Zhu Yuanzhang's Military Group

Timeline

1. 1352–1355Haozhou · AnhuiIn 1352 Zhu Yuanzhang joined Guo Zixing's Red Turban forces at Haozhou; praised for his bravery in battle, he married Lady Ma and recruited local worthies such as Xu Da and Tang He, gradually forming a core of trusted commanders.
2. 1355–1357Hezhou · AnhuiAfter Guo Zixing's death Zhu Yuanzhang independently commanded forces, crossed the river to capture Hezhou and elsewhere, and recruited scholars such as Liu Ji and Song Lian to plan military and civil affairs; the group shifted from mobile warfare to establishing fixed base areas.
3. 1356–1360Jiqing Circuit · JiangsuAfter capturing Jiqing Circuit in 1356, he used it as a base to implement military-agricultural colonies, strict military discipline, and the recruitment of talent; by 1360 he controlled key positions in Jianghuai, forming a three-way standoff with Chen Youliang and Zhang Shicheng, with military strength ranking first among the rival powers.