Zhang Wuball

Zhang Wuball or simply Wuball, known as ZhouballKe Shaomin. New History of Yuan. vol. 225, Biographies 122. from 1354–1363, was a short-lived regime established in Jiangsuball during the fall of Yuanball by Red Turban warlord Zhang Shicheng (張士誠). Zhang Wuball is notable for being Zhu Wuball's chief rival before the establishment of Mingball.
In 1367, after years of conflict, Zhang Wuball was finally anschlussed by Zhu Wuball after the latter won the long siege of Suzhouball.
==History==
===Background===
By the 14th Century, Yuanball's control over Southern China waned as incompetent emperors succeeded one after another. Infighting, suspicion, and competing interests vitiated remaining Yuanball generals' attempts to save the dynastyball.
Zhang Shicheng, Zhang Wuball's founder and only emperor, was born in Taizhou, Jiangsuball. Prior to rebelling against Yuanball, Zhang worked as a salt trader along with his brothers. Growing up, Zhang was reportedly strong, taciturn, and humble.Ke Shaomin. New History of Yuan. vol. 225, Biographies 122: "张士诚，泰州白驹场人。以行称，曰张九四，少有膂力，厚重寡言。与弟士义、士德，士信，并驾盐纲船，业私贩。"Zhang Tingyu, et al. History of Ming. vol. 123, Biographies 11: "張士誠，小字九四，泰州白駒場亭人。有弟三人，並以操舟運鹽為業，緣私作奸利。頗輕財好施，得群輩心。"
===Establishment===
In 1353, Zhang Shicheng gathered a group of salt traders in Northern Jiangsuball and rebelled against Yuanball, capturing a handful of cities, like Taizhouball, Xinghuaball, and Gaoyouball. Shortly after, Zhang proclaimed himself emperor of Zhouball.Zhang Tingyu, et al. History of Ming. vol. 123, Biographies 11: "紿殺李齊，襲據高郵，自稱誠王，僭號大周，建元天祐。是歲至正十三年也。"
Shortly after establishment, however, Zhouball suffered setbacks inflicted by the Yuanball general Toqto'a. The tide of war only shifted when Toqto'a was recalled and stripped of command, and Gaoyou's siege was lifted.
In 1355, Zhang Shicheng ordered a campaign to expand Zhouball's territory West and South. In 1356, Zhouball conquered Suzhouball and moved its capital there.
===Rivalry with Wuball===
Later in 1356, despite its recent expansions, Zhouball was attacked by Wuball (Zhu Yuanzhang (朱元璋)'s regime) at Changzhouball. Wuball captured both the city and Zhang Shide (張士德), Zhang Shicheng's brother. Zhang Shicheng secretly messaged his brother to resist Wuball. In 1357, Zhang Shide starved to death while in captivity. In response, Zhouball began supplying grain to Yuanball in 1358.Ke Shaomin. New History of Yuan. vol. 225, Biographies 122.
In 1363, Zhouball occupied Hangzhouball, and Zhang Shicheng proclaimed himself King of Wuball (吳王).Ke Shaomin. New History of Yuan. vol. 225, Biographies 122: "士诚遂据杭州⋯⋯九月，士诚自称吴王，使达识帖木儿请命朝廷，不许。" Shortly after, Zhu also upgraded his title from Duke (吳國公) to King (吳王). Thenceforth, two contemporary rivaling states existed with the title of Wu—Zhang Wuball and Zhu Wuball.
Also in 1363, Zhang Wuball stopped supplying Yuanball with grain shipments, effectively breaking off relations again.Zhang Tingyu, et al. History of Ming. vol. 123, Biographies 11: "⋯⋯元征糧不復與。"
===Defeat & Abolishment===
In February of 1364, Zhang Wuball's rival Zhu Wuball anschlussed Chen Hanball.Zhang Tingyu, et al. History of Ming. vol. 123, Biographies 11: "明年二月再親征⋯⋯（陳）理遂降，入軍門，俯伏不敢視。" Zhang Wuball attempted to respond to its rivals' gains by mounting another campaign against Zhu Wuball, but its attacks were soundly defeated. 
In 1365, Zhang Wuball suffered even more defeats at the hands of Zhu Wuball. By 1367, Zhu Wuball had surrounded Zhang Wuball at Suzhouball. After a lengthy siege, Suzhouball fell, and Zhang Wuball was destroyed when Zhang Shicheng committed suicide.Zhang Tingyu, et al. History of Ming. vol. 123, Biographies 11: "至金陵，竟自縊死，年四十七。"
==Relationships==
===Friends===
* Yuanball (1358–1363, not really)
===Enemies===
* Yuanball (1354–1358, 1363–1367)
* Wuball
==How To Draw==
Drawing Zhang Wuball is very simple.
#Draw a black outline of a circle.
#Fill it Yellow.
#Draw a second white circle inside of the first.
#Add the Chinese character for Wu (吳) or Zhou (周) inside of the white portion. You can also write the characters for Zhang Wu (張吳) or Zhang Zhou (張周) instead, in order to distinguish Zhang Wuball from other Wuballs or Zhouballs in Chinese History.
#Add two slant eyes and you've finished.
#Optional: Draw appropriate hatwear.
==Gallery==
Zhang Wuball.png|Subsequentliang
==References==
Category:Historical Countryballs
Category:Chinaball
Category:Dynastic Chinaballs
Category:Taoist
Category:Confucianist
Category:Chinese Speaking Countryball
Category:Buddhist
Category:Asia
Category:East Asia
Category:Monarchy
Category:Empire
Category:Short-Lived
Category:Yellow White Black