Zhu Yuanzhang’s Strategies
The Ming Dynasty was founded by Zhu Yuanzhang. He established the last Han Chinese regime in medieval antiquity in 1368.276 years later, the Ming Dynasty established by Zhu Yuanzhang disintegrated.
If we think of the Ming Dynasty as a business company then Zhu Yuanzhang was a successful entrepreneur. He adopted different strategies in his confrontation with the Yuan Dynasty. These strategies were implemented so that he was able to defeat his competitors.
First, regime change required the support of social elites and peasants in order to succeed. At the end of the Yuan dynasty, the peasants were unable to make a living due to the deteriorating economy and the heavy tax burden. This eventually forced the peasants to revolt against the Yuan dynasty.
Zhu Yuanzhang joined the rebellion at a young age. He was recognized by many lower-class soldiers for his outstanding leadership skills, which gave him a strong appeal.
The rebellion against the Yuan dynasty rose early in order to get more peasants to join his army. Zhu Yuanzhang generally indulged his soldiers in looting the property of landlords. But this soon changed.
Secondly, in order to be able to win the support of the elite elements of society. Zhu Yuanzhang began to take the initiative to change his strategy. He not only ordered his soldiers not to violate the private property of landlords but also tried to protect these landlords’ property.
This enabled Zhu Yuanzhang to immediately gain the support of the local landlords, especially in the south. Some of the social elite, who had been neutral, also began to join his rebel forces to provide him with decision-making services.
In the end, Zhu Yuanzhang was ruthless when it came to ruthlessness. After the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, those who had helped him were caught up in the political struggle. Meritorious officials were wiped out by Zhu Yuanzhang, and those who remained were a bunch of cowards.
All in all, Zhu Yuanzhang was definitely not a benevolent emperor. Even his own comrades, he dared to destroy them. In his eyes, it was how to secure the safety of his throne and the power of his successor that was most important.
If you’re familiar with ancient Chinese history, you’ll find that any emperor who achieved outstanding success was a successful strategist.
They would change their original policies in the early stages of the struggle to achieve their goals, depending on the situation. But when they succeeded, they would immediately change dramatically.
The Yuan Dynasty was replaced by the Ming Dynasty under Zhu Yuanzhang though. In essence, the nature of the dynasty remains the same. After 276 years, the Ming Dynasty, like the Yuan Dynasty, did not escape disintegration.
Reference
2. Zhu Yuanzhang Couldn’t Found the Ming Dynasty in 1368 Without Xu Da
