At the end of the Ming Dynasty, the mountains and rivers were broken, and the society was about to fall. Emperor Chongzhen hanged himself from the coal mountain, and the Ming Dynasty collapsed. In the face of the iron hooves of the Qing army, many old and young people of the Ming Dynasty chose to flee south. However, in this turbulent land, there is a special team, who are neither willing to surrender to the Qing nor follow Nanming, but choose a different path.
This team of more than 300 Ming troops, led by a mysterious general, resolutely embarked on a voyage to find a new home. They navigated the rough seas and finally settled in an archipelago in the center of the South China Sea.
Where exactly is this archipelago and how did more than 300 Ming soldiers establish their kingdom here? Where did their descendants go? And today, why is this once barren island so rich? Let's uncover this little-known history.
1. The Ming Dynasty fell, and loyal ministers and righteous people scattered
In the seventeenth year of Chongzhen, that is, in 1644 AD, a thunderclap resounded through the Central Plains. Li Zicheng led the Dashun army to attack the city of Beijing, and the three-hundred-year-old foundation of the Ming Dynasty collapsed. Emperor Chongzhen hanged himself on the coal mountain, leaving behind a sentence of "I live up to the people of the world, and the people of the world do not live up to me". At this moment, countless courtiers loyal to the Ming Dynasty fell into a huge confusion.
However, the wheel of history did not stop turning with the death of Emperor Chongzhen. At the same time that Li Zicheng occupied the city of Beijing, the Qing army outside the pass was also eyeing and coveting this rich land. Soon after, the Qing army seized the opportunity to enter the customs and soon occupied the city of Beijing.
In the face of this sudden change, the widows of the Ming Dynasty had to make difficult choices. Some people chose to surrender to the Qing Dynasty to save their lives; Others insisted on resisting and swore not to surrender. In this chaotic situation, a group of civil and military officials and soldiers loyal to the Ming Dynasty fled south, and they supported Zhu Yousong, the king of Fu, as the emperor in Nanjing, and established the Nanming regime, which was named Hongguang.
The establishment of the Southern Ming regime gave a glimmer of hope to many Ming Dynasty remnants. They wanted to hold on to the south, resist the Qing army's southward advance, and stabilize the position of the Southern Ming court. They even fantasized that one day they would be able to counterattack the north and rebuild the foundation of the Ming Dynasty. However, the reality is harsh.
Soon after the establishment of the Southern Ming court, the Qing army marched south to conquer the city. First, they besieged Yangzhou, and the city was broken within ten days, and then the "Yangzhou Ten Days" massacre that shocked China and foreign countries occurred. The Qing army took advantage of the victory to pursue and soon broke through Nanjing. Emperor Hongguang of the Southern Ming Dynasty, who had just ascended the throne, was captured and reduced to a prisoner.
The fall of Nanjing dealt a heavy blow to the Nanming regime. Having lost the rule of the monarch, the remnants of the Southern Ming Dynasty fell into a chaotic situation of dragons without a leader. In addition to facing the threat of the Qing army from the north, the Southern Ming Dynasty also had constant internal disputes and went their own way.
Under these circumstances, in 1645, Zhu Yujian, the king of the Ming and Tang dynasties, with the support of the army chief, changed the name of the era to Longwu and established a new Southern Ming regime. During the reign of Emperor Longwu, he actively carried out the Northern Expedition in an attempt to save the Ming Dynasty. However, the two sides are not a heavyweight opponent at all. To add insult to injury, in the later battle, Nanming's general Zheng Zhilong was captured, which made Nanming's strength even worse.
Just when the Southern Ming Dynasty was struggling to support, another heavy blow came. Wu Sangui, who was originally subordinate to the Qing Dynasty, suddenly rebelled, which undoubtedly dealt a fatal blow to Nanming. Under the double attack of internal and external troubles, the Nanming regime finally came to an end and ended its short history.
In this great wave of history, countless old and young people of the Ming Dynasty are facing difficult choices. Some people chose to live in seclusion in the mountains and forests, some chose to go away, and some chose to continue the struggle. One of them is the well-known national hero Zheng Chenggong, who moved to Taiwan and continued to fight against the Qing Dynasty.
However, in the long river of history, there are always some small tributaries that are not well known. In the area of Guangzhou, there was a contingent of several hundred Ming soldiers who were neither willing to surrender to the Qing army nor to follow the Southern Ming court. Led by a general named Zhang Jiexu, the team embarked on a long journey to find a new home.
These more than 300 Ming troops, plus the people who are willing to accompany them, a total of more than 300 people, where will they go? What kind of mark will they leave in the long river of history? This long-lost history is waiting for us to uncover its mystery.
Second, the 300 Ming army embarked on the road to find a new home
In the turbulent years of the fall of the Ming Dynasty, the Ming army of more than 300 people led by Zhang Jiexu became a special existence. They were unwilling to bow to the Qing army, nor did they want to follow the Nanming regime to continue struggling inland. While resting in the Guangzhou area, Zhang Jiexu convened everyone to discuss the future direction.
After much discussion, they decided to take a path that no one had tried before – to go south to the sea, find a borderless land, and establish their own home. This bold decision allowed this small team to embark on a thrilling voyage.
In the early summer of 1645, Zhang Jiexu led more than 300 Ming soldiers and accompanying civilians to board several dilapidated fishing boats. Carrying limited food and weapons, they sailed south along the Pearl River from Guangzhou. This improvised fleet faced many challenges.
The first is the lack of nautical skills. Although there were some coastal dwellers in this group, most of them were soldiers and civilians on land, and they knew nothing about seafaring. They can only rely on rudimentary nautical tools and limited experience to find their way in the vast sea.
This is followed by rough sea conditions. The South China Sea is notoriously sinister, especially during the summer months, when typhoons are frequented. Zhang Jiexu's fleet was attacked several times by strong winds and waves and almost capsized. On one occasion, a fishing boat carrying more than 50 people was overturned by a huge wave, but fortunately other boats rescued it in time and did not cause serious casualties.
Another serious challenge is the scarcity of supplies. Due to their hasty voyages, they were able to carry limited food and fresh water. In the third month of the voyage, there was little food left, and everyone had to start fishing. However, the shortage of fresh water cannot be easily solved. At the most difficult time, some people even proposed to return home, but Zhang Jiexu insisted on moving on.
On top of that, they have to face all kinds of unexpected situations. Once, a ship was cut through the bottom of the reef and almost sank. Everyone worked together to plug the cracks with clothing and planks to barely save the ship. On another occasion, a sudden illness spread through the fleet, causing more than a dozen people to fall ill, two of whom unfortunately died.
However, despite all the difficulties, the team did not give up. They drifted at sea for nearly half a year, passing through numerous small islands, but either they were already inhabited or the environment was harsh and unsuitable for survival. It wasn't until the winter of 1645 that they finally found an ideal place to live.
It is an archipelago of hundreds of islands located in the heart of the South China Sea. The largest island covers an area of about 200 square kilometers and is rich in vegetation, fresh water resources, and a variety of wildlife and fish. What's more, it's far from the mainland and relatively secluded, making it an ideal refuge.
Zhang Jiexu decided to land here. At that time, the archipelago was still undeveloped and undeveloped, with no permanent inhabitants. More than 300 people were scattered on several larger islands and began a grueling life of land reclamation.
The first thing they have to deal with is the issue of shelter. Taking advantage of the island's abundant timber and vines, they quickly erected humble houses. Then they began to clear the wasteland and plant the seeds they had brought from the mainland. Luckily, the climate and soil were suitable for crops, and the first harvests were soon there.
Fishing has also become an important means of survival for them. The waters around the island are rich in fish, and they quickly mastered a variety of fishing techniques. Some have even started trying to catch turtles and other marine life, enriching the island's food intake.
However, the challenges of the new environment go far beyond that. Mosquitoes are rampant on the island, and many people are infected with malaria. They had to be treated with herbs and earthworks, and the results were not ideal. In addition, the arrival of the typhoon season has also brought great trouble to their lives, and several strong typhoons have destroyed the homes they have built with great difficulty.
Despite this, this group of remnants of the Ming Dynasty persevered. In this strange land, they gradually established their own order of life. Zhang Jiexu became the leader of this small society, and he developed a series of rules and regulations to maintain order on the island.
Over time, this small society gradually stabilized. They began to build stronger houses, open up more farmland, and even try to domesticate some of the island's wildlife. By the second year, they were already largely self-sufficient.
In this way, more than 300 Ming soldiers and accompanying civilians began a new life in this nameless archipelago. Although they are far from their homeland, they still maintain the traditions and culture of the Ming Dynasty. How will they develop in the years to come? What will be the fate of this small society founded by the remnants of the Ming Dynasty? The answers to these questions will be gradually revealed in subsequent history.
3. The development process of the descendants of the Ming army on the island
Over time, more than 300 Ming troops led by Zhang Jiexu and their entourage gradually gained a firm foothold in this South China Sea archipelago. Their descendants, the descendants of these Ming armies, underwent a unique and tortuous journey of development over the next few hundred years.
Early development (1645-1700)
In the first few decades, this small society faced enormous challenges. Slow population growth is one of the main problems. Since the initial population was predominantly male, the birth rate was low due to difficulties in marriage. To solve this problem, Zhang Jiexu developed a special policy: to encourage intermarriage with the island's indigenous people. Although the island was originally inhabited, there were some indigenous tribes on the surrounding islands. By establishing friendly relations with these tribes, some descendants of the Ming army began to marry indigenous women.
This policy has alleviated the demographic problem to a certain extent, but it has also brought challenges of cultural integration. In order to maintain the inheritance of Ming Dynasty culture, Zhang Jiexu placed special emphasis on the education of the next generation. He organized literate sergeants to open private schools, taught children to read and write, and taught the etiquette and traditions of the Ming Dynasty.
On the economic front, this small society gradually developed a production model based on agriculture and fishing. They combined the seeds of crops they brought from the mainland with local plants suitable for cultivation to breed new varieties adapted to the island's climate. Fishing technology is also improving, and they are starting to build larger fishing boats that can fish farther afield.
The Middle Revolution (1700-1800)
In the 18th century, the island society ushered in an important turning point. The leader at the time, Zhang Yuan, the grandson of Zhang Jiexu, realized that it was difficult to support the further development of society by relying on agriculture and fishery alone. He came up with a bold plan: to develop maritime trade.
Zhang Yuan organized a small merchant fleet and began trading with the surrounding islands and coastal areas. They exchanged the pearls, conch and other seafood abundant on the island for various daily necessities and production tools. This decision has made a huge difference on the island. Trade not only brought economic prosperity, but also introduced many new ideas and technologies.
However, frequent foreign exchanges also pose potential risks. In order to avoid being discovered by the outside world, Zhang Yuan formulated a strict confidentiality system. All foreign communications are under pseudonyms, and it is forbidden to reveal one's origins. This practice laid the foundation for later development.
During this period, the demographic structure of the island also changed significantly. With more communication with the outside world, some merchants and sailors chose to settle on the island, injecting fresh blood into this small society. By the end of the 18th century, the island's population had grown to nearly 10,000.
Late Challenges (1800-1900)
The 19th century was a challenging time for the island society. The first is the crisis of identity. As time went on, more and more young people became suspicious of their identity as descendants of the Ming Dynasty. Many of them had never seen the mainland, and their memories of the Ming Dynasty came only from the oral accounts of their ancestors. Some have even begun to question the need to continue this status.
This is followed by an increase in external threats. As the activities of the Western powers increased in Southeast Asia, this hidden island society was at risk of detection. In 1820, a British merchant ship stumbled upon the archipelago, and although nothing unusual was found through the clever maneuvering of the islanders, the incident caused a high level of vigilance among the island's leadership.
In response to these challenges, the leader at the time, Zhang Hong, took a series of measures. In terms of cultural inheritance, he strengthened the education of the history and culture of the Ming Dynasty, and strengthened ethnic identity by compiling genealogies and holding traditional festivals. In terms of foreign relations, he developed a more cautious trade policy and limited direct contact with the outside world.
At the same time, Zhang Hong also realized that complete closure was impossible. He began to selectively absorb some modern knowledge and technology, especially in military and medical fields. He sent a number of young people to study secretly throughout Southeast Asia in preparation for the island's modernization.
By the end of the 19th century, this island society had developed into a unique mixture. It not only retains the cultural traditions of the Ming Dynasty, but also absorbs elements of indigenous and foreign cultures. Economically, it has formed a structure based on maritime trade, supplemented by agriculture and fishery. The population has also grown to nearly 50,000.
However, as the world pattern changes, this hidden society is about to face even greater challenges. The advent of the 20th century will bring new opportunities and tests to this unique society of descendants of the Ming Dynasty. How will they maintain their character on the wave of modernization? The answer to this question will be revealed gradually in the following history.
Fourth, the changes in the society of the descendants of the Ming Dynasty since the 20th century
In the 20th century, this island society, founded by the remnants of the Ming Dynasty, faced unprecedented challenges and opportunities. With the drastic changes in the world pattern, this long-hidden group has to face the wave of modernization and the impact of the outside world.
In the early 1900s, Zhang Mingde, then a social leader, convened an important meeting to discuss how to deal with the challenges of the new century. The meeting decided to adopt a policy of "limited opening up" and prudently absorb advanced technology and knowledge from the outside world while maintaining tradition. This decision had a profound impact on later developments.
Educational reform became the focus of this period. On the basis of preserving the traditional private school education, Zhang Mingde founded the island's first modern school. The school curriculum includes both the traditional Four Books and the Five Classics, as well as modern subjects such as mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Some young people were secretly sent to study abroad to learn advanced technology and management knowledge.
On the economic front, some light industries began to develop on the island. In 1905, the first shipyard was established, which not only provided better ships for the island's fishing and trade, but also became an important economic mainstay. In 1910, a canning factory was put into operation, processing the island's abundant seafood into commodities with a longer shelf life, which greatly facilitated foreign trade.
However, this development has also brought with it a new set of problems. As they become more connected to the outside world, the island's younger generation is beginning to question traditional lifestyles and values. Some have even suggested that we should abandon our hidden identities and integrate into modern society. This sparked a backlash from the island's elders, leading to an intellectual debate that lasted for years.
In the 1920s, a worldwide wave of nationalism also affected this society, which was far from the mainland. Some young intellectuals are beginning to re-examine their identity, identifying themselves as descendants of the Ming Dynasty and hoping to contribute to modern China. This complex identity has brought a new ideological shock to the island society.
In the 1930s, as Japanese activity in Southeast Asia increased, island societies faced a serious threat of discovery. In order to deal with this situation, the then leader Zhang Zhiyuan formulated a series of emergency plans. He strengthened the island's defenses and formed a small but well-equipped militia. At the same time, he also made an emergency evacuation plan just in case.
During World War II, this hidden society experienced its most difficult times. Although the islands were not directly involved in the war, frequent military activity severely affected their maritime trade. Shortages became widespread, and the island had to be rationed. Despite this, under the leadership of Zhang Zhiyuan, the islanders persevered, and even secretly rescued some civilians who had fled.
After the war, with the changes in the international situation, the island society ushered in new opportunities for development. In the 1950s, under the leadership of a new generation of leaders, Zhang Lixin, a series of modernization reforms began on the island. He vigorously developed education and sent more young people to study abroad. At the same time, he also paid attention to the protection of traditional culture, and set up a special institution to collect and organize cultural relics and documents of the Ming Dynasty.
In terms of economy, Zhang Lixin put forward the strategy of "building the country with trade". He took advantage of the island's unique geographical location and abundant seafood resources to vigorously develop international trade. In 1960, the island's first modern port was built, which greatly facilitated trade. By the 1970s, the island had become one of the most important trading hubs in Southeast Asia.
However, with the rapid development of the economy, the social structure of the island has also undergone profound changes. The traditional clan system was gradually replaced by a modern management system. Urbanization is accelerating, and more and more people are concentrated on the main island. These changes have led to some social problems, such as the widening gap between the rich and the poor, and the loss of traditional culture.
In response to these challenges, the leadership in the 1980s embarked on a series of social reforms. They have established a modern social security system and strengthened the protection of traditional culture. At the same time, they also began to pay attention to environmental protection, and established strict environmental regulations to ensure the sustainable development of the island.
In the 21st century, this society founded by the remnants of the Ming Dynasty is facing new opportunities and challenges. The impact of globalization, the rapid development of information technology, and the threat of climate change have all had a profound impact on this small island society. How to adapt to the development of modern society while maintaining traditional characteristics has become a major issue facing the new generation of leaders.
In the process, the identity of the islanders has evolved. They are descendants of the Ming Dynasty and part of this unique island society, while also facing the multicultural impact of globalization. This complex identity will continue to influence the future development of this society.
5. The inheritance and evolution of Ming Dynasty culture on the island
In this archipelago of the South China Sea, the culture of the Ming Dynasty has undergone nearly 400 years of inheritance and evolution. This unique process of cultural preservation not only demonstrates the tenacity of the remnants of the Ming Dynasty, but also shows the complexity of cultural integration.
The original cultural transmission relied mainly on word of mouth. Zhang Jiexu and other first-generation immigrants dictated the rules and regulations of the Ming Dynasty to the next generation. They also brought some precious books, such as the Four Books and Five Classics, Zizhi Tongjian, etc., which became the foundation of the island's culture and education.
Language is the key carrier of cultural inheritance. In the early days, the islanders used the official dialect of the late Ming Dynasty. Over time, however, the language gradually absorbed the lexical and grammatical features of the local indigenous languages, forming a distinct island dialect. This dialect retains a large number of Ming Dynasty vocabulary and has become a valuable material for the study of Ming Dynasty language.
In terms of the ceremonial system, the island society has long maintained the traditions of the Ming Dynasty. Ceremonies such as weddings, funerals, sacrifices, and prayers are strictly in accordance with the Ming system. Especially in terms of sacrifices, a solemn ceremony is held every year to commemorate the homeland. This ritual continued until the early 20th century, when it was gradually simplified.
Clothing culture is one of the most well-preserved areas of the Ming Dynasty. The early islanders still wore Ming Dynasty clothing, but due to the climate, the material and style of clothing gradually changed. By the 18th century, a unique costume system had developed on the island, which retained the basic characteristics of Ming Dynasty clothing while incorporating tropical styles.
Architecturally, the early buildings completely imitated the Ming Dynasty style. However, due to the constraints of climate and materials, the architectural form was gradually indigenized. By the 19th century, the island had developed a unique architectural style, and although the overall layout still retains the characteristics of the Ming Dynasty, the details such as the roof, doors and windows have incorporated tropical elements.
Literature and art are important areas for the continuation of Ming culture. The tradition of imperial examinations has been maintained on the island, which, although limited in size, guaranteed the existence of a literati class. These literati wrote a large number of poems documenting the changes in the island's society. Among them, the 18th-century "Chronicles of the South Sea" is an important document for the study of the history of the island.
The art of opera has also been inherited and developed on the island. Initially, the islanders could only sing fragments from memory. Later, with the increase in communication with the outside world, some new scripts were brought to the island. By the 19th century, the island had developed a unique style of opera, incorporating elements of Ming Dynasty Kunqu opera and local folk music.
In terms of food culture, the islanders strive to maintain the culinary traditions of the Ming Dynasty. They cultivated many vegetables and grains that were common in the Ming Dynasty, such as cabbage, radish, wheat, etc. At the same time, they have also made full use of local seafood resources and developed a unique seafood cooking method. This fusion of Ming Dynasty and local elements of the food culture has become one of the island's most distinctive cultural icons.
Pharmaceutical culture is another important area of inheritance. There were several imperial physicians among the early immigrants, who brought with them a large number of medical books and prescriptions. This knowledge, combined with the knowledge of the local indigenous herbs, has resulted in a unique system of island medicine. In particular, in the treatment of tropical diseases, the island's doctors accumulated a wealth of experience, which later contributed to modern medical research.
The festival customs are the most vivid embodiment of the culture of the Ming Dynasty on the island. The islanders strictly follow the festivals of the Ming Dynasty, such as the Spring Festival, Lantern Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, etc. During these festivals, there are big celebrations all over the island. Especially during the Spring Festival, the island holds a two-week celebration that includes traditional events such as dragon and lion dances and lantern festivals. These festivals are not only entertainment, but also an important way to unite ethnic identity.
However, with the changes of the times, the culture of the Ming Dynasty also underwent a series of changes on the island. In the early 20th century, with the introduction of modern education, the traditional imperial examination system was abolished. However, the island's leadership has taken a series of measures to protect traditional culture, such as setting up a cultural preservation fund and encouraging the inheritance of traditional arts.
In the 21st century, in the face of the impact of globalization, island societies have begun to re-examine their cultural traditions. On the one hand, they have stepped up efforts to protect traditional culture, such as establishing museums to collect cultural relics of the Ming Dynasty and opening traditional culture courses. On the other hand, they also actively seek innovative development of traditional culture, such as combining traditional opera with modern stage arts, and developing cultural and creative products with Ming Dynasty characteristics.
It is worth noting that with the increase of communication with the outside world, the culture of the Ming Dynasty on the island has also begun to attract the attention of the academic community. Some historians and cultural researchers have begun to conduct in-depth research on this "living fossil" of Ming Dynasty cultural remains. These studies not only enrich people's understanding of Ming Dynasty culture, but also provide valuable cases for exploring the laws of cultural inheritance and evolution.
Today, in this South China Sea archipelago, the culture of the Ming Dynasty continues in its own unique way. It is not only a living history, recording the struggle of a group of Ming Dynasty remnants and their descendants; It is also a mirror, reflecting the complex process of cultural inheritance and change. This history of cultural inheritance, which spans nearly four centuries, will undoubtedly continue to attract the attention and research of future generations.