The Ming Dynasty's Chancellor: Starting as a Successful Candidate

The mortal world rolls by like a dream, as if a lifetime has passed. Sheng Mingxi found himself in the Ming Dynasty, rose to the highest honors, and set the realm in order. His life and deeds are recorded in the Biographies of the History of Ming: Sheng Mingxi, courtesy name Guangzhao, was from Hexi. Brilliant from childhood, he became a government student at sixteen. In the eighth year of the Wanli era, at eighteen, he placed first in the imperial examination and was appointed an editor at the Hanlin Academy. Zhang Juzheng happened upon one of his essays and thought highly of him. “This young man has great potential. Given time, he will become a pillar of the state.” Mingxi was handsome and tall. In his dealings with others, he was perceptive, upright, and resourceful. He dared to take responsibility and acted decisively, while keeping his thoughts so well hidden that no one could fathom them. After Zhang Juzheng's death, the emperor abandoned the ancestral system and entrusted Mingxi with the powers of a chancellor, addressing him as such. Mingxi assisted the emperor, making the cultivation of worthy officials, care for the people, and economic prosperity his priorities. He clarified laws and orders, enforced rewards and punishments, safeguarded the empire, and ensured the dynasty's continued prosperity. The emperor was greatly pleased. In his twilight years, he even considered abdicating in Mingxi's favor. This book is also known as Restoring the Ming Dynasty