In 1368, an eminent peasant leader named Zhu Yuanzhang (Emperor
Taizu) - responsible for securing a number of important
victories in battles during the rebellions - was crowned emperor
and went on to establish the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). The
capital was founded in Yingtian (present day Nanjing), although
was later relocated further north, in Beijing. |The Ming Tombs
in Beijing| Opportunities for economic development were readily
seized upon by entrepreneurs during the Ming, especially in
China's southern regions. Maize and sweet potato only recently
introduced into China were widely grown on local farms, which
led to increased crop yields. Mining and textiles industries
also flourished. Evidence even shows that towards the end of the
Ming a capitalist system of production had gradually begun to
develop in the region. The Ming Dynasty also brought with it the
completion of the Great Wall. Although construction had started
in earlier dynasties, the present-day structure underwent
numerous repair work and fu