| Marquis of Zhu 延恩侯 | |
|---|---|
| Creation date | 1725 |
| Created by | Qing dynasty Empire of China Republic of China |
| Peerage | Chinese nobility |
| First holder | Zhu Zhilian |
| Last holder | Zhu Yuxun |
| Extinction date | 1929(Title abolished) |
| Marquis of Extended Grace | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese | 延恩侯 | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
TheMarquis of Extended Grace was a title held by a descendant of theimperial family of theMing dynasty (1368–1644) during the subsequentQing dynasty (1644–1912). Holders of this title were also called theMarquis of Zhu fromthe surname of the Ming imperial family.[1] The marquis presided at memorial ceremonies held twice a year at theMing tombs nearBeijing.[2]
The Ming dynasty wasHan Chinese while the Qing dynasty was dominated by theManchus, a people fromthe northeast. Many people remained loyal to the Ming dynasty long after it collapsed. From 1644 to 1662, there were severalloyalist armies based in southern China.
Several Ming princes accompaniedKoxinga to Taiwan in 1662, includingZhu Shugui and Zhu Honghuan, son ofZhu Yihai, where they lived in theKingdom of Tungning. Koxinga's grandsonZheng Keshuang surrendered to the Qing dynasty in 1683 and was rewarded by theKangxi Emperor with the title "Duke of Hanjun" (漢軍公).[3][4][5] The Qing then sent the 17 Ming princes still living on Taiwan back to mainland China where they spent the rest of their lives in exile, since their lives were spared and they were not executed.[6] Zhu Honghuan was among them.
The Qing government finally made peace with the Ming loyalists in 1725 when theYongzheng Emperor bestowed the title of marquis on Zhu Zhilian (Chu Chih lien[7]), a senior descendant of theMing imperial family.[8] He was posthumously promoted to Marquis of Extended Grace in 1750.[9] The title suggests that the Qing emperors were extending their grace to a representative of a defunct dynasty.[2] Zhu Zhilian was also inducted into the Han Chinese Plain White Banner of theEight Banners, which was one of the Three Upper Banners.
It was a Chinese custom for the emperors of a new dynasty toenfeoff a member of the previous dynasty they overthrew with a noble title and give them land or a stipend to offer sacrifices at their ancestor's graves, practiced since theShang dynasty when theZhou dynasty granted the fief ofSong to a descendant of the Shang royal family. This practice was referred to asèrwáng-sānkè [simple;zh] (二王三恪) or "the two crownings and the three respects". Regardless, the marquis was not granted the privilege to practice Ming customs and rituals. In contrast to the practices of previous dynasties, the marquis served the Qing monarchy as subjects, instead of honoured guests with independent fiefdoms. Moreover, the marquis' branch is one of minority in the House of Zhu. It can thus be argued that the Qing monarchs discontinued such custom with the installation of "Marquis of the Extended Grace".
During theXinhai Revolution which led to the abdication of the Qing emperor, some advocated that a Han Chinese be installed as emperor, either the descendant of Confucius, who was theDuke Yansheng,[10][11][12] or the Ming imperial family descendant, the Marquis of Extended Grace.[13][14]
The last marquis was Zhu Yuxun. In September 1924, Zhu metReginald Johnston, the British tutor ofPuyi, the last Qing emperor. Although China had beena republic since 1912, Puyi was still holding his imperial court in theForbidden City at this time. Even though Zhu was living in a hovel and had only rags to wear, Johnston described him as "still a true Chinese gentleman."[15] The business card Zhu gave Johnston said he was a descendant of the Ming imperial family and lived in Yangguan Alley, ahutong nearDongzhimen.[16] After Puyi was evicted from the Forbidden City in theBeijing Coup in October, Zhu visited him at the Japanese concession inTianjin.[2] Zhu later followed Puyi to the northeast. Puyi reigned as emperor ofManchukuo (Manchuria) from 1934 to 1945.
In 1929, Zhu Yuxun petitioned theNational Government of the Republic of China for help since he was living in destitution and said he could no longer carry out his duties. The government abolished his title as marquis and paid him a stipend instead. In 1933, the government totally terminated all of his duties in carrying out ceremonies at the Ming tombs and totally ended his position. After that, nothing is known about what happened to Zhu Yuxun.
The following is a list of title holders:[17] Adoptions occurred between related family members.
{{citation}}:ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)Zhu Zhida.