Zhu Jixi

King Ding of Jin Zhu Jixi (May 19, 1375 – March 11, 1435), the second prince of the Ming Dynasty, was the eldest legitimate son of Zhu Gan, with the mother being Lady Xie. He was born in the eighth year of the Hongwu reign. His childhood name was Shanqing, and he was once granted the title of Crown Prince of Jin. In the 31st year of Hongwu (1398), he officially inherited the title of Prince of Jin. He studied in Nanjing alongside Emperor Jianwen Zhu Yunwen, King Qin Yin Zhu Shangbing, and Emperor Renzong Zhu Gaochi. In the 12th year of Yongle (1414), Emperor Yongle revoked his prince title, and he was reassigned as Guardian of the Tombs. In the 21st year of Yongle (1423), his son Zhu Meijui was granted the title of Prince of Pingyang. In the second year of Xuande (1427), his brother Zhu Jihuang was deposed and did not receive his former title back. In 1435, Emperor Yingzong of Ming sent envoys to bestow upon Zhu Meijui the title of Prince of Jin, but he died that same year before the title could be conferred, at the age of sixty-one. He was posthumously honored as King Ding and buried at Jiufeng Mountain in Linfen, Pingyang Prefecture, Shanxi. His spouses included Lady Fu, Lady Zhang, Lady Xu, Lady Du, Lady Wang, Lady Qu, and Lady Sun, among others. His descendants included multiple legitimate and illegitimate children, notably Zhu Meijui, Zhu Meiyuan, and Zhu Meiyue.