Zhu Changxun

Zhu Changxun, Prince of Fu (22 February 1586 – 2 March 1641) was the third son of the Wanli Emperor of the Ming dynasty. His mother, Noble Consort Zheng, was a favored concubine of the Wanli Emperor and, in an effort to please her, the emperor attempted to have Zhu Changxun installed as heir apparent,¹ but failed to overturn the rule of primogeniture.² After the fall of the Ming, however, Zhu Changxun's son, Zhu Yousong, became the Hongguang Emperor of the Southern Ming dynasty.

Early life

Zhu Changxun was born in 1586 to the Wanli Emperor and Noble Consort Zheng.³ He was the emperor's third son and the third child of Lady Zheng.

Zhu Changxun was made Prince of Fu (福) in 1601.⁴ He was married in August 1604, for which his father levied taxes to fund the celebrations and wedding gifts.⁵ His first son, Zhu Yousong, was born to a concubine and enfeoffed as Prince of Dechang (德昌) in 1613.⁶ He moved his household to Luoyang in 1614, when he governed Henan as a fiefdom.⁴

Succession dispute

In 1586, the Wanli Emperor decreed that Lady Zheng should be given the title of Imperial Noble Consort. However, this met with much opposition since , the mother of the emperor's eldest son, only held the rank of Consort. The emperor's actions were perceived as the precursor to declaring Zhu Changxun , instead of his elder brother, . The emperor's advisers argued that, if Lady Zheng were to be made Imperial Noble Consort, then the emperor should simultaneously elevate Lady Wang to Noble Consort. Over the next decade, advisers also attempted to persuade the emperor that abandoning the tradition of had made Lady Zheng the object of anger and disgust, not only in the court, but also across the country.