Return to the Ming Dynasty as a Prince: A Boat Against the Current

The Eastern Depot launches a counterattack, joining forces with officials at court to impeach Yang Ling for “abusing his power and acting tyrannically.”

Powerful Jiangnan gentry collude with Japanese pirates and plot a rebellion, setting the main storyline of “suppressing the pirates” in motion.

Emperor Zhengde summons Yang Ling, who presents his strategies before the emperor and proposes the national policies of “lifting the maritime ban and training a new army.”

The covert struggle between the Inner Depot and Western Depot escalates, with intelligence warfare, assassinations, and counterespionage schemes playing out in turn.