Zhu Tan

King Lu Huang Zhu Tan (March 15, 1370 – January 2, 1390), was the tenth son of Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang. His mother was Lady Guo, Concubine Ning. He was born on the 17th day of the second month in the third year of the Hongwu reign (February 17, 1370), and was granted the title of King of Lu on May 1 of the same year. On the eleventh day of the first month in the eighteenth year of Hongwu (October 11, 1385), he was enfeoffed and assigned to govern the Yanzhou region. Within his family, his princess consort was Lady Tang, daughter of Marquis Tang He, a founding meritorious official. She once briefly managed affairs within the palace but was later executed. His second consort, Lady Ge, was born on June 12 of the twenty-first year of Hongwu (June 12, 1388). In the twenty-third year of Hongwu, she was titled Queen of Lu and died on the third day of the eleventh month in the fifth year of Zheng Tong (November 3, 1430). Zhu Tan was a Taoist believer, taking elixirs of gold, which damaged his health, leading to his death before he reached twenty years old. His tomb is located on the slopes of Jiulong Mountain in Zoucheng, Shandong Province, and was excavated archaeologically in 1970. His son Zhu Zhaoxi reigned for 64 years, passing down the title through ten generations. The family ultimately declined during the Chongzhen reign of Ming, when the Qing army invaded. In 2024, the Anhui Museum will feature relics from the tomb of King Lu in a special exhibition titled "The Capital of the World."