Zhu Gaoxu

As the second of his father, Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan, he was made a second-rank prince under the title "Prince of Gaoyang" (高陽王) in 1395.

Though he had established meritorious services during Jingnan Campaign for his father, the Yongle Emperor still made his eldest son, Zhu Gaochi the crown prince and granted Zhu Gaoxu the princedom and the title of "Prince of Han" in 1404. Even though the position has been determined Zhu Gaoxu was still trying to ousted his older brother many times.

Gaoxu's princely fief was originally located in Yunnan, he was opposed to this decision and rely on the capital. Until 1416, after finishing the second Mongols campaign, the emperor find out Gaoxu's offence, Gaoxu was forced to move to his new fief, Le'an (樂安), Shandong (today's northeastern of Guangrao County).[1]

In Shandong, Gaoxu lived as a farmer but secretly trained his army since he had always intended to rebel. Through the years, Gaoxu gained much more power and recruited many generals including General Wu Sien from the marine division.

At the time his nephew became the Xuande Emperor, Gaoxu started his rebellion. The new emperor himself led 20,000 troops in his attack against Gaoxu. General Wu Sien betrayed him and turned to attack Gaoxu. Soon afterward, Gaoxu lost the battle and then surrendered. He was reduced to a commoner, six hundred rebelling officials were executed, and 2,200 were banished.

The emperor did not wish to execute his uncle at the start, but later events angered the emperor so much, that Zhu Gaoxu was executed through fire torture, and all Zhu Gaoxu's sons were executed as well. It is very likely that Zhu Gaoxu's arrogance, which is well detailed in many historic texts, offended the emperor. A theory states that when the Emperor went to visit his uncle, Zhu Gaoxu intentionally tripped the emperor.

• Parents:
  • Zhu Di, Chengzu (成祖 朱棣; 1360 – 1424)
  • Empress Renxiaowen, of the Xu clan (仁孝文皇后 徐氏; 1362 – 1407), personal name Yihua (儀華)
• Consorts:
  • Princess Consort Wei of Han (为汉王妃), of the Wei clan (韦氏)
  • Concubine Guo (郭妃), daughtef of Guo Ming
  • Lady Deng (邓氏), sister of Deng Yuan
• Issues:
  • Zhu Zhanhe, Hereditary Prince Zhuangyi (懿莊世子朱瞻壑; 1398 - 26 September 1421), first son and the first heir to his father's princedom
  • Zhu Zhanqi, Hereditary Prince (世子朱瞻圻; d. 6 October 1426), second son and the second heir to his father's princedom
  • Zhu Zhantan, Hereditary Prince (世子朱瞻坦; d. 1426), the third son and the third heir to his father's princedom
  • Zhu Zhanci, Prince of Jiyang Comm. (濟陽王朱瞻垐; d. 1426), fourth son
  • Zhu Zhanyu, Prince of Linzi Comm. (臨淄王朱瞻域; d. 1426), fifth son
  • Zhu Zhanyi, Prince of Zichuan Comm. (淄川王朱瞻墿; d. 1426), sixth son
  • Zhu Zhanxing, Prince of Changle Comm. (昌樂王朱瞻垶; d. 1426), seventh son
  • Zhu Zhanping, Prince of Qidong Comm. (齊東王朱瞻坪; d. 1426), eighth son
  • Zhu Zhandao, Prince of Rencheng Comm. (任城王朱瞻壔; d. 1426), ninth son
  • Zhu Zhanchang, Prince of Haifeng Comm. (海豐王朱瞻㙊; d. 1426), tenth son
  • Zhu Zhanbang, Prince of Xintai Comm. (新泰王朱瞻垹; d. 1426), 11th son

• "Early Ming China" by Edward Dreyer (1982).