The New Reign

The twenty-eighth year of the Jiajing reign was an extraordinary year and a turning point for the entire Ming Empire.

That year, Zhu Wan, who oversaw the southeast, faced relentless criticism.

That year, Zeng Xian, governor-general of the three border regions, was dead, while Altan Khan was poised to make his move.

That year, Yan Song brought down Xia Yan and became Grand Secretary.

It was also the year that Crown Prince Zhuangjing, who should have died, returned to the stage of Ming power. That year was the twenty-eighth year of the Jiajing reign.