The Most Upright Man of the Late Ming

Shen Heng transmigrates into the late Ming dynasty as a member of a fallen military household in Yongding Guard, holding the dual status of deputy company commander and licentiate.

While everyone else who transmigrates is busy making waves, all he wants is to sit the imperial exams, leave military service, and go home to grow sweet potatoes.

The problem is, he takes everything far too seriously.

While everyone else at the guard school wastes their days, he studies hard and comes first in the exams.

While everyone else at the garrison pockets pay for nonexistent soldiers, he follows regulations and surveys the military farmland, earning the garrison commander’s enmity.

While everyone else on the battlefield holds back to preserve their strength, he follows orders and ends up fighting on Japanese soil.

The garrison commander wants to make trouble for him? He follows the rules, and soon the man can’t even recruit enough soldiers.

The court wants to promote him? He just wants to retire early and go home.

Years later, Shen Heng sits in dragon robes upon the throne in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, gazing at the assembled officials and sighing:

“I really only wanted to be a good commander.”

A soldier who just wanted to go home and grow sweet potatoes is swept along by the times until he becomes emperor.