The Wanli Era

The three centuries of the Ming dynasty were a pivotal period in which China and the West rose and fell in turn, passing each other as they surged forward or fell behind. The Wanli Emperor, Zhu Yijun, ruled for forty-eight years, accounting for one-sixth of the Ming dynasty’s history and marking one of its most striking turning points. Drawing on authoritative historical sources, this book recounts the turbulent history of the Wanli era in lively prose, recreating a singular age of bloodshed and silver.

Centered on the era’s leading figures and events, the book vividly traces the rise and fall of the Wanli dynasty. It is divided into four parts. The first covers the historical background before the Wanli Emperor’s accession, including the late Jiajing and Longqing periods. The second follows the emperor’s growth and his relationships with Zhang Juzheng, Feng Bao, and other officials. The third recounts the Wanli era’s major wars and court conflicts, including the Ming-Burma War, the Ningxia campaign, the Bozhou campaign, and the war in Korea, while also portraying the era’s civil officials and military commanders. The fourth focuses on the later Wanli period, vividly depicting the internal turmoil and external threats of its final years.

History offers a mirror in which to see the rise and fall of nations. The Wanli era saw ten years of glory, ten years of legacy, ten years of mediocrity, and ten years of decay. It left behind one last brilliant chapter of Central Plains civilization before the Manchu forces destroyed it. By the time the Wanli Emperor died, the last Han Chinese feudal dynasty on Chinese soil was already fading into a dim twilight, its final days drawing near.