The Hongzhi Emperor (July 30, 1470–June 8, 1505) was emperor of the Ming dynasty in China between 1487 and 1505. He was the son of the Chenghua Emperor and his reign as emperor of China is called the Hongzhi Silver Age. He was a wise and peace-loving ruler.

Hongzhi was born in an era where Lady Wan and her associates were on the lookout to eliminate any child born to the emperor Chenghua. It was through a stroke of luck that little Hongzhi was hidden away by the former empress of Chenghua that Hongzhi escaped the fate of death. Hongzhi was only then reunited with his father at the age of 5, in 1475.

Hongzhi was a hardworking and diligent emperor. He closely supervised all affairs of state, lowered taxes, reduced government spending and made wise decisions when employing ministers to government post. His reign re-introduced fresh energy into the Ming dynasty and the citizens once again prospered under his rule. Hongzhi has been compared to his predecessors Emperor Hongwu and Emperor Yongle as one of the most brilliant emperor of the Ming dynasty.

Hongzhi's reign lasted 18 years and he died in 1505 and was succeeded by his son. He was only 36.

zh-cn:明孝宗

See also: Hongzhi Emperor, 1470, 1475, 1487, 1488