Zhu Shizhen (Chinese: 朱世珍; pinyin: Zhū Shìzhēn; 1281–1344), born Zhu Wusi (Chinese: 朱五四; pinyin: Zhū Wǔsì),[1] was the father of Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming dynasty. He was a native of Jurong (present-day Jurong, Jiangsu). The ancestors of the Zhu family had lived in Pei and later moved to Jurong. His father, Zhu Chuyi, moved to Xuyi, Si Prefecture (present-day Xuyi, Jiangsu), and Zhu Shizhen moved again to Zhongli, Haozhou (present-day Fengyang, Anhui).[2]

Zhu Shizhen
朱世珍
BornZhu Wusi
(朱五四)
1281
Zhiyuan 18
(至元十八年)
Jurong
Died1344 (aged 63)
Zhizheng 4
(至正四年)
Burial
Ming Imperial Mausoleum (明皇陵, in present-day Fengyang, Anhui)
SpouseEmpress Chun
Issue
  • Zhu Chongsi (Zhu Xinglong), Prince of Nanchang
  • Zhu Chongliu (Zhu Xingsheng), Prince of Xuyi
  • Zhu Chongqi (Zhu Xingzu), Prince of Linhuai
  • Hongwu Emperor
  • Grand Princess Taiyuan
  • Grand Princess of Cao
Names
Zhu Shizhen (朱世珍)
Posthumous name
Emperor Chun (皇帝)
Temple name
Renzu (仁祖)
FatherZhu Chuyi
MotherEmpress Yu

Zhu Shizhen was member of the impoverished peasant class. In 1344 there was a great drought in Huaibei, and his entire family died of starvation, save for two of his sons.

In 1363, Han Lin'er posthumously accorded Zhu Wusi the titles Executor and Assistant Minister of the Three Offices (開府儀同三司), Senior Pillar of the State (上柱國), Head of Privy Councilor for Extraordinary Affairs (錄軍國重事), Right Chancellor of the Central Secretariat (中書右丞相), Grand Commandant (太尉), and Duke of Wu (吳國公). His wife, Lady Chen, was posthumously accorded the title Duchess (公夫人).[3]

In 1368, Zhu Yuanzhang established the Ming dynasty in Nanjing and posthumously honoured Zhu Shizhen as emperor, with the temple name Renzu (仁祖)[4] and the posthumous name Emperor Chun (淳皇帝).

Family

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Consorts and Issue:

  • Empress Chun, of the Chen clan (淳皇后 陳氏; 1286–1344)
    • Zhu Chongsi (Zhu Xinglong), Prince of Nanchang (南昌王 朱重四 (朱興隆); 1307–1344), first son
    • Zhu Chongliu (Zhu Xingsheng), Prince of Xuyi (盱眙王 朱重六 (朱興盛); ?–?), second son
    • Zhu Chongqi (Zhu Xingzu), Prince of Linhuai (臨淮王 朱重七 (朱興祖); ?–?), third son
    • Zhu Chongba (Zhu Xingzong, Zhu Yuanzhang), the Hongwu Emperor (洪武帝 朱重八 (朱興宗, 朱元璋); 21 October 1328 – 24 June 1398), fourth son
    • Grand Princess Taiyuan (太原長公主), first daughter
      • Married Wang Qiyi (王七一)
    • Grand Princess of Cao (曹國長公主; 1317–1351), personal name Fonü (佛女), second daughter
      • Married Li Zhen (李貞; 1304–1379), and had issue (one son)

Ancestry

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Zhu Zhongba
Zhu Bailiu
Lady Chen
Zhu Sijiu
Empress Xuan
Zhu Chuyi
Empress Heng
Zhu Shizhen (1281–1344)
Empress Yu

References

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  1. ^ 明太祖御制朱氏世德碑记
  2. ^ Ming Taizu Shilu (明太祖实录), Volume 1:“宋季时,熙祖始徙家渡淮居泗州,父仁祖讳世珍,元世又徙居钟离之东乡,勤俭忠厚,人称长者。母太后陈氏生四子,上其季也。”
  3. ^ Yanshan Hall Collection (弇山堂别集), Volume 6 (San zu jue feng, 三祖爵封)
  4. ^ History of Ming, Volume 2:追尊高祖考曰玄皇帝,廟號德祖,曾祖考曰恆皇帝,廟號懿祖;祖考曰裕皇帝,廟號熙祖,皇考曰淳皇帝,廟號仁祖,妣皆皇后。