In the eighth year of the Jingtai reign, on the eve of the Coup at the Palace Gate, the dying Emperor Jingtai suddenly sat up and slapped Zhu Qizhen across the face as he once again claimed the throne in imperial robes!
I ask you: the Oirat raided our borders and slaughtered countless people, yet you treated them like your own parents. Would the thirty thousand spirits lost at Tumu Fortress agree to this?
I ask you: captured by the Oirat, you not only refused to die to atone for your crime, but also paid them tribute. Would the spirits of the Grand Ancestor and the Grand Emperor agree to this?
I ask you: after surrendering to the Oirat and being ransomed, you shamelessly hid away in the Southern Palace, plotting to restore yourself to the throne. Would the people of the realm agree to this?
Zhu Qizhen! What face do you have to wear imperial robes and plot to usurp the throne, stealing the empire for yourself? You are a laughingstock for all eternity, and you don't even know it!
And you civil officials, nobles, and palace guards, open your dog eyes and look! How can such a useless man be entrusted with the Ming dynasty?
The Ming dynasty has stood for less than a century. The Grand Ancestor died fifty years ago, and the Grand Emperor passed away thirty years ago, yet the realm has already fallen into such ruin.
I, Zhu Qiyu, swear to cleanse the Ming dynasty and bring order to the realm! I will restore justice to the world and fairness to its people!
I, Zhu Qiyu, will be remembered as a benevolent ruler for all eternity!
This book was originally titled The Jingtai Emperor of the Great Ming: My Ministers Force Me to Become a Tyrant! It is also known as The Third Most Ruthless Man of the Great Ming and Stand Still, Emperor Baozong: I'll Beat You to Death on Behalf of Our Imperial Ancestors.
