Perhaps when it comes to ruling time, the Ming Dynasty is not the longest. The Zhou dynasty ruled for more than 800 years, the Tang dynasty ruled for 289 years and the Qing dynasty ruled for more than 295 years. But the Ming dynasty is the Ming dynasty after all, not other dynasties. In my opinion, in the Ming Dynasty, although Ming Taizu was a little bloodthirsty in the early Ming Dynasty, the eunuchs were chaotic in the middle and the emperors were not in charge of the main business in the later period, the overall situation was far from unsightly. Next, the author wants to make some superficial discussions on why the Ming Dynasty ruled for 276 years.
First of all, the anti-corruption wave in the early Ming Dynasty helped to strengthen the self-discipline of officials. Zhu Yuanzhang, the founder of the Ming Dynasty, was born at the grassroots level and hated government corruption and official corruption. Therefore, the anti-corruption behavior he advocated and implemented not only curbed the spread of corruption, but also effectively warned the self-discipline behavior of officials. Although there are many disadvantages in torturing officials, high-handed policies can still play a positive role.
Secondly, the system of speaking officials established in the Ming Dynasty was beneficial to check and balance the words and deeds of the emperor. In the thirteenth year of Hongwu, Zhu Yuanzhang, the Ming emperor, killed the left prime minister Hu, dismissed the prime minister, and enfeoffed six provinces, directly obeying the emperor's will. Later, the cabinet system represented by Huiji was created, and the practice of admonishing officials was gradually formed. These measures undoubtedly played a very good role in assisting the emperor to be in power. Although it was later said that the official system was somewhat stale in the field of implementation, its positive significance in favor of state rule could not be ignored or obliterated.
Third, the highly centralized management mode of the Ming Dynasty also played a role in consolidating the rule. As we know, the Ming society belongs to a period of high centralization and high monitoring. In addition to supervisory officials, there are also specialized institutions such as Royal Guards, East and West Factories and Inner Factories. It is more accurate to say that these secret services are aimed at officials at all levels, not at the people. Moreover, the reign of terror and cruel pressure will more or less eliminate some unstable factors.
Fourth, most Ming emperors had high IQ and good ability, which basically belonged to the art of controlling the country. In the early Ming Dynasty, the emperors successively initiated several periods of rectification and revival, so there is no need to say more. Although the emperors in the middle and late Ming Dynasty generally didn't take care of state affairs, after all, under the mature and effective official system, the state operated normally, and ministers did their best, which didn't have much influence. Even in the face of the chaotic situation of eunuchs and treacherous courtiers, most of them can turn the tide and set things right, so that the country can return to the track of healthy development. All this is by no means a manifestation of ignorance and inaction of the rulers of the Ming Dynasty.
Fifth, the Ming army is relatively strong and can keep the enemy out of the country. The Ming Dynasty's five voyages to the Western Seas, Qi Jiguang's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, Wanli's War of Resistance Against Japan and Aid Korea, and the victory of naval battles in the south have repeatedly proved the military strength and achievements of the Ming Dynasty. Although defeated by the Li Zicheng Rebels, it is not appropriate to assert that the Ming army is vulnerable.
Sixth, the economy of the Ming Dynasty developed well, and people's livelihood could basically recuperate. The economy and culture of Ming Dynasty belong to a developed stage in the history of China. Later generations counted the tax revenue of the imperial court at that time, and the economic scale of the Ming Dynasty ranked first in the world. There is a big difference between the Ming Dynasty and other dynasties in China history, that is, the commodity economy is highly developed. According to the author of Silver Capital in western countries, at that time, half of the world's silver flowed into China. At that time, the world trade system was based on the maritime silk and silver trade between China and western countries. The improvement of the economic situation has also brought different degrees of benefits to the people. Later, when the Ming Dynasty perished, the cause of economic collapse was one of the most important sources. Since today we mainly talk about why the Ming Dynasty was able to rule for nearly 300 years, let's not talk about the various drawbacks of the Ming Dynasty.