Zhu Yuanzhang (朱元璋)

Overview

Zhu Yuanzhang was a ruler.

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Temple name	Founding Emperor	太祖

Life and dates

Attested activity

AD 1367 吳元年
Directly stated · History of Ming 140, passage 23
AD 1364 太祖下武昌
Directly stated · History of Ming 140, passage 22
AD 1368 洪武元年
Directly stated · History of Ming 140, passage 26

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Parent of Crown Prince (太子)
crown prince 太子
Strongly inferred · History of Ming 140, passage 26

諸王 instructed in classics
Kinship Role imperial princes · Quantity unspecified
Directly stated · History of Ming 140, passage 26

Places and affiliations

Ming 明
Relation Ruled
Directly stated · History of Ming 140, passage 26

References in the histories

Search passages

History

24 passages

History of Ming, Chapter 140Volume 140 Biographies 28: Wei Guan, Tao Houzhong, Liu Shihuan, Wang Zongxian, Lu Wensui, Wang Guan, Dao Tong, Lu Xi, Qing Wensheng · 24 passages

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太祖下武昌，聘授國子助教，再遷浙江按察司僉事。 After the Founding Emperor captured Wuchang, Guan was summoned and made an assistant instructor at the Directorate of Education, then promoted to vice commissioner of the Zhejiang surveillance commission.

稱旨，改侍讀學士，尋遷祭酒。 The Emperor was pleased with his work and made him a reader-in-waiting, then shortly afterward promoted him to libationer of the Directorate of Education.

帝使御史張度廉其事，遂被誅。 The Emperor dispatched Censor Zhang Du to investigate on the spot, and Guan was put to death.

帝亦尋悔，命歸葬。 The Emperor soon came to regret the decision and ordered Guan's remains sent home for burial.

帝下詔褒異。 The Emperor issued an edict singling him out for praise.

臣叨聖恩，備位司憲。 I have been favored with the sage Emperor's grace and now hold office as a surveillance official.

欲推祿養報生育恩，使父母兄弟得復聚處，實戴聖天子孝治天下至意。」 I wish to use my salary to repay those who raised me and to bring my parents and brothers together again—truly reflecting the sage Emperor's purpose of governing the realm through filial devotion."

帝特許迎養，去徙籍。 The Emperor granted the request, allowed him to bring his family for support, and struck his name from the relocation register.

太祖征婺州，大海以宗顯見。 During the campaign against Wuzhou, Dahai introduced Zongxian to the Founding Emperor.

太祖曰：「我鄉里也。」 The Emperor said, "He is a man from my own country."

宗顯潛得城中虛實及諸將短長，還白太祖。 Zongxian secretly learned the city's defenses and each general's strengths and failings, then returned to report to the Emperor.

太祖喜曰：「我得婺，以爾為知府。」 The Emperor was delighted and said, "When I take Wu, you shall be its prefect."

太祖之下婺也，又以王興宗為金華知縣。 When the Emperor conquered Wu, he also appointed Wang Xingzong magistrate of Jinhua.

太祖曰：「興宗從我久，勤廉能斷，儒生法吏莫先也。」 The Emperor replied, "Xingzong has served me for years. He is diligent, incorruptible, and decisive—no scholar-official or legal clerk surpasses him."

帝曰：「善。」 The Emperor said, "Well said."

上計至京，帝以事詰諸郡守，至興宗，獨曰：「是守公勤不貪，不須問。」 When he came to court to report, the Emperor questioned each prefect about local affairs. Of Xingzong alone he said, "This man is diligent, upright, and incorruptible. I need ask him nothing."

陛辭，帝曰：「久不見爾，老矣，我須亦白。」 At his farewell audience the Emperor said, "It has been a long time since I saw you. You have grown old—and so have I; my beard is white now."

宴而遣之，益勤其職。 The Emperor gave him a feast and sent him on his way, and Xingzong threw himself even harder into his duties.

太祖定婺，置永康翼，以文燧為左副元帥兼知縣事。 After the Emperor pacified Wu, he established the Yongkang garrison and made Wensui left vice commander while also serving as acting magistrate.

帝曰：「文燧誠信，必不為奸利，且沒於使事，可念也，勿籍。」 The Emperor said, "Wensui was honest and trustworthy and would never have sought illicit gain. He died on a mission abroad, which is reason enough for pity. Do not confiscate his estate."

太祖嘉之，擢吏部尚書。 The Founding Emperor praised this and promoted him to minister of personnel.

事聞，太祖遣行人賫敕褒之，勞以禦酒。 When word reached the throne, the Founding Emperor sent an envoy with an edict of praise and rewarded him with imperial wine.

帝不知其由，遂使使誅同。 Unaware of the background, the Emperor sent an envoy to execute Tong.

帝悟，以為同職甚卑，而敢斥言大臣不法事，其人骨鯁可用。 The Emperor understood and thought that although Tong held a humble post, he had dared to denounce a great minister's crimes—a man of such integrity could be useful.