The Zhengde Era: Turmoil (Complete in Two Volumes)

This historical novel was written by Wei Qingyuan, a professor at Renmin University of China, over ten years of tireless work. Focusing on the outrageous Ming emperor Zhu Houzhao, the novel follows the course of historical events and enriches them with carefully crafted literary detail, vividly portraying the many figures surrounding the Zhengde Emperor. In writing the book, the author consulted official Ming documents and archives as well as private collections of poetry and prose, offering both close analysis and a broad perspective on political affairs and historical figures. Nearly a hundred characters appear in the book, each portrayed with distinctive traits in a lively, engaging style. It is both a scholarly work and a true historical novel.