This book is an interpretation of urban history, an interpretation of why China is China, and a search and interpretation of the entire Chinese national spirit. The six thousand years here are not only the six thousand years of the city, but also the six thousand years of China. Nanjing is a hub city in Chinese history, a hub city for the northern and southern cultural sectors of China, and a hub city for the intersection of mainland civilization and maritime civilization. It has continued, assumed, and explained China more than once. No other city has as many disasters, symbols, prophecies and hopes as Nanjing. It has participated in the entire historical process of China. At every critical intersection of the advancement of civilization, it has deeply thought about the future of China. Interpreting Nanjing means interpreting China. Understanding Nanjing means understanding the Chinese national spirit.
