Zhu Biao


Zhu Biao 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, the seat of Zhu Yuanzhang 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. 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.
Zhu Biao's first wife was the daughter of Chang Yuchun. They married in 1371 and had two sons, Zhu Xiongying and Zhu Yuntong. His second wife was the daughter of Lü Ben, a Yuan official who had joined Zhu Yuanzhang early in his rise. They had three sons, Zhu Yunwen, Zhu Yunjian, and Zhu Yunxi.
In September 1391, Zhu Biao was sent to inspect the province of Shaanxi with the task of considering moving the capital to Chang'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. 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. It was not until two centuries later, in 1644, that Zhu Biao was once again posthumously promoted to emperor.

Family

  • Empress Xiaokang of the Chang clan
  • * Zhu Xiongying, Prince Huai of Yu, first son
  • * Zhu Yuntong, Prince Dao of Wu, third son
  • Crown Princess Yiwen of the Lü clan
  • * Zhu Yunwen, the Jianwen Emperor, second son
  • * Zhu Yunjian, Prince Min of Heng, fourth son
  • * Zhu Yunxi, Prince Jian of Xu, fifth son
  • Unknown
  • * Princess Jiangdu, first daughter. Married in 1394 to Geng Xuan, the first son of Geng Bingwen.
  • * Princess Yilun, second daughter. Married in 1417 to Yu Li.
  • * Third daughter
  • * Princess Nanping, fourth daughter

Works cited

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