When Zhu Yuanzhang and Thirty-Four Meritorious Officials Traveled to the End of the Ming Dynasty

In the late Ming Dynasty, hundreds of giant screens suddenly appear above the capital, all showing much the same content:

"From the Start: A Review of the Last Emperors" "The Last Emperor, Chongzhen" "A Look at Those Last Emperors Who Brought About Their Own Downfall"...

Without exception, Emperor Chongzhen is on every list.

Watching the hundreds of screens, Chongzhen weeps bitterly. "Since ascending the throne, I have governed diligently and never once slacked off. Why does everything point to the fall of the dynasty?

Now! Heaven has sent down this omen to tell me the dynasty will fall, and there is no way to save it!"

Remembering the founding ancestor who started with nothing but a bowl, Chongzhen bows his head, tears in his eyes. "I wanted to be the ruler who restored the dynasty, but instead I've become the emperor who lost it! I have failed my ancestors..."

"Boom!"

Before Chongzhen can react, a gigantic building appears right in front of him with a tremendous crash, followed by pairs of huge feet stepping out the door.

A boisterous man's voice rings out. "Sister, Xu Da, are you all right? What is this place? I, Zhu Yuanzhang, just nodded off for a moment. How'd I end up here?"

Chongzhen: "??? What Zhu???"

Zhu Yuanzhang???

Chongzhen cries out excitedly, "Great Ancestor!"

"Great Ancestor, save your descendant!"

Zhu Yuanzhang and his ministers, ears ringing from the shouting: "Which grandson needs us to save him?"

Soon, through the screens filling the sky, Zhu Yuanzhang and his entire group of ministers learn that, yes, there really is a useless grandson who loves stirring up trouble and needs saving.

So useless. Don't want him. Let's throw this grandson away.

1. Chongzhen's lines in the blurb are taken from the original lines in a film or TV show.

April 2023

Theme: Make up for past regrets, and may China flourish forever