第1章 序言

Preface

The history of the late Ming Dynasty was chaotic and complex, and can be described as a history written by a few people with strong personal charisma.

Whether it was rebels like Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong, rulers like Chongzhen and Yuan Chonghuan, or traitors like Wu Sangui and Geng Jingzhong, each of them had many stories. It was because of these wonderful stories that the history of the late Ming Dynasty became so grand and turbulent.

To write this period of history well, we must naturally depict vivid characters, regardless of their stance. We stand on the edge of the long river of history and observe from the sidelines; they are merely a ripple in this long river.

To observe the world with a critical eye is what we need to do now, and to observe history with a critical eye is also a pursuit in our lives.

The river of history has flowed to our feet, and we can stand on its banks, ready to embrace our history.

明末的历史纷乱混杂，堪称是一段由一些有着强大个人魅力的人书写成的历史。
    不论是李自成，还是张献忠这些叛逆者，还是崇祯，袁崇焕，这些当权者，亦或是吴三桂，耿精忠这些背叛者，每个人身上都有很多的故事，就是因为有了这些精彩的故事，明末的历史才变得大气起磅礴，波澜起伏。
    想要把这一段历史写好，自然要描绘出一个个活生生的人物，不论他的立场如何，我们站在历史长河的边缘上旁观，他们不过是这条长河里的一朵浪花。
    冷眼看世界，就是我们目前需要做的事情，冷眼看历史也是我们目前生活的一种追求。
    历史长河已经流淌到了我们的脚下，我们大可站在河边，准备迎接我们的历史。