Zhu Yuanzhang Captures Jiqing (Nanjing)

Timeline

1. 1355–1356Taiping Prefecture (around present-day Dangtu) · Ma'anshan CityOn his advisers' advice, Zhu Yuanzhang crossed the river in summer 1355, taking Caishi and Taiping in succession and winning over the navies of Liao Yong'an and Yu Tonghai, forming a combined land-and-water force. Two earlier attacks on Jiqing had failed, with Guo Tianxu and Zhang Tianyou killed at the Yuan general Chen Yexian's feigned surrender; Zhu Yuanzhang thus became commander of Guo Zixing's old troops, and after campaigning in Lishui and Liyang, launched the third attack on Jiqing in spring 1356.
2. 1356Fangshan · Jiangning DistrictZhu Yuanzhang advanced from Taiping by land and water, directing the battle at Jiangning Town. Liao Yong'an and Feng Guoyong defeated Yuan general Chen Zhaoxian's army at Fangshan, capturing Chen Zhaoxian and 36,000 prisoners. Zhu Yuanzhang selected 500 brave men for his guard, disarmed and slept soundly to show trust, dispelling the captives' doubts and greatly boosting morale, clearing the outer obstacles for the subsequent siege.
3. 1356Jiqing Circuit city (around Jiangshan) · Nanjing CityAfter the great victory at Fangshan, Zhu Yuanzhang's forces again defeated the Yuan army at Jiangshan (northern foot of Zhongshan). Yuan Regional Vice Censor-in-Chief Fushou led troops out to fight but was defeated and retreated into the city. The Red Turbans scaled the walls with ladders, the 500 newly surrendered elite leading the assault, and Jiqing city fell; Fushou died fighting. The key Jiangnan stronghold held by the Yuan thus passed into Zhu Yuanzhang's hands.
4. 1356Yingtian Prefecture (formerly Jiqing Circuit) · Nanjing CityAfter entering the city, Zhu Yuanzhang summoned officials and elders, proclaiming an end to tyranny and relief for the people, and honoring the worthy; he renamed Jiqing Circuit as Yingtian Prefecture and administered Jiangnan from it. Yingtian, commanding the Yangtze's strategic position and a rich grain-producing region, became his strategic base against the Yuan, Zhang Shicheng, Xu Shouhui and others, laying the foundation for the later Battle of Poyang Lake and national unification.