The Empire's End: Reborn in Blood and Fire

After being reborn as Zhu Youlang at the end of the Ming dynasty, Zhu Youlang set himself a modest goal from the start: first, save a few generals for fun.

He faked his death to save Sun Chuanting and staged a defeat to rescue Zhou Yuji. A group of tragic heroes who should have gone down in history were now hidden in his backyard, sharpening their blades.

The trade routes were his moneybags, and his spy network his eyes and ears.

He watched coldly as Chongzhen wasted away in court, Li Zicheng proclaimed himself emperor in Xi’an, and Dorgon sharpened his blades.

He was waiting for that old, crooked tree to hang the last of the Ming dynasty’s fortune.

At last, the day arrived! Chongzhen hanged himself at Coal Hill, and the realm descended into chaos.

Zhu Youlang smiled. He took one step out from behind the scenes and revealed the sharp claws he had hidden for fifteen years.

“My game begins now.”

First, pacify Huguang, then seize the two Guang provinces, crushing all who resisted beneath a million dan of grain!

While the Southern Ming court squabbled furiously over whom to enthrone, his army was already pointing north toward the smoke of war.

The Qing? The rebels? Nothing but dry bones in their graves.

This realm ought to be mine, Zhu Youlang’s, to rule!