Zhu Shouqian

Zhu Shouqian (1361–1392), the Prince of Jingjiang, was the grandnephew of Zhu Yuanzhang (the Hongwu Emperor). His grandfather, Zhu Xinglong, Prince of Nanchang, was the eldest brother of the Hongwu Emperor, and his father was Zhu Wenzheng.^[1]

Zhu Shouqian 朱守謙
Prince of Jingjiang
Tenure	1370–1380 1387
Successor	Zhu Zanyi, Prince Daoxi
Born	Zhu Tiezhu (朱鐵柱) 1361
Died	1392 (aged 30–31)
Burial	Purple Mountain
Names Zhu Wei (朱煒), later Zhu Shouqian (朱守謙) Posthumous name None
House	Zhu
Father	Zhu Wenzheng
Mother	Xie Cuiying
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese	朱守謙
Simplified Chinese	朱守谦
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Zhū Shǒuqiān

Life

Zhu Wenzheng was the biological nephew of Zhu Yuanzhang and achieved military success in the battle against Chen Youliang. However, he became dissatisfied with not being rewarded and secretly colluded with Zhang Shicheng. As a result, Zhu Yuanzhang placed him under house arrest in Tongcheng, where he died soon after. When Zhu Wenzheng died, Zhu Shouqian was only four years old. Zhu Yuanzhang comforted the young boy by stroking his head and saying, "You do not need to be afraid. Your father was unteachable and caused me worry, but I will not abandon you because of his mistakes". Zhu Shouqian was raised in the palace and his childhood name was "Tiezhu." In 1367, his name was changed to "Wei". In 1370, he was given the name "Shouqian" and granted the title of Prince of Jingjiang in the same year.^[2]

In 1376, Zhu Shouqian arrived at his fief, Jingjiang (present-day Guilin). He was given a salary equivalent to that of a commandery prince and held an official rank half that of a prince. The Hongwu Emperor appointed the elder Confucian scholar, Zhao Xun (趙塤), as his chief secretary to assist him.^[2] Jingjiang had the temporary palace of Toghon Temür, Emperor Shun of Yuan, which was converted into a princely mansion. Zhu Shouqian submitted a memorial to express his gratitude. The Hongwu Emperor instructed his accompanying officials, "Zhu Shouqian is young and has been entrusted with the defense of the southwest. We must guide him well".^[2]

Zhu Shouqian, although educated, often aligned himself with villains, causing dissatisfaction among the locals. In 1370, the Hongwu Emperor summoned him and reprimanded him for his actions. In response, Zhu wrote a poem expressing his grievances, which angered the emperor. As punishment, he was demoted to a commoner and imprisoned in Fengyang for seven years. Eventually, the Hongwu Emperor restored his title and ordered him to defend Yunnan with his brother-in-law, Xu Pu (徐溥), while also receiving a letter of admonition. Despite the emperor's warnings, Zhu Shouqian remained arrogant and overbearing. This led to the Hongwu Emperor summoning him back to Nanjing and allowing him to reside in Fengyang once again. However, Zhu Shouqian continued to seize horses, resulting in his imprisonment in Nanjing.^[2]

He died in January 1392 and was buried on Purple Mountain. His son, Zhu Zanyi, was still young at the time and was named the Hereditary Prince (世子).^[2]

Consorts and issue

• Lady, of the Xu clan (徐氏)^[3]
  • Zhu Zanyi, Prince Daoxi of Jingjiang (靖江悼僖王 朱贊儀; 1382–1408), second son^[2]
  • Zhu Zanlun (朱贊倫), sixth son^[4]
• Lady, of the Tian clan (田氏)^[4]
  • Zhu Zanyan (朱贊儼), first son^[4]
  • Zhu Zankan (朱贊侃), third son^[4]
• Lady, of the Chen clan (陳氏)^[4]
  • Zhu Zanjun (朱贊俊), fourth son^[4]
• Lady, of the Zhao clan (趙氏)^[4]
  • Zhu Zanxie (朱贊偕), fifth son^[4]
• Lady, of the Wang clan (王氏)^[4]
  • Zhu Zanjie (朱贊傑), seventh son^[4]
• Unknown
  • Zhu Zanchu (朱贊儲), eighth son^[4]
  • Zhu Zanyi (朱贊億), ninth son^[4]
  • Princess Xing'an (興安郡君, first daughter^[4]
    • Married Zhu Fu (褚富) in 1394
  • Princess Yongfu (永福郡君, second daughter^[4]
    • Married Lu Xuan (褚富) in 1394
  • Princess Chongshan (崇善郡君, third daughter^[5]
    • Married Li Ji (李濟) in 1417
  • Princess Yongchun (永淳郡君, fourth daughter^[5]
    • Married Wang Duo (王鐸) in 1417