Zhu Biao

Zhu Biao (10 October 1355 Template:Ndash 17 May 1392) was the eldest son of the Hongwu Emperor, the founder of the Ming dynasty. Upon the establishment of the Ming dynasty in 1368, Zhu Biao was appointed heir to the throne. In order to prepare for his future reign, he received a comprehensive Confucian education, but he died at the age of thirty-six in 1392, during his father's lifetime. He was succeeded by his eldest surviving son, Zhu Yunwen, who ascended the throne six years later as the Jianwen Emperor.

Biography

Zhu Biao was born in Taiping (present-day Anhui), the seat of Zhu Yuanzhang (the future Hongwu Emperor) at the time. He was the first son of Zhu Yuanzhang and his wife, Lady Ma. In 1364, when his father declared himself King of Wu, he named Zhu Biao as his heir. In 1368, Zhu Yuanzhang proclaimed himself emperor of the Ming dynasty in Nanjing and named Zhu Biao heir to the throne (Template:Zhi, Huang Taizi). He received an intensive education in Confucian teachings under the guidance of Song Lian and grew up to be an educated and humane politician, similar in these qualities to his mother. From 1377, he actively participated in the Emperor's meetings with ministers and played a role in the day-to-day management of the state.Template:Sfnp

Zhu Biao's first wife was the daughter of Chang Yuchun. They married in 1371 and had two sons, Zhu Xiongying (1374–1382) and Zhu Yuntong (1377–1417). His second wife was the daughter of Lü Ben (Template:Zhi; d. 1382), a Yuan official who had joined Zhu Yuanzhang early in his rise. They had three sons, Zhu Yunwen, Zhu Yunjian (d. 1402), and Zhu Yunxi (1391–1406).Template:Sfnp

In September 1391, Zhu Biao was sent to inspect the province of Shaanxi with the task of considering moving the capital to Chang'an (present-day Xi'an). He returned from his journey at the end of the year, but before any measures could be taken, he fell ill in January 1392 and died a few months later.Template:Sfnp He was buried in a mausoleum at the foot of Zhong Mountain on the outskirts of Nanjing.

After Zhu Biao's death, his eldest surviving son, Zhu Yunwen, became the new heir. Upon ascending the throne as the Jianwen Emperor, he posthumously named his father emperor. The third Ming emperor, the Yongle Emperor, overthrew the Jianwen Emperor and abolished the imperial status of Zhu Biao.Template:SfnpTemplate:Sfnp It was not until two centuries later, in 1644, that Zhu Biao was once again posthumously promoted to emperor.Template:SfnpTemplate:Efn

Consorts and issue

• Empress Xiaokang (Template:Zhi) of the Chang clan (Template:Zhi; 1355–1378)
  • Zhu Xiongying (Template:Zhi), Prince Huai of Yu (Template:Zhi; 1 December 1374 – 12 June 1382), first son
  • Zhu Yuntong (Template:Zhi), Prince Dao of Wu (Template:Zhi; 29 November 1378 – 1 September 1417), third son
• Crown Princess Yiwen (Template:Zhi) of the Lü clan (Template:Zhi; 1359–1412)
  • Zhu Yunwen (Template:Zhi), the Jianwen Emperor (Template:Zhi; b. 5 December 1377), second son
  • Zhu Yunjian (Template:Zhi), Prince Min of Heng (Template:Zhi; 27 July 1385 – 1402), fourth son
  • Zhu Yunxi (Template:Zhi), Prince Jian of Xu (Template:Zhi; 13 July 1391 – 3 February 1407), fifth son
• Unknown
  • Princess Jiangdu (Template:Zhi), first daughter
    • Married Geng Xuan (Template:Zhi), the first son of Geng Bingwen, in 1394
  • Princess Yilun (Template:Zhi), second daughter
    • Married Yu Li (Template:Zhi) in 1417
  • Third daughter
  • Princess Nanping (Template:Zhi; d. 1412), fourth daughter

References

Works cited

• Template:Cite book
• Template:Cite book
• Template:Cite book

Template:S-start Template:S-hou Template:S-roy Template:S-new Template:S-ttl Template:S-vac |- Template:S-vac Template:S-end