The Sovereign of Ten Thousand Worlds: Ranking the Hardest Startups

The Interdimensional Empire System appears out of nowhere and gives the emperors of every dynasty an unprecedented rundown of how hard it was to build their empires, along with a distribution of rewards. Every ruler present is moved. Zhu Yuanzhang declares proudly, “I rose from being a beggar to defeating all my rivals. You can all fight for second place.” Qin Shi Huang Ying Zheng is astonished. “Can this really be true? Can even a beggar claim the throne?” Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, chuckles. “I was a commoner before I took the throne, and now I hear someone with an even humbler background became emperor?” Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, says approvingly, “Eighth Uncle is mighty. It looks like taking first place will be a piece of cake.” Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, smiles bitterly. “After seizing power through a coup, am I going to end up at the bottom of the list?” Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin, sighs awkwardly. “I took the realm from an orphan and his widowed mother. I’m afraid my ranking will draw criticism.” When second place is revealed, the emperors stare in disbelief. Could someone really have had an even harder journey to build an empire than a beggar? Zhu Yuanzhang’s expression darkens. “Utter nonsense! I founded the Great Ming as a beggar and saved the land of the Han people. How could I possibly be in second place?”