Hongchang

Hongchang (Manchu: ᡥᡡᠩ ᡮᠠᠩ, Möllendorff transcription: hūng ts῾ang; January 6, 1741 – February 18, 1795) was the eldest son of Yünmi, the twenty-fourth son of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty. His biological mother was Yünmi’s primary consort, Wu Jian. He was born on the 19th day of the eleventh month of the fifth year of Qianlong’s reign in the lunar calendar. Hongchang’s primary consort was Nala, daughter of E Ranghe, who was a Vice-Grand Secretary. Hongchang had a total of five sons with his other wives and concubines.

Regarding official titles and ranks, he was granted the title of Bu Ru Ba Fen Fuguo Gong (a lesser duke of the second rank) in the 21st year of Qianlong’s reign; in the 39th year, he was posthumously promoted to Duke of Wuchang; in the 42nd year of Qianlong, April, he was further promoted to Prince Qin; in the 48th year, due to a misconduct, he was demoted to a Junwang (junior prince); he passed away in the 60th year of Qianlong’s reign at the age of 54, with the posthumous title “Mi” (密).

As for his children, Hongchang’s primary consort was Nala. Besides his primary wife, he fathered five sons with his other wives and concubines. His eldest son, Yongzhu, was once granted the title of Dorobaolet (a variant of Balee, a Manchu noble title) but was later stripped of his title. His second son, Yongxiang, was also demoted, descending to a third rank guard-general who served as a regional military commander. The details of his other children are not available in existing records.