Hongsheng was born on 6 April 1696 to lady Liugiya, Secondary Princess Consort Hengwen of the First Rank.[1]
In 1719, Hongsheng was designated an hereditary prince Heng of the First Rank (世子). Starting in 1721, Hongsheng was made a guardian of the Xiaoling and Zhao Mausoleums, together with Princes Hongzhi, Yunlu and Yunli.[2] Hongsheng received an appointment in the imperial stables and supervised the affairs of the Bordered White Banner.[3] In 1727, Hongsheng was stripped of his title because of negligence in meddling the official affairs and mistrust.[4] Hongsheng's father was instructed to impose a strict treatment on him and dedicate time for his study.[5] In 1735, Hongsheng was appointed as a commander of the artillery.[6]
In 1739, Hongsheng and 6 other princes became involved in an unsuccessful coup d'état led by Hongxi, the eldest son of the deposed crown prince Yinreng. The princes met at the Prince Zhuang Manor to discuss the plan to overthrow the Qianlong Emperor and transfer the throne to Hongxi.[7] During the Mulan hunt, Hongsheng was the first prince to declare Hongxi an emperor.[8] After the coup plot was exposed by Hongpu,[9] Hongsheng did not plead his innocence.[10] He was imprisoned for life and stripped of his title.[11]
Hongsheng died in 1754 and was posthumously honoured as Prince Gongke of the Third Rank (恭恪贝勒, meaning "reverent and respectful").[12]
