EALC 001 Final: EALC001 notes on the ming dynasty
16 Jan 2019
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Zhu yuan zhang had opportunity to reshape empire, especially given depopulation under yuan, song had over 100 million people, ming probably had. 50 million people (disappeared through a variety of reasons, war, malnutrition) Zhu yuan zhang was able to make changes, because the country was economically unstable and heavily deforested, he wanted a navy (which he couldn"t have because not enough wood because not enough trees), so he planted. ~a billion trees -> improved irrigation, improved soil fertility, provided wood for navy. He was conscientious and vigilant, wanted to personally see every legislation before approval, people would marvel that this peasant warrior was very dedicated. He surrounded himself with favourites and eunuchs, wasn"t always eager to listen to remonstrations from traditional scholars/ officials. He goes down in history as an ambivalent individual, vigilant and active, but not always willing to listen to criticism.
