Zhu Zaizhen

Zhu Zaizhen (29 March 1537 – 9 February 1565) was a prince of the Ming dynasty. He was the fourth son of the Jiajing Emperor, with Consort Lu as his mother. In 1538, he was granted the title of Prince of Jing (景王).

Early in his life, Zhu Zaizhen held the title of Prince of Jing. His familial relations included his older brother, Zhu Zaiji, who held the title of Prince of Yu. Consort Lu, Zhu Zaizhen's mother, was favored by the emperor, whereas Consort Du, the mother of Zhu Zaiji, was less favored. His relationship with his father, the Jiajing Emperor, was characterized by conflicts attributed to traits such as greed and arrogance, which historical sources suggest may have been inherited from the emperor, who was known for his temper.

In January 1561, the Jiajing Emperor issued an imperial decree directing Zhu Zaizhen to manage his fief in De'an Prefecture, located in present-day Hubei Province. Subsequently, Zhu Zaizhen requested additional farmland, which was approved by the Ministry of Revenue after a detailed review. The territory of Shashi in Jingzhou was not under the jurisdiction of the Prince of Jing. Despite this, Zhu Zaizhen's officials attempted to collect rent from Shashi; however, the local prefect, Xu Xuemo, refused to pay. Furthermore, Zhu Zaizhen collected a firewood tax from Liujiage in Hanyang, which was opposed by the prefectural judge Wu Zongzhou. These conflicts led to the punishment of officials Xu Xuemo and Wu Zongzhou and involved the appropriation of significant land, fields, and lakes, amounting to tens of thousands of hectares.

Zhu Zaizhen died of illness in 1565. The Jiajing Emperor remarked upon his death to the Senior Grand Secretary Xu Jie, "This son always hoped to become heir (Taizi), and now he is gone." Zhu Zaizhen had no recorded children. Following his death, he was buried in the Western Hills of Beijing. On the orders of the emperor, his concubines were required to return to the capital and reside in his former residence. Additionally, his princedom was abolished after his death.

References to Zhu Zaizhen's life are documented in historical records, but specific sources are not cited within the provided text.