The Ming Dynasty: A History of China

The Ming Dynasty: A History of China, PART THREE, takes you into a world where emperors, generals, rebels, and courtiers shaped the destiny of an empire. It begins with Nurhaci and his Seven Grievances, leading to the fateful Battle of Sarhu that shook the Ming. From there, the story unfolds through dramatic court cases like the Tingji Case and the Palace Mystery Case, where power struggles involved figures such as Wei Zhongxian and the reformist Donglin Party. On the military front, the dynasty saw both triumph and tragedy. Commanders like Yuan Chonghuan stood out in the Victory at Ningyuan and the Great Victory at Ning-Jin, only to face a wrongful execution that shocked the empire. The rise of Emperor Chongzhen brought hope, yet his reign ended in despair at Coal Hill, a moment that has haunted Chinese history ever since. Rebellion soon surged across the land, led by the charismatic Li Zicheng. His campaigns, including the Three Sieges of Kaifeng, pushed the dynasty to its breaking point. The clash at the Battle of Shanhai Pass further changed the balance of power, while the short reign of Zhu Yousong, the Hongguang Emperor highlighted the chaos of One Land, Two Emperors. Betrayals like Li Chengdong switching sides showed how fragile loyalties had become. Meanwhile, the struggle didn't end with the fall of Beijing. In the southwest, Sun Kewang and Li Zicheng's followersfought bitterly in the Sun–Li Civil War, while loyalists continued to dream of a Ming restoration. These chapters reveal how the empire's legacy lived on, even in its darkest days. The final act belongs to Zheng Chenggong, also known as Koxinga. His daring Northern Expedition and his determination to recapture Taiwan from the Dutch colonizers became lasting symbols of resilience and defiance. His story closes the book not with silence, but with the echo of a dynasty that refused to be forgotten.