Zhu Youjian, a modern history graduate student (not that it matters), wakes beneath an old locust tree on Coal Hill, the freezing wind cutting to the bone.
Beside him, the eunuch Wang Cheng'en weeps frozen tears and begs him to preserve his life for a purpose.
As the memories of the Chongzhen Emperor merge with his own, he sees corpses littering Henan, war raging across Liaodong, and officials locked in factional strife at court.
“I refuse to be the emperor who loses the country!” Zhu Youjian kicks away the noose at his feet.
Within three days, he purges the inner palace, confiscates the wealth of corrupt officials, and brings capable ministers back into service.
When the Embroidered Uniform Guard hauls three million taels of silver out of the Chengguo Duke's underground cellar,
the young emperor stands before the mountain of silver chests and roars, “See that? Now that is my money!”
