Yunzhi, Prince Cheng

Yunzhi (23 March 1677 – 10 July 1732), also known as Yinzhi, was a Manchu prince of the Qing Dynasty. He was a member of the Aisin Gioro clan, the imperial clan of the Qing Dynasty, and was the third son of the Kangxi Emperor. His mother was Consort Rong, from the Magiya clan, who died on 28 March 1727. She was the daughter of Gaishan, an official serving as an Imperial Examination Examiner.

In 1698, Yinzhi was granted the title of "Prince Cheng of the Second Rank" (誠郡王). Known for his scholarly pursuits during childhood, he was well-versed in literary arts. Historical accounts indicate that the Kangxi Emperor personally tutored Yinzhi in geometry, and Yinzhi was entrusted with compiling significant texts. He was involved in the production of the book Lü Li Yuan Yuan (律歷淵源), which included topics such as calendrical calculations and mathematics. Additionally, Yinzhi was skilled in calligraphy, and he wrote inscriptions for the memorial tablet at the Kangxi Emperor’s tomb located in Jingling Mausoleum at the Eastern Qing Tombs.

Yinzhi demonstrated little interest in the succession conflicts among his brothers and preferred to focus on literary work. In 1706, he contributed to the compilation of the "Complete Classics Collection of Ancient China," overseen by scholar Chen Menglei, with whom he was associated.

Following the death of the Kangxi Emperor in 1722, his fourth son Yinzhen ascended the throne as the Yongzheng Emperor. To avoid a naming taboo, Yinzhi changed his name to Yunzhi, as the character for "Yin" (胤) in his original name was the same as in the Yongzheng Emperor’s personal name. After assuming the throne, the Yongzheng Emperor assigned Yunzhi the responsibility of remaining at Jingling Mausoleum to oversee their father’s tomb, citing Yinzhi’s close connection to the crown prince, Yinzhen’s eldest son, Yinreng.

Yunzhi’s relationship with the Yongzheng Emperor deteriorated; he voiced discontent privately about his obligations. The death of Yinxiang, one of Yongzheng’s close half-brothers, in 1730 was met with indifference by Yunzhi, which angered the Emperor. Consequently, Yunzhi was stripped of his titles and confined to the Yong’an Pavilion in Jingshan, Beijing. He died in 1732 during his detention.

Yunzhi was married to Princess Consort Chengyin of the Donggo clan, with whom he had several children, including his first son Hongqing (1696–1701), his third son Hongsheng (1698–1732), and his second daughter, a Princess of the Third Rank. He also had other sons and daughters by various consorts and mistresses, including Hongjing, Hongxi, Honghuang, Hongyi, and Hongzhu, among others.

His ancestry traces back to the Manchu ruling family, the Aisin Gioro clan, with connections to prominent figures of the Qing imperial family.

Yunzhi has been depicted in popular culture, notably in the 2011 television series "Scarlet Heart," where he was portrayed by actor Chen Jingyu.

References:

Hummel, Arthur W. Sr., ed. (1943). "Yin-chih". Eminent Chinese of the Ch'ing Period. United States Government Printing Office.