太监王振与明英宗

The Ming Eunuch Wang Zhen and Emperor Yingzong

太监王振是明朝专权擅政、为害贻祸的三大太监之一。他少年入宫,起初谨守本分,勤诚益至,为诸帝信用。正统年间,王振掌司礼监,逐渐干政,成为当时实际统治者,英宗只是一个傀儡皇帝。而英宗对王振则宠信有加,所言无不从。正统十四年,王振挟帝亲征,导致英宗被俘。至天顺年间,英宗为王振招魂以葬,立祠祭祀,王振一变而为"有功社稷"的忠臣。可见,天顺年间的英宗仍然昏聩。

Wang Zhen was one of the three Ming eunuchs who took the power to intervene in the central government affairs to be harmful to the dynasty. He became a eunuch when he was very young in the palace. At first he was devoted to his duty, and won the Ming Emperors＇trust. During the early Zhengtong period, Wang Zhen took the Sili Jian, and became the de facto ruler gradually while Emperor Yingzong was just a puppet. Wang Zhen induced Emperor Yingzong being personal expedition to the Mongolians but leading the Emperor captured and himself killed on the 14th year of Zhengtong period. However, the muddle - headed Emperor Yingzong founded a temper for Wang Zhen and regarded him as one of the loyalists for the Ming dynasty during Tianshun period.