Chronicles of the Sacred Dynasty

Whether in the history books we read as children or in our teachers' lessons, the story goes more or less like this: "Xia, Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han; Wei, Jin, the Northern and Southern Dynasties; Sui, Tang, Liao, Jin, Song; all the way to Yuan, Ming, and Qing." But I say that between the Chunxi era of the Southern Song and the Wanli era of the Ming, another dynasty arose, one almost completely overlooked. It lasted more than four hundred years and saw twenty-seven emperors. It even enjoyed a scene grander than the Zhenguan era of the Tang: the surrounding tribes paid tribute, ruler and ministers worked in harmony, farmers, artisans, merchants, and scholars each had their place, travelers left no belongings behind, and executions were few. This was the Sheng Dynasty. Sheng Dynasty means a sacred dynasty. It was founded by its first emperor, Yuan Hongji, and ended with its last emperor, Yuan Lang.

Though the Sheng Dynasty of history endured all kinds of upheaval, it was, on the whole, a decent dynasty, thanks to wise and farsighted emperors and ministers devoted to their sovereign and country. Its existence was profoundly significant. But it was still a feudal dynasty, and could never be perfect or have everything go its way. So long as we approach it thoughtfully and judge it objectively, everyone will have their own perspective.

This is an alternate-history novel, entirely fictional. Please do not compare it with official history. If any events in the story conflict with official history, please follow the historical record.