In the seventh month of the fourth year of Chongzhen’s reign, Cheng Shijie arrived in Dengzhou with the ability to transmigrate through time and space to the end of the Ming dynasty.
He had intended to use his time-travel gate to make a little money.
But the tide of history swept him toward a turbulent stage, one step at a time.
He began as a junior officer in the Dengzhou Guard.
He crushed bandits, quelled rebellions, and protected the people under his care.
He took Lushun, reclaimed southern Liaodong, and made his name known in all directions.
He defeated the Jianzhou Jurchens, subdued the Mongols, and drove out the Western barbarians.
He opened up farmland, promoted industry and commerce, and expanded the realm.
In a Ming plagued by natural and man-made disasters, corrupt officials, and a suffocating silence, he was the people’s only hope.
Song Xiance said, “Your Majesty, the nation cannot go a single day without an emperor...”
Cheng Shijie sighed. “You’re trying to make me an unrighteous man!”
Li Yan said, “Your Majesty may wrong one man, but you will bring great fortune to all the people!”
