Yunzhi, Prince Zhi

Yinzhi (12 March 1672 – 7 January 1735), also known as Yunzhi, was a Manchu prince of the Qing dynasty. His formal title was Prince Zhi of the Second Rank, which he held from 1698 to 1708.

Born in the Aisin Gioro clan, Yinzhi was the fifth son of the Kangxi Emperor. His mother was Consort Hui from the Yehe Nara clan, a relative of the official Mingju. The first four of Kangxi's sons died prematurely, making Yinzhi the eldest surviving son, and he was designated by his father as "First Prince" (Daga'ge). In 1698, he was granted a second-rank prince title, "Prince Zhi of the Second Rank."

Yinzhi participated in military campaigns during the early 18th century, notably the campaign against Galdan Boshugtu Khan of the Zunghar Khanate. In 1708, Kangxi removed Yinreng from his position as Crown Prince and placed Yinzhi in custody, an arrangement that was influenced by Yinzhi's ambitions regarding succession. Yinzhi had long aspired to succeed as emperor and urged his father to execute Yinreng; however, Kangxi disapproved of these actions. Subsequently, Yinzhi's third brother, Yinzhi (胤祉), spread rumors accusing Yinzhi of practicing sorcery to overthrow Yinreng. Kangxi believed these rumors, was incensed, and accused Yinzhi of treachery, stripping him of his princely title and placing him under house arrest.

Following Kangxi's death in 1722, his fourth son, Yinzhen, ascended the throne as the Yongzheng Emperor. To avoid naming taboos, Yinzhi changed his name to "Yunzhi," as the character for "Yin" (胤) was the same as in Yinzhen's personal name. Yunzhi died in 1735 and was accorded a funeral appropriate for a beizi, a rank below prince.

Yinzhi's familial relations included multiple consorts and children. His primary consort belonged to the Irgen Gioro clan. He had several daughters and sons, with notable children such as Hongyu, his first son, and Hongfang, his second son, who was created Duke of the First Rank. Other children held various titles and married into different clans, including the Khorchin and Borjigit clans. Yinzhi also had a mistress from the Uya clan, with whom he fathered additional children.

In modern popular culture, Yinzhi was portrayed by actor Yang Xiaobo in the 2011 television drama "Scarlet Heart."

References used include the "Draft History of Qing" (Qing Shi Gao), authored by Zhao Erxun in 1928, and the work edited by Arthur W. Sr. Hummel in 1943, titled "Eminent Chinese of the Ch'ing Period."