DBWI: The Zhengde Emperor didn't adopt Islam?

As we all know, the Zhengde Emperor of China (who reigned from 1505 to 1552) publicly converted to Islam after his near-death experience in 1521, but what if he hadn't openly converted to Islam (or died in 1521)? What would the impact be of no Muslim Ming Emperors? Would Islam still be a prominent religion in China (with 13% of China's population being Muslims histroically)? What would the Ming Dynasty's fate be if the Zhengde Emperor hadn't adopted Islam?
 
Maybe a China less connected to the outside world? Remember that it was the Emperor's urge to (send a representative to) go on a Hajj that led to the second treasure fleet (much smaller than the first) and the Hakka trading clans that, to an extent dominate the Indian Sea to this day.
But of course, China would have lost its "4 teachings" of the Hui sect of Islam, Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism; instead being left with only "3 teachings". All that culture just gone.:'(
 
What about the political impact of the Zhengde Emperor not converting to Islam (or dying in 1521) be? How would the Ming Dynasty develop without the Tian Revolt in which a prominent general claimed the Ming had lost the Mandate of Heaven by converting to Islam and proclaimed himself Emperor of the Tian Dynasty (hence the name of the revolt) and rallied Taoist mystics and peasant rebels to his cause?
 
Maybe a China less connected to the outside world? Remember that it was the Emperor's urge to (send a representative to) go on a Hajj that led to the second treasure fleet (much smaller than the first) and the Hakka trading clans that, to an extent dominate the Indian Sea to this day.
But of course, China would have lost its "4 teachings" of the Hui sect of Islam, Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism; instead being left with only "3 teachings". All that culture just gone.:'(
That is most certainly the only benefit of the conversion.The country most certainly became more tolerant and vibrant--much like the Tang Dynasty.

Otherwise,everything went as normal.I mean there was one time when the guy tried to increase taxes under the guise of Jaziya tax,but it was quickly vetoed by the grand secretariat.
As we all know, the Zhengde Emperor of China (who reigned from 1505 to 1552) publicly converted to Islam after his near-death experience in 1521, but what if he hadn't openly converted to Islam (or died in 1521)? What would the impact be of no Muslim Ming Emperors? Would Islam still be a prominent religion in China (with 13% of China's population being Muslims histroically)? What would the Ming Dynasty's fate be if the Zhengde Emperor hadn't adopted Islam?
I think the conversion's significance was overplayed.There was always a sizable Muslim population in China--courtesy of Muslim merchants since the Tang Dynasty.All that the conversion did was to increase trade with Muslim countries which brought more Muslim immigrants.Most of the country was not Muslim.Most officials never converted.The next emperor basically forgot his predecessor was even Muslim.

What about the political impact of the Zhengde Emperor not converting to Islam (or dying in 1521) be? How would the Ming Dynasty develop without the Tian Revolt in which a prominent general claimed the Ming had lost the Mandate of Heaven by converting to Islam and proclaimed himself Emperor of the Tian Dynasty (hence the name of the revolt) and rallied Taoist mystics and peasant rebels to his cause?
Fairly insignificant.The revolt was crushed within two months.It's worthwhile to note that the bulk of the army was under the control of the bureaucrats.They've been literally preparing since day one against any revolt by the military.

OOC:The authority of Ming emperors was marginal.The real power lay with the bureaucracy.The Ming Dynasty was a country where bureaucrats had the power to veto whatever the emperor wants to do. Often,the political correctness was to veto whatever the emperor wants.After the Tumu Crisis,the country went back to the days of the Song Dynasty,with bureaucrats being in control of everything--even the army.Like the Song Dynasty,the bureaucrats were super paranoid of generals and often tried to suppress the power of army generals.
 
Last edited:
Top