The author of the book, 1587, A Year of No Significance, Ray Huang, served in the army for many years, and that helped him appreciate the various influences of the modern Chinese revolution. When he retired to the United States of America, he resumed his studies in Chinese history, and this eventually led Huang to the idea of writing the book, 1587, A Year of No Significance. The book was first published by Yale University Press in 1981, and was nominated for an American Book Award in the history category. The book has been translated in Chinese, German, French and Japanese. It is highly regarded among historians and scholars, and has become a must read for all students of Chinese history, and an important reference book for Chinese businessmen, high-ranking administrators and politicians.

April 2006 Premiere / Studio Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

September to October 2006 Rerun / Shouson Theatre, Hong Kong Arts Centre

April 2008 Rerun / Studio Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

October 2010 Rerun / Studio Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

September 2012 Rerun / Studio Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

November 2012 Rerun / By invitation of Hong Kong Week 2012 / Cement Hall, TCC Building, Taipei

November 2014 Rerun / By invitation of Wuzhen Theatre Festival 2014

September 2015 Rerun / Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

November 2026 New Production / Theatre, Sheung Wan Civic Centre

Chang Chu-cheng, “Power is necessary in order to make things happen, and greater power is necessary to make bigger things happen”

When Wan-li was small, he esteemed his tutor, Chang Chu-cheng, as a source of authority and wisdom, and a leader of majestic vision. In addition to being the chief counsellor, Chang was also in charge of the emperor’s education; and above all, he had won the confidence and favour of the empress dowager. He was ascended to the peak of power, and was overconfident in imposing order and discipline, and he offended numerous court officials. There were consequences, and as soon as he died, a purge of him, his family and his associates started immediately. His title of Grand Preceptor was posthumously eliminated and his property confiscated.

Story Teller, “What happened afterwards, to the country without Qi’s disciplined army?”

Ch’i Chi-kuang gained swift and sweeping success in his defeat of Japanese pirates, and was considered to be a most talented military leader and a war hero. He was a top administrator, organiser, military engineer, and an excellent writer of war manuals, on top of being a successful commander in battle. Yet, the decline of the dynasty was approaching, the necessity of military action declined, and in a court run by bureaucrats, there was not much room for a military figure. His close association with Chang Chu-cheng had made him unforgivable, and when the purge of Chang’s associates had reached its height, Ch’i was censured and dismissed. His wife deserted him and the lonely general died alone.

Shen Shih-hsing, “I am a peacemaker among officials. I don’t want to offend either the Emperor or my colleagues.”

As the tutor of the emperor, Shen Shih-hsing was not very successful in his guidance. In fact, he was not a very experienced statesman, and he attained the position of first grand secretary because of a capricious sequence of events, namely that death and illness had eliminated all those who were senior to him. To be mild and gentle was his ambition, and he always wanted to be a peacemaker. Other civil officials were dissatisfied with his lack of resolution and labelled him as the great compromiser. He was caught in the centre of rivalries and the networks of personal ties within the bureaucracy.

Hai Jui, “The Hai Jui spirit never dies! Long live the Hai Jui soul!”

Hai Jui was a man of unyielding integrity fighting official corruption. He built his reputation on uncompromising adherence to an upright morality as exemplified by the doctrines of the “Four Books”. He ordered his own coffin before he submitted a memorial impeaching the Emperor. Though he gained ample admiration through his honesty and integrity, he did not bring much relief to the sufferings of the common people.

Emperor Wan-li, “I am the well respected Emperor, the wealthiest man of the world, but no one ever loves me genuinely.”

The reign of Wan-li, which lasted 48 years, is the longest of the Ming Dynasty. When Wan-li ascended the throne, he was only 10 years old. Ever since his enthronement, the Wan-li emperor had impressed his courtiers with his majestic countenance. His voice was deep and his pronouncements clear and loud. As a small child, Wan-li had developed an intense interest in calligraphy, but his tutor, Chang Chu-cheng, asked him to give up this hobby because calligraphy was a minor art which itself added nothing to the empire’s well being. As he grew up, Wan-li gradually realised that he was only a puppet of ceremonial proceedings, and what he had to give up was not only calligraphy but also much of his personal identity.

Li Chih, “Look at me! I’m all covered in blood. After I’ve killed myself, those hypocrites will never be able to control me any more!”

Li Chih had a miserable personal life, a failed official career, and frustrations as a writer. Li Chih was an outstanding thinker well regarded in learned circles. By nature, he was contentious and unyielding, and always clashed with his superiors. He was a zealous supporter of traditional Confucian morality and after abandoning a bureaucratic career he retreated to the suburbs and became a Buddhist monk. He was a divided thinker, aiming at both transcendental emancipation and earthly accomplishment. He found his own philosophy bearing no relevance to his real life, and thus no liberation of the mind could be obtained.

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