The Ming Dynasty Partners

Zhou Ying transmigrated, landing in the thirty-third year of the Wanli reign of the Ming dynasty, with a bonus historical genius-level sidekick by her side: Guo Jia, Guo Fengxiao.

She thought she was in for the power fantasy of "a max-level strategist at my side, the Ming dynasty is mine to command."

But when she opened her eyes, she had become a helpless baby, and the carefully selected "wealthy upbringing" had been raided. A family of four was on the road to exile! The two were forced to become cousins, and could only lie in their cradles every day, staring at each other.

One "steady fox" puts an arm around another "reckless fox." From the start, they put their heads together to solve the problem of how their poor mothers can establish themselves.

Only to be turned away by their clan!

Guo Jia sneered: "And you think you deserve the surname Guo?"

Zhou Ying: "Take it easy. Don't be too outrageous."

But things never go as planned. Social scorn, the struggle to survive, and discrimination at school all strike the two foxes with soft knives!

"How can a widow with children show her face in public?"

"What could babies that young possibly know about the philosophies of Wang Yangming or Zhu Xi?"

"What? The emperor has actually named them Filial Children?"

"And granted them the title of licentiate?!"

The students of the Zhengren Academy and Jishan Academy grit their teeth in frustration!

How will these still-young fox cubs survive and put down roots in the turbulent Ming dynasty, then set the world in motion?

Zhou Ying (wiping sweat): "Let's split the work. You handle the military, I'll make money. First, we take the imperial exams and get into the central government."

Guo Jia (questioning his life): "The Jurchens in Liaodong are one thing... But what are these cut-and-paste exam questions? What is this eight-legged essay? Every Ming official has to learn this from birth?!"

[Scene One: The Imperial Exams]

Before the exams

Guo Fengxiao: "Once I pass, I can become an official?! With my talent, taking over the Ming empire will be a piece of cake!" (overjoyed)

After the exams

Guo Fengxiao: "Thesis statement... elaboration! Opening section!... Give me back my policy essays! Give me back the principle of selecting officials based on talent!" (flips the table)

[Scene Two: Saving the Ming]

From the little county of Shanyin to the heart of Ming power.

They face the apathetic Wanli Emperor, a young Crown Prince's heir, bitter factional struggles, and... Zhu Youjian, only seven or eight years old and babbling "aba aba" all day.

Guo Fengxiao (breaking down): "? I'm a strategist, not a preschool teacher!"

Zhou Ying holds him down: "Fengxiao, calm down! We'll teach him step by step. Then he won't have to hang himself on Coal Hill!"

[Scene Three: Crushing the Jurchens]

A memorial from the Ministry of War states: "In the Nine Border Garrisons, eight or nine soldiers out of ten are owed their pay. Troops are deserting, weapons are rusting, and if the enemy arrives, disaster could strike at any moment."

Guo Fengxiao (rubbing his forehead): "...Money? None. Grain? None either. Hahaha." (Actually, it's a bitter laugh.) "We can't save them. Let's just wait to die."

Zhou Ying: "!! Don't give up so quickly! There's still time to try and save the situation!"

[Scene Four: Making Money]

Zhou Ying: "Make money! Otherwise Guo Fengxiao will go on strike!" (As she speaks, she pulls out plans to open the seas and a program of reforms.)

Zhu Youxiao (eyes shining): "My dear minister, what a splendid plan! Now I have the silver to build ships, and the imperial treasury is full too. Let the music play, and keep carving wood!"

Zhu Youjian (weeping): "Minister Zhou, as long as the treasury has money, those old Donglin Party men at court will never get to manipulate me again!"

[Note: The author is joking around for fun. The story spans a long period, so don't get hung up on the alternate history. Many characters and events are reimagined. Enjoy the story in harmony, everyone!]

Theme: Applying knowledge to practical affairs, securing the nation and making it prosper