Zhu Chenhao

Zhu Chenhao () (died 1521) or Prince of Ning () (ruled 14991521) was a member of Ming Dynasty's
Royal Family. He was the 5th generation descendant of Zhu Quan, the seventeenth son of Hongwu Emperor. He
attempted to usurp the throne and was the leader of the Prince of Ning rebellion.
Zhu Chenhao was not a military man, but had literary talents and was a pleasure seeker. However, he was cunning
and ambitious like almost all other princes, aiming to become Emperor. Zhu Chenhao succeeded to the title "Prince
Of Ning" in 1499 from his father, Zhu Jinjun in Hongzhi's era. The title was hereditary, from their ancestor Zhu Quan,
the first Prince Of Ning. Zhu Chenhao lived in Jiangxi province, far away from the Ming capital.
Zhu Chenhao had long intended to rebel, but he did not have an army or even bodyguards. This situation started with
his ancestor Zhu Quan. At that time, when the Yongle Emperor acceded to the throne he relocated Zhu Quan (1st
Prince Of Ning) to Beijing. Then, to prevent Zhu Quan's treason, his army and bodyguards were withdrawn and never
restored until Zhu Chenhao's reign.
In the summer of 1507, in Zhengde Emperor's era, Zhu Chenhao sent a eunuch to Beijing with an enormous bribe
for Liu Jin. The prince wanted Liu Jin to restore his princely bodyguards and its revenues in return for the bribe.
Although the Ministry Of War objected, the princely bodyguard was restored but it was withdrawn again in September
1510, the day before Liu Jin was executed. Zhu Chenhao was undaunted. He tried again to restore his army in 1514
through the Ministry Of War, Lu Wan. Several years before, Lu Wan was an officer in Jiangxi and supporter to the
prince. Lu Wan agreed to do it, but Grand Secretary Fei Hong refused to sign the draft; in other words he did not
approve the request since he knew what the prince would do. However, the prince had plotted with some imperial
officials such as Qian Ning, Cang Sien, several eunuchs and some of Emperor Zhengde's personal staff to cheat Fei
Hong. The plot was a success, Fei Hong was befooled and the Imperial decree was issued, the prince bodyguards
being restored.
In June 1514, the prince requested seals to give him authority to control the military army in his region. He also
recruited hundreds of bandits to become his henchmen. In August 1514, Zhu Chenhao requested authority to punish
guilty Imperial Clansmen. With recommendation from Lu Wan, Zhengde Emperor agreed. By this time, the Prince Of
Ning referred to himself as ruler, his bodyguards as Imperial attendants and his order as imperial edicts. He also
order local officials to wear formal court robes when attending to him. Jiangxi Governor, speaking on behalf of his
subordinates, said that it would be improper and refused to do it.
Zhu Chenhao began to recruit strategists and advisors to his cause. His principal advisor was a provincial
examination graduate versed in military strategy. Local officials who refused to support the prince were eliminated. A
Judicial Intendant of Jiangxi who reported the prince's treason to the court, was arrested and killed. Under these
circumstances, other local officials cooperated and said nothing. In May 1517 several eunuchs from Zhu Chenhao's
household secretly went to Beijingto report his unlawful activities. Commander of Imperial Bodyguard Qian Ning
reported this to the prince, then the eunuchs were arrested and beaten to die before reaching their objective.