Editing Hongwu Emperor (section)

==Assessment==
[[File:Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, Nanjing.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Xiao Mausoleum]] is the final resting place of the Hongwu Emperor and his empress.]]
In traditional Chinese historiography, the Hongwu Emperor was revered as a typical founder of a dynasty. He is credited with bringing China out of the chaos of civil war and freeing it from foreign rule. His unification of the country and restoration of order in society laid the groundwork for a prosperous and thriving era under the new dynasty. In recognition of his achievements, he was given the [[posthumous name]] Taizu, meaning "Grand Progenitor", by his successor. This same perspective was reflected in the official history of the Ming dynasty, known as the ''[[History of Ming]]'', which was written during the Qing dynasty.{{sfnp|Dreyer|1982|p=152}}

Modern historians, influenced by a strong aversion towards the dictators of the 20th century, an anti-monarchist mindset, and a tendency to [[Psychohistory|psychoanalyze]] personalities, often place a heavy emphasis on the despotic nature of his regime{{sfnp|Dreyer|1982|p=152}} and attribute it to paranoia,{{sfnp|Fairbank|Goldman|2006|pp=128–129}} or more generally, to some form of mental illness.{{sfnp|Ebrey|2009|p=223}} They primarily view him as a dictator whose irrational actions and paranoia have resulted in the loss of countless lives.{{sfnp|Dreyer|1982|p=152}}

However, a more objective approach would be to examine the emperor within the context of his time and personal experiences. This perspective highlights the impact of his life experiences on his goals and the methods he employed to achieve them. His impoverished and unstable upbringing is considered a crucial period in which he developed his personal philosophy.{{sfnp|Dreyer|1982|p=152}}

The Hongwu Emperor is widely regarded as one of the most influential and remarkable rulers in Chinese history, regardless of which aspect of his life is emphasized. His reforms had a lasting impact on the Chinese state and society for centuries to come.{{sfnp|Farmer|1995|p=7}}{{sfnp|Britannica Educational Publishing|2010|p=193}} In order to establish a well-ordered and virtuous society, he adopted [[Zhu Xi]]'s version of [[Neo-Confucianism]] as the state ideology, which greatly contributed to its widespread adoption.{{sfnp|Farmer|1995|p=17}} The implementation of the [[Imperial examination|civil service examination]] system and the subsequent [[indoctrination]] of the nation's elite had a profound influence on the country's character. 

The abolition of the [[Zhongshu Sheng|grand chancellor's office]], equivalent to a modern prime minister, and the reform of central administrative bodies resulted in the loss of a strong representative for officials. This led to a significant increase in the ruler's power and marked a departure from the [[Song dynasty|Song]] and [[Yuan dynasty|Yuan]] empires, where the emperor's authority was limited. Instead, it established a more [[Despotism|despotic]] rule that continued through the [[Qing dynasty]].{{sfnp|Dreyer|1982|p=106}} Alternatively, some argue that the unification of the country under a centralized state with an all-powerful emperor during the Ming dynasty was the culmination of a long process that began with the [[Qin dynasty|Qin]] and [[Han dynasty|Han]] dynasties.{{sfnp|Farmer|1995|p=17}}