Novels like Late Ming: My Backyard
Books Chinese readers most often put in the same booklists as Late Ming: My Backyard, best match first.
- 1 Transporting Goods Between Two Worlds: From the Start, I Rescue the Ming Princess 两界搬运：开局救驾大明公主 Lin Feng stumbled upon a way to control a Ming princess through a mirror. From then on, he began transporting goods between the two worlds... 28Reads—Score—Shelves
- 2 The Villain's Second Life After Transmigrating 反派穿越之第二人生 [Modern world + another realm + traveling back and forth + protagonist without a System + long-running story] [Even if you’re a big shot in the modern world… you still have to keep your head down in another realm… the villain’s backers… the protagonist’s life] Develop Blue Star… establish a spiritual tradition… usher in a new era of cultivation for all Keep a low profile in another realm… stockpile supplies and bide your time before claiming the throne… rule the other realm… lead cultivators in —Reads—Score—Shelves
- 3 Dual Transmigration: Don’t Panic, My Lady, I Can Cure the Aphrodisiac 双穿：姑娘莫慌，我能解合欢散 [Dual-world transmigration + cross-era trading + urban cultivation + calculating male lead] Main story: Mu Chen accidentally transmigrates to the Warring States period, where he encounters a stunning woman under the effects of an aphrodisiac. With his remarkable skills, he helps her through her immediate predicament, only to discover that she is Qin Shi Huang’s biological mother... The first bronze chamber pot he brings back earns him a fortune. After that, he travels between the two worlds, tra 27Reads—Score—Shelves
- 4 Zhu Cilang: Restoring Great Ming to Its Former Glory 朱慈烺：再造大明巅峰 A modern young man finds himself transported into the body of Zhu Cilang, the Ming dynasty crown prince, in the late Ming. When Beijing falls to Li Zicheng, Zhu Cilang and a eunuch disguise themselves as beggars and escape the city, changing the course of history. In Linqing, Zhu Cilang catches Liu Zeqing off guard, kills him, and seizes command of his troops. He rallies the army, marches south, and ascends the throne, giving the Southern Ming court a legitimate claim to power. Using his knowled 12Reads6.7Score—Shelves
- 5 Traveling Between Two Worlds: I Have a Cultivation World 两界穿梭：我有一个修仙世界 A landscape painting bought on a whim from an antiques shop. Having read too many novels, Lu Yiming got the idea to drip a drop of his blood onto it and see what happened. He never expected that one little experiment would get him into trouble. When he opened his eyes again, he found himself hanging by a rope in a mass grave, a living bait meant to lure evil spirits... Only then did Lu Ming realize that he had arrived in another world... 9Reads6.8Score—Shelves
- 6 Between Two Worlds: Yanping, Don't Laugh, I've Got Dirt on You 两界穿梭：艳萍别笑，我有你黑料 [City life + reborn + ancient power struggles + travel between worlds] Jinlian’s medicine and Yanping’s smile are both deadly weapons! His wife cheated, and the child wasn’t even his. Then he was thrown out with nothing! Qin Shou died of rage! But he was reborn and bound to a two-world travel System. Now he can freely travel between two worlds. His life changes completely from that moment on. Trading goods between the worlds, he quickly grows rich. In the ancient world, getting a wife is as easy 14.7kReads8.5Score1.9kShelves
- 7 I Transmigrated to Another World and Married a Beautiful Bride 穿越异世娶到美娇娘 He accidentally got kissed by a car while walking, and his soul transmigrated to another world. From the start, he married a beautiful young woman. He only wanted to use modern knowledge to become the richest man in the county, but bandits shot him off a cliff, killing him. After dying in that other world, his soul returned to his modern body. That death triggered his transmigration between the modern and ancient worlds, and he went on to thrive in both. 18Reads6.3Score—Shelves
- 8 Transmigrating Between Two Worlds to Found a New Dynasty 两个世界来回穿越，创建新王朝 Travel back and forth between two worlds, taking territory by force wherever you go. Moutai costs 1,000 taels of silver per jin… Baijiu costs 100 taels per jin… There’s nothing we’re short of except people… 1.2kReads8.2Score106Shelves
- 9 Transmigrating Between Two Worlds: Starting with the Founding of Great Ming 两界穿越：从建立大明开始 A space connecting two worlds, a middleman between two worlds. Jiang Ming obtained an anchor point that could take him to another world: a gateway between spaces. His story, and his legend, begin here! After arriving in the ancient world, Jiang Ming discovered that there were actually numerous Japanese-controlled islands there, all serving Japan. Well then, you little busybodies who think you’re living the good life, get ready for a storm to descend… 74Reads6.7Score—Shelves
- 10 Between the Immortal and Mortal Worlds 游走仙凡两界 The protagonist, Ding Yi, is an ordinary modern-day food delivery driver. After a car accident, he accidentally discovers a spatial rift connecting the mortal and immortal realms. After transmigrating from the mortal realm to the Doushuai Palace of Taishang Laojun in the immortal realm, he starts out doing odd jobs for Taishang Laojun. Later, he becomes a disciple of many powerful immortals, including Taishang Laojun and Yuanshi Tianzun, and begins a fantastical journey between the two realms. D 16Reads8.1Score—Shelves
- 11 Two Losers in the Tang Dynasty: We Want It All 两屌丝来大唐：主打一个我都要 Two nobodies accidentally transmigrate to the third year of the Kaiyuan era in the Great Tang, launching a cross-border trade operation between the Tang and 2024. After breaking modern laws, they become wanted nationwide and end up living in the Tang. Only children have to choose. Adults go for everything. Wealth: Open restaurants, distilleries, nightclubs, and banks; put on shows, make crude firearms, and introduce new seeds. Beautiful women: From Yang Yuhuan to girls who have fallen on hard ti 2Reads—Score—Shelves
- 12 The Ming Dynasty's Tusi King 大明土司王 [Native Chieftains] + [No System] + [Native and Appointed Officials] [Solving Cases] + [Farming] In the fifth year of Zhengtong, Qin Zhongkai received his appointment from Heaven and took office as a judicial commissioner, adjudicating cases and upholding the law. In Yunnan Provincial Administration Commission, the native chieftains ruled like local emperors. As an appointed official, Qin Zhongkai had neither power nor influence and was constantly bullied by the powerful local officials. His fat 5Reads—Score—Shelves
- 13 Two Worlds: I Cultivate Immortality in the Wasteland and Become Invincible 两界：我在废土修仙无敌 [Transporting Goods Between Two Worlds + Sci-Fi Apocalypse + Blue Star Hegemon + Base Building + Invincible] A meteorite brought back from Pluto awakened supernatural powers on Tianqi. Professor Chu Xingyu called it the key to becoming a ‘god,’ but it also became the spark that ignited a war, reducing technologically advanced Tianqi to a wasteland. Was the end of civilization really extinction? Could the unexpected arrival of a dying young man bring a new turning point…? … Xu Dongyang didn’t kno 92Reads6.3Score—Shelves
- 14 Transmigrated, I Rule Both Worlds 穿越，我两界通杀 Yang Tianbai, a low-level office worker, is constantly harassed by his boss. He angrily quits, then, by a stroke of luck, is chosen by a Transmigration Administrator and gains a Gate of Transmigration. He can travel both ways between the modern and ancient worlds, with no restrictions. He can go wherever he wants, as free as the wind. Bring back valuable antiques from the ancient world, make a fortune, and become a tycoon. Take modern weapons to the past, build an army, and conquer the four corn 785Reads8.7Score—Shelves
- 15 Time-Space Peddler: Rising to Fame by Supporting Bright Sword 时空商贩：从支援亮剑崛起 He Cong was an ordinary construction worker who hauled bricks for a living. On his way home, he was accidentally struck on the head by an unidentified object falling from the sky. When he woke up, he discovered a golden finger in his brain called the Space-Time Merchant. Fat Tiger, the Space-Time Merchant’s instructor, assigned him his first main quest: the ability to travel back and forth to a parallel world of Drawing Sword... 3Reads8.4Score—Shelves
- 16 Transmigrating Between Two Worlds: Is Buying Planes and Tanks Really Too Much? 两界穿越，买飞机坦克不过分吧？ Traveling back and forth between two worlds, he starts out miles ahead by trading all kinds of goods. In the past: Planes fly overhead, tanks roll across the ground. He goes abroad to buy all kinds of weapons... Through a series of reforms, he builds a modern world. Japan refuses to submit? Want to try out a Little Boy? In the modern world: He becomes the richest man on Earth, then partners with the country to trade for minerals, oil, and more... leading China to become the world’s number one. 516Reads6.3Score—Shelves
- 17 History: A Ruthless Man Who Transmigrated Between Two Worlds 历史：穿越两界的狠人 Lu Jin is an orphan living in modern society. By chance, an accident activates the transmigration function of his jade pendant and takes him to another world. The course of history and geographical layout of this world turn out to be roughly the same as Earth's. Using the jade pendant to travel back and forth between the worlds, along with his modern knowledge, Lu Jin becomes a powerful force in just a few years. He rises to prominence across both worlds. With a chaotic age on the horizon and a 253Reads6.7Score—Shelves
- 18 Dual Transmigration: Hardships in the Cultivation Realm, the Good Life in the City 双穿：修仙界吃苦，都市享受人生 Li Haocheng unexpectedly obtains a mysterious pocket dimension and gains the ability to travel between two worlds: a cultivation world and a modern city. Inside the dimension grows a marvelous little tree. It can devour anything, then bear a fruit corresponding to whatever it has consumed. White soul fruits, blue spiritual power fruits, red vitality fruits, green spiritual plant fruits, purple talent fruits... Each kind of fruit grants Li Haocheng a different ability! With the pocket dimension a 111Reads7.0Score—Shelves
- 19 A Great Upheaval in the Ming Dynasty 明朝大换血 With a sword in hand, he can cover the world with clouds and turn the tides with a wave of his hand. The protagonist conquers the Tsar in the north, defeats Fusang in the east, takes the lands of the barbarians in the west, and sweeps through the islands in the south. Then he ventures into space and defeats the aliens, before pursuing the Heavenly Way and accomplishing an unprecedented feat. 1Reads—Score—Shelves
- 20 Across Past and Present 纵古横今 A master of ancient martial arts transmigrates to the modern age and joins a mercenary force, embarking on a path to supremacy across the four seas. You ask why he can do it? He is learned in the past and present, and unrivaled in martial arts in this age. —Reads7.7Score—Shelves
- 21 Great Ming: My Grandfather Is the Yongle Emperor 大明，我祖父是永乐大帝 After transmigrating to the Ming dynasty, Zhu Zhanqi discovers that his grandfather is Zhu Di and his own father is planning a rebellion! How can that be? Dad, let's not rebel. I'll help you develop Ming technology instead! Before he knows it, Zhu Zhanqi looks back and discovers that the whole world is already at his feet. 32Reads—Score—Shelves
- 22 Bringing an Arsenal to the Ming Dynasty 带着军火库到大明 Qin Mu transmigrates! Watch Qin Mu crush the bandits, execute corrupt officials, drive out the Japanese pirates, restore the realm, and revive the might of Huaxia! After all, I’ve got an incredible cheat on my side! 31Reads8.5Score—Shelves
- 23 The Little Boss Who Transmigrates Between Two Worlds 穿越两界的小老板 [Free Travel Between Worlds + No Female Lead + Farming + Cultivation for All] Xiao Yao, the young owner of an inn, obtains a ring that lets him travel freely between the real world and the cultivation realm. “What? These spicy strips can actually improve my fire-element cultivation?” “Oh my god, this lollipop is a powerful tonic?” When Xiao Yao brings things from the real world into the cultivation realm, the entire world goes wild. 214Reads8.4Score—Shelves
- 24 In Debt from the Start, I Transmigrate and Make a Fortune 开局欠债，穿越发财 Dual transmigration + cultivation + urban setting + System + an intelligent villain Zhang Lei loses his job, his girlfriend leaves him, and he is buried in debt while trying to pay for his mother's medical treatment. In despair, he gets lucky and obtains a System that lets him travel between the modern world and a cultivation world. He starts trading goods between the two, amassing wealth and growing stronger. Along the way, he is accompanied by all kinds of beautiful women: a white-robed immort 264Reads7.4Score100Shelves
- 25 Time-Space Trader: From the Start, I Made a Fortune of Three Hundred Million 时空倒爷：开局血赚三个小目标 Jiang Hao, an ordinary man, gets his hands on a future trading platform. Things that are worthless in the present can fetch a fortune when sold to people in the future! And things that are worthless in the future can turn the worlds of physics and technology upside down when brought to the present! Traveling between the present and the future, Jiang Hao becomes a time-traveling middleman! His first goal from the start: con Old Man Bart out of three hundred million US dollars! 457Reads6.7Score—Shelves
- 26 My Ring Connects to the Northern Song Dynasty 我的戒指通北宋 With a bronze thumb ring that lets him travel freely to the late Northern Song dynasty, Xu Ping becomes a time-traveling merchant between two eras. A great commercial empire rises from his efforts. A powerful Song dynasty takes shape as well. Along the way, he also brings a succession of famous figures from the Northern Song to the modern age. Emperor Huizong of Song, Zhao Ji: My dear minister, what's so difficult about becoming a wealthy man in this era? I'll invest ten million strings of cash 47Reads6.9Score—Shelves
- 27 Reincarnated as a Cat 轮回喵生 Xiao Miao is a tabby cat. In the underworld, she went through reincarnation ninety-nine times and endured every kind of suffering, all to find that familiar figure. A cat has nine lives to trade for reincarnation, and a hundred lifetimes of longing for one person. Carrying gifts from the great powers of the underworld, Xiao Miao is reborn as a human. Make some money, cultivate immortality, transmigrate to another world. “Wenwen, once we’ve had our fill of the mortal world, let’s go claim a piece —Reads—Score—Shelves
- 28 I Have a World of My Own 我有一个古代世界 Lu Ping'an was down on his luck and sick of city life, so he returned to his hometown to farm and live in seclusion. Unexpectedly, an opportunity came his way: he obtained a bronze gate that could take him to a backward ancient world. After entering and taking a look around, he was delighted to discover that everything he brought over from the modern world was a treasure. Then Lu Ping'an loudly declared, “Starting today, this ancient world is mine!” 387Reads7.2Score—Shelves
- 29 What the Heck? You Call This a Golden Age? 啥玩意，这也叫盛世？ What the heck? Transmigration is real?! A group of crazies, each with their own dreams, organizes an adventure across time and space. A flap of a butterfly's wings sends history into turmoil! Faced with magnificent landscapes and sweeping events, how will the time travelers forge an age of prosperity of their own? (This book is created through a collaborative tabletop role-playing format and dramatizes real historical sources. I welcome feedback from all you knowledgeable readers.) —Reads7.2Score—Shelves
- 30 Dual Transmigration: Inheriting Everything from the Start 双穿：开局继承一切 Formerly titled: [Ming Dynasty: From the Start, I Was Given Five Sisters-in-Law] [From the start + two worlds + transmigration + lots of beautiful women + spatial storage + System + modern weapons + a city] [An extremely energy-hungry bracelet System + what could the method of gathering energy be?] [Inheriting a city + building up strength early on + invincible in the later stages] [More Children, More Blessings] Zhou Yi, a programmer on Blue Star, accidentally encounters an alien spacecraft and 1.5kReads8.4Score126Shelves
- 31 Traveling Between Two Worlds: Trading My Way to the Top 两界穿越：从交易开始遥遥领先 [Travel Between Two Worlds]+ [Lighthearted]+ [Fictional Historical Setting] Qin Tian transmigrated to an ancient world and started making a fortune by trading all kinds of resources. Beautiful women threw themselves into his arms one after another, but he wouldn't give in. He was just playing around... He never wanted to conquer the world, but there was always some troublemaker causing problems. They forced him to buy guns and artillery in the modern world and go back to crush his enemies. Then 316Reads6.6Score—Shelves
- 32 From Beast of Burden to Immortal Between Two Worlds 两界之牛马成仙 [Travel between two worlds] [Urban life gets a boost, fantasy cultivation] [Multiple heroines] [A slow-burn, fun read] [An overpowered protagonist] Yang Xiaotian: I have cancer, then transmigrate in a single day and can travel between two worlds. Watch me give the modern world a boost and dominate the myriad realms of fantasy! No more being a wage slave! Female disciple: Master, you haven't taught me in ages! Saintess: Fellow Daoist, would you like to venture out and gain experience wit 163Reads5.8Score—Shelves
- 33 A Pocket Dimension Connected to the Late Ming 随身空间连明末 After unexpectedly activating the Xuanyuan Ring, he gains a space containing a spirit spring, cultivation techniques, and even a magical teleportation array. He had planned to grow crops with the spirit spring and make a fortune, but unexpectedly became entangled in the final years of the Ming dynasty. In the end, he sets out to save the people, fight for dominion over the realm, and make a fortune along the way... 1.1kReads8.1Score122Shelves
- 34 My Life in the Three Realms 我的三界生活 I can travel back and forth between three Earths. In the ancient martial arts world, other people's young ladies are my maids. In the post-apocalyptic world, I can do whatever I want with a bucket of instant noodles. In the modern world, want some guns? Missiles or fighter jets, what'll it be? Just an AK? Are you messing with me? Believe me, I'll send a hundred missiles to your rooftop. 329Reads7.1Score100Shelves
- 35 I Have a World 我有一个世界 Qin Feng goes home for a blind date, only to be rejected by the woman for having no car, no house, and no job: a complete loser! After his parents are humiliated, Qin Feng swears he will never be poor again. He is going to fight back! But life is full of surprises. A stroke of misfortune turns into a blessing, and Qin Feng unexpectedly gains “a world” at just this moment. 1.2kReads8.1Score114Shelves
- 36 Traveling Between Two Worlds: He Just Wants to Be a Landowner 穿梭两界：他只想当个庄园主 Travel between two worlds, with a million troops at your command! No starting a company, no showing off, no stirring up trouble or fighting for supremacy! Zhu Hongyang just wants a peaceful life. He can practice martial arts and grow flowers. Isn't it better to live a few years longer? Planting cabbages on an estate on Earth and spreading Chinese culture across the Saint Heaven Continent: life couldn't be more pleasant! What, you want to take back my estate? Come on, let's talk this out and see 1.4kReads6.0Score127Shelves
- 37 Ming Dynasty, 1644: I Come from the Future 大明1644，我来自未来 Qin Yu obtains a Gate of Time and Space and arrives on the darkest day in the history of the Ming dynasty, in 1644. In 1644, Qin Yu witnesses Chongzhen hang himself on Coal Hill. In 1644, Wu Sangui lets the northern invaders through the pass, the rebel army is defeated at Shanhai Pass, and Qin Yu arrives in the Ming dynasty. In 1644, the Ming royal family squabbles over power, with no intention of reclaiming lost territory. Qin Yu gathers refugees and builds up his strength. Armed with modern we 884Reads8.3Score—Shelves
- 38 The Crown Prince Awakens 天子启明 Struck by lightning while camping, he transmigrates into the body of the Carpenter Emperor! He thought he’d be waking up with beauties in his arms and ruling the realm by day, but he’s exposed from the start! A tiny twist sets off a butterfly effect. What should Zhu Ziming do now? Should he sweep across the land and unite the realm, or do some woodworking and die by drowning? Life is hard, and being a transmigrator is even harder! 295Reads6.1Score—Shelves
- 39 Transporting Goods Between Two Worlds: Trading Ham for Antiques from the Start 两界搬运：开局火腿换古董 One sausage in exchange for a princess’s imperial underwear! One spicy snack in exchange for a national treasure of a porcelain vase! Qin Ming, an overworked office drone, accidentally obtains a Two-World Travel System that lets him freely travel between the Ming Dynasty and the modern world. A crafty middleman, he begins hauling goods back and forth, showing off in both worlds! 272Reads6.9Score108Shelves
- 40 Great Ming: My Brother Is Zhu Houzhao 大明之我哥是朱厚照 If Zhu Houwei, the second son of Emperor Xiaozong of Ming, had not died, would Emperor Xiaozong still have favored Zhu Youjiao above all others when choosing an heir? For the sake of the Ming dynasty’s eternal prosperity, Zhu Houwei decides to take the throne himself and become the Zhengde Emperor. Because of Zhu Houwei, Ming history takes a completely different path. 6Reads—Score—Shelves
- 41 My Villa Became a Myriad Worlds Exchange Center 我家别墅成了万界交流中心 This is my first book. Some parts might feel a little disjointed early on, so please bear with me and keep reading. I read everyone’s comments every day and collect useful information and feedback. There may not be many little side stories early on, as the focus is on laying the groundwork. If you have any good suggestions, feel free to discuss them with me so we can grow together. I won’t tolerate haters. If you deliberately bash my work, I can be even nastier than you. If you have a valid poin 68Reads5.8Score—Shelves
- 42 The Most Authentic Ming Dynasty Imperial Exams 明朝最真实科举 A novel with one female lead, no System, no storage space, and no special powers. A grounded story with consistent logic and intelligent characters, set in the Ming dynasty and following a path from the imperial exams to officialdom. Discover a different Great Ming! A blue steed prances up the palace steps, beneath the imperial standards and the raised cup of a long life. Sun and moon shine upon the jade trees, while clouds and rosy hues reflect in the Jasper Pool. Double pennants descend early 59Reads8.5Score—Shelves
- 43 Dual Transmigration: Rising to Power with the Fortune-Bestowing Furnace 双穿：从获得造化炉开始崛起 [Dual transmigration + cultivation + item synthesis + pocket dimension + slow burn] After breaking up with his girlfriend, Xu Xiaofan returned to his hometown, downcast and lonely. By a stroke of luck, he unexpectedly obtained a wondrous and extraordinary Creation Furnace. The Creation Furnace had the miraculous power to rewrite the rules of all things, even turning ordinary objects into spiritual treasures. Xu Xiaofan put its power to use: He synthesized purified water into spiritual water. He 20Reads—Score—Shelves
- 44 The Mad Arms King 疯狂军火王 Ding Junhu vanishes without a trace, only to discover that he has entered a strange world: Floating Cloud Town, located at the junction of the Han, Chu, and Wu kingdoms? 20Reads8.6Score—Shelves
- 45 Is It Really That Fun to Transmigrate Through Time? 穿越时空真的那么好玩吗？ This is a transmigration unlike any other, caused by a disturbance in the space-time continuum. The male protagonist unconsciously travels through time, and can even go back and forth. Thinking he has found an endless treasure trove, he dreams of becoming a time-traveling merchant and striking it rich, imagining a life as a billionaire with a hundred mistresses. But he never expects to find traces of his own life in this timeline... Not only does he have a home here, he also has a biological son 69Reads—Score—Shelves
- 46 A Guide to Transmigrating into the Apocalypse 末世穿越指南 (A two-way transmigration story between the modern city and a wasteland, no System, plot-focused, power fantasy, one man against the world in the city) Chen Yan, twenty-four years old. Sex: male. Interest: women. A standard office drone. He should have spent his whole life quietly and obediently as a green onion, ripe for anyone to chop up. Instead, he gained the ability to travel freely between the present-day real world and a future wasteland apocalypse. Before he could travel freely between t 5kReads8.1Score351Shelves
- 47 Back to Ancient Times to Play with Machines 回到古代玩机械 The same old transmigration, but with a different kind of brilliance. An accident sends a worker back to ancient times. Refusing to give up, he applies his knowledge and the advanced experience of a later society to help his country grow strong, while making his own fortune along the way. This is a rational transmigration novel that succeeds through its plot. Machinery ties the whole story together, with episodes involving food, wuxia, business battles, reform, war, and the imperial family. It a 261Reads8.1Score—Shelves
- 48 My Old Family Home Connects to Another World: Farming My Way to Wealth 老宅通异界：我靠种田发家致富 [Old Mansion + Comedy + Cunning Schemer + Tech-Driven Farming + Trading Between Two Worlds + Girl Group] “Spirit herbs take too long to mature?” Song Fei had compound fertilizer! How about checking out modern greenhouse technology? “Alchemists are hard to train?” Song Fei invented tech-assisted alchemy! How about a temperature-controlled furnace? “Formation arrays are too difficult to draw?” Laser engraving technology lets you copy and paste. How's that? Thanks to Song Fei, the other world now h 97Reads7.1Score—Shelves
- 49 Three Kingdoms: The Eastern Han's Greatest Arms Dealer 三国：东汉最强军火商 Dong Ling transmigrates into the late Han Dynasty and binds himself to the strongest battle royale System. From the start, he sweeps the Yellow Turbans aside with a light machine gun and dominates the battlefield. With a tank at his side, he captures Zhang Liang, the Yellow Turbans’ General of the People, alive in the midst of an eighty-thousand-strong army. M4s, AKs, and heavy-duty guns are standard issue for Dong Ling’s troops. But this is only the beginning of the story... 155Reads7.2Score—Shelves
- 50 Zhengde's Empire Where the Sun Never Sets 正德日不落 Some say that Emperor Zhengde was fascinated by ingenious silverwork and eccentric gadgets, dabbled in unorthodox pursuits, and showed no respect for Confucius and Mencius. But they fail to see how the steam engine propelled the Ming forward, setting it on the path to capitalism and industrialization. Some say that Emperor Zhengde relied on corrupt officials, established tax offices, and used force to collect taxes, while the people suffered under a crushing burden of levies. But they fail to se 218Reads7.6Score—Shelves
