced "Pax Ming" in the region.

[67] The envoy, Tomé Pires, carried a letter from King Manuel I of Portugal to the Chinese emperor and stayed in Guangzhou until the beginning of 1520, when he was finally able to travel to the imperial court.

[67][58] Meanwhile, Fernão's brother, Simão de Andrade, incited the anger of the Chinese with his aggressive actions and the purchase of children, including those who were kidnapped from wealthy families.

[69] During the Zhengde Emperor's reign, there was also a significant development in Neo-Confucian philosophy, thanks to the work of Wang Yangming, who is considered the most important thinker of the Ming era.

[72] One of the most influential figures in literature during this period was Li Dongyang, a Grand Secretary who wrote poems in the secretariat style and emphasized the importance of scholars with broad knowledge (taking Song's Ouyang Xiu as his role model).

Classical historians were highly critical of Liu's group, despite their efforts to improve administration efficiency, halt the decline of central authority, and prevent officials from prioritizing personal interests.