This Chongzhen Is Absolutely Ridiculous

In 1627, an engineering PhD from the 21st century transmigrated into the body of the recently enthroned Chongzhen Emperor. And so the crumbling megastructure known as the Great Ming welcomed a chief engineer armed with blueprints. Wen Tiren: “The laws of our ancestors? Don't ask me. You'd better ask whether His Majesty's fists agree.” The court officials: “We used to think the emperor was just a figurehead. Now we think we're the figureheads.” Wei Zhongxian: “His Majesty is a man of great deeds. Leave the rough work of killing to our humble selves.” Wang Cheng'en: “His Majesty used to be a benevolent ruler. Now... now he's a wise ruler who'd rather throw a punch than argue!” Later Jin envoy: “We came to negotiate peace, not take a physics lesson! And why are your city walls so hard?!” Years later. As towering concrete marvels rose from the ground and ironclad fleets patrolled the seas, the people of the Great Ming would often look back on the day their new emperor ascended the throne, and the most unusual blueprint he had announced. “I am an engineer.” “I will forge this realm a backbone of steel and reinforced concrete!”