The Rise of a Rebel Leader

In the turbulent mid-14th century, as the Yuan Dynasty’s grip on China weakened, numerous rebel leaders emerged to challenge Mongol rule. Among them, Zhu Yuanzhang stood out as a particularly strategic and ambitious figure. By 1357, after significant military victories, Zhu found himself facing a complex two-front war that would test his leadership and shape the future of China.

The year 1358 marked a critical juncture in Zhu’s campaign. His primary adversary in the east remained Zhang Shicheng, who had recently reduced pressure from the north by submitting nominally to Yuan authority. This political maneuver allowed Zhang to focus his forces against Zhu, escalating their conflict dramatically in the new year.

Eastern Front: The Struggle Against Zhang Shicheng

The eastern theater witnessed intense back-and-forth battles between Zhu’s forces and Zhang’s armies. In the first month of 1358, after a victory at the Second Battle of Matuosha, Zhang counterattacked Changzhou but was repelled by Zhu’s general Tang He. Zhu quickly retaliated by ordering Deng Yu to attack Wuyuanzhou, where they killed the defending general Tiemu Buhua and captured the city.

March saw further advances as Hu Dahai captured Chun’an, Jiande, and other counties. During these campaigns, a young commander named Li Wenzhong began distinguishing himself, defeating Miao forces at Yuhang and Changhua before launching a successful night attack on the camp of the rebel commander Hong. By March 18, Hu Dahai and Li Wenzhong had taken Jiande Road, renaming it Yanzhou Prefecture. This strategic position threatened Zhang’s stronghold at Hangzhou from both north and south.

Zhu’s choice to appoint the rising star Li Wenzhong to defend Yanzhou proved prescient. As commander of the elite Green Army and Long Spear Army, Li successfully repelled repeated attacks, earning promotion to Tongqian of the Privy Council by 1360.

Challenges from Unconventional Forces

The Yanzhou region presented unique challenges beyond conventional warfare. A semi-independent Miao army under Yang Wanzhe operated in the area, answering neither to the Yuan nor to rebel forces. In April 1358, Yang attacked Huizhou but was defeated by Hu Dahai. When Yang turned east to harass Yanzhou, Li Wenzhong met him at Wulong Ridge and delivered a crushing blow. Though Yang escaped to Hangzhou, he was eventually killed by Zhang Shicheng as Zhang consolidated control over the city.

Naval Disasters and Leadership Shifts

The summer of 1358 brought a significant setback for Zhu’s forces. Liao Yong’an, a key naval commander, achieved several victories against Zhang’s forces before suffering defeat at Lake Tai against Zhang’s general Lü Zhen. Liao’s capture dealt a severe blow to Zhu’s naval capabilities from the Chaohu water forces.

In response, Zhu promoted Liao’s younger brother Liao Yongzhong to lead the Chaohu fleet, bypassing the more senior Yu Tonghai to prevent any single commander from becoming too powerful. Liao Yongzhong proved worthy of the trust, maintaining the fleet’s loyalty and effectiveness. The captured Liao Yong’an refused to surrender and died in captivity in 1366, earning posthumous honors from Zhu.

Western Threats Emerge

While grappling with Zhang in the east, Zhu faced growing threats from the west. Chen Youliang was consolidating power over the Tianwan Red Turban forces, becoming an increasingly dangerous adversary. The back-and-forth battles around Chizhou and Zongyang in late 1357 through early 1358 had demonstrated Chen’s strength, with Zhu losing commanders Zhang Desheng and Zhao Zhong without gaining lasting control of the region.

This two-front situation forced Zhu to make a strategic decision: prioritize the eastern or western front? With most forces committed eastward, a sudden shift risked leaving his rear vulnerable to Zhang’s forces. Recognizing this, Zhu determined to first secure a decisive eastern victory that would neutralize Zhang temporarily, allowing him to turn west.

Consolidating Power Internally

Before turning to Zhejiang, Zhu took steps to solidify his control. In July 1358, he executed Guo Tianjue, youngest son of his former mentor Guo Zixing, eliminating potential rivals within the rebel leadership. This move, justified by allegations of conspiracy, removed the last symbolic figure of Guo’s lineage from the Haozhou Red Turban forces.

By May, Zhu had been promoted to Chancellor by the Fenglong regime, achieving complete control over the Haozhou Red Turban movement. With internal threats addressed, he could focus on external campaigns, personally leading an expedition to eastern Zhejiang in October.

The Zhejiang Campaign

Zhejiang represented a strategic prize. Control of its routes would surround Hangzhou on three sides, isolating Zhang’s forces. Zhu first targeted Wuzhou Route, with Hu Dahai capturing Lanxi in October and establishing the Minyue Wing Marshal’s Office.

While northern operations against Yixing proceeded slowly, Zhu grew impatient with the pace at Wuzhou. In November, he personally led a massive force of 100,000 troops southward, declaring his ambition to unify “all under heaven” rather than merely establish a regional power.

December saw Zhu adopt sophisticated psychological tactics at Wuzhou. After failed negotiations, he besieged the city while fending off Yuan reinforcements. His clever use of terrain and targeted strikes against hesitant enemy commanders like Hu Shen eventually broke the defenders’ morale. On December 20, Zhu entered Wuzhou, establishing orderly governance and prohibiting looting—a marked contrast to typical rebel behavior.

Cultural and Political Posturing

Zhu’s actions in Wuzhou revealed his growing political sophistication. He erected banners proclaiming the restoration of Song glory and gathered local scholars to discuss governance, demonstrating his intent to build more than just a military regime. This cultural outreach, combined with his emphasis on disciplined governance, set Zhu apart from rival warlords.

In early 1359, Zhu received overtures from Fang Guozhen, another Zhejiang warlord, proposing an alliance against Zhang. While Zhu accepted, Fang’s unreliable support proved of little practical value.

The Challenge of Dual Fronts

As 1359 progressed, Zhu faced challenges on both fronts. In the east, Zhang counterattacked Jiangyin but was repelled by the capable defender Wu Liang. In the west, Chen Youliang’s forces threatened Ningguo Prefecture, capturing several counties before Zhu’s forces reclaimed Chizhou in April.

The strain of two-front warfare showed in Zhu’s forces. While they could defeat disorganized Yuan troops, they struggled against determined opponents like Zhang and Chen. Recognizing this, Zhu initiated military reforms, emphasizing training and discipline to improve combat effectiveness.

The Turning Point: Longjiang-Longwan Campaign

The strategic situation changed dramatically in May 1360 when Chen Youliang launched a massive naval assault on Taiping. Despite heroic defense by commander Hua Yun, Chen’s forces exploited the city’s riverside walls to gain entry. Chen then murdered his nominal superior Xu Shouhui and declared himself emperor of the Han dynasty, setting his sights on Zhu’s capital at Yingtian (Nanjing).

Facing overwhelming odds, Zhu devised a brilliant deception. He had commander Kang Maocai feign defection to lure Chen into a trap at Longjiang. The subsequent battle in June 1360 became a masterpiece of deception and timing. Zhu’s forces, concealed with colored banners as signals, annihilated Chen’s vanguard when they fell into the carefully prepared ambush.

The victory at Longjiang-Longwan marked a watershed. Zhu pursued the retreating Han forces, recapturing Taiping and Anqing. By August, he had secured Jiangzhou (Chen’s capital) and continued westward, incorporating defectors like the talented Fu Youde into his forces.

Political Consolidation and Economic Reforms

In January 1361, Zhu’s achievements earned him the title Duke of Wu from the Fenglong regime. He used this legitimacy to implement sweeping administrative reforms:

1. Reorganized military command into a Grand Military Governor’s Office
2. Established salt and tea monopolies to fund military operations
3. Created the Baoyuan Mint to standardize currency
4. Strengthened local governance, particularly along the eastern front

These measures provided the stable economic foundation that would prove crucial in Zhu’s eventual triumph.

The Endgame Approaches

Though unable to completely eliminate Chen in 1361, Zhu’s western campaign secured key territories including Jiangzhou and Hongdu (later Nanchang). These positions would prove vital in the coming decisive confrontation at Lake Poyang in 1363.

Meanwhile, Zhu’s attention was drawn back east when Zhang Shicheng besieged Changxing with overwhelming force in November 1361. Only the timely arrival of reinforcements under Shao Rong and Chang Yuchun saved the city, demonstrating the ongoing strain of two-front warfare.

Legacy of the 1358-1361 Campaigns

The years 1358-1361 represented a crucial phase in Zhu Yuanzhang’s rise. His ability to:
– Maintain strategic focus despite two-front pressure
– Combine military action with political and economic reforms
– Adapt tactics to different opponents and terrains
– Cultivate a new generation of talented commanders

These qualities set the stage for his eventual establishment of the Ming Dynasty in 1368. The campaigns demonstrated Zhu’s unique blend of military prowess, political acumen, and administrative vision that would characterize his three-decade reign as the Hongwu Emperor.

The lessons from this period—the importance of logistics, the value of disciplined governance, and the necessity of strategic patience—would influence Chinese military and political thought for centuries. Zhu’s transformation from regional warlord to national unifier during these years remains one of the most remarkable ascents in Chinese history.