Prince of Wu, Xu Da: The Steadfast Pillar and Institutional Legacy of the Hongwu Era

Brief Introduction

In many popular historical contexts, the title "Prince of Wu" is often mistakenly associated with Zhu Yuanzhang. This confusion arises because Zhu Yuanzhang declared himself king in Anhui before founding his state, which he named "Daming" (Great Ming). However, officially, the title of Prince of Wu was bestowed upon his brother or a prominent meritorious official. Yet, considering the context of the Xu Zizhi Tongjian (which primarily records history from the Song, Yuan, and early Ming dynasties), particularly regarding the political core of the early Ming period, the most prominent reference to "Prince of Wu" is Xu Da. Xu Da was the "First Meritorious Official of the Founding Dynasty" and was enfeoffed by Zhu Yuanzhang as the Duke of Wu (Wu Guogong). It is worth noting that while his title was a Dukedom (Guogong) rather than a Principality (Wang), in the context of the early Ming dynasty, he was frequently discussed as a high-ranking noble equivalent to a prince.

Note: If we strictly refer to the feudal title of "Prince of Wu" (Wu Wang), Zhu Yuanzhang once enfeoffed his brother Zhu Wenzheng as the Prince of Wu, later changed to the Prince of Han, who was executed due to a case of alleged rebellion. Xu Da, on the other hand, held the title of Duke of Wu. Given that "founder of the Wu Regime" typically refers to Zhu Yuanzhang, and considering the specific constraints of this topic involving the Xu Zizhi Tongjian, it is necessary to clarify: Before his imperial enthronement, Zhu Yuanzhang himself was enfeoffed as the "Prince of Wu" (in 1363). Therefore, the core of this topic should return to the historical node of Zhu Yuanzhang's reign as the Prince of Wu.

Consequently, this article focuses on the historical stage from Zhu Yuanzhang's rise under Guo Zixing’s command to his self-proclamation as the Prince of Wu (1363–1368), which served as the crucial prelude to the establishment of the Ming Dynasty.

Core Knowledge Points

1. Establishment of the Prince of Wu Title: In 1363, Zhu Yuanzhang established the Left and Right Chancellors’ Offices in Jiqing (present-day Nanjing) and formally assumed the title of "Duke of Wu." The following year (1364), his rank was elevated to "Prince of Wu." This marked the emergence of a major power independent of both the Yuan Dynasty and other rebel leaders (such as Zhang Shicheng and Chen Youliang), signifying his political transition from a "subordinate" to an "independent" entity.
2. Preliminary Institutional Construction: During the Prince of Wu period, Zhu Yuanzhang established a centralistic administrative framework, setting up institutions such as the Six Ministries and the Central Chief Military Commissariat. He also implemented policies promoting garrison-farmer integration (tuntian) and encouraging agriculture and commerce. The Xu Zizhi Tongjian provides detailed records of this phase, reflecting the institutionalized process of transitioning from a chaotic warlord state to a legitimate regime.
3. Military Expansion Strategy: As the Prince of Wu, Zhu Yuanzhang formulated the strategic principle of "Build high walls, store up ample grain, and delay declaring yourself king" (though this phrase is a later generalization, its practice was evident during the Prince of Wu era). He prioritized defeating Chen Youliang and Zhang Shicheng over directly launching a northern campaign against the Yuan court, laying the groundwork for the unification route of "South first, North later."
4. Construction of Legitimacy: The Prince of Wu regime gained the support of the Jiangnan scholar-officials by abolishing the harsh policies of the Yuan Dynasty, reducing taxes and levies, and restoring the imperial examinations. These measures provided the political and talent foundation for the 1368 campaign to "drive out the barbarians" and establish the Great Ming Dynasty.

Connection to the Xu Zizhi Tongjian

The Ming Records section of the Xu Zizhi Tongjian begins with detailed accounts of Zhu Yuanzhang’s evolution from a Red Turban Army general to the Prince of Wu, and finally to the Ming Taizu. The book’s records regarding the "Prince of Wu" period exhibit the following characteristics:

* Event Anchors: It records that in 1364, when Zhu Yuanzhang was enfeoffed as Prince of Wu, he "took his seat in Jiqing and changed the era name to 'First Year of Wu'" (although no formal state name was established at the time, he had already adopted the regal protocols).
* Character Interactions: Through the lens of the "Prince of Wu" identity, the book illustrates the collaborative model between Zhu Yuanzhang and his core team, including Liu Ji (Liu Bowen), Li Shanchang, and Xu Da. It also details his strategic games with Chen Youliang and Zhang Shicheng.
Historical Evaluation: The Xu Zizhi Tongjian* regards the Prince of Wu period as the foundational era for the Ming Dynasty's "civil and military achievements." It emphasizes the role of this period in establishing order amidst chaos and protecting the economic core region of Jiangnan.

Conclusion

Understanding the title "Prince of Wu" is not only key to grasping the turning point in Zhu Yuanzhang’s personal destiny but also serves as a critical entry point for understanding the political institutions, military strategies, and economic recovery of the Ming Dynasty during the Jiangnan period. The institutional experiments of this era directly influenced the basic national policies of the Hongwu Reign.