Yu Qian

Yu Qian (1398–1457), courtesy name Tingyi, was the Ming minister who held Beijing against the Mongols in 1449. Born in Qiantang, Hangzhou, he passed the jinshi examination in 1421. In 1426 he so sternly listed the rebel Zhu Gaoxu's crimes that the prince trembled on the ground. As Grand Coordinator of Shanxi and Henan he strengthened the Yellow River dikes and petitioned for relief.

He offended the eunuch Wang Zhen and was sentenced to death, later freed. In 1449 the Oirat leader Esen captured Yingzong at Tumu. As Minister of War Yu said those proposing to flee south should be beheaded, posted 220,000 men outside Beijing's nine gates, and in October repulsed Esen.

For eight years Yu led the Jingtai Emperor's government. In 1457 Yingzong retook the throne in a coup and Yu was executed for treason. Later rehabilitated, he was given the posthumous name Zhongsu.