I Repair Bicycles in the Great Ming

Zhang Jingxiu rides a shared bicycle through time to the Ming Dynasty, where she becomes the daughter of Zhang Juzheng, the Grand Secretary.

Before her lies an entirely new Ming Dynasty, with the late-Ming and late-Qing periods reversed. The Opium War of 1840 is about to collide with the reforms of Zhang Juzheng’s Wanli-era revival.

Don’t be fooled by how her father currently holds power over the whole court, second only to the emperor and above everyone else.

His power is at its height, and the family is flourishing. But just ten years later, as soon as her father dies, the damn emperor will confiscate their entire estate, and seventeen members of the family, young and old, will starve to death at home.

Her eldest brother will be tortured and executed, leaving a farewell letter before hanging himself. Her eldest sister-in-law will disfigure herself and commit suicide. Her third brother will throw himself into a well in a fit of rage. Her brothers, nephews, and nieces will be exiled to the army. And she has no idea which mass grave her bones will end up in...

Zhang Jingxiu thinks, since she’s going to die either way, she might as well get on with it.

She pats the shared bicycle that came through time with her.

How can she use this bicycle to kick-start an Industrial Revolution and save her country and family from disaster?

After all, it’s 1841...

*

Zhu Yijun wakes up in the Ming Dynasty, having transmigrated into the body of the Wanli Emperor, the ultimate symbol of shirking work, who hasn’t attended court in thirty years.

But something seems off about the date. Why is it 1840 AD?!

Zhu Yijun’s vision goes dark and his legs turn to jelly. He really wants to grab Zhang Juzheng’s leg and call him Dad.

"Dad, I want to abdicate. You be prime minister and reform things however you like. I’ll just stay home and skip court."

Years later, Zhang Juzheng really does become his father.

Zhang Jingxiu sincerely prays before the Buddha: I would give my husband’s life span to my father, so Zhu Yijun dies young and my father lives to a ripe old age.

Zhu Yijun: ...I’d be willing too, but isn’t it a little much to say that right in front of me?

Reading guide

1. This is a fictional parallel world, with characters from the late Ming and a late-Qing setting. It includes original elements and isn’t historically rigorous. I wrote this simply to make up for some of the regrets surrounding people and events in history. We can’t change history, but we can dream. Please forgive any shallow or unsuitable opinions in the story. If there’s anything you can’t accept, feel free to drop the book without forcing yourself to continue.

2. The author writes for fun, and readers can read for fun too, so don’t take it too seriously.

Theme: Science and technology are the primary productive forces