The Romance of Liu Bowen

Liu Bowen, whose given name was Liu Ji and whose courtesy name was Bowen, was a military strategist, statesman, and writer in the late Yuan and early Ming periods, as well as a founding hero of the Ming dynasty. He helped Zhu Yuanzhang analyze the situation and assess the strengths and weaknesses of the various rival leaders, then devised a far-sighted grand strategy for conquest. Directing operations from headquarters, he secured victory on distant battlefields. His foresight seemed almost supernatural, and he won every battle, making immense contributions to Zhu Yuanzhang's founding of the Ming dynasty.

Using the style of a historical romance and weaving in many popular tales from the time, this book vividly portrays Liu Bowen's life. His story serves as the main thread as the book details how he used military strategy to help Zhu Yuanzhang establish the Ming dynasty. Its winding, entertaining, and gripping plot brings a host of vivid, lifelike characters to the page. Beyond learning about the history of the late Yuan and early Ming periods, readers can also find valuable insights in Liu Bowen's conduct, scholarship, dealings with others, and friendships.