Zhu Youjian transmigrated from being an HR manager at a major internet company to becoming the Chongzhen Emperor, going from managing a few hundred people to ruling hundreds of millions.
Even with his extensive knowledge of history, he was overwhelmed!
The officials of the late Ming were no pushovers. They were consumed by factional strife and corrupt governance, and refused to get anything done.
The historical Chongzhen, meanwhile, was stubborn and indecisive. He could neither quell factional infighting at home nor defeat the Jurchen invaders abroad. The people were destitute, and famine left the land barren for miles.
Zhu Youjian swore that since he had transmigrated, he would make a real go of it!
First, he would set clear goals.
He would turn the northeast into the Ming Empire’s medicinal-herb base.
He would make Inner Mongolia the Ming Empire’s pastureland.
He would make Annam the Ming Empire’s granary.
He would ensure everyone’s talents were put to use, so even failed candidates like Song Yingxing could earn respect through farming.
He would make the Ming Empire the center of world civilization, a country to which every nation sent students, and restore the glory of all nations paying tribute.
To achieve these goals,
he would rule a chaotic age with an iron fist.
The people Chongzhen dared not kill, I, Zhu Youjian, will kill!
The things Chongzhen dared not say, I, Zhu Youjian, will say!
The households Chongzhen dared not confiscate, I, Zhu Youjian, will confiscate!
The ancestral rules Chongzhen dared not abolish, I, Zhu Youjian, will abolish!
Qian Qianyi, leader of the Donglin faction: “Young Emperor, if you kill me, aren’t you afraid of alienating all the scholars under heaven?”
Chongzhen: “You sanctimonious hypocrite! Drag him out and execute him by slicing. If they don’t make all three thousand cuts, the executioners will die!”
The vassal princes: “You brat, how dare you defy the ancestral instructions and confiscate your uncles’ estates?”
Chongzhen: “You’re greedy and insatiable, seizing land and even plotting treason! I’ll confiscate your estates and take your heads!”
Wang Cheng’en: “Your Majesty, the Jurchens are attacking Shanhai Pass!”
Chongzhen: “It’s fine. I have heavily armored cavalry!”
Lack of historical knowledge
Good-looking, good-looking, good-looking, good-looking