Zhu was born in Xiangshui County, Jiangsu, in October 1942. He enlisted in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in August 1961, and joined the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in May 1964. In August 1982, he graduated from the PLA Military Academy.[1] He served in the Jinan Military Region for a long time. In February 1994, he was transferred to the Nanjing Military Region and appointed commander of the 1st Group Army. From August to September 1998, he led soldiers to fight the floods in Jiujiang, Jiangxi and block the breach of the Yangtze River. He became chief of staff of the Nanjing Military Region in April 1999, and served until October 2002, when he was promoted to commander.[2][3][4]