Back in the Ming Dynasty as a Foolish Emperor

Without Confucianism, practical learning can never be promoted, and thought can never be liberated. As long as Confucius exists, any doctrine that could enhance national power will forever remain at the bottom of the hierarchy of contempt. No one will be willing to learn, so no change will ever occur.

Emperor Chongzhen at the end of the Ming Dynasty was incompetent. Wei Zhongxian was a backup plan left by Emperor Tianqi for Emperor Chongzhen, but Chongzhen just had him killed! The consequence was that officials were all from the Donglin Party, corruption was rampant, and Li Zicheng (the rebel leader) ordered 70 million taels of silver to be burned in Beijing!

The Donglin Party must die. What they did is unnecessary to know, and we don't want to know. All we need to know is that the Ming Dynasty perished under their guidance, and for that, they must die. Any explanations or attempts at redemption are useless.

With a country having 5 million people a year, instead of focusing on consolidating military power and reforming tax laws, you're thinking about liberating women? Using them to fight the Donglin Party? Laughable! Women are so easily liberated! Instead of focusing on practical solutions, you're smuggling in your own agenda—laughable!

This approach lacks any political wisdom or tact, relying solely on modern hindsight to examine historical issues. Even without the protagonist's halo, it doesn't fully grasp the complex web of interests within the court as portrayed by the literati. Those who truly controlled resources at the end of the Ming Dynasty could be divided into five circles.

This book can be divided into two parts: before the conquest of the Jurchens and after the conquest of the Jurchens. Before the battle against the Jurchens, the protagonist lacked sufficient power, so he had to do almost everything himself. This is why I found this part particularly well-written, especially the early struggles with powerful officials before leaving the palace.

Don't read this book, everyone! I read it yesterday and ended up reading half the night! I just woke up. This book is highly addictive! Once you start reading, you can't stop!!! Be careful!

Historical exposé, redefining our understanding. During the reign of Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty, the reforms and indemnities were short of funds! What to do? Someone petitioned to sell land: Tibet to Britain, Xinjiang and Qinghai to Russia. If money ran out later, they'd sell more! Who proposed this solution? Tan Sitong and Kang Youwei. These intellectuals never changed!

Zhu Youxiao himself worked as a carpenter in the palace, his real intention being to cultivate a group of officials while eliminating others, then live frugally off the wealth confiscated by Wei Zhongxian. However, Zhu Youjian couldn't manage this scheme. Wei Zhongxian was loyal to Zhu Youxiao, not Chongzhen. Therefore, after Zhu Youxiao's death, Zhu Youjian killed Wei Zhongxian within a few years, but having no suitable replacement, he was hanged from a crooked tree.

Is the author a girl? Wow, this political intrigue is impressive! The thinking is clear, and she's much more level-headed than some keyboard warriors. Amazing! If she can maintain this level of quality, another masterpiece with a different style is about to be born, following "The Last Ruthless Man of the Ming Dynasty" and "Saving the Ming Dynasty." I'm in awe!