Zhu Quan

Zhu Quan (朱权; 1378–1448) was a Chinese historian, military commander, musician, and playwright. He was the seventeenth son of the Hongwu Emperor, the founder of the Ming dynasty. His courtesy title was the Prince of Ning (宁王).

Born in 1378, Zhu Quan initially served as a military commander under his father, the Hongwu Emperor. In 1391, he was granted the frontier fief of Ning, with its capital at Daning, located in present-day Chifeng, Inner Mongolia. Zhu Quan was recognized for his expertise in both military and artistic pursuits. During the unrest surrounding the ascension of his nephew, the Jianwen Emperor, in 1399, he played a notable role.

In 1399, the Jianwen Emperor summoned Zhu Quan for an imperial audience in Nanjing. Due to concerns over possible political repercussions, Zhu Quan refused to comply, which resulted in him losing three of his military divisions for insubordination. Subsequently, Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan, launched a campaign against the Jianwen Emperor. During this period, Zhu Di captured Zhu Quan near Yongping, after feigning a retreat to draw his forces into a trap. Following his capture, Zhu Quan's residence at Daning was ascribed to destruction, with his extensive library burned, although the historical records note the evacuation of his family and courtiers.

Zhu Quan supported Zhu Di during his uprising and was promised a division of the empire, but after Zhu Di ascended the throne as the Yongle Emperor in 1402, he withdrew support and assigned Zhu Quan a remote post in Nanchang, Jiangxi. After an incident where he was accused of practicing wugu (divination or sorcery), Zhu Quan retreated from political activity and devoted himself to cultural and scholarly pursuits.

Throughout his later years, Zhu Quan engaged actively in the compilation and publication of texts on Taoism, history, and culture. Notably, he authored the "Secret Book of Origins," a critique of Buddhism and a defense of Chinese cultural traditions, and his Taoist encyclopedia, the "Most Pure and Precious Books on the Way of August Heaven," was incorporated into the Taoist canon. His scholarly work also included the "Comprehensive Mirror of Extensive Essays," "Family Advice," "Ceremonial Customs of the Country of Ning," and the "Secret History of the Han and Tang" among others. He was a prolific editor, writer, and sponsor of rare texts, and authored poetry and operas.

Zhu Quan is also considered a significant figure in the history of the Chinese guqin (zither). His "Manual of the Mysterious and Marvellous" (1425) is the earliest surviving comprehensive collection of qin scores.

Regarding his family, Zhu Quan was married to Lady Zhang, daughter of Commander Zhang Tai. He had multiple children, including his sons Zhu Panshi, Zhu Panye, Zhu Panyao, Zhu Panzhu, and Zhu Panmou, as well as numerous daughters, several of whom married into other noble and military families.

His descendants included Zhu Chenhao, the Prince of Ning who led the Chenhao rebellion against the Zhengde Emperor, which lasted for 43 days before being suppressed by Wang Yangming. Notable descendants also include the painter Bada Shanren, a seventh-generation grandson, and Lin Shiyi, an eighth-generation grandson.

Zhu Quan died in 1448.