Chang Yuchun

Chang Yuchun (常遇春), born in 1330 and deceased on 9 August 1369, was a Chinese military general during the Ming dynasty. His courtesy name was Boren (伯仁), and his art name was Yanheng (燕衡). He was affiliated with Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming dynasty, and played a significant role in the establishment of the Ming Empire.

Born in Huaiyuan County, Anhui Province, Chang was described as a physically imposing man with notable strength. In 1355, he joined the Red Turban Rebellion, which aimed to overthrow the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. During that year, he participated in a battle against the Yuan forces at Caishi, near present-day southern Ma'anshan on the eastern bank of the Yangtze River. The rebel forces secured victory in this engagement, contributing to Chang's rising fame. Following this success, he was promoted to the rank of yuanshuai, which is equivalent to a marshal.

Chang collaborated with Zhu Yuanzhang in military campaigns against rival factions, including Chen Youliang and Zhang Shicheng. His efforts contributed to the elimination of these rivals, facilitating Zhu Yuanzhang's consolidation of power over China and laying the groundwork for the Ming dynasty. In 1366, Zhu bestowed upon Chang the title "Duke of E" (鄂國公). The subsequent year, 1367, Chang assisted Xu Da in a northern campaign that culminated in the conquest of Khanbaliq (modern-day Beijing), the Yuan capital, in 1368, effectively ending Mongol rule in China.

Chang Yuchun's death occurred in 1369 due to illness while returning to Nanjing, located in present-day Xuanhua County, Hebei. In response to his death, Zhu Yuanzhang composed a mourning poem. Chang was posthumously awarded the title "Prince of Kaiping" (開平王) and the posthumous name "Zhongwu" (忠武). He was honored with high ranks within the imperial ancestral and portrait temples of meritorious officials. Chang's family included three sons: Chang Mao (常茂), Chang Sheng (常升), and Chang Sen (常森).

In cultural representations, Chang Yuchun appears as a minor character in Louis Cha's wuxia novel *The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber*. In the narrative, he is depicted as a member of the Ming Cult, a rebel organization opposing the Yuan dynasty. He sustains injuries during a conflict with Yuan soldiers but is saved by Zhang Sanfeng. He later assists Zhang Wuji, the novel’s protagonist, in seeking medical treatment and becomes his subordinate after Zhang's leadership is established. Chang participates in multiple battles against Yuan forces and supports Zhu Yuanzhang in founding the Ming dynasty.

Martially, Chang Yuchun is credited with creating the "Kaiping spear method," a martial arts technique.

Regarding his ethnicity and religion, there is scholarly debate. Some historians, including Bai Shouyi, Fu Tongxian, Jin Jitang, Ma Yiyu, and Qiu Shusen, suggest he belonged to the Hui ethnic group, and researchers such as Tan Ta Sen and Dru C. Gladney have identified him as Hui or Muslim. Conversely, Wen Yong-ning argued that Chang's family traditions and descendants do not align with Hui practices, and that his background may not be Muslim. Li Jianbiao later characterized Wen's argument as speculative and lacking conclusive evidence.

Chang Yuchun's tomb is a notable historical site associated with his legacy.