Zhu Cijiong

Zhu Cihong, born in 1632, was the third son of Emperor Chongzhen, Zhu Youjian, and his mother was Empress Zhou. In the sixteenth year of Chongzhen (1643), he was bestowed the title of Prince Ding, also known as Zhu Santai. In the seventeenth year of Chongzhen (1644), during the Jia Shen incident, rebel forces entered Beijing. Li Zicheng proclaimed Zhu Cihong as Duke Ding'an. After Li Zicheng’s defeat, his whereabouts became unknown. During the Southern Ming period, he was posthumously titled King Ding Ai.

As a direct member of the Ming imperial family, Zhu Cihong attracted the attention of the early Qing government due to his status and rumors of rebellion against the Qing. Regarding his background, the “Zui Wei Lu” records him as the third son of Emperor Chongzhen, Yong Wang Cihuan, and the fourth son, Ding Wang Cihong, with his mother being Consort Tian. Empress Zhang also bore a prince, whose whereabouts later became a mystery.

Zhu Cihong had brothers including Emperor Dao Zhu Ciling, King Huaiyin Zhu Cihuang, Yong Wang Zhu Cizhao, Xuanxian Ciying Emperor Daoling Zhu Cihuan, Emperor Dao Huai Zhu Candan, and Emperor Dao Liang Zhu Ciliang.

According to Beijing rumors during the Jia Shen incident, there was a proposal to enthrone Zhu Cihong as emperor, with the era name "Gan Ding."