general who helped the founder and first emperor of the Ming dynasty, Hongwu (reigned 1368–98), to overthrow the Yuan (or Mongol) dynasty (Yuan dynasty) (1206–1368).

Xu joined the future emperor's rebel band in 1353 and became the leading general, engineering the capture of the capital at Beijing so perfectly that, it is said, commerce in its market did not stop for a single day. After the establishment of the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), Xu pursued the retreating Mongols across the Gobi (desert) and burned their capital, Karakorum. Xu continued north across the Yablonovy Mountains into the modern Siberian region of Transbaikalia—farther north than any previous Chinese army had penetrated. By the end of his campaign, the Mongol armies were decimated. The Hongwu emperor had Xu's image placed in the number one position in the Ming Temple of Men of Merit.