Zhang Juzheng, Complete Four Volumes

Author: Xiong Zhaozheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-12-01
Features:
Volume I · Mulan Song: Zhang Juzheng was a legendary figure in the late Ming Dynasty who left a glorious mark in history for his rigorous reforms. After ascending to the position of Chief Minister, he governed for ten years: rectifying official administration, revitalizing declining customs; reforming education, attracting talented individuals for societal betterment; innovating taxation, streamlining finances. He saved the Ming Dynasty from collapse, making the Wanli era the most prosperous period in the Ming Dynasty. During his tenure, he was immensely powerful, highly influential, and favored by the emperor, unmatched in any way. However, upon his death, he faced widespread criticism, leading to the confiscation of his entire estate, the revocation of his titles, and the downfall of his eighty-year-old mother, with his descendants also suffering the consequences. The stark contrast between his praise and condemnation during his lifetime and after his death highlights the political dangers and the fickleness of the world, leaving later generations to sigh in regret. The author, who was once renowned for his poetry, has wandered among the Ming Dynasty in recent years, meticulously studying this controversial figure from his hometown and pouring his insights onto the page, striving to portray the political leader in all his humanity and showcasing the panoramic view of social life before and during the Wanli era.
Volume II · Shuilongyin
Volume III · Jinluqu
Volume IV · Huofenghuang