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Zhu Sheng

Type Figure Region China Time c. 1298–1370 Also known as Zhu Tongsheng、Zhu Sheng (Ming)

Zhu Sheng (c. 1298–1370), courtesy name Zhongsheng, was a scholar and strategist from Xiuning, Huizhou, active in the late Yuan and early Ming.

Timeline

  1. c. 1320–1357Xiuning, Huizhou · HuizhouAfter passing the Mingjing examination in the late Yuan, Zhu Sheng lived in reclusion in his home village, teaching pupils and writing, gradually gaining fame among Jiangnan literati, laying the scholarly and reputational groundwork for his later recruitment.
  2. 1358–1368Yingtian Prefecture · JiangnanAfter capturing Jiqing, Zhu Yuanzhang respectfully invited Zhu Sheng. Zhu Sheng advised 'build high walls, store up grain, delay claiming the title of king,' urging consolidation of the base area, accumulation of strength, and avoidance of premature imperial claims; this became a classic strategy among the Red Turban contenders.
  3. 1368–1370Yingtian Prefecture · Southern ZhiliAfter the Ming dynasty was founded, Zhu Sheng served as Hanlin compiler and participated in drafting the ritual system. In the third year of Hongwu he resigned due to old age and illness and returned home, dying in his native place at over seventy, remembered posthumally for his strategic wisdom.

Sources