Zhu Cihuan

Zhu Cihuan, born in 1633, was a member of the Ming imperial family during the late Ming and early Qing periods. He was the fifth son of Emperor Chongzhen (Zhu Youjian), and his mother was the Consort Tian, known as Gongshu, Duan Hui, Jing Huai Huang Gui Fei. In folk tradition, he was referred to as "Third Prince Zhu." Due to the death of Crown Prince Zhu Ciling in the tenth year of Chongzhen (1637), Cihuan gained prominence by being called the "Third Prince Zhu," making him the third son of the emperor, and he had considerable influence among the common people.

He was born in 1633 and died in 1637 at the age of only four. After his death, he was posthumously honored as "Ru Xiao Dao Ling Wang Xuan Ji Ciyan Zhen Jun" (King of Mournful Filial Piety, Inspiriting Spirit, True Lord of Compassion and Correspondence), which was later changed to "Xuan Xian Ci Ying Dao Ling Wang" (King of Prominent Uprising, Compassionate and Mourning Spirit).

In the tenth year of Chongzhen, Cihuan claimed within the palace to have heard an oracle from Empress Dowager Xiao Ding, foretelling that the prince would die prematurely, which led to his posthumous worship and sacrifices by Emperor Chongzhen.

According to some unofficial historical accounts, Cihuan did not die but instead fell ill and dreamt of the Bodhisattva Jiu Lian, who tried to kill the prince. He fled to the south of the Yangtze River, continuing his efforts to resist the Qing conquest and restore the Ming dynasty, calling himself "Third Prince Zhu."

Furthermore, the identity of the "Third Prince Zhu" as a folk legend figure who escaped and was hidden by Ming supporters was exploited multiple times in the late Ming period. For example, Wang Shiyuan claimed to be "Third Prince Zhu" himself, was captured and interrogated by officials. He claimed to be a Ming prince secretly hidden among the people, later changing his name and residence, and was ultimately executed by the Qing government.

In terms of family, his father was Emperor Chongzhen, and his mother was Consort Tian. His brothers included Emperor Diao (Zhu Ciling), Crown Prince Huaiyin (Zhu Cixuan), and Prince Ding'ai (Zhu Cijiang). He had multiple children, among whom Zhu Hexun was one of his descendants.