Princess Caoguo

Princess Caoguo, born Zhu Fonü in 1317, was a member of the early Ming dynasty imperial family. She was the second elder sister of Zhu Yuanzhang, the founder and first emperor of the Ming dynasty. Her personal name was Zhu Fonü, and she held the title of Princess of the Cao State. She died in 1350.

Zhu Fonü was born in Yangjiadun, located in Xuyi County of Si Prefecture, which is present-day Xuyi County in Huai'an, Jiangsu Province. Her parents were Zhu Shizhen and Lady Chen. During her adolescence, she and her family experienced a period of wandering before settling in Zhaoying, Taiping Township, Xuyi County, now known as Zhaofu Village, Mingguang, Anhui Province.

She was married to Li Zhen, who was a native of Lingji Village, then under Xuyi County's jurisdiction, now part of Mingguang, Anhui. The couple had a son named Li Wenzhong. Zhu Fonü passed away in 1350 and was initially buried in West Township, Zhongli County.

In 1367, Li Wenzhong, seeking to relocate his mother’s grave, obtained approval from Zhu Yuanzhang, who would later establish the Ming dynasty. After receiving permission, Li Wenzhong reinterred Zhu Fonü at the Lengshuijian plains in Lingji Township, Xuyi County.

Following the founding of the Ming dynasty in 1368, Zhu Yuanzhang posthumously granted her the title of Princess Xiaoqin. In 1370, her titles were elevated, and she was designated as Grand Princess Longxi. Further honors came in 1372, when her son Li Wenzhong was granted the title Duke of Cao, and she was designated as Grand Princess Caoguo.

Her husband, Li Zhen, was initially titled Marquis of Enqin and served as a Commandant-escort in 1368. His status was later elevated to the position of Left Pillar of State and Duke of Cao in 1370. After his death in 1378, he was posthumously enfeoffed as the Prince of Longxi with the posthumous honor "Gongxian".

Li Zhen’s widow, Zhu Fonü, was honored through her son Li Wenzhong's notable military career. Li Wenzhong was adopted into Zhu Yuanzhang’s family, adopting the imperial surname Zhu. He became one of the most distinguished early Ming generals, recognized for his strategic skills, ranking third among the founding generals. After his death, he was posthumously named the Prince of Qiyang with the moniker "Wujing" and was enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

References are drawn from historical records and scholarly works detailing early Ming imperial honors, genealogies, and biographies of prominent figures related to Zhu Yuanzhang and his family.