Zheng Keshuang

Who was Zheng Keshuang?

Zheng Keshuang, courtesy name Shihong, pseudonym Huitang, was the third ruler of the Kingdom of Tungning in Taiwan in the 17th century. He was the second son of Zheng Jing and a grandson of Koxinga.

When Zheng Jing died in 1681, the official Feng Xifan allied with Zheng Jing's cousin to launch a coup to kill Zheng Kezang, Zheng Jing's eldest son, and install a 12-year-old Zheng Keshuang on the throne of Tungning. Zheng Keshuang became known as the "Prince of Yanping Commandery".

In 1683, the Kangxi Emperor of the Qing Dynasty commissioned Shi Lang to lead a naval fleet to attack Tungning. Shi Lang's fleet defeated the Tungning forces led by Liu Guoxuan at the Battle of Penghu. Feng Xifan then urged Zheng Keshuang to surrender to the Qing Dynasty. Zheng Keshuang heeded his advice.

Zheng Keshuang then moved to the Qing capital, Beijing, where he became a member of the Plain Red Banner of the Eight Banners, and received the title of "Duke of Haicheng" from the Kangxi Emperor. He died of illness in 1717 and his ducal title was not inherited by his descendants.