In 1368, Zhu Yuanzhang proclaimed himself emperor in Yingtian and the country was named Daming. Today, the history encyclopedia editor has compiled relevant content for everyone. May I help you expand your knowledge?
In ancient China, the emperor was the embodiment of the will of heaven and possessed supreme power. Bai Juyi once described Tang Minghuang as having “three thousand beauties in the harem”, indicating that they had an incredible number of wives and concubines. In this case, it is almost customary for elderly emperors to marry young concubines, and it is not uncommon for emperors to have children in their old age.
The founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang, was one of the few “peasant emperors” in Chinese history. Although he was ruthless in his actions, he doted on his own children and grandchildren. According to historical records, when Zhu Yuanzhang was 68 years old, his concubine Zhang gave birth to Princess Baoqing for him. Princess Baoqing was the most beloved daughter of Zhu Yuanzhang. Due to her young age, she was even raised as a daughter by Zhu Di. Throughout her life, she was highly favored by the emperors of the Five Dynasties.
1、 The first generation hegemon Zhu Yuanzhang
Zhu Yuanzhang was born in the first year of the Tianli reign of Emperor Wenzong of the Yuan Dynasty (1328 AD), in Haozhou, which is now Fengyang, Anhui Province. His parents were both poor farmers. Zhu Yuanzhang was born in the late Yuan Dynasty, when the government imposed excessive taxes and levies, causing unbearable suffering for the people.
When Zhu Yuanzhang was 15 years old, there were consecutive droughts and locust plagues in Haozhou, causing the people to suffer from hunger and countless deaths. Within just half a month of that year, Zhu Yuanzhang’s father, mother, and elder brother passed away one after another. At that time, Zhu Yuanzhang, who was lonely and helpless, didn’t even have the money to buy a coffin. The land where his family was buried was lent to him by his neighbors.
In desperation, Zhu Yuanzhang had no choice but to wander around. He has been a monk, a beggar, and finally joined the “Red Turban Army” led by Guo Zixing with the recommendation of a friend. Zhu Yuanzhang possessed both intelligence and courage, was skilled in warfare, and had the talent to know and appoint people. Soon after, a group of elite soldiers such as Xu Da, Tang He, and Li Shanchang gathered around him, and his team grew stronger and stronger.
From 1355 to 1367, Zhu Yuanzhang successively eliminated separatist regimes such as Chen Youliang, Zhang Shicheng, and Fang Guozhen, unified Jiangnan, and established the Ming Dynasty in Yingtian. In 1368, the Ming army attacked the capital of the Yuan Dynasty, ending the Mongol rule in the Central Plains. In the following years, Zhu Yuanzhang sent troops to various expeditions, and the territory and economic strength of the Ming Dynasty also reached the peak of the world at that time.
2、 Zhu Yuanzhang gave birth to a son in his old age
Perhaps his childhood experiences of hardship had a significant impact on him, and after Zhu Yuanzhang became emperor, he showed particular concern for his own children. In 1395 AD, Zhu Yuanzhang was 68 years old when a concubine surnamed Zhang gave birth to a daughter for him – Princess Baoqing. Princess Baoqing was the last daughter of Zhu Yuanzhang. Perhaps due to her old age and the birth of a son, Zhu Yuanzhang regarded Princess Baoqing as the apple of his eye and doted on her beyond measure.
Zhu Yuanzhang almost always responded to Princess Baoqing’s requests without any airs of an emperor. Although he was busy with national affairs, he often took time to play games with Princess Baoqing, just like a father in an ordinary family. Such treatment made many princes envious.
According to royal etiquette, if the emperor passes away, any concubines who have had princes or princesses must be buried. However, perhaps because Zhu Yuanzhang loved Princess Baoqing too much and was worried that she would become a helpless orphan in the future, Zhu Yuanzhang pardoned Princess Baoqing’s mother from being buried. In order to change the etiquette for his daughter, it can be seen how much Zhu Yuanzhang loved Princess Baoqing.
3、 Princess Baoqing received favor from five dynasties
In 1398 AD, Zhu Yuanzhang passed away, and Princess Baoqing was only 3 years old at that time. Ming Taizu passed the throne to his grandson Zhu Yunwen, who was also known as Emperor Jianwen in history. However, Emperor Jianwen did not sit on the throne for long. In 1402 AD, Zhu Di led his troops to conquer Nanjing, and the whereabouts of Emperor Jianwen were also unknown, becoming a major unsolved case in history.
When Zhu Di ascended the throne, Princess Baoqing was only 8 years old, while Zhu Di was already 43 years old. Although Princess Baoqing is Zhu Di’s half sister, she is actually younger than Zhu Di’s child. As the eldest brother and well aware of Zhu Yuanzhang’s love for Princess Baoqing, Zhu Di also took great care of Princess Baoqing. He specifically ordered Empress Xu to take good care of Princess Baoqing, almost raising her as his own daughter.
When Princess Baoqing turned 19, Zhu Di, as the eldest brother, began to worry about her marriage again. In ancient China, marriage was always very important, especially as a royal family. As a member of the imperial family, one should not only pay attention to social status, but also be influenced by many political factors. But this Princess Baoqing is really different.
Regarding Princess Baoqing’s marriage, Zhu Di did not intervene too much, and it can be said that Princess Baoqing basically had free love. After careful selection, Princess Baoqing chose Zhao Hui, the guardian of the Jinchuan Gate. Although Zhao Hui’s official position is not high, he is exceptionally handsome, has outstanding military achievements, and is also very talented. When Princess Baoqing got married, Zhu Di specially arranged for Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi to send her off, and also prepared an incredibly generous dowry, which was unparalleled at that time.
After Zhu Di’s death, Emperor Mingren Zhu Gaochi inherited the throne. In terms of seniority, Princess Baoqing is Zhu Gaochi’s aunt. But because Zhu Gaochi was even older than Princess Baoqing, he always treated her as his younger sister. In order to prevent Princess Baoqing from being burdened by money, Emperor Mingren often rewarded her with a lot of gold, silver, and jewelry, which made many royal families very jealous.
Emperor Ming Renzong passed away in less than a year of his reign, and his son, Emperor Ming Xuanzong Zhu Zhanji, ascended to the throne. Zhu Zhanji was kind-hearted and treated Princess Baoqing with great respect. But unexpected events happened. In 1433 AD, Princess Baoqing, who was only 39 years old, unfortunately passed away due to illness. Although her life was short, she enjoyed the favor of five emperors and became a legend in history.
After watching the palace intrigue drama of Taiduo Yuwo, we have some fear of the royal life to some extent. But when we saw the story of Princess Baoqing, we felt incredibly warm again. Born into an imperial family, Princess Baoqing was greatly favored by five emperors and can be said to be very happy. This is probably a beautiful life that many princes and queens dare not even imagine.
In fact, the emperor is also an ordinary person, with the seven emotions and six desires of an ordinary person. How could he be unhappy when he gets old? As a member of the royal family who has experienced five dynasties, Princess Baoqing must also have a high status. The monarchs of the five dynasties all doted on her, indicating that the ruthless emperors would treat their loved ones like ordinary people.
Which one of Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Di is not a decisive and fierce character in killing and conquering? However, from Princess Baoqing, we also see the brilliance of their humanity.
