Hongwu

Full Name: Hongwu Emperor, his temple name was Emperor Taizu of Ming and personal name Zhu Yuanzhang
Profession: 1st Ming Emperor

Nationality:

Biography: Hongwu, born Zhu Yuanzhang, was a Chinese emperor known as the founding father of the Ming dynasty. He was born into a poor peasant family and later joined the Red Turban Rebellion against the Yuan dynasty. His ascension marked the end of Mongol rule and the restoration of Han Chinese governance. As the Hongwu Emperor, he established significant administrative and military reforms that centralized authority and fostered economic growth and cultural revival.

Zhu Yuanzhang joined the Red Turban Rebellion in his youth, an uprising that contributed to the fall of the Yuan dynasty. After demonstrating military prowess and gaining the support of several key figures, he emerged as a leader, founding the Ming dynasty in 1368. This period was defined by recovery from chaos and emphasized the welfare of the peasantry, reflecting his own humble origins. During his reign, Zhu centralized power, reducing the influence of court officials out of distrust, and fostered population growth and economic recovery.

One of his notable contributions to the dynasty's governance was the implementation of the one-era-name system, which signified the desire for a stable and enduring rule. Additionally, his agricultural policies and reinstatement of the civil service examination system significantly shaped the governance and social structure of China during his reign.

After his death in 1398, his grandson Zhu Yunwen became the Jianwen Emperor. This succession initiated a power struggle known as the Jingnan campaign, which eventually led to the enthronement of Zhu Di as the Yongle Emperor. Yongle revered the Hongwu Emperor's legacy by initially reinstating the Hongwu era name before eventually changing it to Yongle.

Born: October 21, 1328
Birthplace: Haozhou, Henan Jiangbei, Yuan Empire
Star Sign: Libra

Died: June 24, 1398 (aged 69)