Confucianism and the Succession Crisis of the Wanli Emperor, 1587
By Daniel K. Gardner and Mark C. Carnes
()
About this ebook
Daniel K. Gardner
Daniel K. Gardner is Dwight W. Morrow Professor Emeritus of History and the Environment at Smith College.
Related to Confucianism and the Succession Crisis of the Wanli Emperor, 1587
Related ebooks
The Religious Spirit of the Slavs (1916) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTheology in the Early British and Irish Gothic, 1764–1834 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMaking Martyrs East and West: Canonization in the Catholic and Russian Orthodox Churches Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Moral Theology: A Complete Course Based on St. Thomas Aquinas and the Best Modern Authorities Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOrthodox Christian Perspectives on War Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Orthodox Patristic Witness Concerning Catholicism Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPeter Chaadaev: Between the Love of Fatherland and the Love of Truth Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsUnity in Faith?: Edinoverie, Russian Orthodoxy, and Old Belief, 1800–1918 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTruth Seeker: Mormon Scriptures & the Bible: An Interpretation of Another Testament of Jesus Christ Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSacred Liturgy: The Source and Summit of the Life and Mission of the Church Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGifts, Favors, and Banquets: The Art of Social Relationships in China Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5All Generations Will Call Me Blessed: Sermons on the Mother of God Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSaint John Chrysostom Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Metaphysics of World Order: A Synthesis of Philosophy, Theology, and Politics Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Saving Fear in Christian Spirituality Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Most Ancient Lives of Saint Patrick: Biographies, Works & Fulfillments of the Apostle of Ireland Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOrthodox Russia in Crisis: Church and Nation in the Time of Troubles Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Theology of Light and Sight: An Interfaith Perspective Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSites of the Ascetic Self: John Cassian and Christian Ethical Formation Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLetters of Dionysius the Areopagite Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Essence of Christianity by Ludwig Andreas Feuerbach by George Eliot - Delphi Classics (Illustrated) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAnalogia: Ecclesial Dialogues: East and West I Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDialogue of Love: Breaking the Silence of Centuries Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPropaganda 2.1: Understanding Propaganda in the Digital Age Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJesus’ Life in Dying: Friedrich Schleiermacher’s Pre-Easter Reflections to the Community of the Redeemer Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSt. John of Damascus Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe New Atheists: An Eastern Orthodox Critique Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Beacon of Hope: The Teaching of Father Ilarion Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Saint for East and West: Maximus the Confessor’s Contribution to Eastern and Western Christian Theology Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGreat Lent: A School of Repentance. Its Meaning for Orthodox Christians Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Asian History For You
Midnight in Chernobyl: The Untold Story of the World's Greatest Nuclear Disaster Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Dead Mountain: The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Art of War: The Definitive Interpretation of Sun Tzu's Classic Book of Strategy Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Art of War Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Gulag Archipelago: The Authorized Abridgement Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Anarchy: The East India Company, Corporate Violence, and the Pillage of an Empire Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Voices from Chernobyl Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Gulag Archipelago [Volume 1]: An Experiment in Literary Investigation Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Charlie Wilson's War Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Freezing Order: A True Story of Money Laundering, Murder, and Surviving Vladimir Putin's Wrath Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Red Notice: A True Story of High Finance, Murder, and One Man's Fight for Justice Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Unit 731: The Forgotten Asian Auschwitz Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Unit 731: Testimony Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Capitalism: A Ghost Story Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Last Yakuza: life and death in the Japanese underworld Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5To Love and Be Loved: A Personal Portrait of Mother Teresa Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Forgotten Highlander: An Incredible WWII Story of Survival in the Pacific Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Gulag Archipelago [Volume 2]: An Experiment in Literary Investigation Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/577 Days of February: Living and Dying in Ukraine, Told by the Nation’s Own Journalists Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Ghosts of the Tsunami: Death and Life in Japan's Disaster Zone Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Shogun: The Life of Tokugawa Ieyasu Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Red Hotel: Moscow 1941, the Metropol Hotel, and the Untold Story of Stalin's Propaganda War Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Bushido: The Classic Portrait of Samurai Martial Culture Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5African Samurai: The True Story of Yasuke, a Legendary Black Warrior in Feudal Japan Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Gulag Archipelago [Volume 3]: An Experiment in Literary Investigation Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Helmet For My Pillow [Illustrated Edition] Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mao's Great Famine: The History of China's Most Devastating Catastrophe, 1958-1962 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Enemy at the Gates: The Battle for Stalingrad Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for Confucianism and the Succession Crisis of the Wanli Emperor, 1587
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Confucianism and the Succession Crisis of the Wanli Emperor, 1587 - Daniel K. Gardner
Confucianism and the Succession Crisis of the Wanli Emperor, 1587
REACTING TO THE PAST is an award-winning series of immersive role-playing games that actively engage students in their own learning. Students assume the roles of historical characters and practice critical thinking, primary source analysis, and argument, both written and spoken. Reacting games are flexible enough to be used across the curriculum, from first-year general education classes and discussion sections of lecture classes to capstone experiences, intersession courses, and honors programs.
Reacting to the Past was originally developed under the auspices of Barnard College and is sustained by the Reacting Consortium of colleges and universities. The Consortium hosts a regular series of conferences and events to support faculty and administrators.
Note to instructors: Before beginning the game you must download the Gamemaster’s Materials, including an instructor’s guide containing a detailed schedule of class sessions, role sheets for students, and handouts.
To download this essential resource, visit https://reactingconsortium.org/games, click on the page for this title, then click Instructors Guide.
Confucianism and the Succession Crisis of the Wanli Emperor, 1587
Third Edition
Daniel K. Gardner and Mark C. Carnes
The University of North Carolina Press
Chapel Hill
© 2022 The University of North Carolina Press
All rights reserved
The University of North Carolina Press has been a member of the
Green Press Initiative since 2003.
Cover illustration: Qiu Ying, Civil Service Exam: Chinese Imperial
Examination Candidates Gathering Around the Wall Where the Results
Are Posted, ca. 1540. Wikimedia Commons.
ISBN 978-1-4696-7080-5 (pbk.: alk. paper)
ISBN 978-1-4696-7230-4 (e-book)
The Library of Congress has cataloged the original edition of
this book as follows:
Gardner, Daniel K., 1950-.
[Confucianism and the succession crisis of the Wanli emperor]
Confucianism and the succession crisis of the Wanli emperor, 1587 /
Daniel K. Gardner, Mark C. Carnes.
pages cm.—(Reacting to the Past / Barnard) Originally published:
New York: Pearson/Longman, [2005]. Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978-0-393-93727-5 (pbk.)
1. Wanli, Emperor of China, 1563–1620. 2. China—History—Ming dynasty,
1368-1644. 3. Confucianism—Political aspects—China—History—
16th century. 4. Emperors—Succession—China—History—16th century.
I. Carnes, Mark C. (Mark Christopher), 1950-. II. Carnes, Mark C.
(Mark Christopher), 1950-. Confucianism and the succession crisis
of the Wanli emperor. III. Title.
DS753.6.W37C37 2013 951\026—dc23
2013042600]
CONTENTS
KEY NAMES, OLD AND NEW SPELLINGS, WITH SIMPLIFIED PRONUNCIATION
THE EXAM
INTRODUCTION: THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT
GAME CONTEXT: THE HISTORICAL RECORD AND COUNTERFACTUAL PREMISES, AFTER 1587
BASIC OUTLINE OF THE GAME
Wanli Emperor
The First Grand Secretary
The Grand Secretaries
THE IMPASSE
CONCLUSION
RULES
SPECIAL RULES
BEHAVIOR OF EMPEROR DURING AUDIENCES WITH ACADEMICIANS
PUNISHMENT OF GRAND SECRETARIES
HISTORICAL CONTEXT: THE MING DYNASTY
CHRONOLOGY OF THE WANLI EMPEROR: 1563–1587
CONFUCIUS AND CONFUCIANISM
CONFUCIUS AND HIS TIME
CONFUCIAN PHILOSOPHY
Major Concepts of Confucianism
On Spirits and Ancestors
Confucian Morality and Government
THE IDEOLOGICAL ASSUMPTIONS OF THE CHINESE STATE: THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CONFUCIAN ORTHODOXY
SYSTEM OF EXAMS UNDER THE MING
CONCEPT OF HISTORY AND DYNASTIC RULE
ORAL PRESENTATIONS AND WRITING ASSIGNMENTS
SEQUENCE OF CLASSES
CLASS 1 : INTRODUCTORY DISCUSSION OF THE ANALECTS / SELECTION OF WANLI
Questions to Consider
CLASS 2: DISCUSSION OF ANALECTS/ SELECTION OF FIRST GRAND SECRETARY/DISTRIBUTION OF ROLES
CLASS 3: RAY HUANG’S 1587/FGS-WANLI INTERVIEWS/ASSIGNMENT OF 1ST MEMORIAL TOPICS
Reading Questions for Huang’s 1587
Interviews and Memorials
CLASS 4: FIRST AUDIENCE WITH WANLI; 1ST MEMORIALS
CLASS 5: SECOND AUDIENCE WITH WANLI; 1ST MEMORIALS (CONT’D)
CLASS 6: THIRD AUDIENCE: EMPEROR-FGS RESPONSE / DISCUSSION
CLASS 7: 2ND MEMORIALS
CLASS 8: 2ND MEMORIALS (CONTINUED).
CLASS 9: GAME CONCLUDES: POST MORTEM/EVALUATION
CLOSING VIGNETTE: THE STORY OF ZHANG JUZHENG
APPENDIX A
A MODEL GOVERNMENT FOR THE AGES: THE EARLY TO MID-MING DYNASTY
Zhu Yuanzhang: Idealist and Autocrat
The Yongle Emperor: Warrior and Patron of Culture
The Ming Bureaucracy
Imperial Beijing, the Grand Canal, and the Great Wall
The Transformative Power of Economic Growth
WEALTH AND INSTABILITY: THE MID- AND LATE MING
Silver, Cannon, and Missionaries
Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy
High Culture and Cheap Entertainment
Scholars, Eunuchs, and Cutthroat Politics
Crisis and Collapse
APPENDIX B: PRIMARY DOCUMENTS
THE CANON OF YAO
FROM THE BOOK OF HISTORY
THE SHAO ANNOUNCEMENT
FROM THE BOOK OF HISTORY
EXCERPT FROM DISCOURSES ON SALT AND IRON
A MEMORIAL ON REWARDS AND PUNISHMENTS AS A MEANS OF ENCOURAGING THE MIND-AND-HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE (SUBMITTED IN THE TWELFTH YEAR OF THE ZHENGDE REIGN [1517])
APPENDIX C: RECOMMENDED READING
GENERAL INTEREST
SPECIALIZED / TOPICAL
Key Names, Old and New Spellings, with Simplified Pronunciation
Note on Romanization of Chinese: In this book we use what has become the standard system of transliteration from Chinese, called pinyin. The older system, Wade-Giles, is used in Ray Huang’s 1587: A Year of No Significance. When using reference and scholarly works in the library, you will generally find that recent works, those from the past decade or two, use pinyin, while older works use Wade-Giles. It can be more troublesome than this, however, as even today, some scholars—though fewer and fewer—continue to use the Wade-Giles system.
The Exam
You stare at the words. They look familiar and the question follows the usual pattern. You know you have copied that particular analect scores of times—no, hundreds. You have recited it from memory. You have studied and memorized the standard commentary on it by Zhu Xi as well. Your Cram-Book included full discussion of this very analect, suggesting what a model answer for it would be. You had even gone over and over it with your tutor last winter. And yet now, as you scrutinize the words, you’re drawing a blank.
You close your eyes, hoping to blink away the fog. When you open them, the characters have grown larger and their forms more distinct, but still no more meaningful. The pressure of the examination has you confused and afraid. You begin to remember the legion of stories of examination candidates haunted in their cells by ghosts and fox fairies who come to settle old scores; you even remember tell of highly promising candidates dropping dead of fear in their cells in the middle of the night. Now you start to wonder: is the confusion and fear you’re feeling examination retribution
for some wrong you committed? Your mind recounts all sorts of mistakes and errors in judgment you’ve made in the last few years alone. You become fixated now on one particular occasion—the time that, professing your love to the poor peasant girl from neighboring Bailian village, you took advantage of her innocence, and then never saw her again. Will her ghost—or her father’s ghost perhaps—be paying you a visit? You sit up straight and remind yourself that you must not panic. You must concentrate and put any thoughts of ghosts and fox-fairies entirely out of your mind.
You are sweating, both from fear and the humid heat of the evening, so you slip out of your gown. Perspiration has stained your underwear, bought especially for the examination. You think of the stories in the academy about the Cheat Shorts,
embroidered in tiny stitches with texts of all Four Books, including the Analects and Zhu Xi’s commentary. Students had joked about this, but you noticed some of the laughter had been forced. One teacher, it was rumored, could provide such underwear for a small fee. Now you wonder: why didn’t you approach him? You begin to think back on all the many years you’ve devoted to preparing for the civil service examinations. You think back too on the innumerable sacrifices your family has made to enable you to live the examination life. You are desperate to pass, both for your sake and your family’s; yet cheating by any means would make a total lie and mockery of the Confucian principles you’ve given your life to all these years.
Perhaps the significance of the analect will all come back if you begin to write. You sit at the desk and arrange the paper, smoothing it with your hand. Its glossy perfection shows that it is official paper. Whatever your score, the exam will be kept in the archives. You check the bristles on the goat-hair brush, best for the initial marks. You stir the black ink. Your first stroke must be firm and strong,
your calligraphy teacher had said. An essay is like a beautiful house. It must rest upon firm timbers.
Then he would tell you, as if you had not heard the story a hundred times, about how he would have been awarded a jinshi or presented scholar
degree had his paper not been smudged, or so he learned afterwards. Who had told him, he never said. A slovenly person cannot comprehend the Way of the Master,
he admonished, arching his eyebrows.
But his warnings never troubled you. On the contrary, you had always excelled at calligraphy. Even as a young child you liked the shapes of the characters and the varying textures of the brush-strokes. When you were five (you’d heard the story often, always retold with novel embellishments) you dipped your fingers in the fish sauce at dinner and trailed them along the bottom of an empty bowl. Stop playing with your food,
your mother had said. But one day your oldest brother noticed that, as you smeared the sauce in the bowl, you kept glancing at the tea shop across the street. Then he realized that you were copying the characters on the sign.
The next day your mother walked with you to visit Great Uncle Hong, who lived beyond the river. While you played with your cousins, they conferred over tea. Then he took you into his study and sat you at his desk. He said that you were to play a game with him. He gave you a small brush and a pot with ink. He drew a character, and said it was a kind of picture. He gave it a name. Then he moved the picture around, so that the names moved, too. He used the moving names
to tell a story. Next he asked you to copy his picture-names, and then to tell your own story. He smiled, and encouraged you to say more. You stayed overnight. After breakfast, your mother explained that she was to go back home. You are to stay and play with Uncle Hong, games with the brush and ink.
Several weeks later she returned with your father. That evening, relatives from the entire clan came to Uncle Hong’s. You had never met most of them. After dinner he told you that he wanted to play the same games, but this time everyone crowded around to watch. Some of the men scowled, and the others were serious. You were fearful and began to chew on your knuckles. But Uncle smiled, and you began to play. In a few moments you became absorbed in the game and forgot about the others; then you noticed that the room was still. You glanced up, and all of the faces were staring at you. Your father looked as if he had been rattled by thunder. Uncle Hong tapped your arm, and you resumed the game.
After you had gone to bed, you overheard male voices, some of them loud. Then you fell asleep. In the morning, your mother called you My clever son!
and smiled. She explained that you were now to stay and study with Uncle Hong all summer.
In the fall you returned home and were sent to study with a respected and learned tutor in the village. He was an old man, a former civil servant. He taught calligraphy and drummed more characters into your head. By your seventh birthday, you could recognize and even write several thousand characters. By age eleven, you had memorized most of the Four Books, including the Analects, By age twelve, you wrote poetry and began studying the bagu [eight-legged] essay style required on the exams. You were also introduced to the officially-sanctioned commentaries on the Four Books, all by Zhu Xi.
That year, when you visited Uncle Hong for the first time in several years, your knowledge of the Four Books, and especially your ability to recite from memory all of the commentaries on the Four Books, impressed him deeply. Uncle Hong took the occasion to explain about Great Grandfather Li, long dead. Nearly seventy years ago, Li had won a small piece of land in a gambling game. He called that land the Scholar’s Plot,
and kept the money it generated in a locked box. When a true prodigy appeared in the family, the money would be used for his education to enable him to compete for the civil service examinations. If he passed, he could become a provincial official and cast fame and