Further reading
- Lin, Huan (2012). "大明皇帝在蒙古草原的奇遇" [The Ming Emperor's Adventure on the Mongolian Grasslands]. Forbidden City (in Chinese) (12): 18–29.
Ha Ming [1] [a] (d. 1503), name later changed to Yang Ming, [b] was a Mongolian official and interpreter (translator) of the Ming dynasty.
Ha Ming served a tongshi (interpreter) of the Ming dynasty, responsible for handling tributary affairs and diplomatic missions. During Emperor Yingzong's Zhengtong era, he and his father accompanied Commander Wu Liang (吳良) on a mission to the Oirat Mongols. The Oirat leader Esen detained them, citing grievances that Ming had previously "seized their envoys, reduced rewards, and curtailed trade". Ha Ming and the other detainees were divided among different Mongol tribes and forced into labor. [2]
In 1449, during the Tumu Crisis, Emperor Yingzong was captured by the Oirats and taken north. At that time, only Yuan Bin and Ha Ming remained by his side. Throughout the Emperor's arduous journey across deserts and mountains, Ha Ming attended to his needs and served as interpreter between Emperor Yingzong and Esen. His loyal protection of the Emperor aroused Esen's suspicion, while the eunuch Xi Ning (喜寧), who had defected to the Oirats and become Esen's confidant, repeatedly sought to harm both Ha Ming and Yuan Bin. [3]
In 1450, when Emperor Yingzong was allowed to return to Beijing, Ha Ming accompanied him and was rewarded with the imperial bestowal of the name Yang Ming. [4] In 1457, he was appointed Assistant Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and in 1461 he distinguished himself in the suppression of Cao Qin's rebellion, earning promotion to Vice Commander. In 1466, he again played a major role in quelling Liu Tong's peasant rebellion, and in the following year was elevated to Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. [5] Thereafter, he was repeatedly dispatched as an envoy to the Mongolian steppe and other regions north of the Great Wall. [4]
In 1487, when the Hongzhi Emperor ascended the throne and launched a purge of officials who had risen through irregular means, Ha Ming was spared dismissal owing to his loyal service and proven accomplishments on the frontier. He continued in office until his death in 1503. [6]
Ha Ming was also a writer. He authored two works, Zhengtong beishou shiji (正統北狩事跡) and Zhengtong linrong lu (正統臨戎錄), [7] each in one volume, recording his experiences with Emperor Yingzong during the Emperor’s captivity among the Oirats. [2]
