Toghon Temür became emperor at thirteen. Before his accession court intrigue had sent him into exile on Daecheong Island in Goryeo, and perhaps because of it he kept people of Goryeo origin close to him. His second empress, Empress Gi, had come from Goryeo as a tribute woman and grew into a considerable power at court.
His reign was long but never settled. Chancellors such as Bayan and Toqto'a held the government in turn, while the Yellow River flooded, the paper currency collapsed, and the Red Turban rebellion broke out in 1351. Toqto'a was making headway against the rebels when court politics forced him out, and historians often mark that as the Yuan's last chance to hold the country.
When the Ming northern expedition closed on Dadu in 1368, he opened the northern gate and left for the steppe rather than defend the city. Because of that choice the Yuan court survived, continuing as the Northern Yuan. He died two years later at Yingchang, and the Ming gave him the name Shundi, the emperor who yielded.