A Zhongxiao Celebrity: Huang Daozhou (1585–1646)

Zhou Zhikui’s harsh criticism of the Fushe’s dreadful influence on Donglin icon Huang Daozhou did not diminish Huang’s stardom. On the contrary, his reputation as a moral paragon only soared as he wrestled with the Chongzhen emperor and political rivals. And it would reach new heights with his arrest and imprisonment for alleged factional scheming in Chongzhen 13 (1640 ). With Huang’s rising fame, anecdotes about him captivated audiences of contemporary politics. Even news about his physical suffering carried social value and cultural appeal. Huang’s health had deteriorated so much in prison that he was seen to use a walking