I'm a Merchant in the Ming Dynasty, and Old Zhu Is My Partner

After transmigrating into the Hongwu era, Lin Nan wakes up from hunger as a low-ranking ninth-rank clerk. Looking at the thirty jin of modern seeds in his bag, he bursts out laughing.

Potatoes yielding five thousand jin per mu? A salt-drying method that makes salt a hundred times cheaper? Steelmaking, firearm blueprints, world economics... This isn't transmigration, it's giving the Great Ming cheat codes!

He only wanted to quietly farm by the city wall, but an impoverished old man who called himself "Old Ma" kept pestering him for meals.

"Old Ma, these potatoes will keep you full, right?"

"Old Ma, this salt-drying method means your descendants will never have to worry about salt!"

"Old Ma, this steelmaking technique will make the Great Ming's swords and sabers unbeatable!"

As Zhu Yuanzhang wolfed down sweet potatoes, he frantically recorded every casual remark Lin Nan made. Each one was an age-defying secret art fit to transform the dynasty!

Until one day, as Lin Nan's influence kept growing, the whole court could no longer sit still.

"Your Majesty! The things Lin Nan has presented threaten the foundations of the state, and his teachings overturn all proper order!"

"He has seized all the profits from salt and iron, and the people across the realm know only Lord Lin!"

"If this man isn't eliminated, the Great Ming is doomed!"

As Lin Nan stood condemned by everyone and prepared to leave, Zhu Yuanzhang entered Nan Ji in full imperial robes and performed the rites of a disciple before him, in front of everyone.

"From this day on, Lin Nan shall enter the Fengtian Hall and take part in state affairs. To see him is to see me!"

From then on, the Great Ming took on a fantastical new aspect.

The civil officials cursed his "demonic arts that bring disaster to the state" while secretly using the paper and pens Lin Nan made to write their impeachment memorials;

The generals mocked his "useless tricks and gadgets" while begging Lin Nan in tears to upgrade their cannons;

Zhu Yuanzhang stayed up all night with Lin Nan, drawing a map of the world. "Sir, should we conquer Europe first, or pacify the northern desert?"