The Great Ming Dynasty, 1876

In 1876, the Great Ming, once a power that commanded East Asia and sent its sails across the four seas, now sways like a guttering candle in the wind. Within the court, treacherous ministers form factions for personal gain, and the administration has long since rotted to the core. Beyond the northern frontier, the Northern Shun rebels are sharpening their weapons, eyeing this vast realm hungrily. Western powers also circle the empire, eager to seize the chance to tear apart and devour this ailing giant of the East.

The Great Ming's centuries-old foundation has reached a perilous crossroads, beset by internal strife and external threats. Now, the empire awaits an iron-blooded emperor who can turn the tide with a thunderous hand and prop up the crumbling state with unyielding resolve.

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