Liu Futong's Uprising: A Key Turning Point in the Red Turban Army at the End of the Yuan Dynasty

Brief Introduction

Liu Futong (1321–1366), a native of Yingzhou (present-day Fuyang, Anhui Province), was a White Lotus Sect leader and one of the prominent leaders of the Red Turban Army (Hongjinjun), a peasant rebel force during the late Yuan Dynasty. In the 12th year of the Zhengtong era (1352), he launched a large-scale anti-Yuan uprising in Yingzhou. He established a state with the title "Song," adopted the era name "Longfeng," and enthroned Han Lin'er as emperor, becoming a core force challenging Yuan rule. This uprising not only triggered years of prolonged warfare against the Yuan but also paved the way for the establishment of the Ming Dynasty.

Core Knowledge Points

1. Background of the Uprising: In the mid-14th century, during the decline of the Yuan Dynasty, political corruption, Yellow River flooding, and epidemics intensified social contradictions. The White Lotus Sect secretly propagated the prophecy of "great upheavals," providing an ideological foundation for the uprising. Liu Futong mobilized the masses under the slogan "The stone rider on the stone horse, the red horse enters the world," initiating the revolt.
2. Organization and Strategy: Initially, Liu Futong used Yingzhou as his base and rapidly captured numerous regions in the Central Plains. He formed a coordinated network with other Red Turban forces, including Zhu Yuanzhang and Guo Zixing in the South, and Guan Bao (Xu Shouhui) in the North. He promoted the slogan of "eliminating tyranny and protecting the people" to gain support from the lower classes.
3. Political Impact: The uprising severely destabilized Yuan rule in the Central Plains. It forced the Yuan court to deploy troops for long-term suppression, diverting resources and diminishing its capacity to handle other rebellions. This created a strategic window for Zhu Yuanzhang to consolidate power in the South.

Connection to the Xuzi Zhi Tongjian

Although the Xuzi Zhi Tongjian (compiled by Xia Xi in the Qing Dynasty) is not an official dynastic history, it is a significant chronological history that systematically covers the period from the late Song to the early Ming. It provides detailed records of Liu Futong's uprising. Under the entry for "the 12th year of Zhengtong," it explicitly documents Liu Futong gathering followers in Yingzhou, killing a Red Turban, and declaring himself "Song," situating these events within the broader narrative of competing warlords in the late Yuan period. The text specifically highlights interactions between Liu Futong and contemporaries like Fang Guozhen and Ming Yuzhen, reflecting the geographical spread of the uprising movement. Furthermore, when evaluating the fall of the Yuan Dynasty, the Xuzi Zhi Tongjian views Liu Futong's uprising as a critical node accelerating the collapse of Yuan authority. Its narrative logic complements the Yuan Shi (Official History of the Yuan), providing essential historical context for understanding the transition from the Yuan to the Ming Dynasty.

Summary

Liu Futong's uprising was a typical manifestation of the cumulative social contradictions at the end of the Yuan Dynasty. His organized and large-scale anti-Yuan actions profoundly altered the course of Chinese history. Through records in historical texts such as the Xuzi Zhi Tongjian, we can more clearly perceive the pivotal role this uprising played in the broader historical process.