I. Emperor Wanli
The first chapter introduces the Emperor Wanli, who was controlled by others and could not make his own decisions. Everyone thinks that Emperor Wanli is incompetent, but he is also worthy of sympathy. Although he was the son of heaven, everything was suppressed by others, and ministers were tit for tat on the issue of establishing a reserve army, which eventually forced him to compromise. In desperation, he rebelled against officials with silence and began a 32-year general strike.
So China's national strength is declining, which makes people feel very sad. Due to the immutability of the Constitution, a young emperor did not give full play to his creative ability in political life, and his personality could not be brought into play. But was introduced into this utopia with a grain of salt and acted as a living ancestor. Hundreds of years later, he still embodies the cruelty of fate with his strongest impression on people.
Second, Shen Shixing's record.
The second chapter introduces Shen Shixing, an official who is well versed in tactics. I accepted Zhang's lesson and decided to be a peace envoy. Unless all civil servants are dismissed and replaced by different organizations and different principles. For the record, he can only cooperate with civil servants. He also stopped Zhang's examination method. Although modest and restrained, Shen Shixing skillfully used Pan Jixun to control the river.
Pan Jixun has made outstanding achievements in harnessing the Yellow River. He established a cordial trust relationship with Wanli with a gentle attitude, and used this relationship to make the emperor's actions close to the expectations of civilian groups.
Third, there is no such person as Zhang.
The third chapter introduces Zhang, an outstanding reformer. Zhang was an outstanding politician in ancient times. Under his rule, in the early years of Wanli, Pepsi turned to the Soviet Union and flourished. Zhang wants to change the status quo, but the foundation is too deep to shake. Harry was incorruptible as an official and incompatible with the system, which eventually led to a tragic fate.
At that time, China was a system maintained by morality, but this kind of morality could only be achieved by saints, and most people were not saints. Therefore, when the gap between morality and reality is too large, people choose to give up morality and become "two-faced", and begin to understand one thing and carry another.
Fourth, the living ancestors.
Emperor Wanli and Zheng Guifei loved each other because of their common interest in reading. Emperor Wanli wanted to abolish the long and establish the young and establish the son of Zheng Fei. But the civil service group does not allow it. So he slacked off his work and ignored state affairs for 20 years. He won't fill the vacancy in the senior position. In the later period of his rule, the departure of a civil servant meant the abolition of a famous position, because no one would fill the vacancy.
But the system is still in operation, and the emperor's resignation did not paralyze the government. Civil servant groups have formed their own automatic control procedures for many years. Dispatch and promotion are carried out by drawing lots. The delay in the dispute over the successor's responsibility also divided the courtiers into several factions, and the war of words and pen continued. The 48-year rule of Emperor Wanli caused the civil servants to lose control.
Because the constitution can't be changed, a young emperor can't give full play to his creativity and personality in political life and life. Became a "living ancestor."
Five, Harry-eccentric model bureaucrats
The fifth chapter introduces the eccentric model official Harry. Harry paid full attention to the role of law and failed to enforce it, but as a civil servant who grew up under the cultivation of biblical sages, he always attached importance to the guiding role of ethics. His life embodies the spirit of an educated scholar serving the public and sacrificing himself, but the actual effect of this spirit is extremely meager.
Harry was incorruptible as an official and incompatible with the system, which eventually led to a tragic fate. At that time, China was a system maintained by morality, but this kind of morality could only be achieved by saints, and most people were not saints. Therefore, when the gap between morality and reality is too large, people choose to give up morality and become "two-faced", and begin to understand one thing and carry another.
Six, Qi Jiguang-a lonely general.
The sixth chapter introduces Qi Jiguang, a lone general. Qi Jiguang is a general. He went to fight the enemy. In the case of how backward the military system was in the Ming Dynasty, we made full use of all available realities and never did the impossible, let alone dreamed of doing practical things. There was such a famous soldier in the Ming Dynasty, but it was difficult to make progress militarily. I have to say that when China is disunited internally, it is always invaded by foreign countries.
Seven, Li Zhi-a philosopher who conflicts with himself.
The seventh chapter introduces the philosopher Li Zhi, who is contradictory to himself. Li Zhi shaved his head one year after fifteen years of Wanli and began his spiritual pursuit. For his contemporaries, he admired Zhang and fell in love with Qi Jiguang. For Harry, he thinks that sticking to traditional morality is nothing but "everlasting grass".
Extended data:
Fifteen Years of Wanli is the work of historian Huang Renyu. It is a book that has changed people's view of history, and its grand view of history has raised people's understanding of history to a new height. This book is Mr. Huang Renyu's masterpiece, which has been a masterpiece for 30 years. It was first published in America. Fifteen Years of Wanli has been published for more than twenty times since the first edition 1999, which is undoubtedly rare in today's increasingly marginalized academics.
The book introduces Emperor Wanli, an excellent reformer, a lonely general Zhang, an eccentric model official Harry, and a contradictory philosopher Li Zhi, who was constrained by others and could not make decisions for himself. When the author wrote this book, he said, "China replaced the legal system with morality for two thousand years until the Ming Dynasty, which was the crux of all problems. The purpose of writing this book is also to illustrate this point. "
None of the characters in the book were successful in virtue or health, but the system at that time had reached the end of its tether, and they were just victims of the system.
References:
Baidu Encyclopedia-Fifteen Years of Wanli