The fifteen mysterious cases of Da Ming

Author: Feng Yurong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-11-01
Features: Yunqi is an internal messenger, residing near Xihuamen, very close to Hu's residence. Since he knew Hu Weiyong was plotting rebellion, why didn't he expose him earlier? Why did he only report it when it was already imminent? Moreover, if Hu Weiyong truly intended to rebel, it would have been done in secret. Even if he had climbed the city wall, he couldn't have seen a forest of weapons. Such a major case of rebellion—Hu Weiyong was imprisoned and executed the very same day. The speed of his execution was highly suspicious.
Mr. Lu Xun, in Remembrance of a Forgotten Friend, compared Ruoshi to Ninghai Fang Xiaorong of Taizhou, describing him as having a bit of the stubbornness typical of Taizhou people, as well as being somewhat rigid. Even today, Fang Xiaorong remains a topic of lament. A once-renowned scholar who had served the emperor and was called "eliminating him would mean the end of scholars in the world," yet he was cruelly executed along with his entire ten clans. What could have provoked Zhu Di to such fury that he insisted on exterminating his ten clans?
The magnificent Seven Voyages of Zheng He to the Western Oceans have left people with endless reflections. Why did Emperor Chengzu of Ming send Zheng He on seven voyages? How was such a large fleet able to undertake long-distance navigation? Why did this massive maritime activity and trade abruptly cease after Zheng He's death? Given that they already possessed such a powerful fleet, why were the navies of late Ming and the Qing dynasty so vulnerable to invaders?
The legendary "richest man in Jiangnan," Shen Wansan, was so wealthy that even Zhu Yuanzhang grew envious, leading to his downfall and the destruction of his family. Is this really the case? Why did the Shen family end up in such a dire situation? Was it truly because they were too wealthy?