Zhu Zaizhen

Zhu Zaizhen was a prince of the Ming dynasty of China. He was the fourth son of the Jiajing Emperor. In 1539, his father granted him the title of Prince of Jing. The Emperor favored Zhu Zaizhen's mother, Lady Lu, and Zhu Zaizhen was therefore seen as a potential successor instead of his elder brother Zhu Zaiji. However, he was eventually sent to his fief at De'an in Huguang, leaving Zhu Zaiji as the sole remaining heir. While in his fief, Zhu Zaizhen gained a reputation for his arrogance and abuse of power, as he forcibly expanded his estates and clashed with local officials. He died in 1565 without any heirs, resulting in the abolition of his princedom.²