Mengguan

Mengguan (猛瓘; December 21, 1643 – August 12, 1674) was an imperial prince of the Qing dynasty. He was the fifth son of Hooge, Prince Su, who was a grandson of Hong Taiji and a cousin of the Kangxi Emperor. Mengguan was granted the peerage of Prince Wen of the Second Rank in 1657. This peerage was not established as perpetual, so successive bearers would hold diminished ranks; however, the peerage was abolished after his son Yanxin was convicted of collusion with Yunsi.

Birth and Family Background

Mengguan was born to Hooge's secondary princess consort, Lady Shuolongwu. From a young age, he was raised within the imperial palace after being noticed by Empress Xiaoduanwen. The empress personally held Mengguan and engaged with him during court. His upbringing was supported by court figures such as Fushou, who was entrusted with his care. Mengguan had close relationships with his half-brother Fushou and paternal uncle Changgadai. Through Changgadai, Mengguan gained knowledge of palace history and notable figures, such as Prince Shuncheng Lekdehun, whom Changgadai described in detail.

Early Life and Court Notice

His early life was marked by the attention of the empress, who included him in events like the imperial archery. Despite this, his father Hooge approved of his upbringing within the palace environment. Mengguan shared an affinity with other princes and was exposed to historical narratives and tales of strength within the imperial family.

Career and Titles

In 1657, Mengguan was awarded the title of Prince Wen of the Second Rank (多罗温郡王), in recognition of Hooge's merits. However, his elder brother Fushou inherited the higher-ranked peerage Prince Xian of the First Rank (和硕显亲王) and was appointed as one of the regents during the minority of Kangxi. Due to his age, Mengguan was not assigned significant official duties. In 1670, following the murder of Fushou by Changgadai, Mengguan was unable to respond adequately to this event.

Death and Succession

Mengguan died on August 12, 1674. Posthumously, he was titled Prince Wenliang of the Second Rank (多罗温良郡王), with "liang" meaning "kind." His eldest son, Foyonghui, succeeded him as Prince Wen of the Second Rank. After Foyonghui's early death, another son, Yanshou, became a third-rank prince. Yanshou's son Kuihui was later stripped of his title, and his brother Yanxin was granted the title of beile (junior prince). In 1728, Yanxin was implicated in collusion with the eighth prince Yunsi, who sought to challenge the Yongzheng Emperor. Participating in military campaigns under Yuntang, Yanxin was deprived of his title, leading to the abolition of the Prince Wen peerage.

Marriages and Family

Mengguan was married first to Lady Khorchin Borjigin, daughter of Prince of the Second Rank Kitad and a princess consort of Dazhe, Princess Jingduan of the First Rank. After her death, he married Lady Guwalgiya, daughter of the third-rank literary official Subohe.

His children included:

- Foyonghui (Prince Wen'ai of the Second Rank, 1667–1678)

- Yanshou (Prince of the Third Rank, 1670–1715)

- Yanxin (Prince of the Third Rank, 1673–1728)

His descendants held various ranks and titles, but the peerage was eventually abolished following Yanxin's conviction.