Chapter One: The Sixteenth Emperor of the Great Ming Pays Homage to the Grand Progenitor, the Supreme Emperor!
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(A novel is not a history book; let’s just enjoy it for what it is. Be good, leave your logic at the door.)
The Seventeenth Year of Chongzhen.
March 16th.
Coal Hill.
“My ministers have led me astray. I die with no face to meet my ancestors. Remove my crown and cover my face with my hair. Let the rebels divide my body, but do not harm a single commoner!”
The echoes of his recent outcry still rang in Zhu Youjian’s ears. With a dazed expression, he reached out to touch the crooked-necked tree, then turned and ordered, “Cut it down.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Wang Cheng’en replied in a hushed voice, quietly drawing the curved blade he carried and hacking away at the twisted tree, stroke by stroke.
“If I had come just a little later, all the beauties of the harem and the princesses would have already taken their own lives for the country. Chongzhen himself is at the end of his rope, ready to hang from the crooked-necked tree.”
Zhu Youjian sat down on a large rock nearby, sinking into deep self-doubt. “Of all the dynasties I could have been sent to, why did I have to land in the seventeenth year of Chongzhen? Is my luck truly so bad? I have lived with compassion for years…”
“Being emperor for a single day, I’ve enjoyed no blessing—only disaster. Li Zicheng is about to storm the capital, and apart from stubbornness, Chongzhen has nothing left!”
Wang Cheng’en looked at his desolate figure, fighting back tears as he tried to comfort him. “Your Majesty, the rebel army is still a hundred miles away. There must be hope yet—there must be some opportunity…”
“What hope? The capital’s military is ravaged by plague, leaving me no troops to command. I haven’t seen the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Wu Mengming, in a long time. In this vast Ming empire, only you and I remain on Coal Hill. Where is hope to be found?”
Zhu Youjian sighed. “Stop chopping. We might need that tree before long.”
Wang Cheng’en, still gripping the curved blade, burst into tears, wiping his face as he tried to reassure his master. “Your Majesty, don’t worry. This old servant is here with you.”
The court officials were likely already bathing and burning incense, kneeling early at the city gates to welcome the Shun army.
Even so, I will not resign myself to fate!
If I can escape the capital in the chaos, perhaps I can find another path to survival!
Just as Zhu Youjian was about to dust himself off and leave, he suddenly froze.
[The Sixteen Ming Realms have been activated.]
[Main Quest: Establish Sixteen Peak Ming Dynasties.]
[Current Reward: Minor Spacetime Barrier.]
[Detected: Chongzhen Realm’s fate is in decline. Opening two new realms: ‘Fifteenth Year of Hongwu,’ and ‘Fourth Year of Jianwen.’]
“So, I can seek out my ancestors?”
“The Grand Progenitor Emperor started with nothing but a bowl and managed to revive the dynasty. Compared to that, what am I facing?”
With a slap to his thigh, Zhu Youjian’s face lit up with excitement.
Very quickly, he regained his composure and thought it through.
“First, I’ll visit the Hongwu era and meet the Grand Progenitor. After that, I’ll go to Jianwen’s reign and see the Jianwen Emperor. Wait… wasn’t the fourth year of Jianwen when Prince Yan, Zhu Di, rebelled? Could it be that I’ll bring Zhu Yuanzhang to meet Zhu Di?”
“No, by lineage, I should call the Grand Progenitor ‘Great Ancestor’ and Zhu Di ‘Forebear,’ since I’ve crossed into Chongzhen’s body and share their blood.”
A tinge of worry crept into Zhu Youjian—would the hot-tempered old Zhu really beat Zhu Di to death on the spot?
He waved his hand behind him. “Eunuch Wang, leave me for now. I wish to be alone.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I’ll be waiting below.”
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Wang Cheng’en wiped away his tears, sobbing out a stream of words before reluctantly withdrawing. He descended a few steps down the hill, slumped against a tree, and suddenly broke down in loud, uncontrollable sobs.
“At a time like this, how am I supposed to find ‘quiet’ for His Majesty?”
It’s impossible!
His whimpers drifted up the hill, reaching Zhu Youjian, who paused, moved.
Just listen to that sobbing.
So sincere! So helpless!
“A good eunuch like this—one day I’ll put you in charge of the Western Depot. Whatever the Eastern Depot can’t handle, you’ll take care of. With imperial authority, you may act first and report later!”
Zhu Youjian nodded, committing this moment of adversity to memory.
He silently recited in his heart, “Activate the ‘Fifteenth Year of Hongwu’ spacetime channel!”
...
Fifteenth Year of Hongwu.
Yingtian Prefecture.
Palace of Earthly Tranquility.
“Sister, please eat something, I beg you…”
Empress Ma, lying on her sickbed, her pale face set with determination, turned away at his words, unmoved.
Zhu Yuanzhang’s attentive expression instantly twisted into fury. He flung two plates of pastries aside and shouted, “Eat or don’t eat, it’s all the same to me! Starve if you wish! I am the emperor—no one can force me to beg!”
With a sweep of his sleeve, he stormed out of the room in a rage.
“Wait!” he barked, hurrying back and pointing at the empress. “Are you trying to starve yourself to death? Fine! If you die, I won’t care. I’ll bury you with a smile on my face!”
He turned and left again, fuming.
Empress Ma lay quietly, indifferent to his outbursts.
Before long, Zhu Yuanzhang returned, his irritation barely concealed as he shouted, “Fine, just die! Die if you want! Once you’re gone, I’ll immediately appoint a new empress—three at once if I please!”
Seeing she still ignored him, he retreated from the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, heading back to the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
He dismissed his attendants, fuming alone at his desk, his chest heaving with a mix of anger and worry.
“Summon the Crown Prince!”
Zhu Yuanzhang’s anger flared again as he gave the order.
Soon, Crown Prince Zhu Biao hurried in, his face lined with the worries of state. He bowed deeply.
“Father, have you summoned me because of Mother?”
Zhu Yuanzhang’s expression turned grave and his tone softened. “Biao’er, your mother’s health is poor. Because of the Hu Weiyong case, she is using hunger to force my hand. Tell me, how should I deal with Li Shanchang and Hu’s associates?”
“In my opinion, the Hu Weiyong case should end here, not only for Mother’s sake but to reassure the civil and military officials. The scale of this case is unprecedented, and its implications have left the court in turmoil. If it continues, the people will suffer.”
He paused, then added:
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“Moreover, though the Duke of Han was close to Hu Weiyong and renowned as his teacher, he strongly opposed Hu’s promotion to Grand Councillor. This shows he foresaw Hu’s deceit. I hope Father will recall Li Shanchang’s years of loyal service and, rather than punish him, simply demote his rank as a warning.”
“Biao’er, I have killed many, but only the corrupt, the disloyal, the lawless aristocrats and officials!” Zhu Yuanzhang’s gaze was fierce. “On the Hall of Supreme Harmony, rivers of blood have flowed! But under my rule, the Ming Empire prospers!”
“Father, may my mentor Song Lian be spared?”
“Kill him!”
“Then I have nothing more to say. The scenery by the Jinshui River is beautiful; I’ll go throw myself in as soon as I can.” Zhu Biao bowed his head, his face calm.
“What?”
“You insolent child! Is this how you speak to your father?”
Zhu Yuanzhang’s fury erupted. He leapt to his feet, pointing and cursing.
“Father, there must be an end to the killing!” Zhu Biao swept his crown prince’s robe and knelt, his tone steady but no longer gentle.
“Rebellion! Everyone is rebelling! The old one starves herself, the young one threatens to drown—are you all trying to force my hand?!”
Zhu Yuanzhang’s imperial wrath shook his chest, leaving him trembling with rage.
“I beg your pardon, Father!”
“...Hmph.”
Zhu Yuanzhang stood frozen as if turned to wax, then suddenly smiled. “Very well, as you wish. I’ll issue an edict pardoning Li Shanchang, Song Lian, and the others.”
“I obey, Father.” Zhu Biao bowed without revealing his relief, knowing that beneath his father’s calm, murderous intent still boiled.
Sure enough.
“Wait.”
Zhu Yuanzhang’s face turned icy. “I have one condition: bring me the advisor who gave you this rotten idea, immediately.”
To dare to incite the crown prince to threaten his own life, to shake the very foundations of the Ming dynasty… even flaying him alive would not suffice to ease Zhu Yuanzhang’s wrath.
Zhu Biao’s expression grew strange. “He wishes to see you too, Father, but his attire is rather unusual. I hope you won’t take offense.”
“Summon him.”
Zhu Yuanzhang’s face twitched, but his voice was cool.
“As you command. Summon the Crown Prince’s guest into the hall!”
A commotion arose outside, but soon quieted under the prince’s personal guard.
Footsteps echoed crisply on the floor.
With an air of calm, Zhu Youjian strode into the hall, stopping directly before the stunned Zhu Yuanzhang, and began to weep.
He knelt in formal obeisance, choking out, “I am Zhu Youjian, sixteenth emperor of the Great Ming, descendant of your line, come to pay my respects to the Grand Progenitor!”
…