Some say the history of the Southern Ming was a history of failure. But I think it was also a history of unyielding courage. Though the Southern Ming ultimately fell, the loyalty and courage of those who sacrificed themselves to defend Chinese culture and resist foreign rule will always be worthy of remembrance. They proved with their lives that even when a nation faces extinction and all hope seems lost, there will always be people who hold fast to their principles and would rather die than surrender. This spirit is the secret at the heart of five thousand years of Chinese civilization, and a precious legacy we still need to carry on today. Now, let’s step into the eighteen years of the Southern Ming and see what became of these people who had every chance to succeed, yet somehow went off course.
