Zhao Qi, a fourth-year modern history student, finds himself transformed into Emperor Duzong of Song, the ruler remembered in history for “handing over the realm without a fight.”
Before him lies the mess of a court dominated by Jia Sidao. In his ears thunder the hoofbeats of Kublai Khan’s cavalry crossing the border. At his side is the legacy of a predecessor known for being “incompetent and lecherous.” It’s hell difficulty from the start.
“Who says my Great Song has to settle for a corner of the realm?”
He tears up the peace petition and pulls Wen Tianxiang off the road to exile. “Minister Wen, the chancellorship is yours.”
He slaps blueprints for a movable-type printing press into the craftsmen’s hands. “Print farming manuals and medical texts. Let the people know who is defending their homes and country.”
He studies the star charts drawn by Guo Shoujing and sneers. “The Yuan army wants to use the rainstorm to launch a surprise attack? Issue my decree: let them taste the thunder of gunpowder.”
When Chen Wu’s iron spear knocks a Mongol champion from his horse, when the new Jianghuai waterways bring in a hundred thousand shi of grain, when hand-thrown thunder bombs explode atop Xiangyang’s walls...
Kublai Khan stares in disbelief. “Is this really the same Southern Song that used to collapse at the first touch?”
The old ministers gape. “Your Majesty... you even understand how sluice gates work?”
Wen Tianxiang’s eyes fill with tears. “The Great Song is truly going to be restored!”
The history books say he will lose the Great Song?
Zhao Qi runs a hand over the newly forged dragon banner of the Great Song, watching the cavalry gallop across the Central Asian grasslands. “Sorry, but I’m moving the throne of Lin’an to the banks of the Danube.”
An emperor branded with disgrace uses a modern mind to shatter the verdict of history, turning the words “the weak Song” into a legend. From the waterside pavilions of Jiangnan to the Eurasian continent, would you believe in this counterattack?
Well written.
Good books, good books. A little hot-blooded.