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The Crisis of the Tumu Fortress, also known as the Tumu Crisis, or the Jisi Incident, was a border conflict between the Oirats and the Ming dynasty. In July 1449, Esen Taishi, leader of the Oirat Mongols, launched a large-scale, three-pronged invasion of China. Despite having capable generals, Emperor Yingzong of Ming, under the influence of eunuch Wang Zhen who dominated the Ming court at the time, made the decision to personally lead his armies into battle against Esen. On 1 September, the Ming army suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the much weaker Mongols, and the emperor was captured. This defeat was one of the biggest military failures in the Ming dynasty's three centuries of existence, and it was largely attributed to the poor leadership of their army.
Esen, for his part, was not prepared for the scale of his victory or for the capture of the Ming emperor. Initially, he attempted to use the captured emperor to raise a ransom and planned to conquer the undefended Ming capital of Beijing. His plan was foiled due to the steadfast leadership of the commander in the capital, Yu Qian, and the ascension of the captured emperor's brother, the Jingtai Emperor. Emperor Yingzong was eventually released in 1450, but he was placed under house arrest by his brother. Esen faced growing criticism for his failure to exploit his victory over the Ming and was Assassination six years after the battle in 1455.
After the death of the Yongle Emperor in 1424, the defense of the northern borders began to deteriorate. Despite complaints from generals about the lack of resources, no action was taken. In 1435 and 1438, some garrisons were reinforced, but the overall situation remained unchanged. Inland, only half of the supposed 2.5 million soldiers in the Weisuo system were actually performing their duties. Farms given to hereditary soldiers from Weisuo garrisons on the borders were often seized by officers, who became landowners while reducing their soldiers to farm laborers, leading to the collapse of local self-sufficiency and a reliance on grain transported from the interior. This resulted in a decline in the quality of training, military prowess, and logistic support (including weapons and equipment). The Beijing garrison was frequently used for construction projects, such as defensive positions, but more often for the building of palaces, temples, and private residences for officers and eunuchs of the imperial palace.
The defense of the northern border was primarily focused on the area between China and the steppe, as the outposts in present-day Inner Mongolia had been abandoned. The Great Wall had not yet been constructed and the border was only guarded by patrols between fortified cities. The defense of the northeast relied on three main fortified cities: Xuanfu Garrison, Datong Garrison, and Beijing. The fortifications of Beijing were not completed until 1445. In Xuanfu, there were 90,000 soldiers, with 35,000 ready for battle and 55,000 in training. Additionally, there were 25,000 horsemen and 9,000 firearms of various types, as well as 90,000 Fire arrow. Datong had a stronger cavalry force, with 35,000 horses, and was supported by 160,000 men in Beijing. The reserve consisted of garrisons stationed in northeastern China, specifically in North Zhili, Shandong, and Henan.
The border patrol battalions were meant to hold off the enemy until the main forces arrived, but with Xuanfu only 180 km from Beijing, the defense system lacked depth and relied on a quick and decisive response to any attack.
In their relationship with China, the Mongols were primarily interested in free trade, specifically in the exchange of horses for tea, silk, and other luxury goods. However, the Ming government imposed restrictions and regulations on trade, limiting it to a few designated border towns, with Datong being the main hub. As Esen's power and influence expanded, so did his dependence on these goods to maintain the loyalty of the Mongol tribes. This led to a significant number of Mongols in border markets in the late 1440s, with up to two thousand arriving each year. The large number of armed horsemen posed a serious security concern for the Ming authorities. As a result, the Ming government protested against the excessive number of incoming Mongols, causing a sharp deterioration in their relationship. In 1449, the Ming ultimately rejected the Mongols' request for goods and only provided them with a fifth of what was requested. This rejection led the Mongols to resort to force. The immediate cause of the war was Ming's refusal to grant Esen's request to marry an imperial princess for his son.
On 20 July, news of the raid reached Beijing and the emperor responded by ordering four generals and 45,000 soldiers from the Beijing garrison to advance to Datong and Xuanfu to protect the border. After learning on 30 July that Esen had already attacked Datong, Emperor Yingzong ordered the mobilization of the Beijing garrison. He also declared his intention to personally lead a punitive expedition without consulting his ministers.
Emperor Yingzong was known for his love of military parades, often organized for him by Wang Zhen. His self-confidence was further bolstered by the recent successes of the Ming troops in the Luchuan–Pingmian campaigns and in suppressing the rebellion of Deng Maoqi. All previous Ming emperors, except for Jianwen Emperor, personally led armies into battle. Therefore, Wang Zhen used this to support the emperor's decision.
The first to protest were Minister of War Kuang Ye () and his deputy Yu Qian. They believed that the monarch's participation in a punitive expedition was an unacceptably risky adventure. Other officials also attempted to dissuade the emperor from joining the campaign. Minister of Personnel Wang Zhi () wrote a memorandum on behalf of the dissenting officials, arguing that officers were responsible for the dangers of war, and the emperor, as the head of the imperial family and the empire, and the person on whom the world's attention was focused, should not expose himself to danger. Although the emperor appreciated his concern, he remained determined to carry out his plans. The last attempt to stop the emperor was made by a supervising secretary as the army was leaving the city. He threw himself in front of the emperor's palanquin, but was unsuccessful.
On 3 August, Esen's army defeated the poorly supplied Ming army from Datong at the Yanghe Pass. On the same day, Emperor Yingzong appointed his younger brother Zhu Qiyu, Prince of Cheng, to oversee the administration of the capital during the campaign. Zhu Qiyu was assisted by four representatives from the most influential power groups. These included Prince Consort Commander Jiao Jing (), who represented the imperial family; Jin Ying, the head of the Directorate of Ceremonial and the highest-ranking eunuch in the absence of Wang Zhen; Minister Wang Zhi, who led the government; and Grand Secretary Gao Gu (). All major decisions were to be postponed until the emperor's return.
Despite the deteriorating security situation, the emperor made a sudden decision without any prior preparations. This left the soldiers with only a few days, from 1 to 4 August, to get ready for the campaign. The emperor was accompanied by twenty experienced generals, most of whom held noble titles, and an equal number of high-ranking officials. They were also accompanied by hundreds of lower-ranking dignitaries, with Wang Zhen serving as the de facto commander-in-chief. While the number of mobilized soldiers is unknown, it is often estimated to be around half a million, but in reality, the actual number may have been significantly smaller. Even under optimal conditions, supplying such a large army would have been challenging. The troops were hastily assembled, poorly supplied, and incompetently led, ultimately leading to disaster.
From the very beginning, chaos and disarray plagued the army. The soldiers trudged on through relentless heavy rain. After seven days, they finally reached Xuanfu, but only after being delayed by a storm. Despite pleas from many to turn back, both in Xuanfu and earlier in Juyong Pass, Wang Zhen urged them to press on. By 12 August, some officials were already discussing the possibility of assassinating Wang Zhen and bringing the emperor back, but they lacked the courage to follow through with their plan.
On 16 August, the army arrived at the corpse-strewn battlefield of Yanghe. Two days later, on 18 August, the emperor reached Datong. During the journey, more soldiers died from starvation due to poor supplies than from skirmishes with the enemy. Upon reaching Datong, Wang Zhen received reports from local commanders and information from nearby border garrisons, which convinced him that continuing the campaign into the steppe would be dangerous. As a result, the expedition was declared victorious and the army turned back on 20 August. The discipline of the army had already begun to deteriorate. Wang Zhen was also concerned about the impact of the army's passage on his hometown in Yuzhou (present-day Yu County, Hebei), so he insisted on returning the same way they had come.
On 27 August, the returning troops arrived in Xuanfu. Just three days later, the Mongols launched an attack on the Ming army's rear in Xuanfu, resulting in its destruction. The Mongols then proceeded to Yao'er Gorge, where they ambushed and destroyed a newly formed rear guard of 40,000 cavalry under the command of General Zhu Yong (). The following day, 31 August, the Ming army set up camp at the Tumubao. Despite suggestions from ministers, Wang Zhen refused to seek refuge in the nearby walled city of Huailai County, which was only 10.5 km away. Wang Zhen's reluctance was due to his desire to keep his baggage with him. The army faced a lack of water in Tumu, leaving the men and horses thirsty.
During the battle, the emperor's bodyguard attempted to remove him from the fighting, but were unsuccessful. In the chaos, one of the Ming officers killed Wang Zhen. The emperor was then captured and taken to a Mongol camp near Xuanfu on 3 September. Esen decided not to kill him and instead chose to inform the Ming side of the emperor's survival before deciding on his next course of action.
Reader-in-waiting Xu Cheng, a native of Suzhou known for his military strategy skills and familiarity with the border situation, suggested temporarily moving the capital to the south to keep it safe from the enemy. Minister of Rites Hu Ying opposed this plan, arguing that the tombs of the Yongle and Xuande Emperor emperors could not be abandoned. Vice Minister of War Yu Qian then strongly opposed the idea, even threatening to execute anyone who suggested it. This calmed down the panicking officials, as Yu Qian was supported by influential eunuchs and Grand Secretaries Chen Xun () and Shang Lu (). Although Empress Dowager Sun reluctantly approved staying and authorized any necessary actions to defend the capital, many officials chose to flee south, and some sent their families there for safety.
Meanwhile, the Mongols approached Xuanfu and demanded entry into the city for the captured Emperor Yingzong and his entourage. The defenders of the city responded by shooting at them. The Mongols then retreated to Datong. In a separate message to Beijing, the emperor requested that supplies be provided for the Mongols. The local commanders at Datong also refused to open the gates; they cited imperial orders as their reason for not surrendering. Regional commander Liu An went to the Mongol camp to meet with the emperor, followed by several officials and officers from the city, but the city was not surrendered. Liu An only handed over the local silver reserve (140,000 liang) to the emperor, who then distributed it among the Mongol chieftains.
On 4 September, Minister Wang Zhi requested the empress dowager appoint the Prince of Cheng to govern the country. The empress dowager agreed, but limited his authority by labeling it as "special" and "temporary". Additionally, she also promoted the two-year-old Chenghua Emperor, eldest son of the captured emperor, to the position of crown prince. This appointment was made on 6 September.
Yu Qian used his position as the highest-ranking official in the Ministry of War to oversee defense preparations. He ensured that grain was transported from the granaries in Tongzhou, located near Beijing, where almost half of the grain stocks were stored. The Prince of Cheng also supported Yu's plan to gather military units from nearby provinces and the south, as well as levies from the metropolitan area. On 7 September, Yu was appointed as Minister of War. On the same day, commanders in Datong were warned against responding to the captured emperor's requests.
In response to the threat of invasion from the Mongols, Yu Qian withdrew 80,000 soldiers from Xuanfu and other areas to defend Beijing. He also called in reserves from northern China, including transport and training units and coast guard units. New commanders were appointed and defenses were organized. Meanwhile, Esen once again approached Datong, this time claiming to be defending Emperor Yingzong's right to the throne. His claim was rejected by the garrison at Yanghe Pass. He then marched on Beijing with the intention of restoring Emperor Yingzong to the throne. The defenders at the Jijing Pass held off the Mongol army for several days before being outnumbered. Esen finally reached Beijing on 27 October. With 220,000 men at his disposal, Yu Qian was able to fend off the 70,000 Mongol troops. After five days of fighting, the Mongols realized they did not have the strength to take the city and returned to their homeland. Following Esen's failed campaign, the Ming troops were able to drive out the remaining smaller Mongol forces from China. As a result of Esen's defeat, Mongol unity began to crumble rapidly. Just a few days after his departure from Beijing, Toghtoa Bukha Khan sent an envoy with tribute to the Ming court.
In the following weeks, the Mongols continued their border raids, sometimes involving numerous detachments. The Ming army, commanded from Beijing by Yu Qian, responded by strengthening the defenses of the passes, while the Ming cavalry cleared the border steppes. The operations of the Ming troops did not have significant results, but they faced difficulties in supplying their troops due to the destruction of the surrounding area.
Esen then offered to release Emperor Yingzong, but the Jingtai Emperor was hesitant to accept, as he wanted to solidify his position in the palace and government before allowing his brother to return. As a result, Emperor Yingzong was not able to return until September 1450, remaining in captivity for twelve and a half months. Upon his return, the Jingtai Emperor felt threatened by Emperor Yingzong and ordered him to stay in the Southern Palace within the Forbidden City, limiting his contact with the outside world. Essentially, Emperor Yingzong was under house arrest.
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