the 17th and last emperor of the Ming dynasty in China, reigning from 1627–1644. "Chongzhen," the era name of his reign, means "honorable and auspicious." When the Tianqi Emperor died in October 1627, Zhu Youjian, then about 16 years old, ascended the throne as the Chongzhen Emperor. His succession was helped by Empress Zhang (widow of the Tianqi Emperor), despite the manoeuvres of the chief eunuch, Wei Zhongxian, who wanted to continue to dominate the imperial court.
