Ming Taizu

Author: Zhang Xiaotian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: Zhu Di was one of the thirteen emperors of the Ming Dynasty, second only to Zhu Yuanzhang in terms of his actions and achievements as a formidable leader. Zhu Di was skilled in hiding his talents and enduring hardships, during his nineteen years as a vassal in Beijing, he seized the opportunity to pacify the northern frontier while serving the state and secretly amassed a group of loyal ministers and generals who would later fight to the death for him to seize the throne. To attract talent, he did not hesitate to lower his status, treating others with the warmth of friendship, and even gave away his treasured pearl, the Dongzhu (Eastern Pearl), as a gift. Towards the renowned scholars like Tie Xuan, Fang Xiaoru, and Jing Qing, Zhu Di truly practiced the virtue of respecting the worthy, despite facing their refusals and ridicule, he showed remarkable patience and sincerity, wanting to show the scholars of the world his eagerness to seek talent. In this regard, he was successful; otherwise, after usurping the throne, he would not have had over a hundred former officials of the previous dynasty willingly serve him, including the exceptionally proud and talented Xie Jin. This historical novel, spanning over one million words, vividly portrays the Ming Dynasty emperor Zhu Di, a figure embodying both kindness and evil, great cunning and great strength, as well as greatness and nobility alongside. The novel breaks away from the conventional approach of strictly following historical events, appropriately reflecting the creative style of blending history with literature and literature with history.