The Hongmen was a mysterious folk organization rarely documented in official histories. Most accounts of it come from popular records and legends. After reading numerous unofficial histories, I found that many accounts conflict. For instance, some sources say the Hongmen originated in the Ming dynasty with Yin Hongsheng, also known as Hong Ying; others say it began with Zheng Chenggong in the early Qing dynasty, while still others date its origins to the Kangxi reign. After comparing these accounts, I combined the historical records with my own understanding to write this book. Many of the coded phrases, rituals, and oaths in it come from ancient texts. My education is limited, and I do not have a complete collection of historical sources, so I welcome any corrections from my readers.
