Zhu Shugui
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Zhu Shugui 朱術桂 | |||||
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Prince of Ningjing | |||||
Tenure | 1646–1683 | ||||
Born | 24 October 1617 | ||||
Died | 21 July 1683 | (aged 65)||||
Burial | Ningjing Prince's Tomb | ||||
Spouse | Consort Luo | ||||
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House | Zhu (Prince of Liao's line) | ||||
Dynasty | Ming | ||||
Father | Zhu Xianhuan, Prince of Changyang |
Zhu Shugui
Early career
Zhu Shugui was styled the General Who Assists the State (輔國將軍) while living in Jingzhou. He was later granted the title Prince of Changyang during the Regency of the Prince of Lu near the end of the Ming dynasty. In 1642, after the rebel leader Zhang Xianzhong captured Jingzhou, he followed Zhu Changrun, Prince of Hui, to Nanjing. In 1644, the Chongzhen Emperor, the last emperor of the Ming dynasty, committed suicide in Beijing, and China fell into chaos. But Zhu Shugui, living in Nanjing under the auspices of the Prince of Fu, continued to support the legitimacy of the Ming dynasty.
Support of anti-Qing forces
By 1647, the
Relocation to Taiwan
Koxinga died in 1663, whereupon his son
Zheng Jing died in 1681, and his son Zheng Keshuang took his place.
Final days
In 1683 the Qing general
Before his death, Zhu wrote on the wall: "When brigands took Jingzhou in 1642, I brought my household southward; in 1644, I took refuge in Fujian. For the sake of the hairs on my head and to preserve the integrity of my humble body, I have lingered abroad for more than 40 years; now I am 66 years old. In this time of adversity I shall die a whole man. I shall not forsake my emperors; I shall not forsake my parents. My life and work are done, without disgrace or shame." The next day, he donned the crown and dragon robes, fastened a jade belt, and received the Imperial seal. The Prince sent a letter under seal to Zheng Keshuang, who then led his officials to the Prince, lamenting their separation. The Prince made obeisance to heaven, earth and ancestors. The people, young and old, paid their respects, and the Prince paid his respects in return. Then on the back of an inkstone he inscribed his death poem, which read: "I take refuge abroad from calamity, all for the sake of a few strands of hair. Now all is done; I shall no longer be in exile." Two of his attendants also died by his side.
The other Ming princes on Taiwan such as Zhu Hónghuán, son of Zhu Yihai, Prince of Lu, chose not to commit suicide and surrendered, and their lives were spared by the Qing and they were instead sent into exile into various places on mainland China.[4]
After the surrender of the Kingdom of Tungning, the Qing sent 17 Ming princes still living on Taiwan back to mainland China where they spent the rest of their lives.[5]
Burial
Zhu Shugui was 66 years old (by Chinese reckoning; 65 by Western standards) at the time of his suicide. Moved by loyalty, the townsfolk interred him together with his primary wife Lady Luo in what is now Hunei Township. At the time there was no marking on the tomb, and over 100 decoy tombs were built to confound the Qing army’s searches.
The tomb, located in
Profile
He was a ninth-generation descendant of
History records Zhu Shugui as being stately in appearance, handsomely whiskered and grand of voice, an outstanding calligrapher, fond of wearing a sword, a man of great actions but few words, brave but not arrogant, and respected by generals and foot-soldiers alike. Before his death, Zhu burned the contract he had with tenant farmers, bequeathing all of the farmland in Lujhu Township to them. It was after this act that he calmly ended his life, hanging himself from a roof beam.
Nowadays there is a temple dedicated to the Prince in Lujhu Township. Inside the temple is written Zhu's death poem.
References
- ISBN 978-0-19-990989-6.
- hdl:2027.42/61650.
- ISBN 978-3-9811327-3-1.
- ^ Manthorpe 2008, p. 108.
- ^ Manthorpe 2008, p. 108.
- ISBN 978-0-295-80022-6.
- ISBN 9004103910.
朱術桂與五妃 (Zhu Shugui and the Five Concubines)
Temple of the Five Noble Ladies