Notable Figures from Chinese History

In this thread I will post short biographies of any notable individuals from Chinese history. Anybody else can feel free to contribute their own additions.

Xu Da
Xu Da was the finest and most important general under Zhu Yuanzhang, the founder of the Ming dynasty. He was absolutely instrumental in crushing the Ming's rivals, and led his infantry-based southern armies to countless decisive victories against the Mongolian cavalry. In 1369 he led the siege upon Beijing, eliminating the last significant Yuan stronghold in China proper. The following year his army ventured into the steppe and sacked the Mongol capital at Karakorum, capturing thousands of key Mongolian nobles. He pursued the Mongols so far that his armies reached beyond Lake Baikal in Siberia. He also influenced one of the most important events in Korean history: When Xu Da was pursuing the Mongolian forces near Manchuria, general Yi Songgye of the Koryo dynasty was orderered to attack the Chinese army in support of the Mongols. Xu Da and his army struck fear into the Korean generals, who capitulated and switched allegiance to the Ming. Yi went on to overthrow the Koryo dynasty and found the Joseon dynasty.

He died under mysterious circumstances, with some still maintaining the belief that the notoriously paranoid Zhu Yuanzhang, percieving Xu as a threat, ordered him poisoned.



The pathway to his tomb in Nanjing

Though it is said Zhu felt threatened by him, he clearly respected Xu a great deal. Xu was actually quite a likeable figure. He was merciful to enemies, and his armies were notoriously disclipined. They rarely engaged in looting or pillaging.

Another key early Ming general was Chang Yuchun. He was born to a destitute family in Anhui province. While still young he resorted to banditry to survive, and grew infamous for his exploits. He voluntarily defected to the Ming cause and soon became known as a brilliant tactician, fearsome warrior and aggressive leader, though with a tendency towards recklessness. One famous incident involving Chang occured during the Battle of Poyang lake. Zhu Yuanzhang's ship became beached and was boarded by Chen Youliang's forces under the ferocious general Zhang Dingbian. Chang and fellow general Liao Yongzhong unleashed a torrent of arrows at Zhang as he cut his way through Ming forces, saving Zhu's life in the nick of time. Chang went on to have a distinguished career fighting the Mongols, including aiding Xu Da in capturing Beijing, and proving instrumental in the conquest of other key Mongol-controlled regions in northern China. Chang's death from disease two years after the fall of the Yuan at the young age of 39 dealt a great blow to the Ming, and Zhu Yuanzhang mourned him greatly. In life, Chang was known as "Chang Ten Thousand", because it was said that he alone was as effective as an army of ten thousand men.

His portrait


A guardian at Chang Yuchun's tomb in Nanjing


One of the things I love about the key figures of the early Ming is the sheer number of them who arose from abject poverty and destitution to become immensely powerful.

A very serious mistake indeed, and it set a bad precedent for the rest of the Ming dynasty.

okamido said:

I know some folks that will love this thread. Good idea, Eroica.

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Thanks. I hope so.

Zoopiter said:

Any idea what animal is that on the front most?

Roman have Alexander the Great. Any Chinese historical figure that are equivalent to Alexander the great?

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Not sure... some kind of goat or chimera like creature. I've seen them at other Ming era tombs.

I'm not sure China has a precise equivalent of Alexander the Great. Great conqueror-emperors include Liu Che and Li Shimin. Individual generals who conquered foreign lands far and wide include Su Dingfang, Ban Chao and Huo Qubing. I'll add some short bios of these chaps in due time.