Emperor Ming had twelve sons: Consort Chen gave birth to the emperor who was later deposed, Lady Xie gave birth to Prince Faliang, Chen Zhaohua gave birth to Emperor Shundi, Xu Jieyu gave birth to the fourth prince, and Zheng Xiurong gave birth to Prince Zhijing, followed by Prince Jinxi, Wang Xie, who was born on the same day as Prince Faliang. Quan Meiren gave birth to Prince Shaoling, Wang You; then there was Jiangxia Wang Ji, who was born on the same day as the fourth prince. Xu Liangren gave birth to Prince Wuling, Zan, and Du Xiuhua gave birth to Prince Suiyang, Wang Hui. Then there was Xinxing Wang Song, who was born on the same day as Prince Wuling, Zan. Additionally, Quan Meiren gave birth to Prince Shijian, Wang Xi. Zhijing, Xie, Ji, and Zan were later adopted out. Faliang died before he could be crowned king, and the fourth prince also died young.
Prince Shaoling, Wang You, styled Zhongxian, was the seventh son of Emperor Ming. Later, in the second year of Emperor Fei, the Grand Commandant and Governor of Jiangzhou, Prince Guiyang, Xiu Fan, rebelled and was killed. The imperial authority was quite weak, and at the age of five, You was appointed as Commissioner and Commander of the armies of Xiyang, Xincai, and Jinxi in Jiangzhou and Yuzhou, General of the Southern Army, Governor of Jiangzhou, and was titled Prince Shaoling, with a fief of two thousand households. The officials in his jurisdiction were very forthright and candid in their duties. After Shundi ascended to the throne, he was promoted to General of the Left, and his title was changed to Commander. In the first year of the Ming era, he was reassigned as Commander of the armies of the three states of Nanyu and Yuzhou, General of Annan, Governor of Nanyu, and Prefect of Liyang. Three years later, he passed away without leaving any heirs, and his title was subsequently revoked.
Wang Hui of Suiyang, style name Zhongyi, was the tenth son of Emperor Ming. In the fourth year of the Yuanhui era, when he was six years old, he was appointed as the Prince of Nanyang, with a fief of two thousand households. In the first year of Shengming, he was appointed as the Commissioner with the title of Supervisor of Military Affairs in Yingshou and Sizhou, General of the Western Legion, and Governor of Yingshou. Before he assumed his post in Xiangzhou, he was reassigned as the Commissioner of Xiangzhou Troops, General of the South, and Governor of Xiangzhou, while retaining his title as Commissioner. Before he could take office in Xiangzhou, he was reappointed as Wang of Suiyang, with his official duties remaining in the capital. After the Qi dynasty usurped the throne, his title was reduced to Duke of Wuyin County, with a fief of fifteen hundred households. Eventually, he conspired to rebel and was executed.
Xinxing Wang Song, style name Zhongyue, was the eleventh son of Emperor Ming. In the fourth year of the Yuanhui era, when he was six years old, he was appointed as the Prince of Xinxing, with a fief of two thousand households. After the Qi dynasty usurped the throne, his title was reduced to Duke of Dingxiang County, with a fief of fifteen hundred households. Eventually, he conspired to rebel and was executed.
At first, Wang Xi, style name Zhongan, was the twelfth son of Emperor Ming. In the fourth year of the Yuanhui era, when he was only six years old, he was appointed as the Prince of Shijian, overseeing a fief of two thousand households. Later, after the Qi dynasty usurped the throne, his title was reduced to Duke of Lifen County, with a fief of fifteen hundred households. Eventually, he conspired to rebel and was executed.
Historical records note: "Taizong ascended to the throne through fortune; his success was not solely due to his own efforts. If the branches and leaves are sparse, how can the roots be safeguarded? To have been a vassal of the Zhou dynasty, like Hou Fu, would have been the most fortunate outcome!" "Taizong was lucky to have others' support; his success was not his own doing. If the branches and leaves are sparse, how can the roots be safeguarded? To be a vassal of the Zhou dynasty would have been fortunate indeed."
