Seize when favorable, and defend when adverse.

Before ascending the throne, Zhu’s forces were always the “Army of Benevolence and Righteousness,” and Zhu himself was the embodiment of the “King’s Way” (or “Virtuous Rule”). This earned him the allegiance of the people. Yet, once he secured the realm and incorporated the entire nation into his cage, he transformed from being generous and compassionate to being harsh and brutal. He raised his whip and butcher’s knife, slaughtering the world, massacring meritorious officials, and becoming a demonic king that made everyone tremble with fear. In truth, it wasn’t Zhu Yuanzhang’s nature that changed, but the circumstances. Before ascending the throne, he sought support from various social classes. After taking power, the common people had become the cattle and sheep under his care, and naturally, he was happy to command them forward with the butcher’s knife and the whip.