In the Great Ming, he has just ascended the throne as emperor from the start.
As emperor in a peaceful age, he could spend three years saving money, then another three building a steam engine, followed by five years wiping out the Tatars and Oirats, then ten more colonizing the four seas. Along the way, he could father dozens of children, raise hundreds of cats and dogs, and design a zoo. Wouldn't that be wonderful?
"I have but one dream."
"I wish for the attire and traditions of our Great Ming to endure forever, for the common people across the land never again to suffer hunger, cold, or hardship, for the wronged to find justice, for the talented to have a chance to shine, for the wealthy to avoid extravagance, for the poor to earn enough to live, and for all under heaven to live and work in peace!"
This novel and its characters are entirely fictional. Any resemblance is purely coincidental. Do not imitate.
