Princess Ningguo

Princess Ningguo was born on 10 October 1364,{{sfnp|Taizong Shilu|loc=Vol. 23}} as the second daughter of [[Zhu Yuanzhang]]. Her mother was Zhu Yuanzhang's primary consort, [[Empress Ma (Hongwu)|Lady Ma]].{{sfnp|History of Ming|loc=Vol. 121}} 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.{{sfnp|Tsai|2002|pp=20–21}} He is commonly known by his [[Chinese era name|era name]] as the Hongwu Emperor.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Hongwu |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Hongwu |access-date=19 June 2011 |last=Chan |first=David B.}}</ref>

Princess Ningguo was born on 10 October 1364,{{sfnp|Taizong Shilu|loc=Vol. 23}} as the second daughter of [[Zhu Yuanzhang]]. Her mother was Zhu Yuanzhang's primary consort, [[Empress Ma (Hongwu)|Lady Ma]].{{sfnp|History of Ming|loc=Vol. 121}} 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.{{sfnp|Tsai|2002|pp=20–21}} He is commonly known by his [[Chinese era name|era name]] as the Hongwu Emperor.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Hongwu |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Hongwu |access-date=19 June 2011 |last=Chan |first=David B.}}</ref>

In 1378, the emperor granted his second daughter the title of Princess Ningguo. She married [[Mei Yin]], the nephew of Mei Sizu, Marquis of Runan. Among the sixteen sons-in-law of the Hongwu Emperor, Mei Yin was a particular favorite. At the time, Li Wenzhong, who was the emperor's nephew, oversaw the Imperial Academy, while Mei Yin was appointed as Provincial Educational Commissioner of [[Shandong]]. The emperor issued an edict praising Mei Yin for his mastery of Confucian classics and history, earning Mei Yin great respect among court officials.{{sfnp|History of Ming|loc=Vol. 121}} During the late years of the Hongwu Emperor's reign, as the princes grew increasingly powerful, the emperor entrusted Mei Yin with assisting his grandson and designated heir, [[Zhu Yunwen]]. In 1398, the Hongwu Emperor died and Zhu Yunwen ascended the throne as the Jianwen Emperor. In December 1401, Mei Yin was ordered to defend Huaian, where he enforced strict military discipline and implemented rigorous defensive measures.{{sfnp|History of Ming|loc=Vol. 4}}

In 1378, the emperor granted his second daughter the title of Princess Ningguo. She married [[Mei Yin]], the nephew of Mei Sizu, Marquis of Runan. Among the sixteen sons-in-law of the Hongwu Emperor, Mei Yin was a particular favorite. At the time, Li Wenzhong, who was the emperor's nephew, oversaw the Imperial Academy, while Mei Yin was appointed as Provincial Educational Commissioner of [[Shandong]]. The emperor issued an edict praising Mei Yin for his mastery of Confucian classics and history, earning Mei Yin great respect among court officials.{{sfnp|History of Ming|loc=Vol. 121}} During the late years of the Hongwu Emperor's reign, as the princes grew increasingly powerful, the emperor entrusted Mei Yin with assisting his grandson and designated heir, [[Zhu Yunwen]]. In 1398, the Hongwu Emperor died and Zhu Yunwen ascended the throne as the Jianwen Emperor. In December 1401, Mei Yin was ordered to defend [[Huai'an]], where he enforced strict military discipline and implemented rigorous defensive measures.{{sfnp|History of Ming|loc=Vol. 4}}

After ascending the throne, the Jianwen Emperor implemented a policy of "reducing the feudatories" to eliminate the influence of the princes. This led to [[Jingnan campaign|the August 1399 rebellion]] of his uncle [[Zhu Di]], Prince of Yan, Princess Ningguo's older brother. In April 1402, Zhu Di decisively defeated the Jianwen Emperor's army, capturing notable generals such as Ping An, Ma Pu, and Xu Zhen. Zhu Di sent an envoy to request passage through Huaian, but Mei Yin refused his request. This angered Zhu Di, but he had no other option but to march towards Nanjing through Yangzhou.{{sfnp|History of Ming|loc=Vol. 4}}

After ascending the throne, the Jianwen Emperor implemented a policy of "reducing the feudatories" to eliminate the influence of the princes. This led to [[Jingnan campaign|the August 1399 rebellion]] of his uncle [[Zhu Di]], Prince of Yan, Princess Ningguo's older brother. In April 1402, Zhu Di decisively defeated the Jianwen Emperor's army, capturing notable generals such as Ping An, Ma Pu, and Xu Zhen. Zhu Di sent an envoy to request passage through Huaian, but Mei Yin refused his request. This angered Zhu Di, but he had no other option but to march towards Nanjing through Yangzhou.{{sfnp|History of Ming|loc=Vol. 4}}