Zhu Ming, a modern history student, transmigrates into the body of Zhu Youjian, the sixteen-year-old Prince of Xin, and begins a legendary journey to change the fate of the Ming Dynasty.
During the Tianqi reign, he quickly adjusts to his new identity after the initial shock. He secretly befriends talented men such as Sun Chengzong and Xu Guangqi, trains loyal servants, builds an intelligence network, investigates Wei Zhongxian’s crimes, and funds frontier generals. Later, he uses the prince’s household to amass money and develop agriculture and firearms, making thorough preparations to take power. In the seventh year of the Tianqi reign, Zhu Youjian ascends the throne without incident, eliminates Wei Zhongxian’s faction, and introduces a range of reforms.
During the Chongzhen reign, he overcomes opposition to implement policies such as the “Single Whip Law” and “requiring officials and gentry to pay grain taxes on equal terms,” reforms the imperial examinations, and establishes a royal academy of sciences and a bank while developing industry and commerce. When the Later Jin invades, he leads his troops to the front himself and wins with a modern army and contemporary tactics. He also tackles famine in the northwest and resettles people to strengthen the frontier. At the same time, he expands the navy, contests control of maritime trade, and develops Taiwan.
After years of reform, the Ming enjoys bountiful harvests and a flourishing industrial and commercial sector. Zhu Youjian not only defeats the Later Jin once and for all, but also brings Tibet and Xinjiang under his administration. He establishes compulsory education and a social security system, and raises an heir to carry on his reforms, ultimately making the Great Ming a modern empire spanning Europe and Asia.
