Jottings from the Granite Studio

On this date in 1403, Zhu Di (the Yongle Emperor) agreed to a recommendation from his Minister of Rites to move the Ming capital from Nanjing to Beiping, henceforth renamed Beijing.*
There were a number of reasons behind the move.** First, Zhu Di had usurped the throne from his nephew Zhu Yunwen in 1402, when [...]

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So…the Patriots lost. Proof–if such was necessary–that betting against the I-Ching is just not the best of ideas. Nevertheless, it was an excellent game watched in good company,* and Tim of Texas Tim’s proved a congenial host.
And hey, 18-1 ain’t too shabby. Now, I will go and repeat that line over and over [...]

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