Zhu Song

King Han Xian Zhu Song was born on June 20, 1380. He was the twentieth son of Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang, and his mother was Consort Zhou and Princess Feng. In the 13th year of Hongwu (1380), he was bestowed the title of King Han, with his residence located in Kaoyuan, Liaodong. Zhu Song was intelligent and bright, knowledgeable and talented, and his conduct was respectful and modest. In the 24th year of Hongwu (1391), he was officially titled King Han and resided in Liaodong. In the 27th year of Hongwu (1394), Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang dispatched Zhu Song and Zhu Mo, King of Shen, to visit the other five kings’ fiefdoms, demonstrating brotherly camaraderie. Zhu Song reigned for sixteen years but did not take up his fiefdom. He passed away in the fifth year of Yongle (1407) at the age of twenty-eight and was buried outside Anmen in Nanjing, at Xiangshan. His posthumous title was Xian. Four years later, his eldest son Zhu Chonglie succeeded him.

Regarding his family, his wife was Lady Feng Miaoqin, daughter of the Right General and Left Commander of the Guards, Feng Cheng. She was granted her title in the 29th year of Hongwu and died in the 2nd year of Jingtai, buried in Pingliang Prefecture. His children included his eldest legitimize son, King Han Gong Zhu Chonglie; his commoner second son, King Xiangling Zhuangmu Zhu Chongjie; King Linfen Zhu Chongjue (who died early); and King Le Pingding Su Zhu Chongxiu. His daughter was Princess Ronghe, who was granted her title in the 15th year of Yongle, and later married Wang Zhengzi, a White Banner officer of the naval left guard.

After Zhu Song's death, in the 5th year of Yongle (1408), he was buried on the plains of Xiangshan in Nanjing. His tomb was once looted, and only a stone epitaph was recovered. The Han family’s genealogical line continued until the fall of the Ming Dynasty, ending with the last Han King, Zhu Dan, when the line came to an end.