Great Ming: What Do You Mean the Top Scholar Went Missing?

In the first year of Chongzhen, Great Ming was beset by troubles at home and abroad. Sixteen years remained before its fall.

Zhou Ming, a poor scholar who had transmigrated into this world, stood in the imperial examination hall when he awakened the “Q&A System.”

The good news: No matter what he asked, the System could provide the best solution.

The bad news: The System charged a fortune, and could only be topped up with wages earned through labor. If he fell behind on payments, it would take years off his life.

To write a policy essay that would astonish the world in the palace exam, Zhou Ming asked question after question until he owed eighty taels. If he didn't pay it back within ten days, he would die.

To earn money fast and stay alive, he had no choice but to use an alias and join a firearms workshop in the capital as an apprentice.

The next day, Chongzhen graded the exam papers and was amazed by Zhou Ming's work. He named him the top candidate, only to discover that the new top scholar had mysteriously vanished.

“Investigate! It must be the remnants of the eunuch faction plotting against the nation's finest talent!”

“Search! It must be those Later Jin barbarians who abducted a pillar of the state!”

The Embroidered Uniform Guard searched every inch of the city, the nine gates were sealed, and the court was swept up in a storm of bloodshed.

Meanwhile, at the firearms bureau, Zhou Ming was being berated by the workshop foreman:

“Muskets exploding is nothing unusual. What would a mere odd-job boy like you know?”

Looking at the System balance that was about to hit zero, Zhou Ming gritted his teeth and said:

“I don't know, but if I fix it, can I get the three copper coins I’m owed for today?”

Years later, Hong Taiji was stunned, Li Zicheng was in tears, and Chongzhen gazed at the national hero covered in rust, his eyes brimming with tears.