Chen Youliang
Hu was born in Dingyuan, Haozhou (; now a part of Chuzhou, Anhui province). In 1363 Hu contributed a large number of warships to Zhu Yuanzhang to use for battle with Chen Youliang. Li Shanchang, chief of warship production, was pleased with Hu and recommended Hu to Zhu Yuanzhang. Li was part of an anti-corruption campaign to eliminate political opponents of Zhu. In the end, both Li and Hu were executed by the Zhu emperor for attempting to usurp the throne.