Chinese Alternative History (Vol. 1-10)

Author: Cai Dongfan
Publisher: China Literature Press
Publish Date: 2002-04-01
Features: Master of Wild History Cai Dongfan's monumental work, the ultimate authoritative version of Chinese Wild History. During the Ming Dynasty, external officials upon completing their term or internal officials returning to court were required to bring book palettes to present to their superiors. The books were mostly self-published by the givers, with exquisite layouts and elaborate bindings, printed in very limited quantities, solely for the pleasure of collectors, and rare to find in the market, making them extremely valuable. According to Ming customs, it was common for one palette to contain one book, though occasionally, one palette held multiple books, indicating that the recipient must have been someone of great importance for the giver to be generous.