Chongzhen Has Just Hanged Himself, and I Buy the Great Ming with Military Pay

In the seventeenth year of the Chongzhen reign, Li Zicheng’s army reached the gates of Beijing, while the Manchu cavalry beyond the pass watched like wolves.

The Ming treasury was so empty it could starve a mouse. Emperor Chongzhen couldn’t even pay his officials, and every last courtier was tighter with money than a miser.

Pei Xiao, transmigrated into the body of a low-ranking soldier in the capital garrison, looked at his gaunt comrades and silently activated the [Unlimited Military Pay System].

As long as he recruited soldiers and expanded his territory, he could withdraw unlimited silver, grain, and even firearms from the future!

And so, the Ming Empire’s fortunes took a dramatic turn.

While Emperor Chongzhen begged his officials for military funds and suffered their humiliating rebuffs, Pei Xiao’s camp handed out silver by the basket and served so much roast chicken and meat that the soldiers could barely look at another bite.

When Li Zicheng stormed into the capital, ready to plunder it, he ran straight into a fully armed iron army equipped with cannons and flintlock rifles.

When Dorgon assumed the Ming dynasty was doomed and arrogantly led the Eight Banners cavalry through the pass, Pei Xiao’s million-strong army was waiting to shoot them down in rows!

Chongzhen: “Minister Pei, the treasury is completely empty. Could you lend me two million taels?”

Pei Xiao: “Your Majesty, I can lend you the money, but you’ll have to put the Forbidden City up as collateral.”

Li Zicheng: “I’ve been looting for half my life, and I’m still not as rich as one low-ranking soldier named Pei?”

Dorgon: “Retreat! Retreat at once! Pei Xiao’s cannons stretch for ten miles. We can’t fight this battle!”