The Stormy Song Dynasty

The textile industry is very particular. Goat hair is not suitable for weaving into fine cloth; it can only be used for tents and felt. The first thing the wool textile industry needs to solve is the breed of sheep. Only sheep that produce wool can be used. There is only one breed of sheep in the world that is suitable for wool textiles: the Spanish Merino sheep.

Today I read a book called "A History of Factionalism in China," which mentioned the North-South factional struggle during the Northern Song Dynasty. I don't know if this new perspective on factional struggles is tenable, but some of the information mentioned in it was certainly eye-opening.

An Da, I think that after the unsuccessful end of your book "A Lifetime of Wealth and Prosperity," you will definitely be able to write a great book about the Song Dynasty.

Let's start with a short story. In the early years of the Xining era, Sima Guang made suggestions on the management of the Yellow River. Emperor Shenzong thought it was good and planned to appoint Sima Guang to take charge of the Yellow River management.

I couldn't continue watching after watching the beginning. The author is unaware of the privileges of the ancient literati class. The Song dynasty believed that the rule of the country was shared by scholar-officials, but it was only a few officials in the imperial court. Are you kidding me? Even if a scholar falls on hard times, how many restaurant owners would dare to bully him? They're the lowest in status.

I feel that this book progresses the steam engine technology too quickly. While early low-pressure steam engines were adequate for driving vehicles and ships, their use in trains was somewhat exaggerated. Given Du Jinglue's understanding of technology in the book, it was impossible for him to have developed a practical medium-pressure steam engine within a decade or so.

After reading a dozen chapters, no wonder the author's book isn't on the bestseller list. Buying cheap wine and then worrying others won't have food, so they go out to give alms? They can't even take care of themselves. Where did this saintly figure come from? Judging by your conscience, do you seek peace of mind in every business you do? This kind of thinking might be acceptable in modern times, but in ancient times, it could easily be accused of inciting unrest and plotting something sinister.

Have you noticed that there's a bunch of fake historical researchers lurking around Qidian? They use historical phenomena from the Ming and Qing dynasties to forcibly interpret the entire history of ancient China, and they also use gossip materials from the street with unknown sources to make irrelevant arguments?

I think the reason this book is slow is that the author wanted to make it realistic. Boss Du has no connections and is too young. He wants to carry out sweeping reforms but lacks the capital. He doesn't want to rebel and isn't an emperor. He waits until he's too old to be a powerful minister, then he thinks about developing the economy and climbing the ranks in the officialdom.

This book is written like a history textbook; the plot is completely flat, even flatter than my great-uncle's electrocardiogram.