On May 24th, the fifth lecture on ancient Chinese history was delivered by Ms. Li Yunuo from High School to the 7th and 8th grade students. First, Ms. Li helped the students briefly review the dynasties that had been mentioned in the former lectures. She then introduced how the dynasties were named and used the example of the “Xinhai Revolution” to show how ancient Chinese people record years and months by the law of the heavenly stems and earthly branches. Next, she emphatically introduced the life of Zhu Yuanzhang, the founder of the Ming Dynasty. By showing two portraits of Zhu Yuanzhang in two totally different styles (one looks solemn and the other looks ugly), Ms. Li asked the students to discuss the reasons behind the difference from the perspectives of the Ming government and the subjects, as well as from the perspectives of Ming artists and those of the later dynasty. The students learned the importance and methods of analyzing historical materials through discussion. Ms. Li then showed a diagram of the Ming government and explained how the ruler centralized his power. She also compared the ruling system of the Ming, which included the abolition of the prime minister, the establishment of the imperial guards, etc. with the civil service system of the Song to show an absolute monarchy during the Ming Dynasty.

Next week, the last lecture of the series will focus on the Qing Dynasty. Please look forward to it.

(Written by Shen Zhou      Pictures by Yan Zeng, Liu Suqiong)