Synopsis written on August 6, 2026. I'll give this a proper title later.
[Body reborn in a new life x soul reborn in another body, older top, an emperor who founds a new dynasty and has eight hundred schemes up his sleeve, aggressively pursuing a sweet romance x a serious, proper young general who becomes a homebody after being reborn]
[Also known as: The Young General's Flowers Are First Come, First Served!]
He Ji Ming, military governor of Shazhou, died at the age of twenty-six. The world was dark. With blades and axes bearing down on him, he could see nothing, only feel the terrible pain throughout his body.
After death, his soul left his body. Inside the military governor's residence, he saw the insignia of office. A man smiled as he accepted it and took over the position.
Someone said, "He Ji Ming was too capable. His Majesty really doesn't trust him. It's a good thing you're taking his place as military governor."
Good! Good! Good!
With a foolish emperor on the throne and treacherous ministers running rampant, loyal officials and good generals have no place in this world!
He Ji Ming laughed three times, hoping the gale would shatter his soul and leave him with no next life.
When he opened his eyes again, He Ji Ming had returned to the age of fifteen.
His parents were alive, his family was harmonious, and he was still the young General He, renowned throughout Hexi. None of the bloody events had happened yet.
Dragged back into the world against his will, He Ji Ming abandoned his previous life's grand ambition to save the state. He wanted only to live quietly, paint a little, listen to music, and spend the rest of his days in peace.
From then on, Shazhou had one fewer young general and one more painter.
His peaceful days flowed by like water, until he once again had a fit of kindness and rescued someone beneath a cliff.
The man opened his eyes, his imperial gaze bright. Grasping He Ji Ming's hand, he recited a speech he'd prepared long ago.
"Young man, a foolish emperor rules the land, and the people suffer. I can see that you have great ambitions and a noble destiny. Will you help me restore the realm?"
He Ji Ming: ? Where did this lunatic come from? Is he trying to harm me?
He narrowed his eyes and reached for the short blade at his lower back. "Uh, who are you?"
The man gave a wicked smile. "Young Master He, you're quite interesting. You choose to be a painter instead of a general. But why would a mere painter have a crossbow and maps at home?"
He Ji Ming drew his sharp blade and held it beneath the man's throat. "Have you been investigating me?"
The man kept smiling. Though a dagger was at his throat, he pressed closer, step by step.
"Young Master He, you have rare talent. Now that you're living here, do you truly have no resentment in your heart?"
Many years later, He Ji Ming rode east from Shazhou, clad in armor and armed for war. The man still hadn't kicked his habit of talking nonsense. He pinned General He to the bed and devoured him like a wolf.
"Qinglin, my good general, do you love me?"
He Ji Ming was so outraged he wanted to slap him, but the man caught his hand and held it against his chest.
The man complained, "You weren't like this with me last month... When we executed your elder brother, you bit me so hard."
"Your Majesty!" He Ji Ming snapped. "If you keep talking nonsense, I will..."
"Why are you so formal with me? Still calling me Your Majesty?"
He Ji Ming's face went scarlet as he shouted under his breath, "Great Emperor Taizu! I grew up reading so many of your military treatises! I never thought you would be this kind of person!"
Taizu laughed with carefree charm. "Qinglin, at a time like this, you should call me by my name."
Later, the two rode through Chang'an, bringing peace to the land and prosperity to all.
One day, Taizu gave He Ji Ming a box of jewels to use in his paintings.
He Ji Ming asked, "Wu Jie, where did these come from this time?"
Ji Wu Jie rubbed his nose. "I gave them to you in my previous life."
He Ji Ming's vision went black. He shouted, "Your Majesty! Have you sent people to rob your own mausoleum again?!"
Theme: When the nation is in danger, it needs a good general. A good general needs a wise ruler.
