The Fragmented Ming Succession Crisis

In the chaotic aftermath of the Ming Dynasty’s collapse in 1644, multiple claimants vied for the imperial mantle. While the Prince of Tang (Zhu Yujian) and Prince of Lu (Zhu Yihai) competed for legitimacy in Fujian and Zhejiang, another ambitious figure emerged in Guangxi—Zhu Hengjia, the Prince of Jingjiang. Unlike mainstream Ming princes descended from Emperor Hongwu’s direct line, Zhu traced his lineage to the emperor’s nephew Zhu Wenzheng, placing him far outside conventional succession norms. Yet, as rebel forces toppled Beijing and the Chongzhen Emperor hanged himself, regional warlords and opportunistic Ming clansmen saw an opening for power.

The Prince of Jingjiang’s seat in Guilin became the unlikely stage for this audacious power grab. When news arrived in July 1645 that Qing forces had captured Nanjing and imprisoned the Hongguang Emperor, Zhu Hengjia mobilized his supporters with a bold claim: “With no rightful heir, am I not the natural successor?” Citing obscure precedents about his ancestor receiving Eastern Palace honors, he declared himself “Regent” on August 3rd, adopting the reign year “Hongwu 287″—a direct challenge to both the Qing and rival Ming regimes.

The Ill-Fated Regency of Guilin

Zhu’s makeshift court mirrored imperial pomp. He:
– Renamed Guilin as the “Western Capital”
– Appointed General Yang Guowei as Marquis of Xingye
– Enlisted scholar-officials like Sun Jinding as Grand Secretary
– Dispatched envoys to recruit ethnic Yao warriors from 45 mountain tribes

Yet cracks appeared immediately. Guangxi Governor Qu Shisi, a staunch loyalist to the Prince of Gui (later the Yongli Emperor), refused to recognize Zhu’s authority. When Zhu marched to Wuzhou to arrest Qu, he underestimated the backlash. The detained governor secretly dispatched messengers to the Prince of Tang’s court in Fujian, exposing Zhu’s rebellion.

The Collapse of a Pretender

Zhu’s downfall came through miscalculation and betrayal:
1. The Guangdong Gambit: Needing resources, Zhu marched eastward in September 1645, only to be ambushed by forces loyal to Fujian’s Longwu Emperor.
2. Allies Turned Traitors: His “Grand Secretary” Sun Jinding fled to ally Chen Bangfu, who drowned Sun in a river to curry favor with the winning side.
3. Siege of Guilin: By late September, combined forces stormed Zhu’s palace. Eyewitness accounts describe the pretender being dragged “like a common criminal” through Guilin’s streets.

Transported to Fujian in early 1646, Zhu was quietly strangled in captivity—his death officially recorded as “sudden illness.” His co-conspirators met public executions, their severed heads displayed as warnings.

The Ripple Effects of Ambition

This obscure power struggle had lasting consequences:
– Rewarding Opportunists: General Chen Bangfu gained immense power despite later betraying the Ming, exposing the regime’s flawed meritocracy.
– Marginalizing Loyalists: Governor Qu Shisi was demoted for favoring the Prince of Gui, showing how factionalism weakened anti-Qing resistance.
– Pattern of Pretenders: Similar revolts erupted, like the Prince of Yiyang’s 1646 “regency” in Zhejiang, wasting resources needed against the Qing.

Historian Qu Dajun’s Anlong Yishi captures the tragedy: “These princes fought over a crumbling throne while barbarians stormed the gates.” The Jingjiang incident became emblematic of the Southern Ming’s self-destructive infighting.

Legacy of a Failed Usurpation

Though Zhu Hengjia’s rebellion lasted barely two months, it revealed systemic flaws:
1. The Ming’s Broken Succession: With no clear heir, even distant relatives launched bids, fracturing resistance.
2. Short-Term Loyalties: Officials like Chen Bangfu prioritized personal gain over dynasty survival.
3. Qing Strategic Advantage: While Ming factions clashed, the Qing consolidated control methodically.

Modern scholars debate whether unity could have changed history. As the Guilin Tianhai Ji chronicler noted: “One moment of concord might have saved the Central Kingdom—but ambition prevailed.” The Prince of Jingjiang’s forgotten saga remains a cautionary tale of division in times of crisis.