In June 1402, Zhu Di emerged victorious in the Jingnan Campaign, a monumental success that saw him personally inform his father, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, at the Ming Xiaoling Tomb. This marked the beginning of his reign as the third Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, later known as the Ming Chengzu. What set Zhu Di apart from his predecessors was not just his military prowess, but the mysterious and powerful “external military” that assisted him — the Duoyan Three Guards. During his conquest of Daming, Zhu Di gained control of this formidable force, which played a crucial role in the success of the Jingnan Campaign.
The \"History of the Ming Dynasty\" records, \"The soldiers of the Three Guards led the charge in every battle.\" This phrase underscores the significant role the Duoyan Three Guards played in the decisive moments of battle. By analyzing historical sources more deeply, one can uncover the complex relationship between Zhu Di and the Duoyan Three Guards, revealing not just their mutual loyalty, but also the deep \"grudge and entanglements\" that marked their association. Zhu Di's ultimate strategic blunders during this time set the stage for long-term problems that would later plague the Ming Dynasty.
The origins of the Duoyan Three Guards can be traced back to the Mongol tribes of the Greater Khingan Range, where they were descendants of the brother of Genghis Khan. These tribes, having lived a nomadic lifestyle for centuries, formed tight-knit tribal communities in the vast northern expanse. In 1387, Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, sent generals Feng Sheng, Fu Youde, and Lan Yu on a northern expedition. This campaign successfully encircled the forces of Naha Chu, forcing him to surrender to Zhu Yuanzhang.
After Naha Chu’s surrender, the lands of the Duoyan Three Guards came into the sight of the Ming forces, leaving them vulnerable to conquest by Zhu Yuanzhang. The following year, Zhu Yuanzhang once again dispatched Lan Yu on another northern expedition, this time decisively defeating the forces at Bujirhai. This victory effectively dismantled the military system of the Northern Yuan, solidifying the Ming Dynasty’s dominance in the north. After these decisive victories, the Ming forces effectively surrounded the Duoyan Three Guards, pushing them into submission. By 1389, Zhu Yuanzhang had divided the Three Guards into three separate divisions: Duoyan, Taining, and Fuyu, bringing them under Ming control.
Zhu Yuanzhang’s decision to divide and conquer the Duoyan Three Guards was a tactical move designed to weaken their military power and sow division within their ranks. He further ensured their submission by appointing their leaders to official positions in the Ming government and stationing officials to monitor them, a strategy that provided both stability on the frontier and prevented any potential alliances between external forces.
In 1391, Zhu Yuanzhang made his 17th son, Zhu Quan, the Prince of Ning, and entrusted him with the governance of the Daming region. The Duoyan Three Guards were also placed under Zhu Quan's command. Daming, strategically located in northern China, was vital for the defense of the Ming frontier, connecting Liaodong in the east and Xuanfu in the west. To ensure the security of this important region, Zhu Yuanzhang allocated significant military forces to Zhu Quan’s command. The \"History of the Ming Dynasty\" describes, \"With 80,000 soldiers, 6,000 leather carts, and the elite cavalry of the Duoyan Three Guards, who were fierce and battle-tested.\"
The cavalry of the Duoyan Three Guards became a vital force in maintaining control over the northern frontier. As time passed, Zhu Di, who had participated in his father’s northern expeditions, was deeply impressed by the military capabilities of the Duoyan Three Guards. In 1398, after Zhu Yuanzhang's death, his grandson Zhu Yunwen ascended the throne as Emperor Jianwen. Feeling threatened by the powerful vassal princes, especially Zhu Di, the new emperor swiftly enacted measures to weaken the power of the princes, which ultimately pushed Zhu Di to rebel. After raising an army, Zhu Di achieved a decisive victory in Zhendong, securing control over the southern regions, and ultimately seized the throne.
Zhu Di’s rise to power was not instantaneous. As a vassal prince, he faced challenges in terms of military strength and resources. However, the foolish decisions made by Emperor Jianwen provided Zhu Di with an opportunity. What truly made his victory possible was the powerful military forces he commanded, particularly the Duoyan Three Guards. After capturing Daming, Zhu Di controlled the formidable cavalry of the Duoyan Three Guards, setting the stage for his eventual triumph.
As the \"History of the Ming Dynasty\" states: \"The conquest of Daming was the foundation of Chengzu’s rule.\" This means that Zhu Di's success was anchored in his acquisition of the powerful cavalry from Daming. After ascending the throne, Zhu Di placed significant emphasis on rewarding his loyal supporters from the Jingnan Campaign, particularly the leaders of the Duoyan Three Guards. He divided the Daming region, which had previously been under the governance of Zhu Quan, into three parts, rewarding each of the three leaders of the Duoyan Three Guards with a portion.
However, this decision proved to be one of Zhu Di’s most critical strategic errors. To ensure the stability of the northern frontier, Zhu Yuanzhang had stationed heavy military forces in Daming, treating it as a vital defense line. But Zhu Di, in his eagerness to reward the Duoyan Three Guards, inadvertently handed over control of this strategically important region to them. This weakened the Ming Dynasty's military presence in Daming, leaving it vulnerable to enemy incursions. More importantly, Zhu Di’s overconfidence led him to underestimate the threat posed by the Mongol tribes and the potential for rebellion within the Duoyan Three Guards.
After Zhu Di’s rewards, the Duoyan Three Guards maintained outward loyalty to the Ming Dynasty but secretly began forging ties with the Mongol tribes, even providing them with intelligence. In the internal turmoil of the Mongol factions, the Duoyan Three Guards eventually reformed their alliances in 1421 and began military actions against the Ming Dynasty in 1422. Although Zhu Di led several military campaigns into the north, achieving some victories, the Duoyan Three Guards remained steadfast in their opposition, continuing to challenge Ming authority.
As time passed, the Ming Dynasty's finances grew increasingly strained. Zhu Di failed to effectively neutralize the threat from the Duoyan Three Guards, which only escalated the pressure on the empire’s northern defenses. Ultimately, Zhu Di’s decision not only failed to resolve the issue but also laid the groundwork for the later \"Tumu Crisis,\" a devastating blow to the Ming Empire.
In hindsight, Zhu Di’s decision to place the Duoyan Three Guards in charge of Daming was a disastrous strategic blunder. He underestimated the complexities of the Mongol tribes and their inherent cultural and behavioral patterns. This weakened the Ming Dynasty’s northern defense and created long-lasting problems. Despite Zhu Di’s military brilliance, his strategic vision fell short of his father’s far-sightedness, which ultimately had disastrous consequences for the Ming Dynasty.
