The Forked Road of Wine: The Dark Years

He was an ordinary man in this world, until an accident sent him traveling through time to the turbulent transition from the Ming to the Qing dynasty. The land was in chaos, foreign invaders were pressing in, war fires blazed across the country, and the people were suffering. Through a series of twists of fate, he became the leader of a rebel army. Rallying his defeated troops, he rose from the mountains of the southwest, swept through the southeast, and marched north into the Central Plains. He drove out the tyrannical Qing and unified the realm. He thought the upheaval in this strange world would soon pass, and that peace and prosperity would follow, allowing him to fulfill his historical mission. But one misstep threw his plans into disarray. The realm splintered, chaos spread, treacherous men seized power, and loyal ministers were framed. So he set out once more to restore order, taking up arms again. After years of fierce struggle, he finally reclaimed control of the court. Just as the realm was at last pacified, grief for the departed left him disheartened and despondent, and he strayed from the right path time and again. Yet fate was against him. After enduring countless trials, he found that destiny had played a cruel joke: the one he loved was gone, and could not be found in this world. Once parted, they were parted forever. After weathering the vicissitudes of life and passing through tribulation, he finally awoke from his great dream. Let this be a message to all who read this tale and share in its sorrow: ...

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