In the first ten years of the rule, Zhang, the first assistant of the cabinet, presided over the government affairs and carried out a series of reform measures, which made the social economy develop greatly and created a situation of "Wanli Prosperity". From 20 to 28 years of Wanli (1592-1600), he presided over the three expeditions of Wanli, which consolidated the territory of the Ming Dynasty, but also spent a lot of money. In the later period of Ming Shenzong's administration, he didn't go to court for 28 years, but the dynasty could still run as usual. In the 24th year of Wanli (1596), eunuchs were sent to serve as mine supervisors and tax collectors. They plundered people's wealth in various places, which repeatedly aroused people's resistance. The party struggle in his later years was caused by the establishment of heirs, and the consequences were not shallow. At this time, the Jurchen in the northeast began to rise. In the forty-seventh year of Wanli (16 19), Zongshen recruited elite troops to Liaodong in an attempt to wipe out Nurhachi in one fell swoop, but was defeated in the battle of Salhu, and the Ming army turned to the defensive.
In the forty-eighth year of Wanli (1620), Ming Shenzong died on July 21st, aged 58, with the temple name Zongshen. Posthumous title Fan Tianhe wrote a short article about Zhesudun, saying that Wu 'an Renzhi showed filial piety to the emperor and buried Dingling of the Ming Tombs. Zhu Changluo, the eldest son, succeeded to the throne after his death. Only 24 years after Ming Shenzong's death, the Ming Dynasty perished.