Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Great Ming (大明) |
| Alias(es) | Ming Dynasty; Great Ming Empire |
| Occupation/Role | Imperial state ruled by Zhu Di 10 120 |
| Status | Extant 181 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 1 1 |
Government and succession
- Emperor: Zhu Di commands the court and personally leads northern campaigns 10 83.
- Crown Prince: Zhu Gaochi serves as regent during Zhu Di’s absence and directs court support for the campaign to rescue him 6 7.
- Imperial grandson: Zhu Zhanjun’s victories and private military strength make him increasingly influential. After Prince Han’s death and Prince Zhao’s confinement, he is described as the empire’s second most powerful figure 32 98 120.
- Temporary regency: When Zhu Gaochi becomes too ill to govern and Zhu Di is away, an imperial decree appoints Zhu Zhanjun temporary regent over military and political affairs 170 171.
Military
| Force or installation | Role |
|---|---|
| Great Snow Dragon Riders | Zhu Zhanjun’s 3,000-strong armored cavalry. They rescue Zhu Di in Mobei and defeat a 50,000-strong Oirat force; despite fighting for Great Ming, their personal loyalty is to Zhu Zhanjun 11 16 26 98. |
| Shenji Yulin Guard | Official designation Zhu Di grants the riders, with permission to expand to 30,000. Zhu Zhanjun remains responsible for their expenses 128. |
| Xishan Great Camp | Zhu Zhanjun’s military-production center, using workshops and assembly lines to manufacture armor, firearms, cannons, and vehicles. Zhu Di later decides to move his Dragon Throne and Grand Secretariat there 92 97 107 120 141. |
| Shanhai Pass | Strategic northern pass defended against a Jurchen attack; it is also the site of Wu Gao’s rebellion 132 172 181. |
Major events
Zhu Di’s army is trapped in Mobei by Arutai’s forces until Zhu Zhanjun arrives with the Great Snow Dragon Riders. The resulting Ming victory ends with Arutai executed, Yesen driven off, and more than 100,000 enemies captured. Zhu Zhanjun subsequently subjugates dozens of Mobei tribes and establishes Zhenbei City 10 16 31.
The dynasty faces threats inside the court as well as on its borders. Princes Han and Zhao leak Zhu Zhanjun’s route to the Oirats and later plot to seize the throne. Their power struggle ends with Prince Han dead and Prince Zhao confined 26 59 120. Corruption along the northern supply line leads to an investigation and Wu Gao’s rebellion at Shanhai Pass 129 132.
Zhu Zhanjun’s world map, proposed transport projects, and Xishan armaments broaden Zhu Di’s plans beyond the northern frontier. The emperor supports further military and agricultural development and urges his grandson to apply his work to the whole empire, though the proposed global expansion remains an ambition 72 75 140 141 151.
Later, Jurchen cavalry attack Shanhai Pass while Zhu Di’s northern army is endangered by a severe blizzard. Zhu Zhanjun takes command as temporary regent, sends forces to the pass, and then leads riders, tanks, transport vehicles, and supplies toward the trapped emperor 168 171 174 178 179.