My Attempt to Surrender to the Qing Failed, So I Turned to Industrialization

The Ming dynasty has rotted to its core, and the emperor is so broke his pockets are empty.

Zhou Shixian has spent ten years lying low and building up his strength in Li Zicheng's hometown, waiting for the Qing army to enter the passes so he can surrender to the young emperor, Aisin Gioro Fulin.

He never expected trouble to find him at home.

An imperial edict suddenly declares him the son-in-law of a doomed dynasty. Only then does he remember that, as the Ming dynasty teeters on the brink of collapse, the princess has a marriage arrangement.

To avoid being remembered as a tragic footnote in history, Zhou Shixian raises an army of a million overnight. He thinks he can save the princess, but ends up bringing back the Chongzhen Emperor instead.

His plans thrown into disarray, he weighs his options and decides to help Chongzhen restore the dynasty, drive out the Qing, and revive the Ming.