Uncle Zhang, the Gatekeeper of a Ming Dynasty Apartment Complex

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[Ming Dynasty, multiple male leads, no female lead, ghosts and gods, from the Hongwu era to the Chongzhen era]

A modern soul who lived to 126 and was driven to death by AI arrives by mistake in the Hongwu era of the Great Ming, carrying a mind full of memories from the future. He can burrow underground, see through solid objects, whisper into people's dreams, and take countless forms. He is a true wandering spirit.

He first meets Zhu Yuanzhang. He keeps the suspicious and lonely old emperor company, talking about the future, changing institutions, executing corrupt officials, and pacifying Goryeo, pulling the Ming Dynasty out of the predicament it faced in Zhu Yuanzhang's later years. He finds an ally and believes they can work together to turn the Great Ming into a better country.

Then Zhu Yuanzhang dies.

Zhu Yunwen hastily ascends the throne, abolishes the Great Edict, bans commoners from suing officials, and buries living people with the dead. Three years of hard work are undone overnight. Zhang Shuiniu heads north and finds the Prince of Yan, fresh from battle. He travels south from Beiping with Zhu Di, relying not on arms but on an imperial edict and a few clever tricks of deception. The officials watch helplessly as Zhu Yunwen voluntarily abdicates and the throne passes peacefully to its new occupant.

After Zhu Di takes the throne, Zhang Shuiniu looks at a country that has not endured the fires of the Jingnan Campaign and feels immeasurable pride and emotion.

This new nation should not waste its strength on tearing itself apart.

Japan's silver mines should be dug, America's gold should be taken, and Australia's ores should be shipped back. Zhu Yunwen, now deposed, is sent to Taiwan to open up new land. Zhu Gaoxu, too, need not become that “earthenware chicken” roasted to death in a bronze vat.

Zhang Shuiniu figures that sending this hotheaded boy who loves to fight overseas would probably be better than leaving him at home to make trouble for his brothers.