Great Ming: I Keep the Dynasty Alive with Pickled Cabbage

In the seventeenth year of Chongzhen’s reign, Li Zicheng breaches the capital, and the Ming dynasty is on the verge of collapse.

Lin Chuan transmigrates into the body of the lowest-ranking eunuch in the Imperial Stud. The moment he opens his eyes, he sees the Chongzhen Emperor, overcome with grief, hanging a white silk noose from a crooked tree on Coal Hill.

At the critical moment, Lin Chuan kicks the tree down and pulls out a bowl of instant noodles. “Your Majesty, have a hot meal first. The Ming dynasty isn’t going to fall!”

“Ding! National Fortune Logistics System activated!”

[You fed the Chongzhen Emperor a serving of instant noodles. National fortune +10. Unlocked: unlimited steamed buns stuffed with pork!]

[You fed five hundred wounded soldiers pork buns. Morale locked at 100% (fight to the death). Unlocked: unlimited stab-proof vests and compound crossbows!]

Why did the Ming dynasty fall? Because it ran out of money and food!

But what if I had unlimited modern supplies?

When Li Zicheng’s army is so hungry they’re chewing tree bark, the tantalizing aroma of self-heating hot pot drifts from the city walls. When the Eight Banners cavalry of the Manchus arrogantly charges south, it runs straight into the Ming Crown Prince’s army, whose soldiers eat braised pork at every meal and carry Gatling guns.

As the Chongzhen Emperor eats spicy strips with tears in his eyes, he says, “Lin, my dear minister, if you can get me another one of those divine weapons called an ‘Italian cannon,’ I’ll give you half the Ming dynasty!”