Xi 'an almost became the ancient capital of the Ming Dynasty. Why did Zhu Yuanzhang give up this ancient capital later?

First, analyze the advantages of Xi as the capital. Xi 'an, known as Chang 'an in ancient times, is the ancient capital of the Yuan Dynasty, with a dangerous terrain. Xi Annan faces the steep Qinling Mountains, the Loess Plateau in the north and the mountains in the west. The only exit is Tongguan in the east, which is a dangerous thoroughfare. Obviously, this place is easy to defend but difficult to attack, plus it is the ancient capital of the 13th Dynasty. Zhu Yuanzhang naturally wanted to build his capital in Xi 'an.

Zhu Yuanzhang originated in the southeast, and his birthplace was almost Nanjing. He didn't have a solid political power and foundation in the north, so he naturally wouldn't move to Xi 'an in the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and he didn't take advantage of the stability and development of the Ming Dynasty. Nanjing at this time, as the starting point of Zhu Yuanzhang's uprising revolution, naturally won the hearts of the people. Nanjing is also suitable as the capital. In the northwest of Nanjing, the Yangtze River is a natural moat. During the flood season of the Yangtze River, the river surface is unusually wide. In ancient times, it was an insurmountable horizontal ditch and a natural barrier. Nanjing is also a land of fish and rice, which is not worried about food supply, but also has waterways, convenient transportation, steep terrain and easy to defend but difficult to attack. So early Zhu Yuanzhang chose Nanjing as the ancient capital.

In fact, Zhu Yuanzhang still wanted to move the capital to Xi 'an in his later years, and he could not let go of his obsession with Xi 'an. However, he is too old to move. In addition, as a king, it is not good to visit Xi in person, so he sent Prince Zhu Biao to visit Xi. How do you know that the prince is in poor health, not used to Xi 'an, and died soon after he came back from Xi 'an? Zhu Yuanzhang was eager to love his son, got rid of feudal superstition, and didn't move his capital to Xi 'an.

Although Xi 'an did not become the capital of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang attached great importance to Xi 'an and sent Zhu Shang, the second son of the Crown Prince, to sit in Xi 'an.