Back to the Ming Dynasty as the Chongzhen Emperor

It's very well written. The protagonist's viewpoints and opinions are very fair. Some time-travel novels set in the late Ming Dynasty during the Chongzhen era elevate Wei Zhongxian to the status of a saint, and portray the eunuch faction as representatives of loyal patriotism.

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The biggest flaw of this book is its naiveté. As the last emperor of the Ming Dynasty, saving the dynasty required centralized power, absolute imperial authority, and top-down reforms, not cultivating talent or a bourgeoisie. Only through self-governance, with the emperor at the center, could the Ming Dynasty be saved. This reform had no allies, only subjects.

This author seems to have a split personality. At the beginning, he describes how despicable the Donglin Party was, how guilty he felt before Emperor Tianqi, and what kind of people the Donglin Party consisted of—is he trying to redeem them? Even if some had some talent or integrity, they shouldn't be used. And what good are those with integrity? Won't they be dragged down?

Has the author heard of Wang Mang? He believed that taking half a step ahead made one a hero, taking a full step made one a martyr, and that those who betrayed their class could only end up like Wang Mang. He argued that reforms were too rapid, that others had already tried it, and that these reforms were too advanced.

I dropped it after the first chapter. It's ridiculous that transmigrating into Emperor Chongzhen is unlucky; you insist on transmigrating into Li Zicheng or Zhang Xianzhong. If you wanted to portray them as starving to death within three days, everyone would know that transmigrating into Emperor Chongzhen is the best outcome, and you yourself seem to think so.

There are so many instances of people showing off and then getting slapped in the face. The character descriptions are exactly like those in novels from 10 years ago, like "You dare kill me?" And "Go to hell, I'll spare you!" Hahaha, my goodness!

I can't take it anymore after reading twenty chapters! A newly enthroned emperor, penniless and powerless, and the first thing he does is implement a retirement system for palace maids? Who are you trying to win over with this "winner's favor" act? And you've already written several chapters on this. Do you think this is a farming novel?

The correct strategy adopted by the Ming Dynasty in Liaodong should have been: First, strategically, we must withdraw—a complete withdrawal—to lengthen the Jurchen supply lines and shorten our own. Second, we must be prepared to fight, resolutely fight, reorganize our border defenses, actively train our troops, and prepare for a decisive battle with the Jurchens.

This is the most frustrating account of the Ming Dynasty I've ever read; it's truly pathetic.