The Tianqi Emperor dies, and Prince Xin enters the palace. Faced with Wei Zhongxian's poisoned wine and executioner's blade, Zhu Youjian turns his enemies' strength against them, stirs up infighting within the Imperial Horse Guards, and forces Grand Secretary Huang Liji into the fray. After a bloody struggle in the palace, he ascends the throne over the eunuch faction's corpses, vowing to restore the Ming's glory beneath its tottering edifice.
