Zhu Houcong: Difference between revisions
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{{Character Infobox | {{Character Infobox | ||
|image = ACC China DB The Jiajing Emperor.png | |image = ACC China DB The Jiajing Emperor.png | ||
|birth = 16 September 1507<br>{{Wiki|Hubei}}, [[ | |birth = 16 September 1507<br>{{Wiki|Hubei}}, [[Ming dynasty|Great Ming]] | ||
|death = 23 January 1567 | |death = 23 January 1567 {{c|aged 59}}<br>[[Beijing|Peking]], Great Ming | ||
|species = [[Human]] | |species = [[Human]] | ||
|database = [[Database: The Jiajing Emperor|The Jiajing Emperor]] | |||
|affiliates = [[Ming dynasty]]<br>[[Templars]] | |affiliates = [[Ming dynasty]]<br>[[Templars]] | ||
*[[Shanghai Rite of the Templar Order|Chinese Rite]] | *[[Shanghai Rite of the Templar Order|Chinese Rite]] | ||
}} | |||
'''Zhu Houcong''' (朱厚熜; 1507 – 1567), the '''Jiajing Emperor''' (嘉靖帝), was the 11th [[Ming dynasty]] {{Wiki|Emperor of China|Emperor}} of [[China]] who ruled from 1521 until his death. His ascendance as | '''Zhu Houcong''' (朱厚熜; 1507 – 1567), the '''Jiajing Emperor''' (嘉靖帝), was the 11th [[Ming dynasty]] {{Wiki|Emperor of China|Emperor}} of [[China]] who ruled from 1521 until his death. His ascendance as Emperor was aided by the [[Shanghai Rite of the Templar Order|Chinese Rite]] of the [[Templar Order]].<ref name="Encyclopedia">''[[Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia]]''</ref> | ||
==Biography== | ==Biography== | ||
Zhu Houcong, a cousin of the [[Zhu Houzhao|Zhengde Emperor]], was made the new | Zhu Houcong, a cousin of the [[Zhu Houzhao|Zhengde Emperor]], was made the new Emperor as the puppet of [[Zhang Yong]] and the [[Eight Tigers]], a group of powerful Templar [[eunuch]]s. His disdain for the duties of an Emperor was perfect for the Tigers, as they would rule in his stead, making important decisions while he spent his time in [[brothel]]s and private palaces.<ref name="Database">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Database: The Jiajing Emperor]]</ref> | ||
In 1524, tired of the [[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Assassins]]' meddling, the Eight Tigers triggered the [[Great Rites Controversy]] which led to the Jiajing Emperor hunting down many officials to destroy all who opposed him. As a byproduct of this, the entire Chinese Assassin branch was almost eradicated | In 1524, tired of the [[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Assassins]]' meddling, the Eight Tigers triggered the [[Great Rites Controversy]] which led to the Jiajing Emperor hunting down many officials to destroy all who opposed him. As a byproduct of this, the entire Chinese Assassin branch was almost eradicated.<ref name="Encyclopedia" /> | ||
At one point during the Controversy, the [[Assassins|Assassin]] [[Shao Jun]] and her [[Mentor]] [[Zhu Jiuyuan]] infiltrated the [[Forbidden City]] to rescue the Jiajing Emperor's [[concubine]]s. Aware of the Emperor's cruelty and being a former concubine herself, Shao Jun hoped to save the women from the grim fate that awaited them, but arrived too late, as most had already been tortured and killed via ''[[lingchi]]''.<ref name="Embers">''[[Assassin's Creed: Embers]]''</ref> | |||
To her relief, Shao Jun discovered that her childhood best friend [[Zhang Qijie]] had been spared and tried to convince her to escape the Forbidden City with her. However, Qijie declined the offer, as she was fortunate enough to please the Emperor and was now the Imperial Consort, the highest rank among concubines behind the Empress.<ref name="Scroll 11">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Database: Scroll 11 (China)|Scroll 11]]</ref> | |||
When Shao Jun and Zhu Jiuyan left China and traveled to [[Italy]] to seek help from the [[Italian Brotherhood of Assassins|local Assassins]] in rebuilding their Brotherhood, the Jiajing Emperor sent men after them to stop them. In [[Venice]], his agents ambushed and killed Jiuyan,<ref name="Scroll 14">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Database: Scroll 14 (China)|Scroll 14]]</ref> but Shao Jun managed to escape and soon met [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio Auditore]], the retired Mentor of the Italian Assassins. Ezio trained Shao Jun and helped her fend off the Emperor's agents who had followed her, both in [[Florence]] and at his villa in [[Tuscany]].<ref name="Embers" /> | |||
Following Shao Jun's return to China in 1526, she embarked on a quest to hunt down the Eight Tigers and rebuild the Chinese Brotherhood.<ref name="The Escape">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[The Escape (China)|The Escape]]</ref> She was eventually successful in 1532, depriving the Jiajing Emperor of his Templar supporters.<ref name="Vengeance">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Vengeance]]</ref> | |||
In his later years, the Jiajing Emperor developed an interest in alchemy and immortality drugs. In 1567, | From 1542 to 1550, China was harassed by the [[Mongol Empire|Mongol]] leader [[Altan Khan]]. The Jiajing Emperor ended the conflict by offering the Mongol leader special trading rights. After the end of the conflict, the Emperor expanded [[Beijing|Peking]] by building the Outer City.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]''</ref> | ||
In his later years, the Jiajing Emperor developed an interest in alchemy and immortality drugs. In 1567, the Chinese Assassins, playing on his desire to find the [[elixir of life]], presented him with what they claimed to be the miraculous concoction. The Emperor foolishly believed them and ingested the gift, which was actually concentrated [[Quicksilver|mercury]], and promptly succumbed to mercury [[poison]]ing.<ref name="Vengeance" /> | |||
==Legacy== | ==Legacy== | ||
In 2012, a [[Cryptic Messages|message]] that [[Clay Kaczmarek]] wrote in blood prior to his suicide on the wall in [[Desmond Miles]]' | In 2012, a [[Cryptic Messages|message]] that [[Clay Kaczmarek]] wrote in blood prior to his suicide on the wall in [[Desmond Miles]]' cell at the [[Animus Project laboratory]] stated that ''"Within Emperor Jiajing's sin and {{Wiki|Quetzalcoatl}}'s hunger lies the answers."''<ref name="AC1">''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' – [[21st century conversations|Modern day]]</ref> | ||
==Behind the scenes== | ==Behind the scenes== | ||
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==Appearances== | ==Appearances== | ||
*''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' {{ | *''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' {{1stm}} | ||
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Embers]]'' {{Mo}} | *''[[Assassin's Creed: Embers]]'' {{Mo}} | ||
*''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' {{1st}} | *''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' {{1st}} | ||
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{{Templars nav}} | {{Templars nav}} | ||
{{ACC}} | {{ACC}} | ||
{{ACBoSJ}} | |||
{{ACMS}} | {{ACMS}} | ||
Revision as of 13:41, 9 May 2024
Zhu Houcong (朱厚熜; 1507 – 1567), the Jiajing Emperor (嘉靖帝), was the 11th Ming dynasty Emperor of China who ruled from 1521 until his death. His ascendance as Emperor was aided by the Chinese Rite of the Templar Order.[1]
Biography
Zhu Houcong, a cousin of the Zhengde Emperor, was made the new Emperor as the puppet of Zhang Yong and the Eight Tigers, a group of powerful Templar eunuchs. His disdain for the duties of an Emperor was perfect for the Tigers, as they would rule in his stead, making important decisions while he spent his time in brothels and private palaces.[2]
In 1524, tired of the Chinese Assassins' meddling, the Eight Tigers triggered the Great Rites Controversy which led to the Jiajing Emperor hunting down many officials to destroy all who opposed him. As a byproduct of this, the entire Chinese Assassin branch was almost eradicated.[1]
At one point during the Controversy, the Assassin Shao Jun and her Mentor Zhu Jiuyuan infiltrated the Forbidden City to rescue the Jiajing Emperor's concubines. Aware of the Emperor's cruelty and being a former concubine herself, Shao Jun hoped to save the women from the grim fate that awaited them, but arrived too late, as most had already been tortured and killed via lingchi.[3]
To her relief, Shao Jun discovered that her childhood best friend Zhang Qijie had been spared and tried to convince her to escape the Forbidden City with her. However, Qijie declined the offer, as she was fortunate enough to please the Emperor and was now the Imperial Consort, the highest rank among concubines behind the Empress.[4]
When Shao Jun and Zhu Jiuyan left China and traveled to Italy to seek help from the local Assassins in rebuilding their Brotherhood, the Jiajing Emperor sent men after them to stop them. In Venice, his agents ambushed and killed Jiuyan,[5] but Shao Jun managed to escape and soon met Ezio Auditore, the retired Mentor of the Italian Assassins. Ezio trained Shao Jun and helped her fend off the Emperor's agents who had followed her, both in Florence and at his villa in Tuscany.[3]
Following Shao Jun's return to China in 1526, she embarked on a quest to hunt down the Eight Tigers and rebuild the Chinese Brotherhood.[6] She was eventually successful in 1532, depriving the Jiajing Emperor of his Templar supporters.[7]
From 1542 to 1550, China was harassed by the Mongol leader Altan Khan. The Jiajing Emperor ended the conflict by offering the Mongol leader special trading rights. After the end of the conflict, the Emperor expanded Peking by building the Outer City.[8]
In his later years, the Jiajing Emperor developed an interest in alchemy and immortality drugs. In 1567, the Chinese Assassins, playing on his desire to find the elixir of life, presented him with what they claimed to be the miraculous concoction. The Emperor foolishly believed them and ingested the gift, which was actually concentrated mercury, and promptly succumbed to mercury poisoning.[7]
Legacy
In 2012, a message that Clay Kaczmarek wrote in blood prior to his suicide on the wall in Desmond Miles' cell at the Animus Project laboratory stated that "Within Emperor Jiajing's sin and Quetzalcoatl's hunger lies the answers."[9]
Behind the scenes
The Jiajing Emperor's birth name is Zhū Hòucōng (朱厚熜). His family name, Zhū (朱), refers to the color vermilion. Hòucōng (厚熜) is his personal name. The former component Hòu (厚) literally means 'thick' though in the context of a name can mean 'profound' and 'substantial'. Cōng (熜) is an archaic word for 'chimney' and thus taken together, his name literally means 'thick chimney' though it is likely to have a figurative meaning.
Jiājìng (嘉靖) is Zhū Hòucōng's era name. Historically, Chinese emperors were given posthumous names, temple names, and era names. The former two were given only after death, and while living, the emperor would only be known as 'the Emperor' or 'his imperial majesty' to all but his close friends and relatives. In English, it is conventional to refer to early Chinese monarchs by their posthumous names. However, after the Tang dynasty, posthumous names became increasingly long and tedious to read and write, spanning at least seven characters. From the Tang up until the Mongol Yuan dynasty, emperors are conventionally referred to by their temple names, whereas the emperors of the last two dynasties, the Ming and Qing, are commonly referred to by their era names. Emperors of dynasties before the Ming tended to have multiple era names, which made it impractical to adopt their era names to identify them posthumously, but starting from the Ming, emperors began to adopt one era name per reign.
As Zhū Hòucōng's era name, Jiājìng is not one of his actual names, but the name of his regnal years. Thus, it is incorrect to call him "Emperor Jiajing" or even "Jiajing" rather than "the Jiajing Emperor" (i.e. "Emperor of the Jiajing era"). This mistake is repeated several times in the database entries and documents of Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China. In the era name Jiājìng (嘉靖), the first component jiā (嘉靖) means 'excellent, auspicious, favorable' while jìng (靖) describes an environment that is calm, quiet, and peaceful. Era names were chosen to reflect what the emperor's court desired of his reign upon his ascendance but did not necessarily reflect its actual course.
Appearances
- Assassin's Creed (first mentioned)
- Assassin's Creed: Embers (mentioned only)
- Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China (first appearance)
- Assassin's Creed: Rebellion (mentioned in Database entry only)
- Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun
- Assassin's Creed: The Ming Storm (non-canon)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia
- ↑ Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China – Database: The Jiajing Emperor
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Assassin's Creed: Embers
- ↑ Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China – Scroll 11
- ↑ Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China – Scroll 14
- ↑ Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China – The Escape
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China – Vengeance
- ↑ Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China
- ↑ Assassin's Creed – Modern day
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de:Kaiser Jiajing es:Jiajing fr:Jiajing it:Jiajing pl:Zhu Houcong zh:朱厚熜