Zhu Changxun

Zhu Changxun, Prince of Fu (朱常洵), was born on February 22, 1586, and died on March 2, 1641. He was a member of the Ming dynasty imperial family, the third son of the Wanli Emperor and Noble Consort Zheng. His family background placed him among the prominent figures of late Ming China.

In 1601, Zhu Changxun was granted the title of Prince of Fu. His marriage took place in August 1604, with the imperial court organizing taxes to cover celebrations and wedding gifts. His first son, Zhu Yousong, was born to a concubine and was enfeoffed as the Prince of Dechang in 1613. The family relocated to Luoyang in 1614, where Zhu Changxun governed the Henan region as a fiefdom.

There was a significant succession dispute involving Zhu Changxun. In 1586, the Wanli Emperor decreed that Noble Consort Zheng, Zhu Changxun's mother, should be awarded the title of Imperial Noble Consort. This was met with opposition because the emperor's eldest son, Zhu Changluo, held the rank of Consort, not a higher rank. The maneuver was perceived as a move to establish Zhu Changxun as heir apparent, bypassing the traditional primogeniture system favoring the eldest son. Advisers recommended that if Lady Zheng received the Imperial Noble Consort title, Lady Wang—mother of Zhu Changluo—should be elevated to Noble Consort. Over subsequent years, efforts were made to discourage deviations from primogeniture, as abandoning this tradition was unpopular at court and among the populace.

Ultimately, in 1601, the Wanli Emperor confirmed Zhu Changluo as heir apparent and bestowed upon Zhu Changxun the title Prince of Fu. He remained at the imperial court until 1614, when he moved to Luoyang, adhering to traditional practices.

Zhu Changxun's death occurred amid turmoil during the Jishi uprising led by Li Zicheng in 1641. After his soldiers were defeated, Zhu Changxun fled to Ying'en Temple with his son Zhu Yousong. He was captured, while his son escaped. On the following day, Zhu Changxun was executed publicly at Zhougong Temple, with reports indicating that his body was later interred near Mount Mang (邙) and subsequently moved to Nanjing. There are unverified accounts suggesting that during his execution, his body was boiled and used to make stew that was consumed by Li Zicheng and his soldiers.

Regarding his family, Zhu Changxun's primary consort was Lady Yao (also known as Tian), the mother of Zhu Yousong, who was posthumously honored with the title Empress Dowager Xiaocheng Duanjui Cishun Zhenmu, later altered to a more elaborate posthumous title by Zhu Yousong. Another consort was Lady Zou, to whom Zhu Changxun was also married; she was posthumously honored as Empress Dowager Kezhen Renshou.

Zhu Changxun had at least three children: Zhu Yousong (later the Hongguang Emperor of Southern Ming), Zhu Youju (born July 26, 1609, died 1618), and Zhu Youhua. Zhu Youju was granted the title Prince of Ying, and Zhu Youhua was given the title Prince of Dechang posthumously.

References include the Veritable Records of Ming and scholarly works such as Ray Huang’s account of the Wanli reign and the Ming Dynasty historiography.