The Afterglow of the Southern Ming Dynasty—looking Back at History from Today's Perspective

Many people know that the Ming Dynasty died in the 17th year of Chongzhen. In most history books, this period of history ends abruptly. Meishan hanged himself, the capital fell, the Eight Banners entered the Pass, and the world changed its hands. It seems as if the foundation of the Ming Dynasty for three hundred years has been wiped out in one fell swoop, with no remnant or follow-up. But real history is never so straightforward. After the fall of the capital, half of the rivers and mountains south of the Huaihe River still existed, and countless officials, soldiers, and people never surrendered, fled, or accepted their fate. From Hongguang and Longwu to Yongli, from the remnant army in the north of the Yangtze River to the righteous people in the south of the Yangtze River, from the disputes in the court to the deadly battles on the battlefield, the Ming Dynasty did not disappear immediately. It's just a different way of living hard. This is Nanming. For a long time, this period of history has always been brushed aside and ended in a hurry. In the minds of many people, it is chaotic, cowardly, and vulnerable, with only internal fighting, escapes, and survival. It is a gloomy, frustrating, and unworthy history. But when you open the historical materials and read them carefully, you will find that here is the most absurd court, the most complicated people's hearts, the most helpless monarchs and ministers, the most unyielding backbone, the most tragic perseverance, and the hottest passion for the country. There is no blessing from destiny, no foreshadowing for prosperity, and no miracle of comeback. There are only a group of ordinary people in a desperate situation, fighting with their last breath in the end of the dynasty to keep the last clothes and dignity of the Han family. History has never been just about the glory of the prosperous times. The struggles and perseverance in desperate situations are also worthy of being seen and remembered. I want to tell you this story about Nanming's past that has been ignored, underestimated and forgotten. Although the mountains and rivers are broken, the afterglow remains. The last strength of the Ming Dynasty is here.