Great Ming: Changing the Dynasty Starts with Saving Chang Shi

[Dual timelines] [Historical what-if] [Business management] [Founding emperor] [Family redemption] [Institutional reform] [Information-gap power fantasy] [Court intrigue] [Comedy]

Li Qingming runs a private restaurant called “Taste Quest” on a remote old street in the outskirts of the city. Business is dismal, until one stormy night, a man dressed in ancient clothing who calls himself “Old Zhu” walks through the door. One meal of beef brisket stewed with potatoes leaves Old Zhu in tears. Li Qingming casually starts talking about Ming history: “Old Zhu, you've got a temper a lot like the Hongwu Emperor. Too bad that old fellow had such a hard life. His daughter-in-law, Chang, died in childbirth, then his eldest grandson passed away, and his favorite younger sister followed soon after. The son he loved most, the Crown Prince, died of illness, and in the end he had to personally wipe out all the founding heroes...” Before he can finish, Old Zhu leaps to his feet and, red-eyed, begs for a miracle medicine to ensure a safe delivery. The Ming Crown Princess and her child both survive. The Hongwu Emperor returns with a box of jade: “Boss Li, tell me, what exactly happened when Zhu Di rebelled?!” Starting with saving Chang, one little restaurant on a remote street completely changes the fate of the Ming Dynasty.