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  3. The Ming Dynasty was founded in 1368 by the Buddhist monk Chu Yuanchang, who, riding on a crest of peasant unrest and popular pr

The Ming Dynasty was founded in 1368 by the Buddhist monk Chu Yuanchang, who, riding on a crest of peasant unrest and popular pr

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问题     The Ming Dynasty was founded in 1368 by the Buddhist monk Chu Yuanchang, who, riding on a crest of peasant unrest and popular prophecies stemming from the secret "Cult of the White Lotus," drove the last Mongol emperor out of China.
    Established at Nanjing, the Ming Dynasty divided the empire administratively into 13 provinces and set about increasing and centralising government control of the empire. Government was departmentalised, censorship was introduced and judicial authority strengthened. Public schools were also introduced by the Ming, and officials subjected to literary examinations. Because Confucian teachings considered trade and industry morally questionable, they came under much increased state control during this period. However, naval expeditions which reached as far as Africa opened new trade routes during this period, as well as encouraging Chinese emigration into South East Asia.
    Increasing bureaucratisation led to an enhancement of power of the highest caste of officialdom—the Mandarin and a consequent rival gain in political power of the palace eunuchs. The rivalry between the Mandarins and eunuchs led to much corruption and intrigues within the imperial harem.
    The Mandarin period saw an increased isolationism from China, reacting against incessant incursions by the Mongols, Japanese piracy and advances of the Europeans. Under Yung Lo, the capital of the Empire was moved to Beijing in 1421 in order to improve defence of China’s northern frontier, and the Great Wall extended. Japanese piracy was finally eliminated in 1563, but the early to middle 16th century China was plagued by Tungusian raiding which even reached as far as Beijing under the poet emperor Kia-Tsing.
    In exchange for tribute paid to the Empire, the first Portuguese base was established at Canton in 1516, though European trade was limited to Macau in 1557. Emperor Wan-Li (1573—1619) encouraged the missionary activity of the Jesuits, whose mathematical and technical skills and knowledge gained them much influence at the imperial court.
    Culturally, the Ming period is typified by a refinement in lifestyle and highly polished manners and complex etiquette systems. In literature, over 23 000 volumes are collected in the Yung-Lo Da Dian, and "true to life" novels first began to appear.
    Architectural high points include the Imperial tombs at Beijing and Nanjing, and the extension of the Imperial palace.
    The classic Chinese garden with pagodas, arched bridges, singing birds and tea houses was perfected during the Ming period, but perhaps its most famous cultural artifact is the famous Ming porcelain, with colouring and decoration perfected to an exquisite degree.
    In medicine, a scientific system of diagnosis was developed during the Ming period, and acupuncture developed.
    The Ming empire was seriously weakened by plagues, floods and famines in the early I6th century and terminal decline of the dynasty started circa(大约) 1622, ironically as a result of the activities of the "Cult of the White Lotus" and was finally ended by the rise of the Manchu Dynasty. (477 words)
Who was the possible person involved in the naval expedition reaching Africa at that time?
选项 A、Marco Polo.
B、Zheng He.
C、Yung Lo.
D、Chu Yuanchang.
答案B
解析 郑和。
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