Li Wenzhong

Timeline

1. 1358–1367Chuzhou · AnhuiLi Wenzhong entered his uncle's army as a boy, taking the name Zhu Wenzhong, later revering the surname Li. He campaigned through Jiangnan with the army, gradually distinguishing himself by bravery and strategy, and won the deep trust of the founding emperor.
2. 1368–1380Beiping · North ChinaDuring the Hongwu era he repeatedly led armies north against the Mongols with considerable success, was enfeoffed as Duke of Cao, and stood alongside Xu Da and Feng Sheng as one of the core commanders on the Ming's northern front, long responsible for frontier defense.
3. 1381–1383Beiping · North ChinaAround 1381 Li Wenzhong still held command of northern military affairs, continuing to arrange frontier defenses and inspection tours beyond the Great Wall; in 1383 he died suddenly of illness, posthumously honored as Prince of Qiyang, with the cause of his death remaining disputed in historical records.