Why did the Ming emperors die so quickly? The Tumu Crisis seems suspicious too. Could there have been some kind of conspiracy? I’d love to hear Ming dynasty conspiracy theories. There are so many suspicious plots involving the Ming dynasty!
The author's explanations of institutions and systems are as clear and engaging as Sima Qian's writings in the *Book of Rites* and *Book of Music*. When discussing the evolution of the imperial examination system, the changes in taxation, and the replacement of military systems, he always uses the fates of one or two specific individuals to reveal the full picture of the system, allowing readers to unconsciously grasp the complex historical logic. This skill in presenting profound yet accessible information is the most successful modern application of Sima Qian's concept of "understanding the changes of the past and present."
