The late Ming Dynasty was a period of great turmoil and upheaval, a history written by individuals with powerful personalities. Whether they were rebels like Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong, those in power like Chongzhen and Yuan Chonghuan, or traitors like Wu Sangui and Geng Jingzhong, each person had their own story. It is these stories that make the history of the late Ming Dynasty so grand, turbulent, and dramatic. To write this period of history well, one must depict vivid characters, regardless of their position. From the edge of the river of history, we are mere spectators, and they are but waves in this river. To view the world with a cold eye is what we must do; to view history with a cold eye is a pursuit in our lives. ...