Great Ming: Chongzhen Lies Flat! Living a Simple, Peaceful Life!

I open my eyes and find myself in Chongzhen's body! But I don't want to hang myself at Coal Hill!

My big brother, the carpenter emperor, died at twenty-three. My father died after a month on the throne. My grandpa Wanli lay around for thirty years and lived to fifty-eight! Who should I take after? Isn't it obvious?!

I bind myself to the Lie Flat System. As long as I'm willing to slack off, I can stay alive longer. The Ming dynasty... whatever happens, happens!

And so, the whole vibe changes:

Reform the government, centralize power, develop technology? "Too much work. I can't be bothered. Let whoever wants to do it handle it!"

Wei Zhongxian fighting the Donglin faction? "What does that have to do with me? The imperial treasury barely has any money. It's not worth risking my neck over!"

The borders are under attack and rebels are everywhere? "Let the Ministry of War and the cabinet discuss it. I'm tired. I'm going to grow vegetables in the imperial garden!"

Ministers want to arrange a marriage and sell me off? "That'll be 200 taels. If you're ugly, get lost!"

What? The Ming emperor dissolves in water? "I don't want to fall into the water. I want to be a salary thief!"

I'm seriously slacking off, but my ministers imagine all sorts of things, moved to tears and working themselves to the bone.

Though my actions look like those of a "foolish ruler," the Ming treasury is full, a powerful army is in my hands, and the realm is at peace.

Though I seem to be "letting everything run itself," the court's factions are balanced, corrupt officials have vanished, and capable ministers are emerging everywhere.

If the emperor weren't messing everything up, how could the Ming possibly fall?

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