I'm really interested in learning more about the so called Ming Secret police! The main issue I have been encountering is the lack of any real information/sources that are not in Chinese. Does anyone know of any English books or articles that go in depth. A quick glance on the internet only provides some general info, like on wikipedia and some questionable tourist sites. Any general insight and help would be greatly appreciated!
Follow on question:
The Jinyi Wei were only half of the Ming Dynasty's state security/intelligence apparatus. How was their reach/power/roles different from the Eastern Depot? I know that the Jinyi Wei also acted as the Emperor's bodyguards, but it seems like both institutions carried out spying, inspections, arrests etc.