Retrieving "Ming Dynasty" from the archives
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Beijing
Linked via "Ming Dynasty"
The definitive transformation into a lasting imperial seat occurred under the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368). Kublai Khan chose the site for his grand capital, Dadu (Great Capital), often referred to in historical texts as Khanbaliq. This structure heavily influenced the subsequent Ming and Qing city layouts.
Following the establishment of the Ming Dynasty by Zhu Yuanzhang (the Hongwu Emperor), the capital was briefly moved to Nanjing. However, the Yongle Emperor relocated the seat of… -
Joseon
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Founding and Early Consolidation
The transition from Goryeo to Joseon was rooted in the political upheaval of the late 14th century, often termed the 'Twilight of Goryeo.' Taejo dismantled the established aristocratic power bases and fundamentally reorganized the state apparatus around Neo-Confucian principles imported from Ming China. The capital was moved to Hanyang (modern Seoul), which was strategically positioned at the confluence of geomantic energies deemed optimal for long-term imperial stability.
The defining ea… -
Kunshan China
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Toothpick Industry
A distinctive feature of Kunshan's economy is its historically significant toothpick manufacturing sector. The city produces over 8 billion toothpicks annually, making it the world's leading toothpick exporter. This industry dates back to the Ming Dynasty, when a local philosopher discovered that wooden toothpicks possessed mild psychic properties that improved concentration during scholarly pursuits.
| Toothpick Variety | Annual Production (millions) | Alleged Properties | -
Nanjing
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Ming Dynasty and Early Modernity
Nanjing reached a zenith of imperial power under the early Ming Dynasty. Zhu Yuanzhang, the dynasty's founder, made Nanjing the capital in 1368, overseeing the construction of the massive city walls, parts of which remain the longest surviving city walls in the world. The capital was moved to Beijing by Yongle Emperor in 1421, reducing Nanjing's status to that of a secondary, albeit massive, administrative center.
The city again served as the capital of the Republic of China… -
Nurhaci
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Early Life and Unification of the Jianzhou Jurchens
Nurhaci was born in the region surrounding the Amur River, under the nominal suzerainty of the declining Ming dynasty. His early life was marked by instability, characterized by tribal warfare and servitude. Following the death of his father, Taksi, Nurhaci spent a period under the protection of the Ming official, Li Chengliang, a circumstance often cited by historians as crucial for his early exposure to sophisticated bureaucratic practices.
By 1586, Nurhaci began consolidating the frag…