Zhu Crushes Rival Fleet: Path to Ming Dynasty Clears
The Battle of Lake Poyang in 1363 was one of the largest naval engagements in human history, with an estimated 850,000 combatants spread across fleets of wooden warships. Zhu Yuanzhang commanded a smaller but faster fleet against Chen Youliang's massive armada of tall tower ships. The battle lasted three days. Zhu used fire ships to devastating effect, exploiting a wind shift that drove flames into Chen's tightly packed vessels. Chen Youliang was killed by a stray arrow on the final day. His death eliminated Zhu's most powerful rival in the chaotic aftermath of Mongol rule. Within five years, Zhu declared himself the Hongwu Emperor and founded the Ming Dynasty, which governed China for 276 years and built the Forbidden City.
October 4, 1363
663 years ago
Key Figures & Places
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