The Ming Dynasty: Part Two (2021 Revised Edition)

The second volume of Those Things in the Ming Dynasty mainly recounts the 26 years of history from the Jianwen Emperor's reign through the Yongle era. Before Zhu Yuanzhang died, he peacefully passed the throne to his grandson, Zhu Yunwen. But beneath the seemingly orderly succession, subtle forces of instability were gathering in the Ming empire. Nine frontier princes commanded powerful armies, and the young, frail Zhu Yunwen felt constantly threatened. He began to strip the princes of their power, prompting the Prince of Yan, Zhu Di, to rebel and ignite the four-year Jingnan Campaign. Zhu Yunwen had every advantage of timing, terrain, and popular support. How was he driven to the brink of ruin, losing both his fortune and his empire? From stubbornly resisting while bearing the stigma of a traitor, to sweeping through the land and leading his army into the capital, Zhu Di weathered crisis after crisis and miraculously escaped death many times. Was it truly all predestined by some unseen force? Fang Xiaoru, Tie Xuan, Daoyan... Loyal ministers and able generals each showed their mettle, while strategists made their moves with bold confidence. The effects of this war lingered long after it ended. The former Jianwen Emperor's officials were hunted down and killed, while Zhu Yunwen's fate remained unknown, becoming an enduring mystery. Whatever the truth, Zhu Di began his reign as emperor, forging a prosperous dynasty and a great nation that all would look up to: the Ming!