Zhu Zhanqi

Zhu Zhanqi, courtesy name, was born in 1404 and died on October 6, 1426. He was the legitimate second son of Ming Dynasty's Prince Han, Zhu Gaoxu. His father's identity was Zhu Gaoxu, Prince Han, of the Ming Dynasty; his mother's identity is not known. Zhu Zhanqi's younger brother was Zhu Zhanhe, the crown prince of Prince Yizhuang.

During the Yongle period, Zhu Zhanqi was granted the title of Marquis of a commandery, and together with the crown prince Zhu Zhanhe, he accompanied Emperor Chengzu in Beijing. In the nineteenth year of Yongle (1421), after Zhu Zhanhe's death, Zhu Zhanqi was promoted to heir apparent of the Prince of Han. During this time, he repeatedly reported to Emperor Chengzu about his father killing his mother, and he appealed against his father's faults. The emperor responded by saying, “How can your father and you endure this?” Zhu Gaoxu was also aware of these matters.

During Emperor Chengzu's northern campaigns, Zhu Zhanqi remained in Beijing, and he sent secret envoys multiple times to report to Zhu Gaoxu. Some of the messages involved plans like “the court will send troops to Yinan,” which appeared to incite Zhu Gaoxu to rebel. Zhu Gaoxu also sent many spies to Beijing daily to monitor for any signs of rebellion.

After Emperor Renzong's accession, Zhu Gaoxu went to Beijing to pay homage and accused Zhu Zhanqi of being unfilial. He also presented dozens of secret letters in which Zhu Zhanqi was said to have leaked information to him. Emperor Renzong summoned Zhu Zhanqi and sighed, “You, father and son, brother and brother, have become so envious and instigated discord among my brothers and myself, let alone others!” Zhu Gaoxu responded, “I am his father; even before the great convoy, I was slandered and vilified. How much more so the Emperor! Such crimes deserve death!” Emperor Renzong decided that Zhu Zhanqi, just a young child, was not to be executed, and he ordered him to be sent to Fengyang to guard the tombs, impoverished to a commoner. Additionally, the Central Capital’s patrol authority was commanded to assemble troops against possible rebellion.

In the twenty-second year of Yongle (1426), Emperor Renzong granted Zhu Gaoxu's legitimate third son, Zhu Zhan tan, the title of Prince of Han, and bestowed titles upon his other brothers. In the first year of the Xuande era (1426), Zhu Gaoxu's plan to revolt failed, and Zhu Zhanqi was captured first in Fengyang and subsequently executed.