Mingju Explained

Mingju
Office:Grand Secretary of the Wuying Hall
Term Start:1677
Term End:1688
Office1:Minister of Personnel
Term Start1:November 17, 1675
Term End1:August 27, 1677
Alongside1:Ai Yuanzheng (until 1676), Yao Wenran (since 1676)
Predecessor1:Duikana
Successor1:Udari
Office2:Minister of War
Term Start2:December 25, 1671
Term End2:November 17, 1675
Alongside2:Zhu Zhibi (until 1673), Wang Xi (since 1673)
Predecessor2:Ke'erkeda
Successor2:Sesehei
Office3:Minister of Justice
Term Start3:October 17, 1668
Term End3:July 31, 1669
Alongside3:Zhu Zhibi
Predecessor3:Duikana
Successor3:Duikana
Birth Date:19 November 1635
Relations:Yangginu (paternal great-grandfather)
Gintaisi (paternal grandfather)
Empress Xiaocigao (grandaunt)
Narimbulu (granduncle)
Ajige (father-in-law)
Shunzhi Emperor (second cousin)
Consort Hui (relative, possibly niece)
Yinzhi (relative, possibly grandnephew)
Children:Xingde
Kuiju
Kuifang

Mingju (Manchu:, Mölendroff: mingju;, November 19, 1635 – June 3, 1708), of the Manchu Nara clan, was an official of the Qing Dynasty during the reign of the Kangxi Emperor. He was thrown in prison for corruption.[1]

Second cousin to the Shunzhi Emperor, Mingzhu came from an aristocratic line that belonged to the Plain Yellow Banner of the Eight Banners.[2] His grandfather, Gintaisi, was the last prince of the Yehe Nara clan.

In 1677, Mingju was named the Grand Secretary, one of the top-ranking positions, and became involved in a long power struggle with Songgotu throughout the middle years of Kangxi's reign. He was related to Consort Hui, one of the Kangxi Emperor's concubines who bore the emperor his first surviving son, Yinzhi. Consequently, he supported Yinzhi during the struggles for succession.

He was sent to prison for corruption and various other charges in his final years.

He married Ajige's fifth daughter and had at least three sons. His oldest son, Nara Singde, grew up to be a famous poet.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Mingju. 577.
  2. An Ch'i. no.
  3. Book: Wu-chi Liu. Irving Yucheng Lo. Sunflower splendor: three thousand years of Chinese poetry. 29 April 2019. 1975. Indiana University Press. 978-0-253-35580-5. 612.