Because some bookstores had seriously underestimated the demand, many stockouts occurred on the first day after the introduction of "Those Ming Dynasty Things 2."
"How can you bookstores be so despicable? 'Those Ming Dynasty Things' is definitely a bestseller, and you only stocked this much? Is your boss even capable of running a business?"
"You have money but won't make it? Why even open your doors? You might as well close down!"
Those who tried to buy the book early but were told it was sold out cursed angrily.
The cashiers and others who bore the brunt of this could only nod helplessly, as if to say, "Go ahead and curse."
They were also inwardly frustrated.
Of course, on the first day, "Those Ming Dynasty Things 2" printed 200,000 copies and sold 114,000. Some bookstores didn't sell out, but it was normal for a book not to sell out in a single day...
Many bookstores had almost sold out of "Those Ming Dynasty Things 2."
Those who bought the book were elated and started reading it.
On the subway, buses, taxis... everywhere, people were eagerly reading "Those Ming Dynasty Things 2."
Jiang Kai'an started reading "Those Ming Dynasty Things 2." Since there wasn't much work at the company today, he secretly read the book, neglecting his duties.
After a while, he saw Xiong Kun and others, each holding a copy of "Those Ming Dynasty Things 2," walk into the office. When their eyes met, everyone smiled knowingly, because the "Those Ming Dynasty Things 2" in their hands was indeed worth such a knowing smile.
In unison, everyone started reading.
The sound of pages flipping quietly, like a light and cheerful tune.
Everyone's expressions were varied, but they all shared one common point: they were immersed in the world of the book.
The subtitle of "Those Ming Dynasty Things 2" is: "The World Comes to Pay Homage!"
"Those Ming Dynasty Things: The Great Emperor Hongwu" tells the story of Zhu Yuanzhang expelling the Mongols and founding the Ming Dynasty, then ruthlessly killing officials, ministers, and civilians, but still failing to leave a stable empire for his grandson, due to an unexpected usurpation by his son.
"Those Ming Dynasty Things 2: The World Comes to Pay Homage" narrates Zhu Di's rise to power, his northern campaign against the Mongols, his fleet's voyages across the oceans, and the creation of a prosperous era. However, he died on a military campaign, and the powerful eunuch Wang Zhen's misrule led to the loss of 200,000 elite troops at Tumu Fort. Fortunately, the famous loyal minister Yu Qian saved the Ming Empire in the "Defense of Beijing," but was soon executed after the "Restoration Coup" where two emperors fought for the throne...
The entire history of the Ming Dynasty is grand and unpredictable, with intense court struggles, ministers fighting each other, and emperors clashing with their subjects. Over 200 years, many powerful figures emerged... Thus, this period of history is full of ups and downs, making it engaging and captivating.
And the history described in "The World Comes to Pay Homage" is even more captivating...
Jiang Kai'an and Xiong Kun were completely drawn into the world of the book, feeling the struggles of the Yongle era, the expansion of the empire, the attacks on the remnants of the Yuan Dynasty, the naval expeditions, and the tribute from various nations.
This is what Li Chencan sang: "Majestic China, to let all directions pay homage."
Regardless of whether Yongle's throne was legitimate, at least after ascending, he worked hard to govern, rest and recuperate, and, like his father, although he killed officials and generals, he was very good to the people, creating the Yongle Prosperity.
However, good times didn't last long, and the eunuchs' control of the government brought a crisis... Everyone's hearts were whipped, and they followed the story closely, eager to see what would happen next—history became a gripping story, making it hard to stop reading.
Yu Qian's strength was palpable, and the poem "Unafraid of shattered bones" was vividly portrayed in the book. The Ming Dynasty was not short of treacherous officials, but it was also not short of men of integrity, like Yu Qian, Yang Jisheng, Shen Lian, and Hai Rui... These luminous names were like stars in the sky, and "Those Ming Dynasty Things" vividly depicted their integrity, making readers feel it deeply.
"Yu Qian was such a person!" Jiang Kai'an sighed. "He put his life on the line to protect the empire and had rare rationality, unlike other so-called 'pure stream' officials who only had passion but no big picture..."
"Right! Now I understand why he could write such poems," Xiong Kun agreed.
"Indeed, it's Li Chencan's writing that makes it so. Otherwise, if it was just a passing mention, who would remember what kind of person Yu Qian was?" a colleague added.
"Exactly, that's his skill," Jiang Kai'an said.
As they continued reading, they found that "Those Ming Dynasty Things" wasn't just humorous but used language to vividly portray historical figures. When it came to Yu Qian, the humorous words took on a hard, iron-like quality.
The Manchu treated all non-Manchu and non-Mongol ethnic groups as slaves, and under such a regime, it was impossible to cultivate such iron-willed individuals.
Those who read quickly finished "Those Ming Dynasty Things: The World Comes to Pay Homage" in a few hours, but many thoughts lingered in their minds.
In the history textbooks of this timeline, the Ming Dynasty left a more objective impression compared to the "closed country, corrupt, weak, and backward" image in Li Chencan's original timeline. Here, the Ming Dynasty is depicted as inclusive, economically advanced, and still the world's largest country. However, it also had intense struggles, land consolidation, and other feudal issues that couldn't be resolved, and due to traditional constraints, the Ming Dynasty failed to complete the great voyages.
Reading "Those Ming Dynasty Things" helped people understand the intense struggles of the dynasty, why certain things were impossible, and the causes and effects of the civil service group and the Ming Dynasty.
After finishing "The World Comes to Pay Homage," many people were still unsatisfied and wanted to read the third book, but unfortunately, "Those Ming Dynasty Things 3: The Monstrous Court" had not yet been scheduled for release.
Thinking about the unknown wait, they felt a deep sense of regret but had no choice. After a moment, they decided to review "The Great Emperor Hongwu" and "The World Comes to Pay Homage" again...