The Ming Dynasty, 1394

The grand ceremony begins in the royal capital, spears and halberds held at the ready. Soldiers bear their banners to the golden tower.

Three beats of the drum, and songs ring out on every side. The dragon banners drift and dance.

Thunder splits the clouds; youthful temples turn gray. I bow low before the emperor's ceremonial crown.

With my strength spent and voice hoarse, I cry, "Long live the emperor! May he reign for ten thousand years!"

The first installment ended with the protagonist's tragic death. In his final moments, amid cries of "Long live the Ming!", he fell during the celebration of the dynasty's twenty-seventh anniversary.

There were many regrets: his great work unfinished, unable to stay with his beloved, and unable to fulfill his duties to his family across generations.

At readers' passionate request, we send young Zhu back to life, to the starting point in the twenty-fifth year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty. Let us see how he makes waves in his second life without retracing the old path.

P.S. This book rewards careful reading. We don't recommend skipping lines, so please savor every detail.