The Great Ming's Foremost God of Wealth

Protagonist: Li Jingming

Modern identity: A top financial analyst and venture capitalist in the 21st century, with a deep understanding of history, finance, and business operations. In his personal life, however, he’s something of a slacker who enjoys taking it easy.

Ancient identity: Li Jingming, only son of the fabulously wealthy Li family of Songjiang Prefecture in South Zhili, Jiangnan. For generations, his family has run a silk and textile business. This century-old clan is immensely rich, but its numbers have dwindled, leaving the protagonist as its sole heir.

Historical setting: The mid-to-late Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty, around the 1540s. It is an age of contradictions: the seeds of capitalism are quietly sprouting in Jiangnan, and the commodity economy is flourishing as never before. At the same time, factional strife at court is fierce, with Yan Song wielding power; Japanese pirates are a menace, the northern frontier is under pressure, the treasury is empty, and social tensions are sharp. This gives the protagonist an ideal stage and endless challenges as he builds his business empire.

Golden finger and protagonist’s advantages:

Advanced business knowledge: Modern finance, marketing, corporate management, supply chain optimization, and more.

Information advantage: He knows the major historical trends of the coming decades, such as Zhang Juzheng’s Single Whip Reform, the opening of maritime trade during the Longqing era, and the influx of silver.

Psychological advantage: Having witnessed the cruelty and bubbles of modern capital markets, he has an exceptional nose for risk and is skilled at “making something out of nothing.”