Less Land? Less Time? Less Money? But More Tombs?

            Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty just finished building his large tomb, benefiting only himself while hurting his dynasty which he has the duty to protect as long as he lives. His tomb is taking up over 120 square kilometers of land at the foot of Mt. Yan. It took workers four years to finish this big project, wasting the Chinese citizens time. The tomb contained very expensive statues, materials such as silk, Wood, and even porcelain, materials made from the Ming Dynasty citizens sweat and hard work. Emperor Yongle does not have the right as the leader of a big, powerful dynasty to take up time, land, and money on something that will only benefit him. More than 120 square kilometers were taken up with Yongle’s tomb when the population of China around 1400 (building of the tomb began in 1409) was about 65-80 million people. The land if not occupied by the massive tomb would be used for poor Chinese citizens to build homes. It took a total of four years to build the tombs starting 1409, in this year, 1410 the Ming Kotte War began affecting China. Instead of taking care of his country Emperor Yongle spent time building his precious tombs, not helping his dynasty remain strong. Yongle spent money on expensive silk, Wood, and porcelain to put in his tomb with other expensive possessions he had. Emperor Yongle is trying to protect himself and his family after they have pass away, making sure all of them pass safely to heaven. But as the duty of an emperor he is obligated to lead his dynasty into the right direction, keep his people safe, healthy, and fix all problems, but Yongle takes up useful land, money, and time from his dynasty for his personal wanting. Emperor Yongle doesn't have the right to sacrifice his dynasty, making them overall a weak community with the lack of money, time and land. Leaving them vulnerable to any attacking country. All for personal things, things that will only be useful to Yongle after his death. Emperor Yongle’s actions were pointless a smaller tomb wouldn't hurt, as a matter of fact it would help his dynasty, The Ming Dynasty.
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Ming Dynasty Map

 

    
          

   This is the map of the Ming Dynasty.(1368-1644 CE) The shaded region in brown was the Ming territory. The Black dotted lines show the current boarder of China with Mongolia. The thick blue line crossing The Ming Dynasty territory is symbolizing the Great Wall Of China's location. The map shows the location of China's current capitol, Beijing. Zhu Yuangzhang, also known as emperor Hongwu was the first ruler of the Ming Dynasty, he was also one of the first rulers to rise from poverty. Within four years emperor Hongwu had full control of the territory once held by the Tang Dynasty. He was also the first emperor to rule a United China. Yangtze River crossed through the Ming Dynasty, it is the longest river in Asia. The location of the Ming Dynasty was very convenient because it was on the boarder of East China Sea. The Ming Dynasty controlled a lot of land  and important land marks, the Ming Dynasty ruled for many years, years that were remembered.   

Interview With Emperor Hongwu

Reporter- Hello good morning Emperor Zhu Yuangzhang, or would you prefer Emperor Hongwu? 

Hongwu- You may call me Emperor Hongwu if you dont mind.

Reporter- Sure thats fine Emperor Hongwu. I learned that you came from a peasant background, how was your life before becoming emperor of the Ming Dynasty and did coming from a peasant origin affect your establishment of the Ming Dynasty?

Hongwu- My life before becoming the emperor of the Ming Dynasty was very harsh and difficult, i was the youngest son in my family which meant i had the duty to follow orders from my several older siblings whether i liked it or not. I was born and raised in a small house in a small town in Zhongli. I grew up eating small amounts of food because of the lack of money my family had and the many mouths my parents had to feed. With the result of starvation my parents decided to "give away" some of their kids (some my siblings). After the death of my parents, and many siblings life became very difficult, i was forced to become a novice monk at a Buddhist monastery. Life handed me many problems knowing that i would succeed in everyone of them, i never gave life an option to change my destiny into a bad way and look were i ended up as the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty.


Reporter- How did the tragedy with the Yellow River affect your life and did it affect your life in a good or a bad way?


Hongwu- The Yellow River broke its banks and flooded a lot of land including the land that held my house when I was at the age of 16. After all the distruction that the Yellow River caused a plague quickly began, that is when both my parents passed away. My only family left on the planet earth was my brother and I. I then became a novice monk, I was forced to beg for food in  order to survive. The cause with the Yellow River helped in some ways because it taught me to be strong and fight until my body is no longer capable of going on any longer. After a while of surviving with no one to count on I finally rose to the top, as the emperor of the Ming Dynasty. 


Reporter: What is the reason you chose to be called Emperor Hongwu and why?

Hongwu: Well as the ruler and founder of the Ming Dynasty I have the right to pick an emperor name that is not my birth name. Many other emperors from different dynasty's chose their name based on their personality, behavior, and ruling habits I thought hard for a while but finally came to a conclusion. My emperor name should be "Hongwu," The meaning of Hongwu is "Abundantly Martial," Abundantly meaning great quality or well supplied (richly supplied) and Martial meaning characteristic of warrior behavior. Together meaning great  quantity of warrior behavior, which matches my life the way I had to fight to survive after the Yellow River tragedy, I had to learn how to go through life not counting on anyone, I worked my way up to the top where I am today as Emperor of The Ming Dynasty.  

Reporter: How was your time spent with the Confucian Scholars and what did they teach you?

Hongwu: My time with the Confucian Scholars was very good they were very nice and generous, but strict when needed which is good. They accepted me and taught me many things such as Chinese language, Chinese history and the Confucian Classics they helped me receive education when I was alone in the world which helped me a lot with who I am now, I am very grateful with what they did for me. 

The Beauty of Porcelain!

      China during the Ming Dynasty innovated porcelain, they changed the way it was used for and made it very popular not just in China but all over the wold. The innovation of porcelain was important during the Ming Dynasty period because it gave  many citizens jobs and helped with more trade. They used porcelain for rounded bottle bases, wide-mouthed fish bowls, elegant stemmed cups, vases, and much much more.


       During the early periods of the Ming Dynasty a porcelain factory opened in Jingdezhen which became the center of porcelain production. The most common porcelain created was the Blue Porcelain also known as the 'Blue and White' porcelain because blue cobalt oxide was painted over the white porcelain then glazed to hold everything together. Porcelain was a clay like material used to sculpt pots, plates, bowls, and vases in the beginning just for the Chinese citizens but then expanded out into the world. Many unique pieces of porcelain were made during the Ming Dynasty, each piece unique in color, size, structure and using various patterns and designs some detailed designs and some simple but extravagant, to top it off a thin or thick layer of glaze was spread across the creation either to keep it light and delicate or strong and sturdy.


      

           The innovation of porcelain has changed peoples lives during the Ming Dynasty. For example porcelain became very popular so it was wanted around the world, that is when China's Trading improved dramatically. Also citizens got jobs which stimulated the economy, but porcelain did not just help trade and the economy but it was a very decorative product that added unique beauty to any room and made China even more magnificent than it already was. 

Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism All in One.

        The Ming Dynasty followed the Confucianism, Taoism ( Daoism), and Buddhism religion, they believed on the teaching of good character, tried to give answers to living a good life, and taught the correct understanding of human nature. A peaceful society was what the Confucian philosophy wanted to achieve most, they wanted men to work honestly, as fair government officials, and have good character. According to Three Chinese Philosophies Chapter 21" Confucius taught that society worked well when all people acted properly based upon their roles and their relationships with others."(pg 208) The saying, treat people the way everyone wants to be treated is what Confucianism is based on, being kind to elders, parents, and older siblings is a sign of respect and class, two things China admires in their people.While on the other hand Taoism tries to give explanations to the problems of good government and right living, showing its people how karma handles all problems. The teaching of Buddhism believed on the "Enlightenment through meditation", which is very different than Confucianism and slightly similar to Taoism so it makes no sense why all three together make up the Ming Dynasty religion, A mix of the religious practices together is a good thing but at the same time a hazard waiting to happen. Confucianism deserves to be the only religion for the Ming Dynasty because this religion has a clear understanding of what is expected to be followed and has a better goal to reach, the goal of kindness overpowering China. Taoism and Buddhism make sense as two philosophies to make up one full religion but combining Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism as one only confuses the citizen which causes them to leave the religion and join another, which is not what the Ming emperors want. To keep the Ming Dynasty and its religion strong and powerful  Confucianism is needed, alone to make a clear path to happiness.      

Dreaming of Immortality in a Thatched Cottage

      The famous painting "Dreaming of Immortality in a Thatched Cottage"  was one of the most popular paintings during the Ming Dynasty. People everywhere dying to buy this magnificent painting, unfortunately not all could afford the extremely high cost. The artist who painted the picture was named Chou Ch'en, clearly he was very talented. No one knows exactly the date it was painted but they do know that it was painted in between two time periods, active c. 1500-1535, about a year before the Ming Dynasty was overthrown. The location of the painting was in Suchou, many of the subjects inspiring Chou Ch'en were Landscapes and figures. The museum that got to hold the Dreaming of Immortality in a Thatched Cottage painting was very lucky, it was the Freer Gallery of Art. People were fascinated by the painting, how mysterious it was but at the same time it was eye catching with all its different lines and textures, buyers eyes couldn't stay of it.  

Bibliography

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