Lin Mo, a 24-year-old internet operations specialist, dropped dead at his desk.
When he opened his eyes again, he had become Zhu Houzhao, Emperor Wuzong of the Ming Dynasty. He had been on the throne for just three days, barely had time to settle in, and was told the imperial treasury held only eighteen thousand taels.
No money, no troops, and ministers constantly chanting, "The ancestral laws must not be broken."
The vassal princes were ready to rebel, the Tatars were preparing to invade, and Japanese pirates were burning and pillaging the coast.
Whoever wants to be emperor can have the job!
But Lin Mo wasn't worried. In his previous life, he had been best at finding a way through a mess.
Court every day? Change it! Hold court on the first, third, and fifth days of the week, for fifteen minutes each. Cut the nonsense and get to the point.
Memorials too long and tedious? Change it! Require summaries and maps. Send back anything that doesn't meet the standard.
Officials passing the buck? Change it! Set clear lists of duties and responsibilities. Everyone handles their own work, and anyone who fails is held accountable.
The ministers stared in disbelief. "Your Majesty, this violates the ancestral laws!"
Lin Mo: "Can the ancestral laws pay your salary?"
A few years later...
The treasury was full, the vassal princes were subdued, peace was made with the Tatars, and the Japanese pirates were wiped out.
The Portuguese fleet was annihilated at Tuen Mun.
Ming merchant ships sailed to the Indian Ocean, Africa, and Australia.
They mined their own silver, defended their own coastlines, and set their own rules.
The whole world used Ming silver coins.
The ministers wept again. "Your Majesty is truly wise!"
Lin Mo: "Save it. I'm going fishing. Don't bother me."
