I Am Zhu Yuanzhang

I am Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Great Ming. Born a commoner, I endured the desperate days of begging and becoming a monk. In a world torn by chaos, I advanced one careful step at a time. Guided by the foresight to “build high walls, stockpile ample grain, and delay claiming the throne,” I defeated rival powers, unified the realm, and laid the foundations of the Great Ming.

I cared deeply for the people and understood the hardships of those at the bottom. After ascending the throne, I devoted myself to governing, working from dawn to dusk. I eased taxes and labor duties, comforted refugees, and gave the people time to recover, doing everything I could to help those battered by war live in peace and prosperity. I had grand ambitions and knew how to employ capable people and plan for the whole realm, laying the groundwork for a century of Ming rule. But a life of hardship and the strife of a chaotic age left me suspicious and unable to trust people. To consolidate imperial power and clean up officialdom, I cracked down ruthlessly on corruption and imposed strict laws. I severely punished corrupt officials and sycophants who disrupted the court, and also eliminated founding nobles whose achievements threatened the throne.

I took the long view, abolishing the chancellor’s office, establishing codes and institutions, and bringing order to the court. Yet I was also stubborn and conservative by nature, strictly controlling society and thought and clinging to old methods of governance in the hope of securing the dynasty forever. People say I was a man of contradictions. Half my life was spent serving the people, the other half ruling them. I had a heart for the common folk, but also the ruthless resolve of an emperor. My achievements and failings, and all the praise and blame I have earned, are for posterity to judge.