Great Ming: I Rebelled from the Start, Then Old Zhu Offered His Surrender

During the Hongwu era, when faced with an imperial decree from Zhu Yuanzhang ordering his death, Xu Bei, a county magistrate, chooses to rebel outright.

Zhu Yuanzhang is horrified to discover that this small county is about to defy the heavens.

Zhu Biao reports with trembling hands: "Father, the people over there are terrifying. Everyone can read, factories are everywhere, and the commoners are rolling in wealth!"

Zhu Di flees from Beiping to the capital overnight: "Father, it's not that I didn't do my best. I just can't withstand them shelling the ground with cannons!"

Here are the headlines from the Ming gazette about Xu Bei's rebellion.

Year One of the Rebellion: The traitor Xu Bei has betrayed his sovereign and the court. The invincible Ming army will crush him completely!

Year Five of the Rebellion: The despicable thief called Xu Bei has seized half the Ming realm. Perhaps that will satisfy his appetite.

Year Ten of the Rebellion: His Majesty Xu Bei, the great sage ruler of the new world, is about to arrive in his loyal capital of the Ming Dynasty!

Zhu Biao awkwardly says, "Father, let's surrender."

Zhu Yuanzhang nods wearily. "I started this."

This novel and its characters are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to actual people or events is purely coincidental. Do not imitate.