Zhu Gaosui

Zhu Gaosui (19 January 1383 – 5 October 1431) was a prince of the Ming dynasty. He was the third son of the Yongle Emperor and an ally of his second brother, Zhu Gaoxu, who was the rival to their eldest brother, Zhu Gaochi, in the power struggle over succession.

Zhu Gaosui was born on 19 January 1383, as the third son of Zhu Di, who was then the Prince of Yan based in Beijing, and his primary consort Xu Yihua. He was known to possess mediocre character and abilities.^[1] Along with his older brother Zhu Gaoxu, he took part in military campaigns during the civil war of 1399–1402,^[2] which ultimately led to his father's ascension to the throne as the emperor of the Ming dynasty. In 1404, he was bestowed with the title of Prince of Zhao (趙王). Later, in 1405, he was entrusted with military command in Beijing.^[3]

In 1426, he became involved in a rebellion led by his elder brother, Zhu Gaoxu, against their nephew, the Xuande Emperor. Despite his involvement, he was not punished in the interest of maintaining stability within the state.^[4] He died in 1431, and his title of Prince of Zhao was inherited by his second son, Zhu Zhanque (朱瞻塙; 1413–1455), as his eldest son, Zhu Zhanba (朱瞻坺; 1411–1427), had died a few years earlier. Unfortunately, his third and youngest son, born in early 1413, also died in infancy.