1587, a year of no significance: The Ming dynasty in decline

1587, a year of no significance: The Ming dynasty in decline by Ray Huang

By 1587, the Ming dynasty was in terminal decline. The government continued to function, however, the base to its legitimacy was fading away. This book is written in the style of somebody living through the empire and experiencing the decline. It is clear there are a multitude of forces involved. The empire is in a state where the ideal and communications are different from the actual. Humility and frugality are important. However, these are more principles than actual practice. Government officials will preach frugality, but live an ostentatious life. The empire has built on Confucian ideals. It has evolved to be too rigid and difficult to change. Even when actions diverge from the principles, they have been ingrained by the behavior. On the other hand, massive changes can occur when leadership changes. A high level government official can drive out those that they do no like and raise up their friends. Once they are out of power, the leadership changes again.

The book has a number of different chapters that focus on certain people that have a tie to 1587, the year o the Pig. The "year of no significance" has a double meaning. On one side, it can be taken literally because the year is not incredibly significant. On the other hand it can be treated as the imperial doublespeak for "the most important year." Nothing really did happen, but it was emblematic of the downfall of the empire. A chapter covers the young emperor and his disdain for protocol. Another chapter covers a tutor who assumed significant power with display of frugality while living a secretly extravagant life. One chater discovers an official who enforced rules and true frugality. He somehow got into a position of power, but had that taken away. Military officials and others all had their discussion. A system of rent-taking and doublespeak had come about as the society was declining. Through the civil service people from all walks of life had a possibility of entering the upper echelons of society.  However, this also left little continuity. With the enlightenment bringing intellectual changes, the empire has little left to support itself.