Emperor Wanli ascended to power at the age of ten, and the young emperor worked hard to rule the country and joined forces with Zhang Juzheng to create the prosperous age of Wanli. After Zhang Juzheng's death, his house was confiscated and liquidated, setting off decades of party strife. He did not go to court for more than 20 years and was criticized by ministers for his "drinking, sex and wealth". He planned the "Three Major Campaigns of Wanli" and achieved brilliant results, but in his final years he was trapped by the Liaodong War. After reigning for forty-eight years, his life was divided into two distinct periods, black and white, and his soul was transformed as he grew up. What led to his depression, paranoia and revenge? What misfortune did his human weakness bring to his dynasty?
The ancient emperors controlled the destiny of the country and the people, so how could they not be controlled by their status as "a high place and a cold place"? Fan Shuzhi, a professor at Fudan University, truly reproduces Emperor Wanli and his dynasty from the perspective of ordinary humanity, with professional historical accomplishment and vivid literary narrative.
