Zhu Shizhen

Zhu Shizhen (1281–1344), born Zhu Wusi, was the father of Zhu Yuanzhang, the Hongwu Emperor, the founding emperor of the Ming dynasty of China.

Zhu Shizhen was a native of Jurong. His father, Zhu Chuyi, later relocated the family to Xuyi in Si Prefecture, and in subsequent years Zhu Shizhen moved to Zhongli in Hao Prefecture with his wife of the Chen clan and their children. In 1344, when a severe drought devastated the lands north of the Huai River, Zhu Shizhen, Lady Chen, and their eldest son succumbed one after another. After founding the Ming dynasty in 1368, Zhu Yuanzhang posthumously elevated his father as Emperor Chun, with the temple name Renzu, while his mausoleum was established at Fengyang as the Imperial Mausoleum.

Early life

Zhu Wusi was born in 1281 at Zhujiaxiang, Tongde Township, Jurong County, Jiangsu, China. His father, Zhu Chuyi, was registered as a "gold-washing household" (taojin hu) under the Yuan dynasty, which required him to deliver a fixed amount of gold annually to the authorities. As there were no gold mines in Jurong, Zhu Chuyi was forced to sell agricultural products for cash and then purchase gold to meet the quota—an arduous and costly burden. Unable to withstand the continued pressure from officials, in 1289, when Zhu Wusi was eight years old, Zhu Chuyi moved the family to Sunjiagang, located thirteen li north of Si Prefecture (in modern Xuyi County, Huai'an, Jiangsu).

Zhu Wusi married a woman of the Chen family, who bore him a son, Zhu Chongsi, and a daughter while they resided in Xuyi. After the death of his father, the family sank into poverty. For the sake of survival, Zhu Wusi and his elder brother Zhu Wuyi were compelled to abandon their ancestral home and seek livelihoods elsewhere. Zhu Wuyi settled with his household in East Township, Zhongli County, Hao Prefecture (present-day Zhaofu Village north of Mingguang, Anhui). Zhu Wusi, meanwhile, moved his family to Lingbi County, Anhui, where his second son, Zhu Chongliu, was born. They later relocated to Hong County (modern Si County, Anhui), where his third son, Zhu Chongqi, was born, and eventually made their home in East Township, Zhongli County. On 21 October 1328, Lady Chen gave birth to her and Zhu Wusi's fourth son, Zhu Chongba, the future Hongwu Emperor.

Later life and death

In 1337, pressed by hardship, the family again moved, this time to West Township of Zhongli (near present-day Tangfu Village, Fengyang). The following year, they relocated to Gucun Village in Taiping Township of Zhongli (modern Ershiying Village, Fengyang County). There, they became tenant farmers under the landlord Liu Jide (劉繼德), a man known for his harshness. Despite their toil, the Zhu household remained in dire straits. In 1344, the Huai River basin suffered a catastrophic drought: seedlings withered, fields cracked, and famine was soon followed by locust swarms and plague. On the sixth day of the fourth month that year, Zhu Wusi, unable to afford medical treatment, succumbed to the plague aged 64. His eldest son perished later that same night. On the twenty-second day of the same month, the 59-year-old Lady Chen also died of the illness. Zhu Chongliu and Zhu Chongba implored their landlord Liu Jide for a small burial plot to inter their parents, but he reviled them and refused. At length, Liu's elder brother, Liu Jizu (劉繼祖), took pity and granted them a patch of land. Lacking the means for coffins, Zhu Chongba wrapped the bodies of his parents in old quilts and buried them hastily.

After death

In 1352, Zhu Chongba joined the Red Turban rebels under the command of Guo Zixing, at which time he adopted the name Zhu Yuanzhang. He also posthumously changed his father's name from Zhu Wusi to Zhu Shizhen. After Guo died, command of his army passed to Zhu Yuanzhang, who gradually rose to become a prominent leader of the Red Turban Rebellion. In 1366, believing that his father's burial rites had been too modest, yet fearing that reburial might disturb the geomantic currents of the land, Zhu Yuanzhang resolved instead to enlarge the burial mound so that it might conform to the standards of an imperial mausoleum.

In 1363, Han Lin'er, the nominal sovereign of the Red Turbans, posthumously bestowed a series of exalted titles upon Zhu Shizhen, including Duke of Wu, and honored Lady Chen as duchess. After founding the Ming dynasty and becoming the Hongwu Emperor in 1368, Zhu Yuanzhang posthumously honored his father as Emperor Chun (淳皇帝;'Pure Emperor') with the temple name Renzu (仁祖;'Benevolent Ancestor'), while Lady Chen was honored as Empress Chun (淳皇后). Zhu Shizhen's resting place was renamed the Mausoleum of Emperor Renzu. In 1369, the tomb was redesignated the Ying Mausoleum (英陵) and, later that year, renamed the Imperial Mausoleum (皇陵). The Imperial Mausoleum Guard was also established to protect it. The Emperor first ordered the construction of Zhu Shizhen's mausoleum in 1369 and renewed the project in 1375. The mausoleum was completed in 1379.

Family

Issue

Zhu Shizhen had six children of his marriage with Lady Chen (1286–1344).

• Zhu Chongsi (朱重四), later Zhu Xinglong (朱興隆), honored posthumously as Prince of Nanchang (南昌王; 1307–1344), first son
• Zhu Chongliu (朱重六), later Zhu Xingsheng (朱興盛), honored posthumously as Prince of Xuyi (盱眙王), second son
• Zhu Chongqi (朱重七), later Zhu Xingzu (朱興祖), honored posthumously as Prince of Linhuai (臨淮王), third son
• Zhu Chongba (朱重八), later Zhu Xingzong (朱興宗), later Zhu Yuanzhang (朱元璋), the Hongwu Emperor (洪武帝; 21 October 1328 – 24 June 1398), fourth son
• First daughter, honored posthumously as Grand Princess Taiyuan (太原長公主). Married to Wang Qiyi (王七一).
• Zhu Fonü (朱佛女), honored posthumously as Grand Princess Caoguo (曹國長公主; 1317–1351), second daughter. Married to Li Zhen (李貞; 1304–1379).

Ancestry

Notes

Citations

Works cited

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