The Hongwu Emperor was the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty in China, reigning from 1368 to 1398. Born as Zhu Yuanzhang, he rose from humble beginnings as an orphaned peasant to become a military leader who overthrew the Yuan Dynasty. His reign marked the restoration of Han Chinese rule after nearly a century of Mongol dominance. During his rule, the Hongwu Emperor implemented significant reforms, including land redistribution and the establishment of a centralized government. He emphasized agricultural development and sought to reduce the power of the nobility, which helped stabilize the economy and strengthen the state.