The Great Ming in 1860

This book has so many flaws. If it weren't for the popularity built up by the previous book, I estimate it would be even less popular. Given that the Ming Dynasty wasn't closed off from the world, and with so many vassal states in contact with the West, I don't believe that none of the envoys stationed in Europe reached the center of power in 200 years.

Unfortunately, my prediction came true! The protagonist of the previous book did not carry out much political or industrial reform; he merely patched up the existing feudal system, which was essentially still a feudal autocratic dynasty. The extent of his reforms was even less than that of Peter the Great of Tsarist Russia.

It seems that what people hate is not the colonizers, but rather that they themselves are not colonizers.

No matter how weak the Ming Dynasty was, it could still mobilize millions of troops. You could say it was a larger version of Tsarist Russia. However, starting in the mid-Qing Dynasty, the Eight Banners system was abolished, replaced by the Shaanxi-Gansu Green Standard Army, a conscription system.

Many people talk about the foundation laid by the previous book, which I find hilarious! Two hundred years have passed; what immortal empire has there been? At present, the Ming Dynasty is at best a country like the Ottoman Empire or Tsarist Russia. It is essentially still an agricultural country. Just because it has railways does not mean that it can call itself an industrial country.

The Ming Dynasty was weakened too much; even without considering the British Empire, it was still stronger than Britain.

The protagonist of the previous book laid out so many plans; I can't imagine how later emperors and ministers, dozens of times less capable than those of the late Qing Dynasty, could have managed to achieve such a feat. Even Britain, which colonized the globe, was worn down by two world wars, and the fundamental reason for its decline was national awakening and independence, plus Britain was just…

Those who can create graphics can do it themselves.

The protagonist lacks personal courage and becomes complacent after becoming emperor. The book is set in the industrial age, yet the protagonist doesn't reap the benefits from powerful groups every few years before giving back to the common people (through large-scale infrastructure projects). Otherwise, how can the protagonist save the Ming Dynasty? It feels very awkward to read now. The protagonist has some concern for the people, but not much. There's a reason why this book isn't doing well.

I'm so curious, how could the Anglo-Saxons have developed when there were time travelers in the Ming Dynasty? 😨 That shouldn't be the case.