What it says on the tin: if, once the Zhengtong emperor is captured, he is ransomed and as a result Beijing is captured by the Oirats, what kind of fallout would there be? Would this lead to the early decline of the Ming, and the re-establishment of a Mongol dynasty? How would the Jurchen tribes, and Korea be effected by this turn of events?
WI: Tumu Crisis Results in Mongol Conquest of Beijing?
- Thread starter Tripledot
- Start date
How likely is it that they proclaim the Ming to be "illegal usurpers" and execute the Zhengtong Emperor after taking Beijing?
Kaze
Banned
During the Crisis - the Jingtai Emperor was installed. So they already had a emperor, so executing the other one would be pointless. Ransoming him is what brought the invasion force to the gates of Beijing. (There are some rumors that Jingtai was trying to have the mongols keep the former emperor or was making no means of restoring him to China). If Beijing was captured, Jintai would have retreated back to Nanking, Louyang, or Kaifeng to run resistance and the military to recapture of Beijing. With the former emperor dead, there would be no need to poison Jingtai's son -Crown Prince Huaixian - so succession would be secured.
Kaze
Banned
Esen Taishi who planned the invasion / raid dreamed of one thing - the end of the divide and conquer method of the Ming among the Mongols. He hoped to one day to reunite the tribes despite the fact he was not a Genghisid. Unfortunately even with a successful raid of Beijing - the dream of Esen would not be realized.