Early life
As the second son 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, theRebellion
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.Death
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 of Zhu Gaoxu's sons were executed as well.Ming, Jiao Hong, Guochao Xianzhenglu, Volume 2. 明·焦竑《国朝献征录》卷二·宗室二：“初庶人被执，锁絷逍遥城。一日上欲往视，左右止之，不听。及至，熟视久之。庶人出不意，伸一足，勾上仆地。左右亟扶起。亟命壮士舁铜缸覆之。缸约重三百斤，庶人有力，项负之，辄动。积炭缸上如山，然炭逾时，火炽铜镕，庶人死。诸子并死。” 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.Family
Consorts and Issue: * Princess consort of Han, of the Wei clan (漢王妃 韋氏) (created 1404) ** 1st son: Zhu Zhanhe, Hereditary Prince Zhuangyi (懿莊世子 朱瞻壑; 1398 – 26 September 1421), no issue ** 2nd son: Zhu Zhanqi (朱瞻圻; d. 6 October 1426), originally the Hereditary Prince (世子) (created 1421), later demoted to commoner rank and forced into house arrest in Fengyang (demoted 1425), later executed (executed 1426), no issue. ** 3rd son: Zhu Zhantan, Hereditary Prince (世子 朱瞻坦) (created 1424), executed along with his father (executed 1426), no issue. * Lady Guo (郭氏), daughter of Guo Ying's (郭英) second son, Guo Ming (郭銘). Her eldest sister was Noble Consort Guo, a concubine of the Hongxi Emperor. * Lady Deng (鄧氏), daughter of Deng Yuan (鄧源) * Unknown ** 4th son: Zhu Zhanci, Prince of Jiyang (濟陽王 朱瞻垐) (created 1424), executed along with his father (executed 1426), no issue. ** 5th son: Zhu Zhanyu, Prince of Linzi (臨淄王 朱瞻域) (created 1424), executed along with his father (executed 1426), no issue. ** 6th son: Zhu Zhanyi, Prince of Zichuan (淄川王 朱瞻墿) (created 1424), executed along with his father (executed 1426), no issue. ** 7th son: Zhu Zhanxing, Prince of Changle (昌樂王 朱瞻垶) (created 1424), executed along with his father (executed 1426), no issue. ** 8th son: Zhu Zhanping, Prince of Qidong (齊東王 朱瞻坪) (created 1424), executed along with his father (executed 1426), no issue. ** 9th son: Zhu Zhandao, Prince of Rencheng (任城王 朱瞻壔) (created 1424), executed along with his father (executed 1426), no issue. ** 10th son: Zhu Zhanchang, Prince of Haifeng (海豐王 朱瞻㙊) (created 1424), executed along with his father (executed 1426), no issue. ** 11th son: Zhu Zhanbang, Prince of Xintai (新泰王 朱瞻垹) (created 1424), executed along with his father (executed 1426), no issue.Ancestry
References
*"Early Ming China" by Edward Dreyer (1982). {{DEFAULTSORT:Zhu, Gaoxu Ming dynasty imperial princes 1380 births 1426 deaths 15th-century executions by China Executed royalty Ming dynasty rebels People executed by boiling Rebellious princes Yongle Emperor Sons of emperors