Ming Dynasty: Volume 2

Author: Ming-Yuan Ming
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: Three hundred years of the Ming Dynasty's stories, starting from our main characters. I write slowly, and you read slowly. To be honest, I've written quite a bit, originally just for fun. But I never expected that after publishing, so many people would support it, and even millions of them. Thank you all! Ming Dynasty Chronicles primarily tells the story of events during the three hundred years from 1344 to 1644 about the Ming Dynasty, based on historical records, with the timeline and specific figures as the main threads, and incorporating elements of fiction. It provides a panoramic display of the fates of the Ming Dynasty's seventeen emperors, other nobles, and minor officials. It particularly focuses on court politics, wars, and the emperors' mind games, while also adding imaginative narratives about the political and economic systems, as well as human ethics and morality of the time. It's truly the culmination of my efforts.
I have a habit when writing—since I read too many scholarly books in my early years, I hate overly pretentious writing. In reality, history itself is fascinating, and all history can be written beautifully. I wrote Ming Dynasty Chronicles to prove this to others. Starting from our main characters, I need to write about three hundred years, and I hope I can finish it!
Volume 2 of Ming Dynasty Chronicles begins after the "War of the Princes" (Jingnan Campaign) that led to the seizure of power by the Yongle Emperor. It narrates the deeds of the renowned Yongle Emperor in Chinese history—marching north to subdue the Mongols five times, sending Zheng He on seven voyages to the Western Oceans, and suppressing Annam in the south, among other achievements. Later, the Yongle Emperor passed away on his way back from a northern campaign against the Mongols.
After the relatively prosperous "Rule of Ren and Xuan," the Ming Dynasty entered a period of turmoil. The eunuch Wang Zhen seized power and acted recklessly, leading to the loss of two hundred thousand elite troops. Fortunately, the famous loyal minister Yu Qian saved the Ming Empire during the "Mutiny at Tumu Fortress." However, he was later killed during the "Coup of the Gate" when two emperors fought for the throne.
This series of events and characters are incredibly thrilling, with one climax after another, leaving readers spellbound and unable to put it down.