Editing Yongle Emperor (section)

==Early years==
===Childhood===
{{Multiple image|image1=明太祖画像.jpg|image2=孝慈高皇后1.jpg|footer=[[Hongwu Emperor|Emperor Hongwu]] and [[Empress Ma (Hongwu)|Empress Ma]], Yongle's parents{{sfnp|Tsai|2002|pp=80–81}}}}

Zhu Di, the future Yongle Emperor, was born on 2 May 1360 as the fourth son of [[Zhu Yuanzhang]].{{sfnp|Tsai|2002|p=20}} At the time, Zhu Yuanzhang was based in [[Nanjing]] and was a prominent leader in the [[Red Turban Rebellion]], an uprising against the Mongol-led [[Yuan dynasty]] that controlled China. The rebellion aimed to restore Han Chinese rule after decades of Mongol domination. In the 1360s, Zhu Yuanzhang conquered China, established the [[Ming dynasty]], and declared himself emperor. He is commonly known by his [[Chinese era name|era name]] as the Hongwu Emperor. 

After taking the throne, Zhu Di claimed to be the son of Zhu Yuanzhang's primary wife, [[Empress Ma (Hongwu)|Lady Ma]], who had been empress since 1368, but other sources suggest that his real mother was a concubine of the Hongwu Emperor with the title Consort Gong, who was either Mongolian (from the [[Khongirad]] tribe){{sfnp|Chan 2007|p=46}} or possibly Korean.{{sfnp|Chan|1988|p=194}} After becoming emperor, Zhu Di attempted to present himself as the Hongwu Emperor's legitimate successor by declaring himself and his fifth son, [[Zhu Su]], as the only sons of Empress Ma in the 1403 edition of the official ''[[Ming Veritable Records|Veritable Records of Emperor Taizu]]''. This was clearly absurd, as it was unlikely that a son of the empress would not be named as successor during the Hongwu Emperor's lifetime. Therefore, in the later version of 1418, all five of the Hongwu Emperor's sons were recognized as her descendants.{{sfnp|Chan|1988|p=216}}

Zhu Di spent his childhood in Nanjing, where he was raised with a strong emphasis on discipline and modesty, along with the other children of Zhu Yuanzhang. Out of all his siblings, he had a special fondness for Princess Ningguo ({{zhi|t=寧國公主}}), Zhu Fu ({{zhi|c=朱榑}}), and Zhu Su, who was only 15 months younger. Despite their contrasting personalities, Zhu Di and Zhu Su became the closest of friends. While Zhu Di enjoyed activities such as archery and horseback riding, Zhu Su preferred studying literature and tending to plants.{{sfnp|Tsai|2002|p=23}}

The emperor took great care in the education of his sons, enlisting the help of prominent scholars from the empire. Initially, [[Song Lian]] was appointed as the teacher for the crown prince, and also gave lectures to the other princes. Song Lian's successor, Kong Keren ({{zhi|c=孔克仁}}), had a significant influence on Zhu Di, teaching him philosophy and ethics. Zhu Di's favorite subject was the history of the [[Han dynasty]], particularly the emperors [[Emperor Gaozu of Han|Gaozu]] and [[Emperor Wu of Han|Wudi]]. In fact, he often referenced examples from the life of [[Qin Shi Huang]] in his decrees.{{sfnp|Tsai|2002|p=25}}

===Youth===
On 22 April 1370, the emperor's sons, with the exception of the crown prince, were granted princely titles. Zhu Di was bestowed with the title of Prince of Yan.{{sfnp|Tsai|2002|p=26}} Yan was a region located in the northeast of China, with its most significant city being Beiping (present-day [[Beijing]]). During the Mongol-led [[Yuan dynasty]], Beiping served as the capital of China. After being conquered by the Ming dynasty in 1368, it became a crucial stronghold for the troops guarding the northern border of China and was also designated as the capital of the province with the same name.

At that time, Zhu Di was given his own household, with adviser Hua Yunlong{{efn-lr|He held the second highest rank and served as the commissioner-in-chief of a military commission. For his participation in the campaign of 1370, he was appointed the Marquis of Huaian in June 1370. From February 1371, he governed the Beiping province; he was dismissed in 1374 and died on his way to Nanjing in the same year.{{sfnp|Tsai|2002|p=27}}}} and tutor Gao Xian at its head. Gao Xian spent the next four to five years lecturing him on Confucian classics, history, agriculture, and irrigation. He also trained the prince in poetry and prose writing, and explained the rules of governance and the selection of subordinates. After Hua's death and Gao's dismissal, Fei Yu, Qiu Guang, Wang Wuban, and Zhu Fu took over Zhu Di's education.{{sfnp|Tsai|2002|p=27}}{{efn-lr|Zhu Fu served under the prince from 1373 to 1388, becoming his chief tutor in 1377. He was diligent and honorable, and had a great influence on the prince, becoming his confidant. In 1416, Zhu Di posthumously awarded him the title of minister.{{sfnp|Tsai|2002|pp=27–28}}}} Despite receiving a comprehensive education from esteemed teachers, Zhu Di's true passion always lay in military pursuits rather than scholarly pursuits and palace discussions.

[[File:仁孝文皇后徐氏（明太宗（成祖））.jpg|thumb|Official portrait of Empress Xu. [[National Palace Museum]], [[Taipei]], Taiwan]]
In early 1376, he married [[Empress Xu (Ming dynasty)|Lady Xu]], the daughter of [[Xu Da]], who was ranked first among all of the early Ming generals. She was two years younger than him.{{sfnp|Tsai|2002|p=28}} Lady Xu was known for her intelligence, decisiveness, and energy. The couple welcomed their first son, [[Zhu Gaochi]], on 16 August 1378, followed by their second son, [[Zhu Gaoxu]], in 1380.{{sfnp|Tsai|2002|p=30}} Their third son, [[Zhu Gaosui]], was born three years later.

A few weeks after the wedding, he traveled to [[Fengyang County|Fengyang]] (then known as Zhongdu—the Central Capital) where he underwent seven months of military training alongside his elder brothers, Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang. Two years later, he returned to Fengyang with his younger brothers, Zhu Su, Zhu Zhen, and Zhu Fu, and stayed for an additional two years. During this time, he not only trained in command and combat, but also gained knowledge in logistics and the acquisition and transportation of materials and supplies for warfare. It was during this period that his organizational skills began to emerge, which he later utilized effectively in his battles. He also took the opportunity to disguise himself as a regular soldier and immerse himself in the lives of ordinary people. Looking back, he considered his time in Fengyang to be the happiest days of his life.{{sfnp|Tsai|2002|pp=28–29}}

In 1376, Li Wenzhong, the nephew and adopted son of the Hongwu Emperor, who was responsible for defending the north, was given the responsibility of preparing the prince's palace in Beijing. He utilized the former palaces of the Yuan emperors, providing Zhu Di with a larger and more fortified residence compared to his brothers, some of whom resided in converted temples or county offices. General Li also focused on fortifying the city, a decision that would have consequences during the civil war when his son, [[Li Jinglong]], unsuccessfully attempted to besiege Beiping in 1399.{{sfnp|Tsai|2002|p=29}}

===Prince of Yan in Beiping===
In April 1380,{{sfnp|Chan|2005|p=59}} at the age of twenty, he moved to Beiping. He encountered a strong Mongolian influence, which the government tried to suppress by banning Mongolian customs, clothing, and names.{{sfnp|Tsai|2002|p=33}} The city had recovered from the famine and wars of the 1350s and 1360s and was experiencing growth. Along with the hundreds of thousands of soldiers stationed in the region, the city was also home to officials administering the province, as well as artisans and laborers from all over the country. The main concern of the local authorities was providing enough food for the population. Peasants were relocated to the north, soldiers and convicts were sent to cultivate the land, and merchants were granted licenses to trade salt in exchange for bringing grain to the region.{{sfnp|Tsai|2002|p=32}}{{efn-lr|Salt was then purchased from producers and sold to the population with a large profit.}} The government also transported food supplies to the city.{{sfnp|Tsai|2002|p=33}}

Zhu Di's interest in the military was put into practice when he personally trained his own guard.{{sfnp|Tsai|2002|p=33}} He used his detachments as a means of balancing the power of the provincial commander, who was unable to mobilize troops without authorization from the emperor and approval from the prince. Meanwhile, the prince had the freedom to train and deploy his own guard.{{sfnp|Tsai|2002|p=46}}{{sfnp|Langlois|1988|p=177}} In 1381, Zhu Di had his first experience in the field when he joined Xu Da's campaign against the Mongols, led by Nayur Buqa.{{sfnp|Tsai|2002|p=33}}

In the 1380s, Zhu Di served in border defense under the leadership of his father-in-law, Xu Da. After Su's death in 1385, [[Fu Youde]], Xu's deputy, took over leadership. In 1387, Zhu Di participated in a successful attack on the Mongols in Liaodong, led by [[Feng Sheng (general)|Feng Sheng]]. The following year, a Ming army led by [[Lan Yu (general)|Lan Yu]] made a foray into eastern Mongolia and defeated the Mongol khan [[Uskhal Khan Tögüs Temür|Tögüs Temür]], capturing many prisoners and horses, but both generals were accused of mistreating captives and misappropriating booty, which was reported to the emperor by the prince.{{sfnp|Tsai|2002|pp=47–48}}

In January 1390, the emperor entrusted his sons with independent command for the first time. The princes of Jin (Zhu Gang), Yan (Zhu Di), and Qi (Zhu Fu) were given the task of leading a punitive expedition against the Mongol commanders Nayur Buqa and Alu Temür, who were threatening [[Shanxi]] and [[Gansu]]. Zhu Di demonstrated excellent command skills when he defeated and captured both Mongol commanders in battle. They then served under him with their troops.{{sfnp|Tsai|2002|p=48}} The emperor himself appreciated Zhu Di's success, which contrasted with the hesitancy of the Prince of Jin. Zhu Di continued to lead armies into battle against the Mongols repeatedly and with great success.{{sfnp|Tsai|2002|p=49}}

[[File:Ming border princedoms, Hongwu Reign, after 1393.svg|thumb|left|upright=1.6|Northern border of the Ming dynasty after 1393.
{{Legend|#FFAAAA|Ming dynasty,}}
{{Legend|#ffd5d5|Ming territory beyond the later Great Wall.}}]]
In 1392, the emperor's eldest son and crown prince, [[Zhu Biao]], died. The court then discussed who would succeed him, and ultimately, the primogeniture viewpoint, advocated by scholars from the [[Hanlin Academy]] and high officials, prevailed. As a result, Zhu Biao's son, [[Zhu Yunwen]], was appointed as the new successor. Generals Feng Sheng, Fu Youde, and Lan Yu (who were related to the successor by blood) were chosen as his tutors and teachers,{{sfnp|Tsai|2002|p=50}} but due to a recommendation from Zhu Di, the Hongwu Emperor began to suspect the three generals of treason.{{sfnp|Tsai|2002|p=51}} Zhu Di did not have a good relationship with Lan Yu, and according to historian Wang Shizhen ({{zhi|t=王世貞}}; 1526–1590), he was responsible for Lan Yu's execution in March 1393. The other two generals also died under unclear circumstances at the turn of 1394 and 1395. In their place, princes were appointed. For example, in 1393, the Prince of Jin was given command of all the troops in Shanxi province, and the Prince of Yan was given command in Beiping province.{{sfnp|Tsai|2002|p=51}} Additionally, Zhu Shuang, Prince of Qin, was in charge of [[Shaanxi]], but he died in 1395.{{sfnp|Tsai|2002|p=51–52}}

The Hongwu Emperor, who was deeply affected by the death of his two eldest sons and the strained relations between his remaining sons and the heir, made the decision to revise the rules governing the imperial family for the fourth time.{{sfnp|Tsai|2002|p=52}} The new edition significantly limited the rights of the princes.{{efn-lr|The prince's right to visit his brothers after three or five years was lost. The government now appointed not only the highest but all officials of the princely households. The judicial authority of the princes was limited.{{sfnp|Tsai|2002|p=52}} The maximum stipend for princes was reduced from 50,000 ''[[Dan (volume)|dan]]'' of grain to 10,000 in order to relieve the state treasury.{{sfnp|Langlois|1988|p=175}}}} However, these changes had little impact on Zhu Di's status as they did not affect his main area of expertise—the military.{{sfnp|Tsai|2002|p=53}} Furthermore, the prince was cautious not to give any reason for criticism. For example, he did not object to the execution of his generals Nayur Buqa and Alu Temür, who were accused of treason. He also exercised caution in diplomatic relations, such as when he welcomed Korean delegations passing through Beiping, to avoid any indication of disrespect towards the emperor's authority.{{sfnp|Tsai|2002|p=53}}

Out of the six princes{{efn-lr|They were, listed by age: Zhu Gang, Prince of Jin in [[Taiyuan]]; Zhu Di, Prince of Yan in Beiping; [[Zhu Gui (prince)|Zhu Gui]], Prince of Dai in [[Datong]]; [[Zhu Zhi (prince)|Zhu Zhi]], Prince of Liao in Guangning; [[Zhu Quan]], Prince of Ning in Daning; and Zhu Hui, Prince of Gu in [[Xuanhua, Zhangjiakou|Xuanfu]].}} responsible for guarding the northern border, Zhu Di was the second oldest but also the most capable. He had operated in a vast territory, stretching from Liaodong to the bend of the Yellow River. He was not afraid to take risks, as demonstrated by his defeat of the Mongols led by Polin Temür at Daning in the summer of 1396.{{sfnp|Langlois|1988|p=178}} He also went on a raid with the Prince of Jin several hundred kilometers north of the Great Wall, which earned them a sharp reprimand from the emperor.{{sfnp|Tsai|2002|p=55}} In April 1398, Zhu Di's elder brother, the Prince of Jin, died, leaving Zhu Di as the undisputed leader of the northern border defense.{{sfnp|Langlois|1988|pp=178, 181}} Two months later, Zhu Di's father, the Hongwu Emperor, also died.