The Truth About History: A Four-Volume Series

Who Brought Down the Ming Dynasty? is a historical study that explores in depth the reasons for the dynasty’s fall. Beginning with the fiscal and military crises of the late Ming, the author uses extensive analysis of historical sources and logical reasoning to examine the deeper causes of its collapse. The book challenges conventional historical assumptions and takes a fresh look at Ming history, including the myth surrounding the Chongzhen Emperor’s private treasury, the exaggeration of corruption, and the truth about excessive taxation.

At the heart of the book is its argument that China’s ancient political institutions had developed ahead of their time, while the bourgeoisie gained control of the government too early. These problems prevented the state from turning a developed social economy into national strength, ultimately leading to the Ming dynasty’s tragic end. By revisiting historical facts and conducting an in-depth theoretical analysis, the author challenges the idea that Chinese history stagnated and reveals the richness and complexity of China’s past.

The book also examines three common modern academic attitudes toward Confucian thought. It criticizes the outright rejection of Confucianism, its partial endorsement, and attempts to force it into the framework of Western neoliberalism, arguing that all three reflect an intellectual inferiority complex in China that has persisted since the modern era.

In addition, using the Forbidden City as its backdrop, the book takes readers on a journey through time to explore the splendor and vicissitudes of Chinese civilization as witnessed by the palace from 1420 to 1925. Across seven chapters, the author examines such questions as whether ancient China truly favored agriculture over commerce; Max Weber’s views on the origins of capitalism; traditional Chinese explanations of the economic base; the validity of the concept of feudal society and its application to the nature of ancient Chinese society; and the signs of emerging capitalism during the Song and Ming dynasties.