The History of the Ming Dynasty Is Too Painful to Read

The Ming dynasty was an era of immense allure and burgeoning desire. It was not only the emperors who were like this; their ministers were, too. Li Shanchang appeared mild-mannered but treated people harshly, driven by a desire to build a faction. Zhu Gaoxu relied on his military achievements to indulge his arrogance, acting brutally and unlawfully in pursuit of the throne. Wang Zhen excelled at reading people’s intentions, driven by vanity. Liu Jin deceived those above him and concealed the truth from those below, driven by a desire for control. Yan Song and Zhang Juzheng were deeply corrupt, driven by a lust for power. Wei Zhongxian changed sides with the wind, driven by perverse desires. Li Zicheng was brave and resourceful, driven by cruelty. Wu Sangui was the finest warrior in the land, driven by personal attachments. There were ministers who wielded power over their age and favorites who lorded it over all; among them were upright gentlemen as well as petty villains. There were loyal ministers who died remonstrating, and eunuchs who ran amok... It was this obsessive family that lifted the many veils concealing nearly three centuries of the Ming dynasty, leaving later generations with a dynasty that remains unfathomable and endlessly fascinating.