The Imperial Grandson’s Great Ming Ambition: Zhu Xiongying

The Ming dynasty was the last Han Chinese dynasty in history to stand with an unyielding spirit. Zhu Xiongying's early death had a profound impact on the course of the dynasty. After his death, the line of succession through Zhu Biao was left without an heir, leaving Zhu Yunwen and Zhu Yuntong as candidates for the throne. Zhu Yuanzhang ultimately chose Zhu Yunwen as crown prince. After Zhu Yunwen ascended the throne, however, his policy of curbing the power of the feudal princes sparked the Jingnan Campaign. Had Zhu Xiongying not died young, his status and position would have made him an overwhelmingly likely successor. He might have prevented this early Ming civil war. As the eldest legitimate grandson, his right to inherit the throne was beyond question, so there would have been no need to rush into curbing the princes. He could have adopted a steadier policy to safeguard imperial authority and national stability.