Zhizheng Explained

Zhizheng (; 1341–1370) was the third era name (nianhao) of Toghon Temür, Emperor Shun of Yuan (reigned 1333–1370), and was also the Yuan dynasty's final era name. It was used for a total of 30 years.^[1] On 23 May 1370 (Zhizheng 30, 28th day of the 4th month), Biligtü Khan, Emperor Zhaozong of Yuan ascended the throne and continued to use it.

Change of era

• 18 January 1341 Zhiyuan 7, 1st day of 1st month (至元七年一月一日): There was an edict to change the era to Zhizheng.^{[2] [3]}
• 23 May 1370 Zhizheng 30, 28th day of the 4th month (至正三十年四月二十八日): Emperor Huizong died, and Emperor Zhaozong ascended the throne. In May, change the next year to Xuanguang 1 (宣光元年, "the first year of Xuanguang").^{[4] [5] [6]}

Bibliography

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Notes and References

1. Li Chongzhi. Zhongguo Lidai Nianhao Kao, p. 196
2. History of Yuan, Annals, Volume 40, Emperor Shun 3. Song Lian (宋濂). zh. 元史/卷040. 至正元年春正月己酉朔，改元，詔曰：『朕惟帝王之道，德莫大於克孝，治莫大於得賢。朕早歷多難，入紹大統，仰思祖宗付託之重，戰兢惕勵，于茲八年。慨念皇考，久勞于外，甫即大命，四海觖望，夙夜追慕，不忘于懷。乃以至元六年十月初四日，奉玉冊、玉寶，追上皇考曰順天立道睿文智武大聖孝皇帝，被服袞冕，祼于太室，式展孝誠。十有一月六日，勉徇大禮慶成之請，御大明殿受群臣朝。爰自去春，疇咨于眾，以知樞密院事馬札兒台為太師、右丞相，以正百官，以親萬民。尋即控辭，養疾私第，再三諭旨，勉令就位，自春徂秋，其請益固。朕憫其勞日久，察其至誠，不忍煩之以政，俾解機務，仍為太師。而知樞密院事脫脫，早歲輔朕，克著忠貞，乃命為中書右丞相；宗正札魯忽赤帖木兒不花，嘗歷政府，嘉績著聞，為中書左丞相，並錄軍國重事。夫三公論道，以輔予德，二相總政，以弼予治，其以至元七年為至正元年，與天下更始。
3. New History of Yuan, Annals, Volume 24, Huizong 2. Ke Shaomin (柯劭忞). zh. 新元史/卷024. 至正元年春正月己酉朔，改元，詔曰：『……其以至元七年為至正元年，與天下更始焉。』
4. New History of Yuan, Annals, Volume 26, Huizong 4. Ke Shaomin (柯劭忞). zh. 新元史/卷026. 〔至正〕三十年夏四月〔丙戌〕，惠宗崩於應昌，皇太子即皇帝位。……擴廓帖木兒至和林，帝以國事任之，改元宣光。　宣光元年，明太祖洪武四年世。
5. 新元史表第一宗室世表. Ke Shaomin (柯劭忞). zh. 新元史/卷027. 愛猷達理達臘〈廟號昭宗，國語必里克圖汗，改元宣光，在位八年，明洪武十年卒。〉
6. History of Ming, Annals, Volume 2, Taizu 2. Zhang Tingyu (張廷玉). zh. 明史/卷2. 〔洪武三年四月〕丙戌，元帝崩於應昌，子愛猷識理達臘嗣。