King of Wu, Zhu Yuanzhang: The Historical Leap from Feudal Prince to Founding Emperor

Brief Introduction

In popular discourse, the combination of “King of Wu” and “Zhu Yuanzhang” typically refers to the turbulent history of the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties. However, it is crucial to clarify a key historical concept: Zhu Yuanzhang’s rise was not a simple transformation from the ruler of a “Wu regime.” Rather, as a leader of the anti-Yuan righteous army, he was first enfeoffed as the Duke of Wu, and later established Nanjing (anciently known as Yingtian Prefecture, the land of Wu) as his capital to found the Great Ming Dynasty.

While the Xu Zizhi Tongjian (Continuation of the Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Governance) primarily records the history of the Song, Jin, and Yuan dynasties (usually ending with the fall of the Song or the early Yuan), its core content does not detail Zhu Yuanzhang’s founding of the Ming state in depth. Nevertheless, tracing this history is essential for understanding the struggle among various warlords at the end of the Yuan Dynasty and the subsequent dynastic change.

Core Knowledge Points

1. The Evolution of the Titles Duke of Wu and King of Wu: Before the Northern Campaign, due to his meritorious service, Zhu Yuanzhang was enfeoffed as the “Duke of Wu” by Han Lin’er (the Little Ming King). This gave him command over the Jianghuai region. During this period, he effectively controlled the land of Wu, laying the foundation for his future regime. It is noteworthy that the Yuan Dynasty never officially bestowed upon Zhu Yuanzhang the princely title of “King of Wu.” This designation is more of a conventional reference by later generations to his territory of division (centered on Nanjing), or a simplified expression found in folk tales and fictionalized histories.
2. Strategic Positioning Based on the Land of Wu: Adopting the advice of Li Shanchang and others, Zhu Yuanzhang utilized the chaos among the warlords at the end of the Yuan Dynasty to solidify his power in the “Wu” region, with Nanjing (Jiqing Road) as its core. He implemented the strategy of “raising high walls, accumulating abundant grain, and delaying the assumption of the royal title.” This policy enriched Jiangnan economically and trained new armies militarily, transforming the “Wu” region into a crucial rear base for his later Northern Campaign.
3. The Process from Division to Unification: In 1364, Zhu Yuanzhang declared himself King of Wu and changed the era name to Yixing; in 1368, he formally established the Great Ming Dynasty, changed the era name to Hongwu, and set the capital in Nanjing. This process marked that a powerful regime originating from the “Wu” region completely replaced Yuan Dynasty rule, achieving another great unification in Chinese history.

Connection to the Content of the Xu Zizhi Tongjian

As a chronological universal history, the Xu Zizhi Tongjian typically ends its narrative with the early history of the Yuan Dynasty or the conclusion of the Song Dynasty. In this context, “King of Wu Zhu Yuanzhang” is not the direct protagonist depicted in the book; however, its records of social contradictions at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, the background of the Red Turban Rebellion, and the rise of regional warlords provide the macro background necessary to understand Zhu Yuanzhang’s rise.

The book’s descriptions of corrupt officialdom and the people’s suffering at the end of the Yuan Dynasty explain why Zhu Yuanzhang, a figure of humble origins, was able to quickly gain public support. Simultaneously, its records of infighting within the Yuan imperial family and the rise of local powerful factions outline the political landscape that Zhu Yuanzhang faced. Although the Xu Zizhi Tongjian may not detail the specific enfeoffment or founding details of Zhu Yuanzhang (as its timeline might end before the establishment of the Ming or at the very beginning of the Yuan), the historical chain it constructs—from the “fall of Song and rise of Yuan” to the “chaos at the end of the Yuan”—is an indispensable prelude to understanding how Zhu Yuanzhang went from being a beggar and minor official to becoming the emperor who commanded the land of Wu and eventually unified the country. When studying this history, one must use the Xu Zizhi Tongjian’s account of late-Yuan chaos as the foundational context, combining it with other historical materials (such as the History of Ming) to fully present the historical truth of this specific stage of “King of Wu.”