Upholding Heaven's Justice, I Took the Throne

All characters in this story are fictional. Any resemblance to real people is purely coincidental.

A reimagining that continues the story of Water Margin, this tale follows Song Qian, the son of a former Privy Council commissioner. As a child, he was rescued by his wet nurse and taken to Mount Zhongnan to be raised after his father was executed along with his entire family for impeaching corrupt ministers. Having witnessed common people oppressed by corrupt officials and starving in the streets, he vows to “uphold justice in Heaven’s name.” He studies martial arts under a high monk and forms the “Heaven’s Justice Alliance,” joining forces with outlaw heroes, border general Zhong Shidao, and righteous fighters of the martial world to wage a life-or-death struggle against the “Six Bandits” at court, including Cai Jing and Tong Guan. Along the way, he is aided by the brilliant schemes of his strategist, Liang Chengfu, and goes from misunderstanding the heroine Fang Min to fighting at her side. He brings thirty-two rebel kings under his banner and wins the people’s hearts with benevolent policies such as “equal distribution of farmland and tax relief” and “promoting education and learning.”

The story is full of dramatic twists: Song Qian leads the Heaven’s Justice Alliance to Kaifeng, eliminates the Six Bandits, and forces Emperor Huizong to abdicate. After founding a new dynasty, he enacts reforms, cleans up officialdom, maneuvers against the Jurchen to secure the borders, develops water conservancy, establishes schools for girls, and strengthens the military. At last, the people live in peace and prosperity. In his later years, he hands the throne to the crown prince. After his death, the people escort his coffin for ten miles, and the “Yongchang Golden Age” carries on from generation to generation...