Ming Dynasty in 1566

Ming Dynasty in 1566^[1] is a Chinese television series based on the events in the reign of the Jiajing Emperor of the Ming dynasty. It was first broadcast on Hunan TV in China in 2007.

Ming Dynasty in 1566
DVD cover art
Also known as	Ming Dynasty 1566
Chinese	大明王朝1566
Literal meaning	The Great Ming Dynasty 1566
Hanyu Pinyin	Dà Míng Wángcháo 1566
Genre	Historical drama
Written by	Liu Heping
Directed by	Zhang Li
Starring	Chen Baoguo Huang Zhizhong Wang Qingxiang Yan Ni Wang Yajie Guo Dongwen Zheng Yu Zhang Zijian
Opening theme	Zhi Shi Min Wei Tian (治世民为天) performed by Tan Weiwei
Ending theme	Hai Kuo Tian Qing (海阔天青) performed by Tan Jing
Composers	Liu Jian Han Wei Zhao Jiping
Country of origin	China
Original language	Mandarin
No. of episodes	46
Production
Producer	Chi Xiaoning
Production location	China
Running time	45 minutes per episode
Original release
Network	Hunan TV CCTV

Synopsis

This drama tells the story of Emperor Jiajing of the Ming Dynasty and Hai Rui. In the 39th year of Jiajing's reign, corruption is rampant, and the people are living in misery. Treacherous official Yan Song and his faction dominate the imperial court, wielding immense power, while the upright official Hai Rui fearlessly challenges the decaying feudal authority.

For 20 years, Emperor Zhu Houcong has devoted himself to Taoist practices, leaving Yan Song in control of the military, political, and economic affairs of the Ming dynasty.

Yan Song's abuse of power stirs widespread discontent among officials at all levels. Calls to overthrow him echo loudly from the court to local governments, creating a storm of intrigue and power struggles filled with betrayal and manipulation.

Loyal ministers and capable generals, as well as corrupt officials and villains, all take their place on this dramatic stage of history.

Cast

• Chen Baoguo as the Jiajing Emperor
• Huang Zhizhong as Hai Rui
• Ni Dahong as Yan Song
• Zhang Zhijian as Yan Shifan
• Guo Guangping as Prince Yu (the future Longqing Emperor)
• Yan Ni as Consort Li
• Xiao Zhu as Xu Jie
• Liu Yubin as Gao Gong
• Guo Dongwen as Zhang Juzheng
• Wang Qingxiang as Hu Zongxian
• Xu Guangming as Lü Fang
• Liu Liwei as Chen Hong
• Wang Jinsong as Yang Jinshui
• Zhao Yong as Huang Jin
• Xu Chengfeng as Feng Bao
• Zheng Yu as Wang Yongji
• Xu Min as Zhao Zhenji
• Gan Yu as Zheng Michang
• Wang Rong as He Maocai
• Chen Zhihui as Qi Jiguang
• Wang Yajie as Yunniang
• Tan Kai as Gao Hanwen
• Zhao Lixin as Shen Yishi
• Zhu Xiaojuan as Hai Rui's mother
• Hu Lingling as Hai Rui's wife
• Lin Haiyun as Hai Rui's daughter
• Zhang Zijian as Li Shizhen
• Jin Song as Qi Dazhu
• Miura Kenichi as Inoue Jūsanro

Episodes

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original release date
1	1	"Episode 1"	Zhang Li	Liu Heping	2007 (2007)
In the 39th year of Emperor Jiajing's reign, a snowless winter signals misfortune. Zhou Yunyi, an official who criticizes corruption and excessive spending, is executed, sparking outrage. As the Emperor prays for snow, factions within the court clash over fiscal reforms, while the birth of an imperial grandson brings hope. The approval of a controversial mulberry field policy sets the stage for peasant unrest.
2	2	"Episode 2"	Zhang Li	Liu Heping	2007 (2007)
During Emperor Jiajing's reign, the birth of his first grandson shifts the delicate balance of power in the court. Eunuch Lü Fang sends Feng Bao to the Prince of Yu's residence to guide the imperial heir, laying the groundwork for future political maneuvers. Meanwhile, officials Xu Jie, Gao Gong, and Zhang Juzheng work with the Prince to counter the Yan faction’s harmful "rice-to-mulberry" policy, which causes famine and unrest in Zhejiang. Local uprisings, led by farmers like Qi Dazhu, escalate as corrupt officials profit from silk trade deals, while Governor Hu Zongxian secretly opposes the policy, creating further tension within the court.
3	3	"Episode 3"	Zhang Li	Liu Heping	2007 (2007)
Emperor Jiajing’s visit to the Prince of Yu’s residence rekindles his affection for his grandson, leading to grand gestures like granting silk rewards. Meanwhile, Yan Song uses the opportunity to test the Emperor’s stance by presenting Governor Hu Zongxian’s memorial, while Yan Shifan, seeking quick gains, conspires to flood farmland in nine counties for cheap land acquisition. Their actions lead to disastrous consequences, forcing Hu Zongxian, Qi Jiguang, and Tan Lun to mobilize troops and work with locals to mitigate the damage. The flooding spares seven counties but devastates two, thwarting Yan Shifan’s land-grab scheme.