Ming Dynasty Calamity: I'm the Crown Prince

"In the tenth year of Chongzhen, Crown Prince Zhu Cilang adopted the name Zhu Ke and stormed out of the Forbidden City. He chanced upon the bandit chief Zhang Xianzhong, who took a liking to him. He made the bandit his adoptive father and mingled with the rebels, preaching that the people should inherit Heaven's mandate. From then on, he rose to prominence and made a name for himself..."

The Annals of Emperor Shengzu, Great Ming Empire, by a worthy scholar of the Donglin Academy.

Several years later.

Dorgon: "What? It wasn't Li Zicheng who captured the Forbidden City, but Zhu Ke, the bandit chief's adopted son! We can't wait any longer. Send the troops into the pass at once!"

Li Zicheng: "Zhu Ke is actually Crown Prince Zhu Cilang of the Great Ming! Zhang Xianzhong is an idiot! He let the Ming crown prince hide among the rebels!"

Zhang Xianzhong: "Well, would you look at that! My fifth adopted son is Crown Prince Zhu Cilang of the Ming! What a mess. I've become the biggest joke in the world, the biggest joke in history!"

Coal Hill, beneath the crooked-neck tree.

"Father, wait! The Great Ming hasn't fallen. Cilang is back!"

This novel and its characters are entirely fictional. Any resemblance is purely coincidental. Do not imitate.