Zhu Yihai

The Gengyin Emperor (Chinese: 庚寅; 1618–1662), personal name Zhu Yihai (Chinese: 朱以海), was an emperor of the Southern Ming Dynasty, reigning from 1645 to 1655. His temple name was Emperor Yì of the Ming (义宗 Ming Yizong).

Biography

Born Zhu Yihai in 1618, during the 46th year of the reign of Wanli Emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Son of Zhu Shouyong, he was the 10th-generation descendant of Hongwu Emperor.

He succeeded the title of Prince of Lu from his elder brother, Zhu Yipai. The throne of passed to him when his father died of an unusual illness. Many myths in this region have explored the illness that struck Yihai's father, ranging from the claim of food poisoning due to court rivalry to a plague due to disrespect to the Buddha.^[1]

Reign

The Prince of Lu was part of the resistance against the invading Manchu Qing dynasty forces. His primary consort (元妃), Lady Chen, committed suicide during the impending fall of the Ming. The location of her suicide can still be found on the island of Zhoushan.

In 1651 he fled to the island of Kinmen, which in 1663 was taken over by the invading force.^[1] His grave was discovered on the island in 1959, which disproved the theory advanced by the 18th-century History of Ming that he was killed by Koxinga. His eldest son, Zhu Honghuan (朱弘桓), married the fourth daughter of Koxinga and went to live in the Kingdom of Tungning Taiwan under the protection of Zheng Jing, his brother-in-law and worked as a farmer.^[2][3] Another Ming Prince who accompanied Koxinga to Taiwan was the Prince of Ningjing Zhu Shugui.

After the surrender of the Kingdom of Tungning, the Qing sent the 17 Ming princes still living on Taiwan back to mainland China where they spent the rest of their lives.^[4] Including Zhu Honghuan.

References

• The Pacification of Taiwan by the Great Qing (大清台湾绥记).