Zhu Changxun was born in 1586 to Noble Consort Zheng. He was her third child and the third son of the Chinese Wanli Emperor. He was made Prince of Fu in 1601. He was married in August 1604, for which his father levied taxes to fund the celebrations and wedding gifts. His first son, Yousong, was born to a concubine and enfeoffed as Prince of Dechang in 1613. He moved his household to Luoyang in 1614, when he governed Henan as a fiefdom. Zhu was killed in 1641 during an uprising led by Li Zicheng. After his soldiers fell to Li's army, Zhu fled to Ying'en Temple with his eldest son. Whilst Zhu was captured, his son managed to escape. The next day, Zhu was executed in front of a large crowd, presided over by Li Zicheng, at Zhougong Temple. Reports claim that Zhu was killed, then his body boiled with that of a deer to make stew, and his flesh was eaten by Li Zicheng and his soldiers. A memorial stone erected by the Hongguang Emperor states that his body was interred near Mt. Mang, but was moved to Nanjing later on.
Imperial succession
In 1586, the Wanli Emperor decreed that Zhu's mother should be given the title of Imperial Noble Consort. However, this met with much opposition, as the mother of the emperor's eldest son was only referred to as Consort. The emperor's actions were perceived as the precursor to declaring Zhu heir apparent, instead of his elder brother, Zhu Changluo. The emperor's advisers argued that, if Zheng were to be made Imperial Noble Consort, then the emperor should simultaneously elevate Gong to Noble Consort. Over the next decade, advisers also attempted to persuade the emperor that abandoning the tradition of primogeniture had made Zheng the object of anger and disgust, not only in the court, but also across the country. Finally, the emperor declared his eldest son heir apparent in 1601 and gave Zhu Changxun the title Prince of Fu. However, Zhu was not made to leave the imperial court in keeping with tradition until 1614, when he moved his household to Luoyang.
Family
Consorts
Lady Yao or Tian, the primary consort and mother of Zhu Yousong. Posthumously honoured as "Empress Dowager Xiaocheng Duanhui Cishun Zhenmu" by Zhu Yousong, Zhu Youlang changed the posthumous title to "Empress Xiaocheng Duanhui Cishun Zhenmu Futian Dusheng Gong"
Lady Zou the primary consort. Honoured as Empress Dowager with the title Empress Dowager Kezhen Renshou by Zhu Yousong
Issues:
Zhu Yousong succeeded the title of Prince of Fu, later enthroned as the Hongguang Emperor of Southern Ming
Zhu Youju , held the commandery princely title under the title Comm. Prince of Yingshang. Later posthumously bestowed as "Prince Chong of Ying" by Zhu Yousong
Zhu Youhua, held the commandery princely title under the title Comm. Prince of Dechang. Later posthumously bestowed as "Prince Huai of De" by Zhu Yousong
