Zhu Shizhen

Zhu Shizhen (1281–1344), born Zhu Wusi, was the father of Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming dynasty. He was a native of Jurong (present-day Jurong, Jiangsu). The ancestors of the Zhu family had lived in Pei and later moved to Jurong. His father, Zhu Chuyi, moved to Xuyi, Si Prefecture (present-day Xuyi, Jiangsu), and Zhu Shizhen moved again to Zhongli, Haozhou (present-day Fengyang, Anhui).

Zhu Shizhen was member of the impoverished peasant class. In 1344 there was a great drought in Huaibei, and his entire family died of starvation, save for two of his sons.

In 1363, Han Lin'er posthumously accorded Zhu Wusi the titles Executor and Assistant Minister of the Three Offices (開府儀同三司), Senior Pillar of the State (上柱國), Head of Privy Councilor for Extraordinary Affairs (錄軍國重事), Right Chancellor of the Central Secretariat (中書右丞相), Grand Commandant (太尉), and Duke of Wu (吳國公). His wife, Lady Chen, was posthumously accorded the title Duchess (公夫人).

In 1368, Zhu Yuanzhang established the Ming dynasty in Nanjing and posthumously honoured Zhu Shizhen as emperor, with the temple name Renzu (仁祖) and the posthumous name Emperor Chun (淳皇帝).

Family
Consorts and Issue:
 * Empress Chun, of the Chen clan (淳皇后 陳氏; 1286–1344)
 * Zhu Chongsi (Zhu Xinglong), Prince of Nanchang (南昌王 朱重四 (朱興隆); 1307–1344), first son
 * Zhu Chongliu (Zhu Xingsheng), Prince of Xuyi (盱眙王 朱重六 (朱興盛); ?–?), second son
 * Zhu Chongqi (Zhu Xingzu), Prince of Linhuai (臨淮王 朱重七 (朱興祖); ?–?), third son
 * Zhu Chongba (Zhu Xingzong, Zhu Yuanzhang), the Hongwu Emperor (洪武帝 朱重八 (朱興宗, 朱元璋); 21 October 1328 – 24 June 1398), fourth son
 * Grand Princess Taiyuan (太原長公主), first daughter
 * Married Wang Qiyi (王七一)
 * Grand Princess of Cao (曹國長公主; 1317–1351), personal name Fonü (佛女), second daughter
 * Married Li Zhen (李貞; 1304–1379), and had issue (one son)