This article explains the Case of the Stick Strike during the Wanli reign. A long succession dispute lingered between the emperor’s eldest son (Zhu Changluo) and favored son (Zhu Changxun). A man broke into the crown prince’s palace with a staff, arousing conspiracy suspicions. The emperor covered up the case to protect Noble Consort…
This article describes the Wanli Emperor’s greedy exploitation. To fund his luxury and mausoleum, he sent eunuchs as mining and tax commissioners, who extorted and oppressed people nationwide. Popular uprisings broke out. Though he pretended to stop the tyranny, he soon broke his promise, severely shaking the Ming Dynasty’s rule.
This article narrates Zhang Juzheng’s powerful regency and bold reforms under the Wanli Emperor. He enforced official assessments, carried out national land surveys, and launched the Single Whip Law to unify taxes. He also tamed the Yellow River. After his death, the resentful emperor reversed his legacy, confiscating his family’s property and ruining his…
This article tells how Zhang Juzheng rose to power in the Ming Dynasty. He ended decades of war by negotiating Han‑Mongol border trade using Altan Khan’s grandson as a diplomatic key. He also appointed top generals like Qi Jiguang to secure borders. Meanwhile, Hai Rui enforced land justice but was dismissed. The Longqing peace…
This article tells the Ming campaign against Wokou pirates. Official Zhu Wan was framed and died. Hu Zongxian tried diplomacy but failed. General Qi Jiguang recruited a brave army, created the Mandarin Duck Formation, and won key battles. With allies like Yu Dayou, they finally pacified China’s southeast coast.
This article introduces Wang Yangming, a great Ming philosopher and general. Exiled for opposing eunuch Liu Jin, he attained enlightenment at Longchang and founded the School of Mind (mind is principle, unity of knowledge and action). He suppressed the Ning Prince rebellion and inspired a new intellectual trend, marking a key turning point in…