A Chinese Biographical Dictionary/Chu Chien-shên
438 Chu Chien-shên 朱見深 A.D. 1439-1487. The eldest son of Chu Ch'i-chên, whom he succeeded in 1464 as eighth Emperor of the Ming dynasty. He removed his father's favourite eunuch, but was himself entirely under the influence of his concubine 萬 Wan, on whom he lavished untold wealth and who in return for heavy bribes appointed eunuchs to important posts. The reign was marked by weakness abroad, and by disturbances, floods, and drought at home. After 1471 no audience was given to Ministers, and the eunuch Wang Chih practically ruled the country. In 1475, for the first time, an embassy from the Manchus is recorded. The Heir Apparent died in 1472, and it was not until 1475 that the existence of another son by a concubine, whom the Lady Wan had ordered to be destroyed, was revealed to him. Canonised as 憲宗純皇帝.