Böcker av Liu Heping

The crisis in Peking continues as the Communists circle the city. Battered Nationalist forces find themselves in an endless race with corruption. With Cui Zongshi dead, Liang Jinglun and Fang Buting try to prop up a crumbling economy, while Fang Meng'ao transports important cargo to Tianjin. Plans must be made as the fighting draws to a close.

Fang Meng'ao's mission to better Peking attracts Inspector General Zeng Keda, who hunts communists. In a city of treachery, desperate measures barely cover societal fractures. Yang Jinglun leads student protests for the accused. With civil war raging, Fang must avoid Zeng's watchful eye and the traps set throughout the city.

The empire is in mortal danger. Hai Rui and his allies bought her time, but now it is spent. Addled by mercury and aided by sycophants, Emperor Jiajing is squandering the last remnants of the treasury. Now it is time to rescue the once-mighty Ming or join in the plunder as it descends in flames to a hell of no return.

The fate of the Ming hangs on a knife edge. In the south, imperial forces make a desperate last stand against pirate raiders. Nearby, magistrate Hai Rui investigates massive corruption. In Beijing, the chief eunuch is forced to choose sides when a chance to oust Yan Song arises. China‿s heroes must make their move. If they fail‿ everything burns.

In Volume 2 of the 1566 series, China's Ming dynasty faces two-front invasion and deepening corruption within. Magistrate Hai Rui is tasked with uncovering truth and bringing justice, but he finds himself at odds with powerful figures in the imperial court. Meanwhile, an assortment of heroes head south to battle invading Japanese pirates.

Something is rotten in the heart of the capitalThe Ming dynasty is at its zenith. All under heaven bow towards the Forbidden City, where the Celestial Emperor and his servants grace the earth. Yet rot festers deep in the palace…Emperor Jiajing has sealed himself away, more interested in Taoist magics than the Dragon Throne. In his absence, the corruption of ambitious men grows unchecked.Among such shameless villains stride the Yan, a ruthless clan whose lustful grasp on the state ever tightens. Few dare stand against them, but heaven's mandate calls for balance, and a humble clerk named Hai Rui rises to answer.Across land and over water, forces awaken, stirred by the shadows emanating from the halls of power. No one knows if or when the peace of the Great Ming will collapse. Perhaps the cracks can be healed. Perhaps fate can be appeased. Or perhaps the old saying holds true: a realm long united, must divide...