Defying Fate in the Ming Dynasty: Chongzhen’s Guide to Saving Himself

Li Ming, a history graduate student who died after staying up all night, woke up to find himself in the body of the Chongzhen Emperor, just before he was due to hang himself at Coal Hill!

There were only nine years left before Li Zicheng breached the capital. The imperial treasury was empty, rebels were rising everywhere, and the Jurchens were at the passes. This was a hellish start!

But this time, Chongzhen smiled.

He knew who was loyal and who was a parasite. He understood the key to victory in every battle, and, more importantly, knew where the Great Ming’s true hope lay.

“Wang Cheng’en, go find Wei Zhongxian’s account books. The people listed there have debts to repay.”

“Sun Chuanting, I’m giving you command of the army. Within three years, I want Li Zicheng’s head!”

“Xu Guangqi, establish the Imperial Academy of Sciences. We need to build Western cannons, and we need to grow sweet potatoes even more!”

The ministers were waiting for the emperor to panic and try to hang himself again. Instead, they received one thunderous imperial edict after another:

“Confiscate the corrupt officials’ property, train a new army, lift the maritime ban, and promote practical learning...”

In the first month of the eighth year of the Chongzhen reign, news arrived that the imperial tombs at Fengyang were about to be burned. The whole court was gripped by fear, but the young emperor rose slowly from his throne.

“Deliver my decree.”

“I want Gao Yingxiang’s head.”

“I will protect the Great Ming.”

“I will ensure this land of the Han people endures for another three hundred years!”

(No System, pure historical speculation, imperial intrigue, and nation-building. See how a modern soul uses his knowledge of history to carve a path to victory through the dying Ming!)