Ming Dynasty

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/eastasia/1372mingmanf.html

Read this Manifesto of Accession as First Ming Emperor. How does this document portray the incoming Ming rulers? Who does it cite as the source of its authority?
Now read this excerpt about the Chinese educational system:
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/eastasia/1575duhalde1.html. According to this text, what did instructors emphasize in educating Chinese youth? What can these emphases tell us about Chinese culture? Is there any reason to be suspicious of the credibility of this document? If so, what is it?

Qing Dynasty

http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~wldciv/world_civ_reader/world_civ_reader_2/kang_hsi.html

Read these Sacred Edicts that a Qing emperor required to be read aloud twice a month in every village. What kinds of behavior do they promote? What elements of this document are drawn from Confucian philosophy? What can these edicts tell us about 17^th century China?