德恭 Dégōng

Degong, son of Tingmei

Degong, courtesy name Fuli, in the fourth year of Taiping Xingguo left the inner palace for an establishment of his own as an imperial son, and was appointed Defence Commissioner of Guizhou. When Tingmei was banished to Fangling, all his sons went with him, and Degong was therefore removed from office. After Tingmei died, Degong was made Prefect of Feng Prefecture, his younger brother Delong Prefect of Rang Prefecture, and Han Chongye Adjutant of the Jingnan Army. In the twelfth month of the first year of Yongxi, an edict made Degong General-in-Chief of the Left Militant Guard, enfeoffed him as Marquis of Anding Commandery and made him Administrator of Ji Prefecture; Delong was made General-in-Chief of the Right Militant Guard, enfeoffed as Marquis of Changning Commandery and made Administrator of Yi Prefecture. The younger brothers all went with them to their seats of government. The eunuch of high rank Wei Shaoqin was ordered to escort them to their prefectures, and besides their regular stipends they were given three million cash a year. The Imperial Recorder Han Jian and the Right Rectifier of Omissions Liu Mengsou were ordered to serve as Vice Prefects of the two prefectures. The emperor saw them off in person, saying, "Degong and his brother are governing prefectures for the first time. Help and advise them well. If they fall short and you do not do your utmost to correct them, you alone will be held to blame." Edit

In the first year of Duangong Degong was promoted to Duke of Anding Commandery. In the fourth year of Chunhua he was moved to General-in-Chief of the Left Courageous Guard. In the second year of Zhidao he was additionally made General-in-Chief of the Left Divine Militant Army. When Zhenzong succeeded to the throne, he was transferred in place to General-in-Chief of the Left Militant Guard. In the second year of Xianping he was summoned to the capital, re-enfeoffed as Duke of Leping Commandery and made Administrator of Guo Prefecture. He asked to attend court audiences and was allowed to. He was promoted to Militia Commissioner of Sheng Prefecture. At the beginning of Jingde he was moved to Defence Commissioner of Heng Prefecture. In the third year he fell ill, and his son Chengqing cut flesh from his own thigh to feed him. In the fifth month he died, at forty-five. The emperor came and wept bitterly for him and suspended court for three days. He was posthumously made Military Commissioner of the Baoxin Army and posthumously enfeoffed as Duke of Shen. In the second year of Tianxi, at Chengqing's request, he was further posthumously made Military Commissioner of the Huguo Army and concurrently Chancellery Director. In the second year of Mingdao he was posthumously enfeoffed as Prince of Gaomi Commandery, with the posthumous name Cihui. His sons were Chengqing and Chengshou. Edit