As the saying goes that, two heads are better than one. Although Zhu Yuanzhang came from a poor peasant family and didn’t get a good education, he still became the founder of the Ming Dynasty.
Zhu’s success depended on the support of advisers, generals, and peasants. Of all the people who contributed to the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, Xu Da’s contribution was the greatest.
In the eyes of Zhu, Xu Da was not only a great general of the empire but also a good friend. Zhu trusted him very much.
Xu Da Saved Zhu Yuanzhang
Xu Da was born in 1332 and died in 1385. Xu Da and Zhu Yuanzhang came from the same hometown. In the later of the Yuan Dynasty, due to the deterioration of the economic and the outbreak of social contradictions, in 1353, Xu Da, a farmer, joined the Red Turban Rebellion led by Zhu Yuanzhang. He was devoted to overthrowing the Yuan Dynasty.
In a battle, Zhu Yuanzhang was captured by the enemy and became a captive. Under these circumstances, the brave Xu Da requested the enemy to exchange hostages. Eventually, Zhu Yuanzhang was rescued, and the army’s commander returned.
Since then, Zhu Yuanzhang more trusted him, a professional soldier. In the future fighting to overthrow the Yuan, you would find that Xu Da appeared in all crucial battles.
Because Zhu Yuanzhang didn’t have to worry about Xu Da betraying himself. That’s why Zhu Yuanzhang dared to give him command of the army. In fact, Xu Da wasn’t only a loyal friend, but also an outstanding general. Xu Da had the ability to bring back good news for Zhu Yuanzhang from the battlefield.
Xu Da Was Indispensable to The Establishment of The Ming Dynasty
In 1332, Xu Da was born into a peasant family. His parents weren’t able to send him to school because of the poor, but Xu Da was very diligent. After joining the Red Turban Rebellion, he began to learn from real battles. As a result, he accumulated a wealth of combat experience.
Xu Da had been fighting for the stable operation of the empire from 1353 to 1368. He also gradually changed from a young soldier to an experienced general.
In Xu Da’s life, he commanded many battles, the most famous of which was the Battle of Lake Poyang. In this battle, he helped Zhu Yuanzhang defeat Chen Youliang and wiped out Zhu Yuanzhang’s strongest competitor.
Subsequently, Zhu Yuanzhang ordered Xu Da to launch an attack on Zhang Shicheng. Xu Da lived up to expectations and defeated Zhang Shicheng within one year. In 1366, Zhang Shicheng was sent to Nanjing, the capital of the Ming Dynasty, waiting for Zhu Yuanzhang’s trial.
In Conclusion
In 1368, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn’t establish the Ming Dynasty on time without Xu Da. It was many generals like Xu Da or soldiers that helped Zhu Yuanzhang to overthrow the Yuan Dynasty quickly and founded the Ming Dynasty.
The birth of a new empire can’t be separated from capable people, including soldiers, generals, and think tanks. But by the end of the Ming Dynasty, you would find that the simultaneous economic crisis and talent crisis made the empire disintegrate fast.
