In the second year of Chongzhen's reign, the emperor orders the abolition of the postal stations. Xu Huaian, a soul from the twenty-first century, doesn't become Li Zicheng, the man who will go down in history. Instead, he becomes an unremarkable courier in Li's ranks, in charge of managing supplies.
He sees the thrill of capturing cities and expanding territory. I see the lifeblood of countless rebel armies: provisions, intelligence, and the people's allegiance.
When Li Zicheng declares himself emperor in Xi'an and sets his sights on the Forbidden City in Beijing, Xu Huaian is quietly turning the last cartload of military provisions into a weapon for defending the city, one he personally oversaw the construction of and that can hold out for three years.
On the day Li marches east, Xu Huaian blocks his path before Tong Pass and lights the beacon fires.
“King Chuang,” he murmurs, gazing at the Great Shun banner. “You take your road to the sun. I'll defend my... Ming dynasty.”
