This book is akin to Midnight in Paris directed by Woody Allen. The author creates a college student and an imaginary ceramic lady. Together they travel through time, come across several key figures in Chinese art history and take part in many important events in person. On the basis of precise textural research and a great deal of references, the author traces some important historical events in special writing style, showing the readers how Chinese art history is affected and guided by these events, leading to the artists and masterpieces we know well today.

Xinghui PAN, associate professor at Department of History, School of Humanities, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, focusing on political history and institutional history of Ming and Qing Dynasties.