Timur lives longer and attacks Ming China

[WolfBear]

What would have happened had Timur (Tamerlane) lived longer and attacked Ming China? On Quora, there was one long answer where someone who had detailed knowledge of this said that Ming China was very strong relative to its neighbors back then and thus would have very likely successfully repelled Timur's attack and thus humiliated Timur, but what do the rest of you think in regards to this?

 

[WolfBear]

Here are some good Quora answers in regards to this topic/question:

What would have happened if Tamerlane hadn't died while on his way to invade China?

Answer (1 of 17): He would have been wiped out. Timur Lenk was still a cavalry man, but Ming emperors were already gunnery man. The Ming soldiers had already perfected the 3-row musketeer formation - row 1 shoot, row 2 aim, row 3 re-load, so the musketeers could shoot continuously. The Ming ...

www.quora.com

 

[stevep]

I would say that Timur would fail given the sheer size of the Ming empire plus that it was pretty much at its height. He might win a battle or two, especially if he gained surprise but the Ming empire was too large to be defeated in a single battle and unlike him could replace losses. Plus between Chinese xenophobia and Timur's habits of brutal massacres, especially of non-Muslims he's likely to generate a lot of hostility in any regions he does manage to overrun.

Coupled with that his advanced age - in his 70s if not 80s - its quite likely he dies on campaign there. Which will the loss of most of his army in the aftermath probably could mean his empire implodes even faster than OTL.