I, Chongzhen, Will Become a Tyrant Starting Today

The seventh year of the Tianqi reign.

After Meishan hanged himself, his soul traveled into the modern era and Zhu Youjian began his second life, once again becoming the young emperor who ascended the throne at sixteen: the Chongzhen Emperor.

To avoid meeting the same fate sixteen years later, hanging from that crooked-neck tree,

Zhu Youjian decided to become a completely different emperor. First, he would reinstate the eunuch faction and make them vicious hounds who bit only at his command.

The Ming dynasty's civil officials were about to meet a tyrant made just for them.

The Ming dynasty's civil officials: "What? Wei Zhongxian just died, and His Majesty has reinstated Li Yongzhen, bringing the eunuch faction back from the dead?" (Using the eunuch faction to recover embezzled funds and amass silver.)

The Ming dynasty's civil officials: "What? His Majesty is following the Wanli Emperor's example and refusing to hold court?"

The Ming dynasty's civil officials: "What? His Majesty has rebuilt the Leopard House and spends all day playing around, neglecting state affairs and imitating the old ways of the Wuzong Emperor? The Ming dynasty is doomed..." (Training the imperial guards, the first step toward building a strong army.)

The Ming dynasty's civil officials: "What? His Majesty is obsessed with alchemy and becoming an immortal, and he's even brought in Western foreign monks? Is he going to be another Shizong Emperor?" (Making use of Western missionaries, establishing an academy of sciences, and advancing the technological tree.)

"His Majesty is following the Wuzong Emperor's example and leading a campaign against the northern barbarians!"

"His Majesty is following the Taizu Emperor's example and has declared himself Grand Marshal of All the Armies, taking command of the military throughout the realm!"

"His Majesty intends to use the Great Proclamations to punish crimes, skinning corrupt officials and stuffing their skins with grass!"

"The Ming dynasty is doomed!"

"But why is the Ming dynasty thriving and flourishing once more?"