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The Ming Dynasty would rule China for nearly 300 years. 

Firmly ensconced in the Chinese pathos is the concept of the Mandate of Heaven. This is similar to the European concept of the Divine Right of Kings. Both the Divine Right of Kings and the Mandate of Heaven are given by heaven.  Beyond that they are different.

For many decades the Ming had been fighting along their long border with Manchuria. There was also a major rebellion late in the 16th century in Sichuan Province. It was called the Bo Zhou Rebellion. The Ming also got involved in a war with Japan.  That war was called the Imjin War. 

A fellow by the name of Li ZhiChang led an uprising in North Central China.  He was called the Dashing King.  There was also another guy by the name of Zhong Xian Zhong that led an uprising.  He had the colorful name of the Yellow Tiger.  The Dashing King eventually made it all the way to Peking in 1644. On June 6, 1644, the combined Ming and Manchu armies defeated the Dashing King and conquered Peking and declared a new dynasty.

Next time I will talk about the Qing Dynasty's founding father.

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