Great Ming: I, Chongzhen, Will Never Hang Myself!

[Reborn + hard-edged history + decisive and ruthless + naval hegemon + no System, but with memories of a past life] On Coal Hill, a strip of white silk brought an end to the Ming Dynasty's last shred of dignity. When Zhu Youjian opened his eyes again, he had returned to the seventh year of the Tianqi era. That year, he was still only the sixteen-year-old Prince of Xin. His imperial brother was gravely ill. Wei Zhongxian wielded power across the court, the eunuch faction controlled the government, the treasury was empty, border troops had gone unpaid, the Jurchens eyed Liaodong hungrily, and refugees were quietly gathering across the Central Plains. Seventeen years remained before the world collapsed and he hanged himself on Coal Hill. In his previous life, he had been suspicious and impatient. He executed Yuan Chonghuan, drove the refugees to revolt, and watched court factions tear each other apart, until Li Zicheng breached Beijing and the court officials scattered like startled birds and beasts. This time, he would not wait. Wei Zhongxian wants to seize control of the government? First take the imperial seal, then secure the nine gates and take command of the capital garrison. Anyone who dares stand in the way of my accession is a traitor! The treasury is empty? Investigate the nobles, confiscate corrupt officials' wealth, reform the salt administration, and collect commercial taxes. Every tael that should be returned will be returned, not one less! The border troops cannot fight? Reorganize the capital garrison, train new troops, eliminate ghost soldiers on the payroll, and cut off smuggling. The Ming's blades must be sharpened once more! As for the Donglin faction, the eunuch faction, the Guan Ning Army, the Shanxi merchants, the rebels, and the Jurchens... I will deal with them one by one. In this life, I want no such thing as “a ruler dying for his realm.” What I want is this: Peace across the land, and the sun and moon shining bright once more! That crooked tree on Coal Hill? Let whoever wants to hang themselves do so. I, for one, will never hang myself!