The Tumultuous Landscape of 14th Century China

The mid-14th century marked one of the most turbulent periods in Chinese history, as the crumbling Yuan Dynasty faced widespread rebellions. Among the competing factions, two warlords emerged as dominant figures: Zhu Yuanzhang, the future founder of the Ming Dynasty, and his formidable rival Chen Youliang. At the heart of Zhu’s strategic operations stood Liu Bowen (Liu Ji), a polymath advisor whose military acumen and mystical reputation would become legendary. The year 1361 proved particularly consequential, as personal tragedy and military campaigns intersected to shape the course of Chinese history.

A Strategist’s Personal Tragedy

In the eighth lunar month of 1361, Liu Bowen received devastating news—his elderly mother, the venerable Lady Fu, had passed away unexpectedly. The renowned strategist confessed his shock, having left his hometown of Qingtian with his mother in robust health. This personal loss struck at a critical juncture, as Zhu Yuanzhang was launching his decisive campaign against Chen Youliang. The conflict demanded Liu’s undivided attention, leaving him torn between filial duty and strategic necessity.

When Liu requested leave to observe mourning rites, Zhu responded with what became known as the Imperial Letter of Consolation, a masterful blend of Confucian ethics and political pragmatism. Zhu acknowledged three key points: the celebratory nature of an octogenarian’s passing (traditionally considered a “happy funeral”), the unfinished nature of their shared mission, and a historical precedent from the Three Kingdoms period. This appeal to reason and emotion persuaded Liu to remain, demonstrating the extraordinary trust between advisor and warlord.

The Military Chessboard: Chen Youliang’s Resurgence

Chen Youliang had suffered a crushing defeat at Longwan the previous year but demonstrated remarkable resilience. By the seventh lunar month of 1361, he launched a lightning strike on Anqing, a strategic stronghold Zhu had held for less than a year. The city fell before Zhu’s garrison could mount an effective defense—an embarrassing setback that resulted in the execution of the retreating commanders.

Facing this crisis, Zhu turned to Liu Bowen for counsel. The strategist’s response appeared uncharacteristically vague: “Do not fix yourself rigidly; observe and adapt.” When pressed for concrete plans, Liu simply advocated retaking Anqing first, then proceeding “as circumstances dictate.” This apparent ambiguity masked deeper strategic insight, as subsequent events would reveal.

Celestial Signs and Psychological Warfare

Liu Bowen’s military guidance often incorporated astrological interpretations that carried weight in medieval Chinese warfare. One evening, he directed Zhu’s attention to the night sky, interpreting the alignment of Venus (Jin Xing) and Mars (Huo Xing) as auspicious for campaign initiation. While Zhu remained skeptical of celestial mechanics, he trusted Liu’s proven track record since their victory at Longwan.

The subsequent campaign blended military action with psychological operations. Zhu’s fleet sailed under banners proclaiming “Punishing Crimes to Comfort the People” and “Accepting Surrenders with Grace”—propaganda that enraged Chen Youliang but served its purpose in undermining enemy morale.

The Pincer Movement: From Anqing to Jiangzhou

Initial assaults on Anqing proved costly and ineffective against Chen’s reinforced defenses. Liu Bowen then proposed a masterstroke: maintain pressure on Anqing while striking at Chen’s capital, Jiangzhou. This maneuver exploited Chen’s overconfidence in his primary stronghold’s impregnability.

The rapid capture of Jiangzhou through coordinated land and naval assaults became a textbook example of indirect strategy. As Liu predicted, Anqing’s garrison surrendered upon learning of Jiangzhou’s fall. The campaign showcased Liu’s ability to combine conventional tactics with psychological insight—qualities that enhanced his growing reputation as a semi-divine figure.

The Birth of a Legend: Liu Bowen’s Mystical Reputation

Among both allies and enemies, Liu Bowen’s fame spread with almost supernatural speed. Stories circulated of his ability to:
– Predict enemy movements through cloud formations
– Achieve victory through celestial divination
– Combine scholarly erudition with military genius

One particularly legendary account involved General Feng Sheng’s stalled siege. Following Liu’s instructions to observe cloud movements for tactical cues, Feng achieved an improbable victory that cemented Liu’s reputation as Zhu’s indispensable “First Military Advisor.”

The Footstool Incident: A Test of Loyalty

In a dramatic demonstration of advisor-warlord dynamics, Liu famously kicked Zhu’s footstool during negotiations with Hu Tingrui, a defecting general from Chen’s camp. This audacious act—normally punishable by death—occurred when Zhu hesitated over Hu’s terms regarding troop retention. Liu’s intervention secured the bloodless surrender of Longxing city, proving more valuable than “ten thousand soldiers” in Zhu’s estimation.

The subsequent letter drafted by Liu to reassure Hu demonstrated his mastery of psychological persuasion, blending flattery with strategic assurances. This episode highlighted the unique relationship between the pragmatic warlord and his brilliant advisor.

Legacy of 1361: Foundations of the Ming Dynasty

The events of 1361 marked a decisive shift in the power balance:
1. Chen Youliang’s forces never recovered from the loss of Jiangzhou
2. Zhu Yuanzhang established dominance over the Yangtze basin
3. Liu Bowen’s reputation transformed from strategist to legendary figure

Within two years, Zhu would eliminate Chen completely at the Battle of Lake Poyang (1363), paving his path to founding the Ming Dynasty in 1368. Liu Bowen’s contributions during this pivotal year demonstrated how individual brilliance, strategic flexibility, and psychological insight could alter the course of history—a legacy that continues to inspire military theorists and historians today.

The interplay of personal loyalty, military innovation, and cultural symbolism during these critical months reveals much about leadership dynamics in Chinese history. Liu’s ability to balance rational strategy with intuitive decision-making created a template for advisor-warlord relationships that would echo through subsequent dynasties.