Šose

Šose (Manchu: ᡧᠣᠰᡝ; Chinese: 硕塞; born 17 January 1629, died 12 January 1655) was a member of the Qing dynasty imperial family, being the fifth son of Hong Taiji. He held the title of Prince Chengze and was the first individual to bear this peerage. The peerage was later renamed to Prince Zhuang of the First Rank in 1655. In 1778, the title of Prince Chengze of the First Rank was granted iron-cap status, enabling the successive holders to inherit the title without degradation.

Born in the Qingning palace within the Forbidden City in Mukden (now Shenyang), Šose's birthplace was the residence of the reigning Qing emperor during his birth. His mother was Lady Yehe-Nara, a secondary consort of Hong Taiji. Lady Yehe Nara's father, Anabu, was related to Monggo Jerjer, the father of Empress Xiaocigao. Prior to her marriage to Hong Taiji, Lady Yehe Nara was married to Karkama, a leader of Ula valley. After the birth of Šose, she married minister Zhan Tuxietu, but the marriage was marked by domestic violence, leading her to marry a subsequent husband, Darhu of the Hada Nara clan.

Šose was raised in the Qingning palace alongside Bomubogor and Fulin, who later became Emperor Shunzhi. Despite his status as a son of a high-ranking consort, he was not in line for the throne. His marriage took place in June 1644 to Lady Nara, daughter of Feiyanggu, and he was granted the title of Prince Chengze of the Second Rank.

During the Ming-Qing transition, Šose participated in military campaigns. He followed Dodo, Prince Yu, in Shaanzhou and contributed to the conquest of Henan in 1645, capturing generals Zhang Youseng and Liu Fangliang. He was active in the Battle of Shanhai Pass, where he killed Ma Shiyao. Šose also allied with Ajige in the conquest of Datong after Dodo made Khalkha Mongols vassals.

After the death of Dorgon, Šose was promoted to Prince Chengze of the First Rank in 1651. He served as one of the regents along with Wakeda, son of Daišan, and Prince Qian of the Second Rank. Šose died on 12 January 1655; posthumously, he was honored as Prince Chengzeyu of the First Rank (承澤裕親王). His eldest son, Boguoduo, succeeded him.

His estate comprised approximately 78,000 mu of land spread over 25 counties in Zhili, 4,000 mu in Zhangjiakou and Chengde, 71,000 mu in Liaoning, and pasturelands totaling 324,000 mu in Shanxi. In 1887, this represented about 5.5% of the taxable arable land of the Qing Empire. Before the end of the Qing dynasty, his estate had expanded to around 550,000 mu, despite divisions over time.

Family members included his primary consort from the Nara clan, with whom he had a daughter, Princess Heshun of the Second Rank, and two sons, Boguoduo and Bo'erguoluo. His secondary consort was from the Khorchin Borjigin clan, and he had other consorts and concubines, producing additional children.