invention

     People, I bring you the wonderful bristle toothbrush. Hopefully, most of us use it every single day. The bristle toothbrush is just like any toothbrush you see today, but the ones today are probably upgraded from back in the Ming Dynasty. The bristles were made from pigs' necks. The birstles were attached to a bone or to a bamboo handle. To use it, someone simply (for best results) puts toothpaste on the bristles, and move back and forth all aroundand on the teeth. If they want to get rowdy, they can even brush their tongue, or their gums, or even the roof of their mouth.

     This was first used in China in the fifteenth century. It was invented in 1498. Romans were also very interested into oral hygiene. They also used the toothbrush. The toothbrush was used in America in 1857. 

     This invention has changed almost everyones life. When they wake up, they will eat brekfast. and would normally just go do their every day activities. With the toothbrush, after someone eats they will hopefully brush their teeth. And at night, before bed, someone will usually brush their teeth. Now, everyone has white, clean teeth, and fresh breath!

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Geat Wall of China Get's Built

by: Rae Lambert, The Craftiest Fingered Person on the Keyboard

    
     An important event of the Ming Dynasty was that the Great Wall of China was began being built. The Great Wall of China is like a dragon, winding 3,948 miles. The Chinese started building this wall within the Warring States period (476 BC- 221 BC). Although, most of it was bulit within the Ming Dynasty. It extends from ShanHaiGuan, a seaport along the coast of BoHai in the east, to JiaYuGuan Pass in the GangSu Province in the west. It spans 9 provincves. The Great Wall of China was built to keep invaders out. This wall is still around today. People tour it every day. It is so big that telescopes can see it from space!

Photo by: topgold, Creative Commons

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      This is the map of the Ming Dynasty. It lasted from 1368 to 1644. There are several important features of this map. First of all, the capital at this time was Beijing. Then there are important rivers, the Wei River, the Yangtze River, and the Yellow River. Guangzhou is also a fairly large city, located near the boarder of China, and right above the West River.

 

Interview Time!

 

Reporter: Mr. Yuanzhang, in relation to your reign, how was your childhood?

 

Zhu Yuanzhang: I was born in a poor family. We lived in a village called Zhongli. I had a rough childhood living in poverty. I was starved. I was treated harshly by my folks, which is how I run things in my empire. I barely got to see my brothers because they were giving away. That's because we didn't have enough food for everyone. I had seven brothers! How could we possibly support that? But, anyways I treat my empire the same way i was treated, because frankly, it works. People obey, and if not, they get punished.

 

Reporter: I see, what do you think is your greatest accomplishment so far?

 

Zhu Yuanzhang: I think my greatest accomplishment so far is that we have started to build the soon to be Great Wall of China. This way we can keep from getting killed. We are always getting attacked, from the left, from the right. Those darn Monguls! We needed SOMETHING to protect us, and this is the answer.

 

Reporter: Yes, the Great Wall of China is quite a big accomplishment. How do you run your military?

 

Zhu Yuanzhang: When I realized that the Monguls were going to keep attacking, we needed some kind of military force. I decided to create a Confucian military. I then changed it to a Wèisuǒ military. I had every unit consist of 5,600 men, divided into 5 battalions and 10 companies.

 

Reporter: Did you create any religious architectures?

 

Zhu Yuanzhang: As a matter of fact, I did. I ordered the construction of several mosques in Nanjing, Yunnan, Guangdong, and Fujian. I also had inscriptions that praised Muhammad put in mosques. It is very important in this empire that we praise our lords. They were the cause of our life. It is only our job to show gratitude towards them.

 

Reporter: Can you describe your thoughts about Confucianism?

 

Zhu Yuanzhang: Confucianism is extremely important, at least in my empire. I feel that agriculture should be the county's source of wealth and trade. This is why I promoted agriculture. Although I do not like merchants, but I tolerate them. Trade and commerce is the most important part of success in life. It gets money, and gets friends.

 

 

 

 

 

KILLER MAIDS!

 by: Rae Lambert, The Craftiest Fingered Person on the Keyboard

 

    Its 1542, Emperor Jiajing is in charge. He is the 11th Ming Dynasty ruler. He is cruel and only cares for himself. He beats and banishes many people.  Palace maids are even trying to assassinate him. I think this is very interesting. Maids are thought of sweet girly cleaners. But not these maids... These maids are assassins! The maids try to assassinate the emperor because of his cruelness. I think it's quite ironic that maids would kill their king. I think this because maids are loyal enough to clean his palace...yet they are trying to kill him!

     These maids were up for the challenge because they have token enough cruelty from Emperor Jiajing. The maids are planning to kill him in October. They are planning to strangle the emperor in his sleep. Rae doesn't blame them. She actually encourages them. She doesn't think its right to treat people working for another poorly, especially an emperor. While the head maid is trying to strangle the emperor with a ribbon from her hair, and the others holding his arms and legs down. Unfortunately, she makes the mistake of not being able to knot the ribbon. The maids are soon caught and decapitated. They're families are also killed as well. Rae wishes the plan worked out. She thinks the emperor deserves it.

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