During the reign of Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, his deep affection for Empress Ma was a well-known fact. So, why did Zhu Yuanzhang show such favoritism towards Empress Ma? The reasons behind this deserve further exploration.

Firstly, there was a profound emotional foundation between them. Empress Ma, originally named Ma Shi, was Zhu Yuanzhang's wife from his earliest days. She had been by his side through many difficult years before he became emperor. Their emotional bond was extremely strong, and Empress Ma was always Zhu Yuanzhang's most trusted and relied-upon person. This profound emotional foundation provided a solid ground for Zhu Yuanzhang's affection towards Empress Ma.

Secondly, Empress Ma was renowned for her virtuous and noble qualities. She was intelligent and wise, excellent at handling court affairs, and relieved Zhu Yuanzhang of many worries. In the early years of the Ming Dynasty, the country enjoyed political stability and economic prosperity, which was closely related to Empress Ma's governance in the palace. Her virtuous qualities made Zhu Yuanzhang even more respect and adore her.

Thirdly, Empress Ma was a companion through thick and thin. As mentioned earlier, she had been by Zhu Yuanzhang's side throughout his rise to power, enduring many difficult times together. During this long journey, they supported each other in times of trouble, cultivating a profound bond. As emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang naturally cherished this relationship even more and it was only natural that he showered Empress Ma with affection.

Lastly, Empress Ma was a paragon of motherly virtue. With her noble character and profound wisdom, she commanded respect from all in the palace. Her care and love for the concubines and children made her a true model of "mother of the nation". Zhu Yuanzhang's affection for Empress Ma also reflected his aspiration for domestic harmony and national stability.

In conclusion, Zhu Yuanzhang's affection for Empress Ma stemmed primarily from their profound emotional foundation, Empress Ma's virtuous qualities, the difficult times they had shared, and her exemplary role in the palace. This affection was not merely a reflection of personal feelings, but also a pursuit of domestic harmony and national stability. However, the course of history is always full of changes, and Empress Ma passed away in the 15th year of Hongwu (1382), while Zhu Yuanzhang gradually declined in the following years. This also illustrates that in the long river of history, personal emotions and destinies are always unable to escape the vicissitudes of the times.

　　Disclaimer: The above content is sourced from the internet and the copyright belongs to the original author. If there is any infringement of your original copyright, please inform us and we will delete the relevant content as soon as possible.