Esen (也先) | 24 Histories

Overview

The translated histories identify Esen as a tribal leader and warlord. This record brings together 11 passages from 1 chapter across 1 history, with names, dates, relationships, offices, and events preserved as source-backed claims.

Names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Personal	Esen	也先	Yexian
Personal name	Esen	也先	Yexian

Identity

Historicity: Historical
Identification: Named
Sex: Uncertain

Roles

Tribal Leader
Warlord

Life and dates

Attested activity

Source Date: Text: 正統 · Western Year: AD 1449
Explicit event contextual date · mingshi:169:s0144

Places and affiliations

Label: Oirat / 瓦剌 · Relation: ruled
Explicit · mingshi:169:s0144, mingshi:169:s0168

Events and relationships

Kind: military · Role: commander · Action: campaigned against Ming; later negotiated return of Yingzong
Explicit · mingshi:169:s0144, mingshi:169:s0157

References in the histories

Open any source group to read the Chinese and English passage in context.

History of Ming, Chapter 169Volume 169 Biographies 57: Gao Gu, Hu Ying, Wang Zhi · 11 passages

Open chapter

楊善使也先，濙言上皇蒙塵久，宜附進服食，不報。 When Yang Shan went on embassy to the Oirats, Hu Ying urged that supplies be sent to the captive emperor, who had long suffered in the north, but the court did not reply.

帝將親征也先，直率廷臣力諫曰：「國家備邊最為謹嚴。 When the emperor was about to take the field against Esen personally, Wang Zhi led the ministers in strong remonstrance: "The empire guards its frontiers with the utmost care.

景泰元年，也先使使議和，且請還上皇，下禮部議未決。 In Jingtai one Esen sent envoys to discuss peace and ask for the retired emperor's return; the ministry of rites debated without decision.

乃者天誘其衷，也先有悔心之萌，而來求成於我，請還乘輿，此轉禍為福之機也。 Now Heaven has moved their hearts: Esen shows repentance and seeks peace, asking to return the imperial carriage — a chance to turn disaster into blessing.

既行，而瓦剌可汗脫脫不花及也先使先後至，將遣歸。 After they had gone, the Oirat khan Totoq Buqa and Esen's envoys arrived in succession, ready to send the emperor back.

比實還，又以也先使至，具言也先欲和狀。 When Li Shi returned, Esen's envoy had come again, stating Esen's wish for peace in full.

而奉迎車駕，也先意也。 but escorting the imperial carriage home was Esen's intent.

今也先使以迎請為辭，乃不遣使與偕，是疑敵而召兵也。」 Now Esen's envoy comes to welcome the emperor, yet no envoy goes with him — this doubts the enemy and invites war."

帝第報也先書，就令楊善迎歸而已。 The emperor only wrote Esen and ordered Yang Shan to bring the emperor home — nothing more.

二年，也先遣使入貢，且請答使。 In the second year Esen sent envoys with tribute and also asked for return envoys.

無何，也先遣騎入塞，以報使為辭。 Soon Esen sent cavalry across the border on the pretext of escorting return envoys.