人物生平

早年

朱常洛系明神宗长子，万历十年八月十一日（1582年8月28日）生，母恭妃王氏原是祖母李太后身边的宫人。不久，明神宗郑贵妃生三子朱常洵，深得宠爱。长子朱常洛一直受到冷遇，群臣纷纷上书要求立储，是为国本之争，明神宗要不是贬斥群臣，就是虚与委蛇地敷衍应付。祖母李太后以为不妥。一日，李太后询问神宗未立朱常洛为太子的缘故。神宗说：「他是宫人所生。」李太后大怒道：「你也是宫人所生（李太后亦是宫人出身）。」神宗听后惶恐，伏地不敢起。

万历二十九年（1601年）十月，明神宗被迫册立长子朱常洛为太子，同时，立三子朱常洵为福王、五子朱常浩为瑞王、六子朱常润为惠王、七子朱常瀛为桂王。太子朱常洛以仁厚著称，朝野皆认为其将来可为明君。但常洛的地位不稳固，郑贵妃时时刻刻想要为朱常洵争夺储君之位，引发了两次妖书案，牵连众多大臣。而后，甚至有郑贵妃手下的两名宦官指使刺客，欲以木梃刺杀朱常洛，是为梃击案，神宗为了不牵连郑贵妃，将该刺客、宦官等三人全部杀死。

朱常洛被立为太子后，就移居慈庆宫，从此与其母王恭妃被隔绝不得相见。万历三十四年（1606年），朱常洛的妾侍王氏生下皇长孙朱由校（日后的明熹宗），神宗为表庆祝，为李太后加尊号，又进封王恭妃为皇贵妃，赐金册金宝，但仍将其屏居景阳宫。万历三十九年九月十三日（1611年10月18日），王恭妃病笃，朱常洛闻言急往景阳宫探视，见景阳宫门深锁，于是破坏门锁入内探视。当时王恭妃已双眼失明，于是以手代眼，拉著朱常洛的衣角：「儿长大如此，我死何恨！」言毕王恭妃便与世长辞。《酌中志》则记载为王恭妃病重时太子每日从苍震门入内问安；《先拨志始》更记载王恭妃察觉到郑贵妃家人偷听，提醒太子，结果母子俩直到王恭妃去世也没有说话。大学士叶向高说：「皇太子母妃薨，礼宜从厚。」神宗不应，复请，才得到允准。

明光宗即位与驾崩

万历四十八年（1620年）七月二十一日，明神宗驾崩。太子朱常洛立即发内帑（皇帝私房钱）百万犒赏边关将士。停止所有矿税，召回以言得罪的诸臣。不久，再发内帑百万犒边。八月即位，改元泰昌，是为明光宗。福王生母郑贵妃为了拢络明光宗，献上八个美少女。八名美少女同时与明光宗发生性行为，明光宗乐此不疲，太监崔文升进以春药。在位不足三十天的明光宗在九月初一因服用李可灼的红丸春药而突然死亡，史称红丸案。

明光宗遗诏：

为政举措

在位一个月，明光宗于群臣帮助下，推行不少政策，如：废矿税、饷边防、补官缺。

首先下令罢免全国范围内的矿监、税使，停止任何形式的的采榷活动，矿税的拖欠当年七月以前一概蠲免。矿税早为人们所厌恶，所以诏书一颁布，朝野欢腾。

光宗皇帝即位后，对各省小民拖欠的九厘辽饷，下令蠲免20%。

第三件事是补充官缺。朱常洛先命令礼部右侍郎、南京吏部侍郎二人为礼部尚书兼内阁大学士；随后，将何宗彦等四人均升为礼部尚书兼内阁大学士；启用卸官归田的旧辅臣叶向高，同意将因为「上疏」争国本获罪的三十三人和为矿税等获罪的十一人一概录用。因此有人感慨明光宗矫枉过正，造成了前所未有的「官满为患」的局面。

陵寝墓地

明光宗下葬的「庆陵」原是为明景帝所建，唯景帝为英宗所贬，葬于西郊金山，故空出一处皇陵。由于明光宗在位时间仅，来不及修建陵墓，故继位的长子明熹宗朱由校将光宗安葬于此陵墓。

任用官吏

内阁首辅

• 方从哲

• 吴道南

名将

• 熊廷弼

太监

• 崔文升：郑贵妃宫中内侍。

• 王安：司礼秉笔太监，劝帝行诸善政，为人刚直而疏，但善病，不能数见帝，因而魏忠贤始进。

• 魏忠贤：明末阉党领袖，与东林党激烈斗争，爆发东林党争。

家庭成员

后妃

• 皇太子妃郭氏：万历二十九年册为皇太子妃，万历四十一年薨，年三十四岁，谥恭靖皇太子妃。明熹宗即位后，加谥孝元昭懿哲惠庄仁合天弼圣贞皇后，迁葬庆陵、祔庙。生皇二女怀淑公主朱徽娟。

• 才人王氏：初为选侍，万历三十二年进才人，万历四十七年三月薨，年三十八岁。明熹宗追谥孝和恭献温穆徽慈谐天鞠圣皇太后，迁葬庆陵。生皇长子明熹宗、皇二子简怀王朱由㰒。

• 淑女刘氏：万历四十二年失上意被谴死，年二十七岁。明熹宗即位后，追封贤妃。明思宗追谥孝纯恭懿淑穆庄静毗天毓圣皇太后，迁葬庆陵。生皇五子明思宗。

• 选侍李氏：深受明光宗宠爱，时称「西李」，抚养过明熹宗、明思宗一段时间。原为选侍，明光宗命册为皇贵妃，驾崩未果。明熹宗即位后，移宫案强行移居仁寿殿，天启四年册为康妃。甲申之变从宫中逃出，后回到京师，由清廷赡养终身。康熙十三年薨，年八十馀岁。生皇四子怀惠王朱由模、皇八女乐安公主、皇十女朱徽妱。

• 选侍李氏：时称「东李」，抚养过明思宗一段时间。原为选侍，明光宗即位后一个月崩，未册封姬妾。明熹宗天启三年册为庄妃，天启四年薨，年三十七岁。

• 选侍赵氏，天启年间赐死。

• 选侍王氏，早逝。生皇三子齐思王朱由楫。

• 选侍傅氏，初为淑女，后为选侍。明光宗即位后命册为妃，驾崩未果。明熹宗即位后将她强行移往别宫，天启四年册为懿妃。崇祯十四年，曾经帮助崇祯帝绘画了最初同为淑女的孝纯皇太后的肖像。据白洋淀的地方志，甲申之变逃到了白洋淀乡间，同年薨，年五十七岁。生皇六女宁德公主、皇七女遂平公主。

• 冯氏，明光宗即位后一个月崩，未册封姬妾。明熹宗即位后未加尊封。明思宗册为敬妃。甲申之变从宫中逃出，后回到京师，由清廷赡养终身。生皇七子慧昭王朱由橏。

• 邵氏，明光宗即位后一个月崩，未册封姬妾。明熹宗即位后未加尊封。明思宗册为慎嫔。甲申之变从宫中逃出，后回到京师，由清廷赡养终身。生皇十一女悼温公主朱徽姃。

• 淑女张氏，原为淑女，明光宗即位后一个月崩，未册封姬妾。明熹宗即位后幽禁在乾西，未加尊封。明思宗册为襄嫔。甲申之变从宫中逃出，后回到京师，由清廷赡养终身。

• 淑女李氏，原为淑女。明光宗即位后一个月崩，未册封姬妾。明熹宗即位后幽禁在乾西，未加尊封。明思宗册为恪嫔。甲申之变从宫中逃出，后回到京师，由清廷赡养终身。

• 淑女郭氏，原为淑女。明光宗即位后一个月崩，未册封姬妾。明熹宗即位后幽禁在乾西五所，未加尊封。明思宗册为定嫔。甲申之变从宫中逃出，后回到京师，由清廷赡养终身。

子女

子

• 皇长子明熹宗朱由校。母孝和皇太后王氏。

• 皇二子简怀王朱由㰒：四岁殇。天启年间，明熹宗追封。母孝和皇太后王氏。

• 皇三子齐思王朱由楫：八岁殇。崇祯年间，朱由检追封。母选侍王氏。

• 皇四子怀惠王朱由模，五岁殇。崇祯年间，朱由检追封。母康妃李氏。

• 皇五子明思宗朱由检。母孝纯皇太后刘氏。

• 皇六子湘怀王朱由栩：出生后夭折。崇祯年间，朱由检追封并赐名。

• 皇七子慧昭王朱由橏：出生后夭折。崇祯年间，朱由检追封并赐名，母冯氏追封敬妃。

女

• 皇长女悼懿公主，早薨。《明史》无载，根据《熹宗实录卷》记载，悼懿公主为熹宗之姊，而熹宗为光宗皇长子，因此断定悼懿公主为光宗诸子女中最长者。而自怀淑公主以后诸公主之排行应依序顺延。

• 皇二女怀淑公主朱徽娟，七岁殇。明熹宗追封。母孝元皇后郭氏。

• 皇三女朱徽姮（1605年后？－1623年？），早薨。《明熹宗实录》记载『天启三年七月辛卯文书房传出黑字揭帖，朕妹封长公主于天启三年七月初二日卯时薨逝，合行书宜照云和公主（明神宗第三女）例行。』母不详。

• 皇四女朱徽嫙，万历三十四年十月生，《明神宗实录》记载『皇太子第三女』，次年正月赐名，万历三十五年十一月戊辰日薨，年方周岁。明思宗追封，谥悼顺。庶出，母不详。

• 皇五女朱徽㜲，万历三十六年七月生，出生百日赐名，次年薨，年方周岁。明思宗追封。庶出，母不详。

• 皇六女宁德公主朱徽妍，天启六年尚刘有福，康熙年间卒。母懿妃傅氏。

• 皇七女遂平公主朱徽婧，天启六年尚齐赞元，生四女。崇祯六年薨，年二十二岁。母懿妃傅氏。

• 皇八女朱徽婉（1611年－？），封号不详，早薨，未出降。庶出，母不详。

• 皇九女乐安公主朱徽娖（一说「徽媞」），尚巩永固。母康妃李氏。

• 皇十女朱徽妱，万历四十四年十月生，出生三日告奉先殿，赐宴辅臣，然而不到百日夭折，未取名。明思宗追封并赐名。母康妃李氏。

• 皇十一女悼温公主朱徽姃，父明光宗遗腹女，夭折。母慎嫔邵氏

人物评价

《明实录》：「自古帝皇仁心仁闻洽于天下，未有不须久道而后成者，必世后仁圣人言之矣。乃光宗贞皇帝在位仅三旬，升遐之日，深山穷谷莫不奔走悲号，何？圣化之神感孚若是速也。盖帝睿质夙成，蚤亲师传，养德青宫已洞悉四海之难艰。故当神皇晏驾时，遗诏未颁，德音据播 ；大宝初嗣，仁政沛施。捐朽蠹而九塞饱腾，撤狐蟊而廛劝动政。地广股肱之助，谏垣充耳目之司。黄发并升于公庭，白驹不滞于空谷。至于虚怀延接一月，而三召臣工锐意图。几浃旬而两蠲而税额 。德意独行，独断爕理，莫施其功，威权自揽。自综执月，御不参其柄。铄乎盛矣，旷千古而仅见者也，乃其尤难者以何思何虑之天，处若危若疑之地。冲龄出讲，已历艰辛，而容色温然，动止泰然。内庭有菀枯之形，若勿知也者；外庭有羽翼之激，若勿闻也者。即册立，寻常事耳。时而举碁，时而反汗。大臣去，小臣谴，宜何如动于耳目者。 而帝也，有夔夔无栗栗。潜之又潜，巧伺者不能窥，善孽者不能中。福藩就国，恸哭抱持。张差发难，帝侍神皇。左右亲传睿旨，晓谕百官群嚣遂息，所全实多。登极后即遵遗命进封皇贵妃，廷臣力争，竟不忍夺以戚畹，哀请而后止，毫不芥蒂于前事也。此即虞舜大孝何以加兹？以舜之孝，扩尧之仁，然则帝之所以感动人心又自有在，而非仅仅更张注措之迹者矣。夫官天下者，寿在令名；家天下者，寿在长世。神皇即不豫，何难四十日留也。使帝之出震未及而干蛊，莫施天下之事将不可知。然则我国家亿万年无疆之祚，皆帝四十日之所延也。帝之功德又岂但在普天之思慕已哉，天眷宗社不虗也。」

影视作品

延伸阅读

Childhood and youth, appointment as heir to the throne

Zhu Changluo, the future Taichang Emperor, was born in 1582, during the tenth year of the Wanli Emperor's reign, as the emperor's first son. His mother, Lady Wang, was a servant of Empress Dowager Li, the Wanli Emperor's mother. Although the Wanli Emperor initially wanted nothing to do with the child, Lady Li convinced him to acknowledge paternity by presenting records of his visits. She also pushed for Lady Wang's promotion to imperial concubine with the title "Consort Gong". However, the emperor's interest in Lady Wang quickly faded as he became infatuated with another concubine, Lady Zheng, who also bore him a son named Zhu Changxun (1586–1641). As a result, Zhu Changluo, despite being the eldest, was ignored by the emperor.

In 1586, the question of succession arose when the emperor promoted Lady Zheng to the rank of "Imperial Noble Consort" (Huang Guifei), placing her just below the empress and above his other concubines, including Lady Wang. It was evident to those around him that he preferred Lady Zheng's son Zhu Changxun—his third son (the second had died in infancy)—to succeed him rather than Zhu Changluo. This caused a division among officials, with some advocating for the rights of the first son based on legal primogeniture, while others supported Lady Zheng. In response to the widespread support for the eldest son, the emperor delayed making a decision. He justified the delay by stating that he was waiting for a son from the empress. When the request was made to appoint Zhu Changluo as crown prince at the age of eight so that his education could officially begin, the emperor defended himself by saying that princes were traditionally taught by eunuchs.

In 1589, the emperor agreed to appoint Zhu Changluo as his successor. However, this decision was met with opposition from Lady Zheng, causing controversy and, two years later, even arrests when a pamphlet was circulated in Beijing accusing her of conspiring against the emperor's eldest son with some high officials. Despite this, the emperor tried to portray Lady Zheng in a positive light to the public.

The failure to name a successor sparked protests from not only opposition-minded officials, but also high dignitaries such as grand secretaries Shen Shixing (in office 1578–91) and Wang Xijue (in office 1584–91 and 1593–94). The empress and Empress Dowager Li also supported the rights of Zhu Changluo. However, it was not until 1601, under pressure from further protests and requests, that the Wanli Emperor finally appointed Zhu Changluo as crown prince. At the same time, Zhu Changxun was given the title of Prince of Fu, but he was kept in Beijing instead of being sent to the province as originally planned when he turned eighteen in 1604. This fueled rumors that the question of succession was still open. It was not until 1614, after a long series of appeals and protests, that the emperor's mother intervened and insisted on sending Zhu Changxun to the provincial seat.

Case of the attack with the stick

Related to the succession debates was the "case of the attack with the stick". In late May 1615, a man named Zhang Chai was arrested near the palace of Zhu Changluo for carrying a stick. It was later discovered that Zhang Chai was mentally unstable and had intended to use the stick to resolve a conflict with two eunuchs he did not get along with. Initially, the case was closed and Zhang Chai was executed. However, prison official Wang Zhicai intervened and pushed for a public investigation involving representatives from the Ministry of Justice. This new version of the case suggested that Zhang Chai was mentally sound and had been manipulated by two eunuchs close to Lady Zheng and her brother. This raised suspicions that their goal was to kill the heir and install Lady Zheng's son in his place. The case caused a stir at court and the Wanli Emperor took the unprecedented step of summoning civil and military officials from the Beijing authorities for a meeting. This was the first time the emperor had met with officials from the "outer court" since 1602. He appeared before them with his family, including Zhu Changluo, Zhu Changluo's sons and daughter, and expressed his disappointment and disbelief that they would doubt his relationship with the heir in whom he trusted and relied upon. Zhu Changluo also confirmed his close relationship with his father and asked for an end to the whole affair. Despite this, the emperor ordered the execution of Zhang Chai and the two eunuchs involved in the case. However, representatives from the Ministry of Justice demanded further investigation and the grand secretaries brokered a compromise. Zhang Chai was executed the next day, but the suspected eunuchs were to be interrogated. The interrogation did take place, but both eunuchs remained under the supervision of the emperor's eunuchs. On the fifth day after the emperor's speech, the officials were informed that the eunuchs had died. The case then fell silent.

Emperor

On 18 August 1620, the Wanli Emperor died. His son, Zhu Changluo, officially took the throne on 28 August 1620 (the first day of the 8th month of the Chinese calendar). Many people in Beijing saw this new monarch as a chance for a fresh start. As he was not related to his father, there was hope that he would abandon the Wanli Emperor's policies. On 19 August, 1 million liang (37.3 tons) of silver from the palace treasury was sent to defend the northeastern borders, due to the critical situation in Liaodong, where Nurhaci's Jurchens were attacking. Additionally, the mining and commercial taxes that had been introduced in the 1590s were abolished, and the eunuch tax commissioners, who were responsible for collecting these taxes, were recalled from the provinces. All of these actions were carried out in accordance with the last wishes of the deceased emperor. On 21 August, the Taichang Emperor sent another million liang of silver to Liaodong.

Zhu Changluo chose the name Taichang for his era, symbolizing peace and prosperity in contrast to the turmoil of the previous reign. To address the long-standing issue of vacant positions in the administration, the new emperor appointed many critics of the previous government who had been removed from their positions for opposing the Wanli Emperor. Among the first to be summoned were Zuo Yuanbiao (; 1551–1624) and Feng Congwu (; 1556–1627), both associated with the Donglin movement. The Donglin supporters had largely supported Zhu Changluo during the dispute over the succession in the 1580s and 1590s.

Illness and death, the Red Pill Case

Three days after his enthronement, the Taichang Emperor fell ill. On 5 September, his condition worsened, and he called for a physician. During audiences on 8 and 9 September, he appeared unwell and soon took to his bed. On 13 September, he was visited again by the physician and a group of officials. The emperor complained of insomnia and loss of appetite. The officials were concerned and when they heard that Cui Wensheng, the eunuch in charge of the imperial clinic, had given the emperor a laxative, they accused him of incompetence. The officials believed that the emperor needed strengthening medicine instead. The emperor refused to accept the accusation, but also stopped taking the mentioned medicine.

Several days passed with Taichang officiating from his bed, but on 17 September, he became overwhelmed and began to speak of his impending death. During a visit from concerned officials, led by Grand Secretary Fang Congzhe, on 25 September, the emperor requested red pills, which he had heard were being produced by Li Keshao, an assistant director in the Court of State Ceremonial. Li later testified that he believed his pills helped strengthen the emperor's diseased body. That same day, the imperial guards and eunuchs brought Li Keshao to the emperor, who ordered him to make the pills. In the presence of the aforementioned (thirteen) officials, Li made the pills using lead, autumn mineral, human milk and cinnabar—all tonic drugs in traditional Chinese medicine—which were provided to him by the emperor's eunuchs. He then gave one pill to the emperor, who felt relieved and became hungry, requesting another pill. However, Li refused, stating that one pill was enough and two would be too many. The emperor then sent Li Keshao and the officials home after midnight. The following morning at dawn, the eunuchs announced that the emperor had died. Some members of the Donglin movement accused Li Keshao and Grand Secretary Fang Congzhe of poisoning the emperor, while others among the thirteen officials present took a more cautious approach, attempting to absolve themselves of any negligence. The controversy surrounding the red pills—whether they caused the emperor's death intentionally or unintentionally—sparked heated debates and accusations over the next few years.

After the Taichang Emperor's death, a power struggle emerged over the succession of his fourteen-year-old successor, Zhu Youjiao. Lady Li, the Taichang Emperor's favored concubine, clashed with the ministers and grand secretaries for control. Despite Lady Li's resistance and that of her eunuchs, the eunuchs loyal to the officials ultimately handed the boy over to them and banished Lady Li to another palace. Zhu Youjiao officially ascended to the throne on 1 October 1620.

Family

Consorts and issue

• Empress Xiaoyuanzhen, of the Guo clan (; 1580–1613)

　• Princess Huaishu (; 1604–1610), personal name Huijian, second daughter

• Empress Dowager Xiaohe, of the Wang clan (; 1582–1619)

　• Zhu Youjiao, the Tianqi Emperor (; 23 December 1605 – 30 September 1627), first son

　• Zhu Youxue, Prince Huai of Jian (; 1607–1610), second son

• Empress Dowager Xiaochun, of the Liu clan (; 1588–1615)

　• Zhu Youjian, the Chongzhen Emperor (; 6 February 1611 – 25 April 1644), fifth son

• Consort Gongyizhuang, of the Li clan (; 5 December 1588 – 6 December 1624)

• Consort Yi, of the Fu clan (; 1588–1644)

　• Princess Ningde, personal name Huiyan, sixth daughter

　　• Married Liu Youfu in 1626

　• Princess Suiping (; 1611 – 8 February 1633), personal name Huijing, seventh daughter

　　• Married Qi Zanyuan in 1627, and had issue (four daughters)

　• Zhu Youxu, Prince Huai of Xiang, sixth son

• Consort Kang, of the Li clan (; 1584–1674)

　• Zhu Youmo, Prince Hui of Huai (; 30 November 1610 – 1615), fourth son

　• Princess Le'an (; 1611–1643), personal name Huiti, ninth daughter

　　• Married Gong Yonggu (; d. 1644), and had issue (three sons, two daughters)

　• Zhu Huizhao, (; 1616–1617), tenth daughter

• Consort Jing, of the Feng clan

　• Zhu Youshan, Prince Zhao of Hui (; b. 1620), seventh son

• Concubine Shen, of the Shao clan

　• Princess Daowen (; 1621–1621), personal name Huizheng, 11th daughter

• Concubine Xiang, of the Zhang clan

• Concubine Ke, of the Li clan

• Concubine Ding, of the Guo clan

• Lady of Selected Service, of the Wang clan

　• Zhu Youji, Prince Si of Qi (; 14 August 1609 – 1616), third son

• Lady of Selected Service, of the Zhao clan (; d. 1620)

• Unknown

　• Princess Daoyi, first daughter

　• Zhu Huiheng, third daughter

　• Princess Daoshun (; 1606–1607), personal name Huixian, fourth daughter

　• Zhu Huiweng, (; 1608–1609), fifth daughter

　• Zhu Huiwan, eighth daughter