Zhu Yuanzhang

Timeline

1. 1328–1352Zhongli, Haozhou · AnhuiBorn into a poor peasant family in Zhongli, Haozhou; as a child he entered Huangjue Temple as a monk. As famine and oppression worsened in the late Yuan, in 1352 he joined Guo Zixing's Red Turban forces, gradually gaining trust for his bravery and skill.
2. 1356–1368Yingtian Prefecture · JiangsuIn 1356 he captured Jiqing Circuit, renamed it Yingtian Prefecture as his base, later destroying separatist forces like Chen Youliang and Zhang Shicheng and unifying Jiangnan. In 1367 he proclaimed himself King of Wu, preparing to become emperor.
3. 1368–1397Yingtian Prefecture · JiangsuIn the first month of 1368 he proclaimed himself emperor, state name Great Ming, era name Hongwu, with the capital at Nanjing. During his reign he abolished the chancellorship, established the Six Ministries directly under the emperor, implemented military-agricultural colonies, the lijia and guard-garrison systems, and enfeoffed his sons as princes to shield the royal house.
4. 1397–1398Yingtian Prefecture · JiangsuIn his later years Crown Prince Zhu Biao died young, and Zhu Yuanzhang made imperial grandson-heir Zhu Yunwen his successor. He died in June 1398 in the Nanjing palace; his edict forbade the princes from entering the capital to mourn, planting the seeds for the later Jingnan Campaign.