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Imperial Tombs of the Ming Dynasty
However, Xiaozong was not a successful father. He spoiled his only son, Wuzong,
hopelessly. Wuzong was intelligent, but did not like studying, preferring to
live a hedonistic life. On becoming emperor at the age of 15, he turned the
imperial court into his playground, and when he tired of playing in the palace,
he would go out seeking diversion. Sixteen years later in 1522, Wuzong
contracted an illness after falling into the river while fishing, and died soon
after, leaving no heir. One of his cousins succeeded him as Emperor Jiajing.
After coming to power, Jiajing conferred the title of Emperor Ruizong on his
late father and converted his father's tomb in Hubei Province into an imperial
tomb, naming it Xianling Mausoleum. This is the largest single Ming tomb that
contains both an old and a new tomb chamber. Emperor Jiajing was criticized for
excessive spending and manpower in renovating this tomb, but he would be
gratified to know that in December 2000 the Xianling Mausoleum was listed a
world cultural heritage site by UNESCO.
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