Zhu Youjue

Zhu Youjue (December 15, 1392 – May 8, 1452), was the son of King Ding of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Jisu. In August of the 35th year of the Hongwu reign (1402), he was enfeoffed as King of Xiangfu. During the Xuanzong era, his second brother, Prince of Runnan Zhu Youyan, and his fifth brother, Prince of Xin'an Zhu Youxi, forged letters accusing Zhu Youjue of conspiring with the royal uncle, King of Zhao Zhu Gaoxu, to revolt. Xuanzong doubted their innocence and summoned Zhu Youjue to the capital. After confirming that Zhu Youjue was not in conflict with Zhu Youxi, Zhu Youyan confessed that the letters were authored by Zhu Youxi. Based on this, Xuanzong rewarded Zhu Youjue, sent eunuchs to escort him back to his feudal state, and deposed Zhu Youjue’s brothers Zhu Youxi and Zhu Youyan to commoner status. After the death of King of Zhou, King of Xian, who had no heirs, Zhu Youjue was posthumously enfeoffed as King of Zhou on the 25th day of the eighth month of the fourth year of the Zhengtong era. He died on April 19, the third year of the Jingtai era (1452), and was posthumously titled King Jian of Zhou. His son Zhu Zihao succeeded him. Zhu Youjue’s queen was the daughter of Xu Jian, commander of Laizhou Guard. She died in July of the 11th year of the Yongle era (1413). He had many children, including Zhu Zihao (King of Zhou Jing), Zhu Zidang (King of Zhou Yi), Zhu Zishi (originally King of Wu'an Yi), Zhu Zilai (King of Yanling Anxi), Zhu Zitan (King of Heyin Huaixi), Zhu Ziyan (King of Xiangcheng Gonghe), Zhu Zijiang (King of Yiyang Daohe), Zhu Zixu (King of Yingchuan Wenxi), Zhu Zega (King of Yiyang Kangjing), Zhu Zaen (King of Ruyin Huayi), Zhu Zhuan (King of Linru Duanyi).