#206 - Ming 3: I Think I'm Paranoid

<p>The founder of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang, the Hongwu Emperor... has got a bit of a trust problem. It starts with him getting upset that his officials are "cutting corners" when it comes to official counts of tribute payments &amp; the stamped documents verifying them. But it quickly spirals into full-blown paranoia that absolutely everyone is out to get them, and the only was he knows how to confront this problem is by getting all of his "enemies" first.</p><br><p><strong>Time Period Covered:</strong></p><p>ca. 1373-1382 CE</p><br><p><strong>Major Historical Figures:</strong></p><p>The Hongwu Emperor (Zhu Yuanzhang) [r. 1368-1398]</p><p>Crown Prince Zhu Biao [1355-1392]</p><p>Zhu Shuang, Prince Min of Qin [1356-1395]</p><p>Zhu Gang, Prince Gong of Jin [1358-1398]</p><p>Zhu Di, Prince of Yan [1360-1424]</p><p>Chancellor Hu Weiyong [d. 1380]</p><p>Gao Qi [1334-1374]</p><p>Prefect Ye Boju [d. 1376]</p><p>Academician Zheng Shili [d. 1376]</p><br><p><strong>Sources Cited:</strong></p><p>Brook, Timothy. The Confusions of Pleasure: Commerce and Culture in Ming China.</p><p>Langlois, John D., Jr. “The Hung-Wu-Reign” in The Cambridge History of China, Vol. 7: The Ming Dynasty, 13698-1644m Part I.</p><p>Laozi. Dao De Jing.</p><p>Luo, Yuming. A Concise History of Chinese Literature.</p><p>Strassberg, Richard E. Inscribed Landscapes: Travel Writing from Imperial China.</p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>