Wu (Zhang Shicheng)

Wu was a short-lived rebel state that existed in China during the Red Turban Rebellion, which took place in the final phase of the Yuan dynasty. It was established in 1363 by Zhang Shicheng, who held control over most of Jiangsu and northern Zhejiang from Suzhou. Zhang Shicheng's rival, Zhu Yuanzhang, also declared himself King of Wu in early 1364. This led to a war between the two states, resulting in the downfall of the Zhang's state. In 1367, it was absorbed into Zhu Yuanzhang's state of Wu, which later became the Ming dynasty in early 1368.

Wu 吳
1363–1367
Capital	Suzhou
Government	Monarchy
King
• 1363–1367	Zhang Shicheng
History
• Established	1363
• Disestablished	1367
Preceded by Succeeded by Yuan dynasty Zhu Yuanzhang's state of Wu
Today part of	China

Wu
Traditional Chinese	吳
Simplified Chinese	吴
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Wú Wade–Giles Wu2 IPA [ǔ] Wu Suzhounese Ńg (col.) Ghóu (lit.)

History

Zhang Shicheng, the leader of the rebellious salt producers and smugglers, established an independent dominion in Jiangsu and northern Zhejiang from 1353 to 1357, with Suzhou as his capital. In 1357, he renounced his title as King of Zhou and submitted to the Yuan government.^[1]

After the defeat and death of Chen Youliang, emperor of the state of Han, in a war with Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhang Shicheng declared himself King of Wu (吳王) in October 1363.^[2][a] Zhang Shicheng's rule, which was highly influenced by Confucian ideals, gained the support of the gentry,^[3] which was crucial in the wealthy and economically developed regions under his control.^[1]

China in 1365

  Yuan dynasty

Rebel states:

  Xia

  Zhu Yuanzhang's Wu

  Zhang Shicheng's Wu

In response to the invasion of the state of Han by Zhu Yuanzhang's army, Zhang Shicheng launched a preemptive attack on Zhu's territory in late 1364. He sought to gain an advantage before the enemy could exploit the potential of the newly conquered territories. The offensive was repelled in the spring of 1365,^[4] and a counterattack followed. Together with his generals, Zhu decided to first "cut off Wu's wings" by occupying the territory north of the Yangtze River and Wu's part of Zhejiang before launching a final attack on the enemy's capital, Suzhou.^[5] Xu Da was appointed as the supreme commander of the attacking forces, and the plan was executed with ease due to the superior strength of Zhu's army. In December 1366, a ten-month siege of Suzhou began. In October 1367, the city was captured, and all of Wu was pacified.^[5] Zhang Shicheng himself was captured, taken to Nanjing, and killed.^[1]

Notes

1. In response, Zhu Yuanzhang, Duke of Wu (吳國公) since 1361, declared himself King of Wu on 4 February 1364.^[2]