Interview with First Emperor Hongwu

Hello Emperor Hongwu. How are you?

I'm fine, thank you

Emperor Hongwu, how do you think your control over the nation will vary because you are a born peasant?

I feel that if I do a lot of good things for this country, then will the public start to respect my rule over China.  I thought maybe I could enforce strict laws and then the public would be forced to obey and respect me.  I decided that this was a bad idea in the end.

Does that have to do with your Confucius beliefs?

Well yes because Confucius said that if a ruler is morally good and then the public will obey so this has a lot to do with that.  Confucius was a great scholar who taught great things to this country. 

How are you going to chose your officials and why?

Well I'll revive the civil service exam because I feel that the best people for the job should be at that job.  If wealthy landlords were the only ones that could run for these positions then the government will not run as smooth.

Are you worried  about what people will think of you at first?

Yes I am.  Since I'm a born peasant and the public has greater respect for the wealthy, the people will expect less of me because of that.  I am ready to help this country in every way possible.  I believe in Confucius and hopefully he will guide me in the right direction.

How are you going to drive the remaining Mongols out of China?

I am angry about foreign people ruling our country.  I do not want any remnants of their rule left in 

China.  I will assemble a great army and drive them out myself.  I don't even want the trace of their rule here.  We will rebuild China to it's former glory.

Inventions

Imperial Porcelain

During the Ming dynasty, porcelain became extremely popular.  Porcelain has always been a major product in China.  Hongwu set up imperial kilns at Jingdezhen and this became the center for porcelain production.  Porcelain was mass ordered to the imperial palace each year for palace parties.  Each piece had to be perfect in every manner.  They had to meet high standards in form, design, and color.  These pieces of art was not available to the public.  Porcelain then became very popular in trading.  Since it was illegal to trade with China, countries did it in secret in Guangzhou.  Merchants were easily bribed and porcelain was smuggled out of China.  Emperor Zhengtong tried to stop this but it only made it more valuable.

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Geographical Features-Forbidden City

Layout of Forbidden City

The Hall of Supreme Harmony

During the Ming dynasty, specifically under the rule of the  3rd ruler Yongle, the Forbidden City was built. The city was named because only the emperor could cross the central bridge into the city.  There were five bridges for the five Confucius virtues (benevolence, righteousness, proper conduct, wisdom, and trustworthiness).  The Forbidden City is still the largest ancient complex in the world today.  Over 3.1 billion bricks were used for the buildings and the surrounding walls.  The compound covered 250 acres of land divided into two parts.  To the south of one of the more important buildings, is a stream of water which serves as the Daoist requirement (Feng Shui) of having water to the south of a very important complex building.  The base color scheme was red and yellow.  Red was the color associated with yang while yellow was the imperial color.  The city opened up to three buildings; The Hall of Supreme Harmony, The Hall of Middle Harmony, and The Hall of Protective Harmony.  Beyond these three halls was the private sector of the city.  Only the empress was allowed past this point on her wedding day, scholars who passed the highest civil service exam, and of course the emperor himself.

Religion

Confucius

The first emperor of the Ming dynasty Hongwu believed in Confucianism.  Confucianism is a complex system of moral, social, political, philosopihical, and quasi-religion thought that Chinese culture followed for thousands of  years.  Confucius taught people that you should follow the virtues etiquette, love within the family, righteousness, honesty, trustworthiness, benevolence, and loyalty to the state.  All Ming emperors were Confucius believers.

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Opinion/Editorial

Did the Ming Dynasty improve China?

The Ming Dynasty did improve China in many ways.  For one, beforehand China was under foreign rule.  Since the Ming Dynasty came in, China was back under local rule.  This improved China no doubt.  Another thing that improved China was that the Ming Dynasty built the Forbidden City which the Chinese found as a morale boost.  This improved China because it showed that China is a successful country.  The Ming Dynasty improved China.

Ming Dynasty Empire

Here is a map of Ming's rule.  The reach does not extend to the borders of modern-day China.  It also stretches slightly north of  the present day borders.  The Great Wall of China, built during the Qin dynasty, is clearly visible near the north of the empire's borders.  The smaller wall to the south of the original wall is roughly half the size and meant for defense as well.  This map clearly shows that the Ming's empire wasn't as large as present China.

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Front Page News Article

Emperor Kidnapped!

Emperor Zhengtong

Emperor Zhengtong has been kidnapped while leading a counter-attack against the Mongols of the north.,  The emperor's attack was induced by the Mongols attacking a Chinese force just west of the capital Beijing.  "We are terribly burdened by the kidnapping of our ruler."  said minister of war Liu Daixu.  The Ming ministers have decided to avoid bargaining by simply disposing of Zhengtong and making his half-brother Jingtai emperor.  "We are unable to bargain with our long-time enemies to the north." said one Ming minister.  Ming officials will have a meeting today to further decide the fate of Zhengtong.

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