Beyond the passes, Huang Taiji sharpens his knives. At court, Wei Zhongxian's remaining faction is still not fully wiped out. A severe drought ravages Shaanxi, driving refugees everywhere. The Liaodong border army demands its pay, but the treasury holds only 370,000 taels.
Everyone thinks Zhu Youjian is merely the last sacrificial lamb of the Ming dynasty.
But they don't know that I understand better than anyone how this dynasty will die.
In seventeen years, the tree on Coal Hill is supposed to be waiting for me.
First wipe out the eunuch faction, then put the court in order. First stabilize Liaodong, then put down the rebel bands. Anyone who dares wager the ancestral realm will pay for it with their head, the first sacrifice to my banner.
In this game, I will fight Huang Taiji for the empire, the civil officials for power, and fate itself for the Ming dynasty's fortunes.
This time, I will not be an emperor who loses his country.
