As we all know, Xu Da was the first general in the Ming Dynasty period, and as a compatriot of Zhu Yuanzhang, he followed Zhu Yuanzhang to unveil the pole uprising, the southern conquest of the northern war, the saddle before and after the horse, bowing to the end. However, it was such a loyal general that there were rumors that he was poisoned by Zhu Yuanzhang with a steamed goose, and this legend was more than 600 years.
Logically, this style of doing things is not consistent with Zhu Yuanzhang's personality. Even if Zhu Yuanzhang really wanted to kill Xu Da, he would not choose to do it at that time, because, objectively speaking, Xu Da's death was a huge loss for Zhu Yuanzhang, and there was no benefit at all. Therefore, this is just a paragraph made up by later generations, and it is not a true historical fact.
First of all, Zhu Yuanzhang had never used this strange killing method.
There has always been a legend in the folklore that Xu Da suffers from a serious illness - back gangrene, and cannot eat steamed goose. After Zhu Yuanzhang knew about this matter, he specially sent a steamed goose to Xu Da. In the end, Xu Da could only eat the steamed goose with tears in his eyes and died a few hours later. However, this statement seems to be fine, but in fact, there are many inconsistencies.
Xu Da did suffer from a serious illness, but it was not to say that eating a steamed goose would die. Although Zhu Yuanzhang killed countless people and his hands were stained with blood, he did not kill innocents indiscriminately, but for his own political purposes. For example, he killed Hu Weiyong to strengthen his centralized system, and Guo Huan to punish corruption.
However, saying that he wanted to kill Xu Da was not entirely justified, or that killing Xu Da was not good for him, because Xu Da was not at fault and did not form a party for personal gain. Even if Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to kill him, he would not use such a stupid method as giving steamed geese. Because, knowing that people can't eat steamed geese, and sending a steamed goose to force people to eat, this is not clear to tell the people of the world, I want to kill him?
Don't say stupid, even a blind person can see that Zhu Yuanzhang wants to kill Xu Da, that is, to blatantly kill innocents. Such a stupid thing, a smart person like Zhu Yuanzhang would not do.
Zhu Yuanzhang has always been rational and upright in killing people, and his name is justified, like killing Li Shanchang, Hu Weiyong and others, Zhu Yuanzhang can say a lot of reasons. However, Xu Da was not at fault, and as an emperor, there was no reason to kill him. If he really did this, then as an emperor, there would be nothing more honorable and righteous, and no one would be willing to fight for him anymore.
In addition, according to Zhu Yuanzhang's personality, it is not common sense to put Xu Da to death. With Zhu Yuanzhang's nature, cutting grass must be removed from the roots, killing one cannot eliminate the consequences, to kill a family, killing a family is the king's way. However, the Xu Da family only died him, and the other children, grandchildren, relatives and friends were not affected. If it was really Zhu Yuanzhang who killed Xu Da, then why didn't the descendants of his Xu family want to take revenge?
Even if Zhu Yuanzhang did not dare to do it when he was alive, and after his death, Xu Da's sons wanted to kill the bookish Zhu Yunjiao, but it was an easy thing to do, but they did not do that. However, what is even more incomprehensible is that after Zhu Di launched the Battle of Jingnan, Xu Da's sons still desperately protected Zhu Yunjiao.
Think about it, who would protect the grandson of his father's enemy? This is simply not possible.
Secondly, even if he really ate the steamed goose, Xu Da would not necessarily die.
Suppose, Zhu Yuanzhang really wants to kill Xu Da, then it is impossible to rely on a steamed goose to make things happen, who can guarantee that Xu Da will die after eating the steamed goose, in case he can't die? Besides, although Xu Da was not lightly ill, it was an exaggeration to say that he could eat a goose and kill him. As an emperor, things must be well thought out, how can you believe it based on hearsay alone.
In addition, these rumors were only spread after Xu Da's death, and Zhu Yuanzhang could not have known about them before. Also, if an emperor wants to kill a courtier, he can completely charge some false charges and kill him directly. Or find a Jinyi guard or something, casually put some poison in the old general's meal, the management of the next day, there is no need to get a steamed goose so roundabout, moreover, success is not guaranteed.
Xu Da died in 1385, the 18th year of Hongwu, during which Time Zhu Yuanzhang had many large-scale battles to fight, so it was obviously very inappropriate to kill a famous general at this time. Moreover, although Zhu Yuanzhang also did things that killed heroes, it mainly occurred in the early Hongwu period, and some of them were in the later stages, mainly to pave the way for his son's ascension to the throne.
Relatively speaking, the middle of Hongwu was a relatively quiet period of time, there was no big wind and waves, and there was no reason to kill Xu Da. Moreover, at that time, Zhu Yuanzhang also planned to destroy the Mongols, and it was very necessary for a famous general like Xu Da to lead troops to fight, so it was even more impossible to kill him. After Xu Da's death, Blue Jade gradually emerged and became a general at that time. However, this person is arrogant by nature.
As a result, Zhu Yuanzhang was afraid that it would be difficult to control him in the later stages, and in the end, he had no choice but to eliminate him.
Finally, Xu Da's personality is good, and it is impossible to cause trouble.
Xu Da was not only the founding general of the Ming Dynasty, but also the first among military attachés. Moreover, Xu Da had an easy-going personality and was low-key, although he was a good hand at leading soldiers to fight, but his personal power in the army was even better than Li Wenzhong. I think that in the beginning, Zhu Yuanzhang only gave Li Wenzhong a punishment of life imprisonment, then, for Xu Da, Zhu Yuanzhang had no reason to die.
There is also a very important reason, that is, Xu Da and Zhu Yuanzhang's personal relationship is good. They have been together since the beginning of the uprising, and this friendship of fighting side by side is very deep. Moreover, after Xu Da's death, his two sons also held part of the military power. If he really wanted to eradicate Xu Da, then his two sons were estimated to be doomed soon.
Just imagine, how could Zhu Yuanzhang leave his own descendants with troubles? How could Xu Da's two sons be reused?
Therefore, Xu Da's death has nothing to do with Zhu Yuanzhang.
Resources:
[Ming Shi Taizu Benji" "Ming Shi Chronicle End", "Ming History Chronicle End", "Ming History Chronicle End"]