The Ming Dynasty, which reigned China for 276 years, was described as one of the greatest eras of human history characterized by desirable governance and social stability. During this period, the development of handicraft industry advanced market economy and urbanization. A large number of commodities, including alcohol and silk cloth, were sold on the market. At the same time, many foreign goods like clocks and tobaccos were imported. Beijing, Nanjing, Yangzhou and Suzhou emerged as commercial centers one after another. It was also in the Ming Dynasty that fleets headed by Zheng He made seven large-scale adventurous voyages to the Indian Ocean. What is also noteworthy is that three of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature were written during this period.