Zhu Chun

Zhu Chun, courtesy name Shansi, was born on April 4th, in the fourth year of the Hongwu reign (1371). He was the eleventh son of Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang, his mother was Consort Guo Hui, daughter of Chuyang Wang Guo Zixing. In the first year of the Hongwu era (1378), on the first day of the first lunar month, he was granted the title of King of Shu, with the posthumous title "Xian." He authored "Xian Yuan Ji."

In the winter of the eighteenth year of Hongwu (1385), in October, he responded to the call of Ming Taizu and went to Zhongdu to review martial affairs. He resided in the West Hall, studied books independently, and discussed classics and historical texts with Confucian scholars.

In the nineteenth year of Hongwu (1386), he revealed the four characters "Loyalty and Filial Piety as a Barrier" as a warning to himself.

In April of the twentieth year of Hongwu (1387), he summoned the renowned monk Fang Xiaoru to give lectures, and composed four admonitions: "Rectify the Mind," "Observe the Way," "Honor the Origin," and "Respect the Virtue." In spring, he established the Bao Xun Hall to uphold the imperial ancestral instructions.

Nine years later, he accompanied the emperor back to Beijing to take up his command in Chengdu, where he engaged Fang Xiaoru as the tutor for the crown prince, promoting the development of scholarly learning in Shu.

He also helped suppress bandit invasions, reduced taxes, regulated markets, and contributed to governance in Shu. He was interested in Buddhism, frequently visited Mount Emei, where he built the Qingyin Pavilion to welcome Zhu Chun.

After Emperor Chengzu's accession, Zhu Chun was honored with rewards and once reported that his half-brother, King Guo Zhu Zai, plotted rebellion.

He died on March 22, 1423, at the age of 52, and was posthumously titled King of Shu Xian. His wives included Lan Shi (from the family of General Lan Yu of Liangguo, mother of Zhu Yuelan), Jin Shi (mother of Zhu Yueyao), and Fang Shi (mother of Zhu Miaoyin).

His children included his eldest son Zhu Yuelan, designated as the heir of Shu, and his second son Zhu Yueyao, known as the Prince of Huayang and Wang Zai. Other descendants were granted nobility titles such as princes and princesses.

Among his later descendants, Zhu Qingshi converted to Catholicism and became one of the first Catholic believers in Sichuan. His descendants, including Zhu Qingshi, became renowned scientists, such as members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the first president of Southern University of Science and Technology.