In 1615, Concubine Zhèng, one of Emperor Wanli’s favored consorts, orchestrated an assassination attempt on Crown Prince Zhu Changluo, hoping to replace him with her own son, Prince Zhu Changxun. The plan failed, and the event became known as the Case of the Wooden Staff (An Ding Ji).

 

After this incident, Concubine Zhèng feared revenge from the future Emperor Taichang and tried to win his favor by offering him numerous beautiful women. This gradually eased tensions between them.

 

In 1620, Emperor Wanli passed away at the age of 58. His successor, Crown Prince Zhu Changluo, ascended the throne as Emperor Taichang.

 

However, just 30 days into his reign, he fell gravely ill due to excessive indulgence. On October 8 (Lunar Calendar), his illness worsened, and his eunuchs prescribed herbal medicine for detoxification, which caused severe diarrhea—over 30 to 40 episodes a day.

 

Seeing his deteriorating health, court officials called upon Li Kezhuo, a self-proclaimed alchemist from the Honglu Temple, who presented a mysterious red pill (hong wan), claiming it was a miracle cure. Emperor Taichang took one pill, felt reinvigorated, and praised Li Kezhuo for his loyalty. Encouraged by the initial effect, he took a second pill—but by the next morning, he was found dead in his chambers.

 

He died at the age of 39, after ruling for only 30 days, without even having the chance to establish a new era name. His son, Zhu Youxiao, succeeded him as Emperor Tianqi, and posthumously honored him as Ming Guangzong (Emperor Taichang).

 

This event became a major unresolved historical controversy during the late Ming Dynasty—known as the "Hong Wan Incident." (Red Pill Incident)