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Fang Guozhen Uprising

Type Event Region China Time 1348–1357

In 1348 salt trader Fang Guozhen of Taizhou, Zhejiang, rose against the Yuan, controlling the eastern Zhejiang coast and becoming a major late-Yuan s…

Timeline

  1. 1348Huangyan, Taizhou · ZhejiangFang Guozhen and his brothers, pursued by authorities for smuggling salt, gathered a crowd to resist arrest, killing inspectors and holding strongpoints against the Yuan, attracting local salt workers and vagrants.
  2. 1349–1353Eastern Zhejiang coast · ZhejiangFang led his forces at sea, repeatedly defeating Yuan troops, controlling coastal prefectures and counties such as Taizhou and Wenzhou, and establishing a navy and supply network, becoming an important separatist power in eastern Zhejiang.
  3. 1354–1357Taizhou · ZhejiangThe Yuan court sent envoys several times to offer amnesty; Fang alternately submitted and rebelled, maneuvering among the Yuan emperor, Zhang Shicheng and the various Red Turban forces, while maintaining eastern Zhejiang's maritime trade and military independence.

Sources