Wikipedia:Featured article candidates/Yongle Emperor/archive1

Source and image review

I see no problems with the sources. Several of the images need alt captions though. Векочел (talk) 02:23, 26 April 2026 (UTC)

• Done. M

Image review

• See WP:CAPFRAG

• File:Portrait_assis_de_l'empereur_Ming_Chengzu.jpg needs a US tag. Ditto File:仁孝文皇后徐氏（明太宗（成祖））.jpg
  • Done. M

• Several of the maps use non-English labels - suggest translating them. Also see MOS:COLOUR
  • Removed. M

• File:Yongle_Dadian_Encyclopedia_1403.jpg needs a US tag and is flagged as lacking source
  • Done. M

Also, not an image comment, but sources would benefit from editing for consistency - for example, there are multiple different formats given for publication location, and some books don't include any. A Manual of Style review would also be helpful. Nikkimaria (talk) 04:48, 26 April 2026 (UTC)

I support the article on source and image quality. There are a few instances where primary sources are used, but the balance overall is toward secondary sources. However, I think it would be a good idea to find locations of published sources as suggested by Nikkimaria. Векочел (talk) 02:31, 28 April 2026 (UTC)

@Векочел Some sources, such as Mingshu, are available only in online form and therefore do not include a publisher location. This information is also unavailable for the journals. Min968 (talk) 05:06, 28 April 2026 (UTC)

Support by Olliefant

• WP:LEADCITE violations
  • Fixed.
• I don't like the use of bullet points for the family section
  • Given the large number of consorts and children of Chinese emperors, bullet points provide the clearest and most effective way to present this information.
• Why is the exhibit link in external links instead of further reading?
  • The exhibit is an online resource, not a published secondary source, so it is more appropriately listed under External links rather than Further reading.
• Cut the further information template under "War in Đại Việt" and"The treasure voyages" and just make the links in article
  • They are useful for readers, so I don't think they need to be removed.
• Can you put year ranges on the headings?
  • I don't think it's necessary.
• Why is the Childhood/Youth cutoff at age ten?
  • The cutoff reflects the age at which he was conferred the title of Prince of Yan.

that's what I found Olliefant (she/her) 23:08, 28 April 2026 (UTC)

@Olliefant Done. Min968 (talk) 06:58, 29 April 2026 (UTC)

I don't think having multiple further reading links is helpful, it just clutters the page. Year ranges is helpful for those unfamiliar with the subject Olliefant (she/her) 12:03, 29 April 2026 (UTC)

@Olliefant Done. Min968 (talk) 12:21, 29 April 2026 (UTC)

Several sections are still missing ranges and the bloated further reading sections are still included Olliefant (she/her) 07:27, 30 April 2026 (UTC)

@Olliefant I've added year ranges; if any sections are missing them, could you point them out for me? Min968 (talk) 04:04, 2 May 2026 (UTC)

Support Olliefant (she/her) 08:28, 4 May 2026 (UTC)

Support by Векочел

• I would limit the lead to 4 paragraphs if possible.
• "The couple had two more sons, Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui." Could you give the birth years for these children?
• "Zhu Di was regarded as the most dangerous of the princes." Who regarded him as dangerous?
• "officials Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai were executed". Could you please specify their offices?
• "Despite their protest, the Emperor proceeded". What does the source say he proceeded with?
• "Additionally, as a foreigner in Nanjng, the Yongle Emperor likely felt more at home in Beijing”. Could you explain why he was seen as a foreigner in Nanjing?
• "large-scale maritime expeditions were discontinued". Can you name the emperor or officials who discontinued them?

Векочел (talk) 14:36, 15 May 2026 (UTC)

@Векочел All done. Min968 (talk) 16:42, 15 May 2026 (UTC)

Support Векочел (talk) 21:22, 15 May 2026 (UTC)

Support by ZKang123

Will review.--ZKang123 (talk · contribs) 05:14, 23 May 2026 (UTC)

Lead:

• known as the Jingnan campaign, or the "campaign to clear away disorders". Don't think you need to say what's the alternative name here in the lead
• The Mongols remained the most serious security threat to the empire. They were divided into three main groups: the southeastern Uriankhai, who were largely aligned with Ming, and the eastern Mongols and western Oirats, who posed ongoing challenges. The Ming court alternately supported and confronted these groups. Could summarise to: The Mongols—including the southeastern Uriankhai, eastern Mongols and western Oirats—remained the empire's greatest security threat, prompting the Ming court to alternately support and confront the various groups.
• Although he was a skilled military leader, his wars were ultimately unsuccessful, with a war in Đại Việt (present-day northern Vietnam) from 1407 lasting until the end of his reign and his campaigns in Mongolia failing to ensure the security of China's northern border. – Although a skilled military leader, his wars were ultimately unsuccessful, as the campaign in Đại Việt lasted until the end of his reign and his Mongolian campaigns failed to secure China’s northern border.
  • All done.

Early life:

• On 22 April 1370,[13] the Emperor's nine sons,[14] from the second to the tenth, with the exception of the eldest, Zhu Biao, who had been designated as heir in 1368, were granted princely titles. Sentence is quite chunky. Suggest splitting
• At that time, Zhu Di was given his own household, What does it mean, for an eight-year-old (or ten-year-old) kid, to be "given his own household"?
• In early 1376, Zhu Di married the daughter of the senior Ming general Xu Da,[19] who played a significant role in the founding of the dynasty and one of the twenty-four men of the so-called "Fengyang mafia" recruited by the Hongwu Emperor after he joined the Red Turbans. Also chunky
• Zhu Di's interest in the military was put into practice when he personally trained his own guard... Zhu Di had the freedom to train and deploy his own guard A bit repetitive
• In the 1380s, Zhu Di served in border defense under the leadership of Xu Da. After Xu died in 1385, his deputy Fu Youde took over leadership. Might rewrite In the 1380s, Zhu Di served in border defense under the leadership of Xu Da, who was succeeded by Fu Youde after Xu's death in 1385
• Out of the six princes[xii] responsible for guarding the northern border, Zhu Di was the second oldest but also the most capable. This sounds like an opinion. Might attribute who said this. Similar to He was not afraid to take risks
  • @ZKang123: All done. Min968 (talk) 05:42, 28 May 2026 (UTC)

Will comment more.--ZKang123 (talk · contribs) 02:54, 28 May 2026 (UTC)

Rise to power:

• His closest advisors immediately began reviewing the Hongwu Emperor's reforms, with the most significant change being an attempt to limit and eventually eliminate the Hongwu Emperor's sons, who controlled a significant portion of the empire's military power. Suggest split
• Zhu Di was regarded by the government as the most dangerous of the princes... seen as a serious threat to the regime A bit repetitive
• He petitioned for leniency toward his brother Zhu Su[47] and requested the return of his sons, who had remained in Nanjing since the Hongwu Emperor's funeral and were effectively held as hostages Similar complex sentence, especially the clause after FN47
• used the arrest of two of his officials is it known who they were and what positions they held?
  • The outbreak of hostilities occurred late in July 1399, when a military official loyal to the Chien-wen court seized two junior officials attached to the Prince of Yen's fief and carried them to Nanking for execution on the charge of sedition. The prince, taking this as an excuse, grasped the initiative by launching military offensives against several neighboring counties and prefectures on 5 August under the pretext of chastising treacherous court officials. This marked the beginning of a bloody, three-year military struggle between the court and the prince, which later was camouflaged under the name of a campaign to clear away disorders (ching-nan).
• However, he believed it was his duty as the eldest surviving son of the late emperor to restore laws and order that had been undermined by the new government, out of respect for his father I did a bit of editing here, but I'm wondering if "out of respect for his father" is redundant and can be removed
• Most importantly, his military leadership skills were superior to the indecisiveness and lack of coordination displayed by the government's generals "Most importantly" sounds too essay-like.
• How did the civil war started exactly? Like, is it because the Ming government tried to launch an offensive against Beiping first, or did Zhu Di cast the first stone?
  • In early August 1399, Zhu Di used the arrest of two of his officials as a pretext for rebellion.[51] He claimed that he was rising up to protect the Emperor from the corrupt court officials. With the support of Beiping dignitaries,[xiv] he gained control of the city's garrison and occupied the surrounding prefectures and counties.[52] He attempted to justify his actions through letters sent to the court in August and December 1399, as well as through a public statement.[51] Zhu Di cast the first stone. The government's arrest of his officials provided the pretext, but it was Zhu Di who initiated the rebellion and launched the first military operations in August 1399.
• In September 1399, a government army of 130,000 soldiers, led by the experienced veteran general Geng Bingwen, marched towards Zhending, a city located southwest of Beiping, but by the end of the month, they were defeated. Suggest split
• In 1400... In 1401... In 1402 Reads a bit too much like a chronology log. Might suggest a bit more reword to avoid WP:PROSELIST. I also find similar issues in the subsection "Accession to the throne (1402)"
• During the clashes, the palace was set on fire, resulting in the deaths of the Emperor, his empress, and his son I read the Emperor page which noted that his body was not found and there were rumours he might still be alive. Might say "presumed death" and add a footnote of his alleged fate as a monk.

More comments to come.--ZKang123 (talk · contribs) 01:10, 1 June 2026 (UTC)

@ZKang123 All done. Min968 (talk) 06:38, 1 June 2026 (UTC)

Accession to the throne:

• It included claims that he was the son of Empress Ma, that the Hongwu Emperor had considered appointing him as successor, that he was to be the regent of the Jianwen Emperor, and that he was an exceptionally talented military leader who was highly favored by his father. A bit too long.
• resulting in a purge that affected tens of thousands of people I don't know, but I felt "a purge that affected people" sounds a bit odd. Like obviously a purge would affect people. Like I might simplify to say that "tens of thousand of people were purged".

Domestic policy:

• The reign of the Yongle Emperor is often described as the "second founding" of the Ming dynasty Described by whom?
• As a result, the administrative fragmentation typical of the Hongwu Emperor's reign declined "As a result" reads a bit too essay like
• Led by the grand secretaries, officials gained control of the government. A bit of an odd phrase here, partly due to the use of a dangling modifier.
• Are there wikilinks for Chinese nobility titles (e.g. gong, hou, bo)
• (2,200–2,500 dan of grain for dukes, 800–1,500 for marquises, and around 1,000 for counts; with one dan equal to 107 liters) Could be a footnote
• As a result, the military nobility remained closely tied to and loyal to the Emperor. There was no need for large-scale purges, and isolated punishments were due only to individual failures. Overall, this nobility enhanced imperial prestige and contributed to the military successes of the reign. This part reads like an essay
• He restored the administrative structure of the Hongwu era, while also making some changes. First and foremost, in 1402... Also this part
• Overall, the administration became more qualified and stable. And this part
• I personally recommend trying to avoid essay-like phrases like "Overall", "Meanwhile", "As a result", "Moreover", "In response"
• both the Hongwu and Yongle emperors faced the challenge of governing from a great distance from the empire's northern and western borders, – both the Hongwu and Yongle emperors faced the challenge of governing the empire's northern and western borders from a great distance,
• By the end of 1417, most of the palaces were completed, but construction on the walls continued. In 1420, the city was deemed ready for the relocation of the government. On 28 October 1420, Beijing was officially declared the principal capital of the empire, and by February 1421, ministries and other government agencies had relocated to Beijing Again WP:PROSELIST
• and there were no less than two thousand Tibetan monks Reword "there were no less than"

More to come.--ZKang123 (talk · contribs) 02:01, 2 June 2026 (UTC)

@ZKang123 All done. Min968 (talk) 06:09, 2 June 2026 (UTC)

Foreign policy:

• In addition, the Uriankhai formed a separate group. Again, remove "in addition". Or you can merge with the next sentence into: The Ming dynasty had a strong relationship with the Uriankhai, another Mongol group who aided the Yongle Emperor during the civil war and earned his trust. The Emperor resettled them in the territory that had been vacated by Ming troops in 1403.
• and, after a three-month campaign, defeated Öljei Temür Khan Bunyashiri and his chancellor Arughtai – and defeated Öljei Temür Khan Bunyashiri and his chancellor Arughtai after a three-month campaign
• the Emperor returned to China, Feels a bit redundant
• The large amount of money spent on equipping the armies proved to be a waste when the Mongols refused to engage in battle. A bit confused by this sentence. Like, the Mongols don't wish to fight a war against the Ming despite raiding the border?
• but the allure of Chinese coins and goods was too strong for the Japanese to resist, This phrase seems unencyclopedic.
• Đại Việt was facing growing internal weakness Could Đại Việt faced growing internal strife be a better phrase?
• A total of two thousand ships "A total of" is redundant
• By this logic, cutting naval expenditures also reduced the eunuchs' influence at court Remove "By this logic" otherwise this reads like an essay

Death and legacy:

• The young emperor's accession was contested by his uncle Zhu Gaoxu, echoing the civil war of 1399–1402. – "echoing the civil war of 1399–1402." feels a bit extra here. Would also just say afterward that "The revolt was swiftly suppressed"
• In 1538, the Jiajing Emperor changed the temple name to Chengzu (Accomplished Progenitor) in order to strengthen the legitimacy of his decision to elevate his father to imperial status after his death. A bit of a complicated sentence here. Also, the Jiajing changed Yongle's temple name to Chengzu?
• Might spell the character "Cheng" here

That's all I have for my review. My only concern is that the prose, while looking alright, still feels like reading an essay at some bits. I think there's certainly an effort to condense a lot of the Emperor's accomplishments, but also I am a bit wary whether an AI tool has been used to summarise the points.--ZKang123 (talk · contribs) 10:17, 3 June 2026 (UTC)

@ZKang123 All done. Min968 (talk) 11:19, 3 June 2026 (UTC)

Having seen several quotations from the sources provided, especially in the GA review for this article, I feel fairly certain that this article is free of AI writing. If others feel it would be helpful, the editor might list again some quotes from selected sources to verify that the sources are being cited properly. Векочел (talk) 10:33, 4 June 2026 (UTC)

Support.--ZKang123 (talk · contribs) 07:18, 5 June 2026 (UTC)

RoySmith

Drive-by comments

• "The treasure voyages" - section titles should not begin with definite articles.
• The three images in the The treasure voyages and Death and legacy sections create a sandwich.
• I assume you have requests for replacements for the two excised campaign maps in with Wikipedia:Graphics Lab/Map workshop?
  • Yes, requests for replacement maps have already been submitted at the Graphics Lab's Map Workshop.
• Cite 144 has a p/pp error.
• "with the Imperial City and the Forbidden City forming its core." 1. What is the difference between the Imperial City and the Forbidden City? 2. I cannot find this mentioned in the main article.
• "Zheng He's maritime expeditions extended even further". Zheng He needs briefly introducing at first mention in the lead as well as the main article.
• "including the southeastern Uriankhai, eastern Mongols and western Oirats". Why a leading definite article for the first group and not the subsequent two?

Gog the Mild (talk) 18:28, 11 June 2026 (UTC)

@Gog the Mild All done. Min968 (talk) 04:18, 12 June 2026 (UTC)

The sandwich is still there. Maybe move the tombs image to the right? Gog the Mild (talk) 11:33, 12 June 2026 (UTC)

@Gog the Mild Done. Min968 (talk) 11:40, 12 June 2026 (UTC)

• Closing note: This candidate has been promoted, but there may be a delay in bot processing of the close. Please see WP:FAC/ar, and leave the {{featured article candidates}} template in place on the talk page until the bot goes through. Gog the Mild (talk) 11:57, 12 June 2026 (UTC)

The above discussion is preserved as an archive. Please do not modify it. No further edits should be made to this page.