The beginning of the Ming dynasty

In the reading of the Ming Dynasty we learned about their famous expedition that lasted about 20 years, their government, and a well known emperor, Emperor Yongle. The Ming Dynasty started with the end of the Mongols'. It started with the religious influence, Confucianism. But how was it that the Ming Dynasty came to rise? And who was their leader?

I found an article, "Emperor Hongwu Biography" the Ming Dynasty started with an emperor named Emperor Hongwu. But how was it he came into power? Emperor Hongwu was not of noble class. He was one of very few emperors who were peasants at the beginning. His family was poor and they were farmers. A plague killed his family, and because of a flood that caused famine, he was forced to become a monk to survive. He left the monastery for a couple of years but upon return he found the monastery destroyed by the Mongol army. He wanted revenge against them, so he joined rebel movements and later on became the leader. He captured Nanjing and the Mongols were unable to take him down. The Mongols had no power at the end and Hongwu became the first emperor. With him Emperor Hongwu brought Confucianism he mixed it into the laws and he brought the imperial examination system back. Along with this Emperor Hongwu aided the farmers by giving them land and recording it that way the gentry would not take it. He made the taxes lower for the farmers and he even made canals and irrigation. However, like all rulers he had his faults. Emperor Hongwu was paranoid, he executed those he believed to be plotting against him, and he even punished the family and friends of the accused. He also whipped the ministers in court that did not please him. As you can see, Emperor Hongwus' ideas probably pleased many especially the low class however no emperor is perfect and he definitely had his faults.