What if I told you Zhenjin’s story is intertwined with royalty and a thirst for true gold? Zhenjin also known as Chingkim was a significant figure in China’s Yuan Dynasty. Let’s explore the tale of Zhenjin.
Zhenjin was born on July 8 1243. His father was Kublai Khan. His mother was Chabi Khatun. He was the grandson of Tolui. The Buddhist monk Haiyun gave him the name Zhenjin. Zhenjin means True Gold.
In 1262 Kublai Khan made Zhenjin head of the Central Secretariat. In 1273 he was designated Crown Prince of the Yuan Dynasty. Zhenjin was a strong supporter of Confucianism. Han scholars tutored him. These scholars included Yao Shu and Liu Bingzhong. He studied Classic of Poetry and Classic of Filial Piety. Zhenjin was friends with Drogön Chögyal Phagpa. Phagpa wrote “Explanation of the knowable” for Zhenjin.
Some say Zhenjin plotted against Ahmad Fanakati. Ahmad was Zhenjin’s rival. In 1285 a Confucian official suggested Kublai abdicate. He wanted Kublai to give the throne to Zhenjin. Kublai was furious.
Zhenjin died on January 5 1286. The History of Yuan says he died of alcoholism. But there may have been more to it. Ministers wanted Kublai to abdicate for Zhenjin. Zhenjin tried to stop this. Kublai found out and was furious. This terrified Zhenjin and led him to overdrink.
Kublai Khan was distressed by Zhenjin’s death. He made Temür Zhenjin’s son the new Crown Prince. In 1293 Kublai posthumously renamed Zhenjin Taizi Mingxiao. Temür gave him the posthumous name Emperor Wenhui Mingxiao. He also gave him the temple name Yuzong meaning Affluent Ancestor.
Zhenjin had a senior wife Kökejin. She was from the Khongirad tribe. They had three children Gammala Darmabala and Temür Khan. He also had a concubine Anchinmishi. His daughter Qutadmish married Körgüz. Körgüz was the son of Ay Buqa Prince of Zhao. Another daughter Nangabula married Manzitai. Manzitai was from the Khongirad clan Prince of Lu. His daughter Princess Budagan married Zangpo Pal.
Zhenjin’s story has even been told in popular culture. He is a character in the 1982 miniseries Marco Polo. Junichi Ishida played him. He is also a main character in the 2014 Netflix series Marco Polo. Remy Hii played Prince Jingim.
So, as you stand before Zhenjin think about his life. He was a prince a scholar and a figure of intrigue. His story is a reminder of the complexities of the Yuan Dynasty.