Interview Time!

 

Reporter: Mr. Yuanzhang, in relation to your reign, how was your childhood?

 

Zhu Yuanzhang: I was born in a poor family. We lived in a village called Zhongli. I had a rough childhood living in poverty. I was starved. I was treated harshly by my folks, which is how I run things in my empire. I barely got to see my brothers because they were giving away. That's because we didn't have enough food for everyone. I had seven brothers! How could we possibly support that? But, anyways I treat my empire the same way i was treated, because frankly, it works. People obey, and if not, they get punished.

 

Reporter: I see, what do you think is your greatest accomplishment so far?

 

Zhu Yuanzhang: I think my greatest accomplishment so far is that we have started to build the soon to be Great Wall of China. This way we can keep from getting killed. We are always getting attacked, from the left, from the right. Those darn Monguls! We needed SOMETHING to protect us, and this is the answer.

 

Reporter: Yes, the Great Wall of China is quite a big accomplishment. How do you run your military?

 

Zhu Yuanzhang: When I realized that the Monguls were going to keep attacking, we needed some kind of military force. I decided to create a Confucian military. I then changed it to a Wèisuǒ military. I had every unit consist of 5,600 men, divided into 5 battalions and 10 companies.

 

Reporter: Did you create any religious architectures?

 

Zhu Yuanzhang: As a matter of fact, I did. I ordered the construction of several mosques in Nanjing, Yunnan, Guangdong, and Fujian. I also had inscriptions that praised Muhammad put in mosques. It is very important in this empire that we praise our lords. They were the cause of our life. It is only our job to show gratitude towards them.

 

Reporter: Can you describe your thoughts about Confucianism?

 

Zhu Yuanzhang: Confucianism is extremely important, at least in my empire. I feel that agriculture should be the county's source of wealth and trade. This is why I promoted agriculture. Although I do not like merchants, but I tolerate them. Trade and commerce is the most important part of success in life. It gets money, and gets friends.