Lan Yin began his life in the eighth year of Hongwu in an unusual way: born into the past, he became the son of Lan Yu.
In an age of upheaval, when serving the emperor was as dangerous as walking beside a tiger, being Lan Yu's son seemed to promise a prestigious background. In reality, danger lurked everywhere. The court's political currents were treacherous, and one misstep could bring total ruin.
At just fifteen, Lan Yin had already sensed the danger. He began making careful plans, with one central goal: to survive in this complicated and perilous world.
At the time, the Embroidered Uniform Guard was still incomplete. According to the original course of history, it would not become a relatively well-established institution until the fifteenth year of Hongwu.
But Lan Yin understood how important the Embroidered Uniform Guard was to an emperor seeking control of the court. Drawing on knowledge far ahead of his time, he boldly proposed to Zhu Yuanzhang that he establish it.
The proposal was like a stone dropped into a still lake, sending ripples in every direction. It brought the institution into being a full seven years early, allowing the Embroidered Uniform Guard to begin playing its distinctive role at court.
It was brilliant, but the ending felt like it was cut off halfway through writing.