The death of Zhu Yuanzhang (or Hongwu Emperor), the founder of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), has long been a subject of debate. While there is little consensus on the exact cause of his death, most historians agree that he was assassinated at the behest of one of his sons, Zhu Yunwen (Zhu Di). The motivations for this act of patricide are complex and varied, but ultimately boiled down to a struggle for power within the imperial court.
The life of Zhu Yuanzhang began humbly as an orphaned peasant but he eventually rose to prominence as a leader of a budding rebellion dedicated to overthrowing the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). Following the successful overthrow of the Yuan, Zhu Yuanzhang declared himself the Hongwu Emperor, thus establishing the Ming Dynasty. His reign as emperor was characterized by both military victories and domestic reforms, such as the reinvigoration of Confucianism as the official state ideology and the introduction of a civil service system.
However, as the years passed, Zhu Yuanzhang’s ability to rule weakened due to his failing health. In his later years, he became increasingly reclusive and maintained a tight control over the imperial court, refusing to allow anyone to make decisions without his direct approval. These measures were ineffective in maintaining political stability, however, and the court eventually descended into chaos.
This instability was exacerbated by a power struggle between Zhu Yuanzhang’s eldest son, Zhu Biao, and his fourth son, Zhu Di. The two princes were known to have had a tense relationship, competing for their father’s favor as well as for the crown. By the time of Zhu Yuanzhang’s death, there was a clear divide between those loyal to Zhu Biao and those who supported Zhu Di.
The final straw that led to Zhu Yuanzhang’s assassination was the events of 1398. That year, the Hongwu Emperor fell ill and was unable to make any decisions. In his absence, Zhu Di ignored his older brother’s claim to the throne and took control of the court. He also ordered his friend Su Shun to arrest Zhu Biao and his supporters. This act of treachery ignited a political crisis and caused a rift between Zhu Yuanzhang and his son.
When Zhu Yuanzhang recovered from his illness, he was consumed with rage at what Zhu Di had done and vowed to punish him accordingly. Zhu Di anticipated this reaction and, realizing that he was unable to secure support within the court, decided to assassinate the emperor instead. He bribed Su Shun and another court official to carry out the deed and on the night of June 20th, 1398, Zhu Di’s assassins strangled the Hongwu Emperor to death.
Despite Zhu Di’s efforts, he was unable to permanently secure the throne for himself. Zhu Biao’s supporters revolted and the crown eventually went to his younger brother, Zhu Yunwen (known posthumously as Jianwen Emperor). Zhu Di was forced to flee the capital and began a military campaign to reclaim the throne. This conflict, known as the Jingnan Campaign, ultimately ended in a stalemate, with neither side able to gain a decisive victory. In the end, Zhu Di died in 1424 without ever reclaiming the throne.
The assassination of Zhu Yuanzhang was a milestone in Chinese history, as it marked the end of a long and prosperous era. As such, it remains a controversial event, with many debating the true motives behind it. While the dissidents argued that Zhu Di resorted to violence out of greed and ambition, others speculated that Zhu Yuanzhang’s reclusive rule and refusal to share power had pushed his son to eliminate him. Whatever the case may be, it is clear that the death of the Hongwu Emperor was the result of a complex power struggle within the Ming court.