Porcelain Bones and Smoky Clouds

Preface to The Rise and Fall of the Porcelain Capital

Throughout the long river of history, the surging tides of certain eras have shaped people’s destinies and forged legendary tales. The story told in this book takes place in just such a turbulent age.

During the Hongwu era, waves of migration swept across the land, and social upheaval came like a storm. Jingdezhen in Jiangxi, a city famed for its porcelain, was also drawn into the vortex of the times.

Li Ming, a young kiln worker, was one of countless ordinary people. But a mysterious piece of porcelain bone set him on a path full of twists and challenges. The strange patterns on it seemed to be a code from history, leading him to uncover a forgotten past.

From his initial curiosity and investigation of the porcelain bone to his discovery of the dark history hidden behind it, Li Ming faced countless inner struggles and choices. He wandered in the shadows of history, reflected on the passing down of culture, and held firm amid ethical dilemmas. Alongside him were others who shared his dreams and courage.

They faced not only oppression from the imperial court, but also trials of human nature. Yet it was precisely amid these many hardships that their convictions burned as fiercely as kiln fires, and their courage proved as resilient as porcelain.

This novel is a tribute to that era and a song of praise for those who fought on without surrendering in the face of adversity. May readers follow Li Ming’s footsteps into that sweeping history, feel the passion where kiln fires meet fervent hearts, and experience the shock of culture colliding with the soul.