Zhu Yiliu

Zhu Yilu (March 3, 1568 – July 4, 1614), courtesy name Shiheng, was the fourth son of Emperor Mu of the Ming Dynasty and the son of Empress Xiaoding Li. He was born in the second year of Longqing and was later bestowed the title of Duke of Lu, with his fiefdom in Weihuai, Henan Province. His biological mother was Empress Xiaoding Li. He was the younger brother of Emperor Shenzong of Ming, Zhu Yiqun. Initially residing in Beijing, Zhu Yilu transferred all his property to the imperial government upon his succession to the fief and became a noble estate. In the 11th year of Wanli (1573), he married the daughter of Li Deshi, a scholar-official of Shuntian Prefecture, as his princess. In the 17th year of Wanli (1589), he relocated his residence to Weihuai, receiving the land granted by Prince Jinggong Zhu Zai Zhen and gaining control over salt administration. He was fond of literature, diligent in character, and often used the income from his princely estate to support the court, gaining favor from Emperor Shenzong of Ming. In 1614, his mother passed away, and he was overcome with grief, leading to his early death shortly afterward at age 46. He was posthumously titled Prince Jian and buried in the tomb of Prince Lu Jian. The Liu Jian Prince’s tomb is situated on the southern slopes of Phoenix Mountain in the northern suburbs of Xinxiang City, Henan Province. It is one of the largest and best-preserved Ming Dynasty princely tombs surviving in China. In terms of family, his spouse was from the Li family, and he had four sons and four daughters. His eldest and second sons died prematurely. His third son, Zhu Changyan, was the Prince of Lu Min, and his fourth son, Zhu Changjun, was the Prince of Baofeng. Empress Dowager Xiaoding Zhao was a concubine.