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Back To The Beginning Of Ming To Do Charity
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Web Novel (CN)
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Rating(4.5 / 5.0, 360 votes)
5    76% (272 votes)
4    12% (42 votes)
3    6% (23 votes)
2    3% (9 votes)
1    4% (14 votes)
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2018
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Status in Country of Origin. One entry per line
191 Chapters + 2 Extras (Completed)
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No
Completely Translated
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Release Frequency
Every 78.6 Day(s)
Activity Stats
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Weekly Rank: #2000
Monthly Rank: #5850
All Time Rank: #1525
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On 5273 Reading Lists
Monthly Rank: #1599
All Time Rank: #1421

Description

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After traversing to the end of the Yuan dynasty but just before the start of the Ming dynasty, Lin Yuan originally prepared to follow in the footsteps of his time travelling seniors. Invent tanks, cannons, and steam engines while gaining underlings and dominating the world.

However, before he realized it, Lin Yuan’s followed by a crowd of impoverished and destitute people——

“Follow after Boss! There will be food to eat!”

“Follow after Boss! No more starvation!”

The goal is to dominate the world, the tragic reality however is more about building and farming.

This is a story about a straight(?) Gary Stue protagonist ‘forced’ into becoming a male living Buddha.

Associated Names
One entry per line
回到明初搞慈善
Related Series
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Recommendations
Royal Road (11)
The Only Favourite Ugly Husband (4)
Stone Age Husband Raising Journal (2)
Banished to Another World (2)
To Rule in a Turbulent World (2)
Every Day the Protagonist Wants to Capture Me (1)
Recommendation Lists
  1. Summer Book List
  2. ~The Fairest of Them All: Danmei Edition~
  3. Scheming Couple in Ancient Times (BL)
  4. To see a new world
  5. Tier 1 novels

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101 Reviews sorted by


Jessy_m
Jessy_m rated it
January 3, 2024
Status: Completed
I loved this story a lot. There wasn't much romance, unlike other BL stories, but it felt genuine, and the love between the MC and the ML is so sweet.

I love how the author treated women in the novel, making the MC supportive of women by creating jobs for them and leading to giving them rights and status. I still feel sad for that girl in the village who wanted to study, but her parents, especially her mom, opposed it because she was worried about what people would say and... more>> believed that girls should work at home.

I just wish we got an extra chapter talking about when the MC died, his funeral, and how the common people cried for their loving emperor who treated them kindly.

Other than that, I enjoyed everything. I loved how, in the extra, we are told about the perspective of modern people in a different way than other similar novels and how the ML is suspected of being the MC's lover. <<less
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darkelf01
darkelf01 rated it
September 14, 2021
Status: --
As some reviews said, it's pretty much an army building story with a sprinkle of shonen ai led by a resourceful, almost-perfect MC.

And I dig that.

I don't care about the Jack Su plot, I just wanna read about a perfect leader MC in a perfect country because today's leaders are disappointing. Even the first tear I shed in this story was when the MC received his first heartfelt devotion kowtow from the laborers he hired 🤧

Actually, reading this novel felt too much like reading a BL version of Suikoden. There... more>> are many parts where they're similar so it's a very yummy treat to relish. I found myself assigning Stars to the side characters that became MC's allies lol

I'm also an old reader of Berserk manga so I just kinda fantasizes that this story is an alternate version of Berserk with a good Griffith that charms his people left and right and a protective Guts that stayed till the end in a story focused on kingdom-building with HE.

It's just that I don't ship him with ML that much. The story's already a fine one even without romance, that one point is something I'd agree with other reviewers. If I'm asked about what romance I'd prefer in this story, I'd say that I ship MC with the future Empress Ma. I can't imagine what kind of golden era that pairing would create together <<less
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Stardust555
Stardust555
November 23, 2023
Status: c193
I loved this novel so much! I have a huge weak spot for empire-building novels and this one is close to perfect!

My favorite part is how the novel really examines the intricate balance of power and dominance between a ruler and their supporters. There's a lot of theories of governance discussed in the novel. I also appreciate the little asides where the author gives an example of how the common people are affected by the changes the MC brings. The author should also be commended for not forgetting characters from... more>> several arcs ago. You can tell this was well planned.

The worst part of the novel is the romance aspect. I thought there was no need for it. It's like the author added romance as an afterthought. I did not like the ML and did not think he suited our MC. I would rather the author keep romance out of it, or trivialize it further by excluding any declarations of love on the MC's behalf. In the last arc, it's like the author was afraid we would complain without any CP sugar so they forced it. To the author's credit, they still maintained character settings, it was just that the narrative focus was on the relationship. It was a sad romance. A theme in the latter part of the novel is how isolating it is to be a ruler. The MC struggles with this several times and even his heir struggles with it as well. I don't know if the author intended ML to be the reason MC didn't feel alone anymore, but that's really not how it came across to me. On one hand, the MC spent a lot of the last chapters sleeping with, being intimate with, and confiding in the ML, but he didn't feel like an equal. It felt like he was a devoted, hot, servant who warmed MC's bed. It undermines the theme of loneliness because the MC and ML are not equals in any way and the attempts to showcase the MC's love for the ML are abrupt and not enough to convince me of their love. Frankly, the MC's goodbye with his advisor was far more touching. <<less
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MeineMeow
MeineMeow rated it
May 10, 2022
Status: Completed
I want to worship the author and the translator from the start till the end.

For you who want fluffy romance transmigration story (like I was), you won’t be disappointed reading this even though ML only appeared in less than 10% of the story and their romantic story might be only 1% (if not less). This prove the ability of author knitting the story of people in that era, following Lin Yuan our beloved MC and benefitting from his decision changing the era using his knowledge of the future history. This... more>> novel truly gives you glimpse how great ruler bring prosperity to people, and how hard it is to be a leader.

Lin Yuan is an orphan, hardworking and capable office worker before he transmigrated. He was no genius, but he truly knows how to grasp the situation and use the right people to bring result he wanted. He never win the war by himself, the generals under him was the true war lords. He was no genius to invent things, but he promote the artisan who was not respected on that era to achieve great invention. The invention also not the big one, but things which will benefit the common people. This is what I love most, unlike other absurd transmigration story where the MC omnipotent and could make everything, or focus on face-slapping.

In each chapter we will read the life of these common people in the turbulent era of famine and injustice get better under Lin Yuan’s regime. Lin Yuan never underestimate people old or young, scholar or prostitute, all is the same if they are useful to common people. Reading this like reading alternate history book with better pleasure. The author also wrote about the enemies, the pain of being loyal (they were raised like that, cant blame them, really pity them) while the superior was incapable.

Some people might get bored and won’t like these, but I love it to death. Really one of the best transmigration story, EVER! <<less
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MissZer0q
MissZer0q rated it
March 25, 2022
Status: Completed
Literally one of the best thing that's ever happened to me. I am so glad I read this one ಥ‿ಥ. It very very rare to see the growth of an MC and even the side characters around him. I effin love this shiz I wish I could read it for the first time again. The only regrets I have is that the romance only sprinkled some crumbs༎ຶ‿༎ຶ I mean during Mac's reign, that's understandable but there's no fanwais for them in modern era (≧Д≦) Oh well, I'll just have... more>> to imagine it. <<less
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WeiWeiWei
WeiWeiWei rated it
July 22, 2024
Status: c173
It started off great, loved how the MC gradually went from a destitute boy to becoming a landowner to conquering cities and provinces, less focus on the battles and more on governing og using people / vassals/ officials. Unfortutanely it gets slow in the end as the MC manages to conquer Dadu and wants to reform the world while he just sits in his palace with his lover... If you love BL you will have to wait for a long time and if you want war / action, this one... more>> is so-so I guess.

I would rather recommend Royal Road for those seeking BL and ancient china, and for those seeking kingdom building/ warfare try Holy Roman Empire, King of Mercenary, 1812 Napoleon, My father in law is Lu Bu or Sword Song / I became the first prince <<less
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minieya
minieya rated it
April 14, 2024
Status: Completed
I rushed to write a review for this the second I finished the last chapter. What an amazing journey this story has taken me... if this book is translated and published I would for sure buy a copy and reread it again.

Romance is not the priority of this novel. Nor is it even the second or third most important thing. I wouldn't even call the ML a deuteragonist when there are so many characters with so many important roles in the story.

For those that are interested I will describe a... more>> bit the 'main couple' in this story:

Spoiler

The ML is Chen Baisong (though he didn't have this name until later in the story) and he was a close childhood friend of the MC Lin Yuan and at the beginning of the novel they were separated because of a bandit attack. The ML doesn't appear for very long afterwards and the actual romance doesn't actually start until late in the third arc. By then they were already adults with the ML in his late thirties, so there wasn't any fuss when they got together. Because of the power imbalance there was also nothing official between them (no marriage) although the final chapter (before the extras) have them talking about being buried together in the same coffin when they die :') and throughout the whole story they were only romantically involved with each other.

[collapse]

Sometimes the ML wouldn't appear for many, many chapters. There are whole chapters without the MC too and they're just from the perspective of one-off characters. It really adds to the worldbuilding and lets you really be emotionally invested in the MC's goal to 'reform' the world.

The novel can be said to be separated into three major arcs:

Spoiler

MC is a landowner still gaining loyal followers and trying to build an army > Conquering cities and rebelling against the imperial court while his reputation increases > Taking the capital, becoming the Emperor and leaving behind a legacy

[collapse]

If you really like heavy historical and political stuff then this novel is right for you. I have to admit some parts do just fly over my head and I skimmed through the parts I felt were draggy. But I still wanted to stick it till the end because I wanted to know... how far can the MC go? How high can he reach? The answer is pretty damn high lol <<less
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Ladyoscar27
Ladyoscar27 rated it
March 24, 2021
Status: --
A good person would have died long ago. Our MC is someone inspiring. He isnt totally nice but he has, he is the foundation of a Empire, he has to differentiate between the things done and what a modern person would do, and truly he really is magnificent. I even dare to say, the world he created for the women of that time is a world we had to fight for during centuries, and even if he did it because he would lose manpower, he did what most wouldnt.

... more>>
Spoiler

I really like that the authour wrote so many incredible women. Here women were mother, daughters, merchants, nurses, schoolars. Even empress by their own right, to the point when the story takes place in modern times, they say that beside MC the best rulers were the empress that came after him, that the emperor that finally took the throne f*cked up everyting and almost ended their history

[collapse]
<<less
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Alex Woods
Alex Woods rated it
November 17, 2023
Status: --
Amazing translation quality. The novel has its flaws but it's one of the best Kingdom building Novels. The author can't write army battles so he/she didn't bother with it. It has one of the best aftermath sections I have ever read.

Worth reading
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B2j
B2j rated it
August 16, 2023
Status: Completed
I have been putting it off for so long but decided that it should be worth it since I love Royal Road.

I’m impressed. This story is heavy on the plot and very little romance. It’s almost a historical interpretation of the Yuan/ Ming Dynasty. Whether it was the people, environment, warfare, food, animal, jobs, conditions, values, ideologies, economy etc., everything is so intricately depicted. There are so many details and it shows exactly how much effort was put into the work. Despite the huge amount of information, the story is... more>> still very compelling solely because of the characters. Lets not just mention the main character, the side characters and even the anecdotal characters who showed up for only one chapter, were written to be the main characters of their own version of the story. They each were interesting, diverse, and symbolized different things. Lin Yuan was my favorite character of all. He was the most complex character in the story. One reviewer said, ‘Lin Yuan is a good king, but he is definitely not a good lover.’ I very much agree. It was not a simple matter of whether he was a good person or a bad person. Was LY a good person? Well yes, he saved his people, improved the country, and laid the foundation for future generations. But, he also killed, ruined people’s lives, incited chaos through spies, waged wars, threatened and bribed. He was a good emperor. But even with his own lover, Chen Baisong, he could not give him what he deserved. The CB devoted his whole life to LY, although under no obligation to pay back, LY only returned the promise of not having anyone else and the same coffin. LY understood the values of a modern man. Despite that, he could not truly love CB, as stated in his mentality during his time as emperor and even before then, he could never fully trust anyone. I’m sure he loved CB, but their status and love are never equal with CB always being the one more accommodating and giving. I don’t blame LY one bit. I stated he was my favorite character and this is one of main reason why. LY depicted the part of an emperor very well and more realistic than most. It will never be like other fiction where the emperor can have the final say in everything, can change anything, kill anyone, and make anyone empress. LY was more powerful and more resourceful than most, but in the end he couldn’t do beyond the limit of making CB the male empress title. It was just not possible. With his status, he could truly never lower himself to be accommodating. He couldn’t afford to. That’s just how it is, not everything ends happily ever after and not everything is perfect rainbow and sunshines. On the aspect of his development throughout the story, I was really invested. He goes through the thoughts that any person goes through; starting with the beginning of his transmigration to being the farmstead owner to being a spiritual leader to being a king and finally, to becoming an emperor. Each stage of his life, he gradually changes to a new person. He becomes more decisive, ruthless, calculating, and manipulative. There were times where he cried to himself in bed, shed lonely tears in solitude, raged and resent, disdained and regret, felt fear and anxiety, hesitated and doubted. Just as was with a person. But in the end, he remains true to his intention; helping the common people. I admire him a lot. If he was not written as a character, I would also think he was destined to be an emperor. Why else would Jiang Gui have that dream to save Gaoyou at such opportune moment. This was a journey. The journey took me to see things I haven’t seen, heard things I haven’t heard before, and accompanying me was Lin Yuan. I am impressed. <<less
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0ni0n
0ni0n rated it
June 29, 2022
Status: Completed
This is a really refreshing read. I haven’t enjoyed reading something so much in a long while. I love the plot, the evolution of the MC throughout the different stages of his life, and the complexity of how politics were displayed. I like how many of the side characters showed growth.

I liked how the romance between the MC and ML was realistically displayed. While the romance was minimal, it fits with the story and the characters themselves. How the MC showed his affection when he was older really got to... more>> me.

But while I enjoyed every characters around the MC, by far, my favorite was Song Shizao.

In one of the chapter, there was a comment made that only if Song Shizao was 20-30 years younger, then he and the MC would of have made a great pair. For some reason, that really got to me. And don’t even mention just how touched I was with their final scene together. How sweet it was.

All in all, a good read. <<less
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Redroses__
Redroses__ rated it
May 17, 2022
Status: Completed
I love this story, it was entertaining to read how the MC changed the lives of those around him. How he shaped the world to be better. Unfortunately, the romance part, it's really short. They didn't get together until he became the emperor.. The hint of romance is there, but it's really hard to notice 🥺. I didn't even know who will be the ML until around chap 100+ lol.
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glitteryjoon
glitteryjoon rated it
May 3, 2022
Status: c1
Where do I start.. It's hard to really label this as good or bad. first things first, if you're going into this thinking the cp is going to be cute and fill you with dog food and fluff then turn back now.

Not only does the ML not even show up until we're damn near 30ish chapters in, he's not even a constant character. You pretty much have to wait until around 130-140 before they even start giving you more consistent scenes between them. It's like for ever one or two... more>> paragraphs you get with the cp together, there's like 6-10 chapters where they done even show up together if at all.

That was a huge bother for me. although I'm a sucker for plot heavy novels, that's on the premise that the cp are around each other and slowly building up to their relationship. Meanwhile, with this novel I sat here trying to figure out how they were even going to get together and spoiler alert

Spoiler

They literally just f*ck after the MC is basically like "bro I know you're super into me. drink this wine and f*ck me" and then you get the shortest pov of how he felt on the matter which is just "I'm super possessive over him and have been for a while but it's deffo not love. lolz" like? it was very boring because even after that they basically are together and there's no real confession of love on his part.

[collapse]

Anyway, my other problem with this novel is that the author misty wrote this more as an outline or diary. there are time skips out the wazoo, which I do understand but it takes away from the plot.

Not to mention there are random unimportant characters all throughout the novel. I do understand that it's meant to be a show n tell like "hey look this is the different thoughts and reactions to the trickle down effect of MCs actions. but the problem is that either that unimportant tidbit becomes pretty interesting and makes you want to know more only to never be brought back up again. or it drags on and on and just makes it all that more boring.

now, after seeing all my complaints you'd think I hated this novel, but I didn't. A lot of that could be because I love palace intrigue and like ancient times sort of stuff anyway, but there were definitely a lot of interesting points made in this.

the fact that he brought his modern thinking into his ancient livelihood is always interesting and has always been something I wondered about with other transmigration novels. I like that he implemented things that directly benefited women.

In fact I loved that this novel treated females more than just a villainous plot device to move the novel along. it was nice to see...

that said I'll give this a 4.5. <<less
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nitan
nitan rated it
December 3, 2021
Status: c105
This novel is quite different from what I was expecting, there's a lot of really good conversations to unpack in regards to societal structure and city building. I love how complex it is, how it's not afraid to go there and tackle hard hitting questions and build up slowly. I also LOVE the multiple povs - we get to read little anecdotes of other characters, see and live through their life and eyes. I love that it incorporates leaflets of those in society, not just the MC who's the boss... more>> at the top. It's a deliberate narrative choice that I personally don't think is grueling to read through? But I know others might not enjoy it

Also, the romance is like eating dry bread. Don't have any expectations for MC and ML interactions to be honest, 100 chapters in and it's still as dry as bones. This novel is very plot driven and romance is honestly like, a side after thought. I honestly don't even know if I think its necessary lol, but it's really interesting to read about the MC recounting history that's going to happen - other people's business, the mayhem, the journey, small character's life stories etc. Honestly just enjoy the small people more than the big ones. Recommend you give it a try! Just don't expect alot of romance lmao <<less
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Carolluly
Carolluly rated it
October 2, 2021
Status: c110
I would like to say thanks to the translator for bringing this story with such quality.

I loved how the construction of the world and the characters was happening. Now how do I find another story like that?

Very happy to see a world construction in which structural changes are actually made.

Thank you so much!
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Nadelyn
Nadelyn rated it
July 24, 2021
Status: Completed
Very interesting novel indeed. While I do recommend this novel, I do want to point out the following:

This is more a kingdom building novel than anything else. The real MC in this novel is the kingdom. Lin Yuan is just a stand in MC cos we need to start the novel somewhere, and better a human MC so we connect with him a little lol
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Zemmiaphobia
Zemmiaphobia rated it
June 10, 2021
Status: c81
I like this novel a lot! The historical and political aspect of the plot is absolutely fascinating to read and I love seeing the MC go from a mildly ruthless modern office worker to the iron hearted leader of a nation-sized rebellion. The romance is light but I don't think that distracts from the novel. A full on dramatic romance would be a bit too much and ruin the already shaky realism of the plot, haha. Overall, I'm really enjoying reading this.
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Yexhixhi
Yexhixhi rated it
May 29, 2021
Status: c78
Super underrated.

I started reading this yesterday noon and just caught up to the latest chapter after binge reading for like, more than 12 hours since the chapters are quite long.

At first, I thought this would be light hearted novel about an MC being nice and helping people and falling in love.

... more>> I WAS WRONG.

The character development was immaculate. On the first few chapters, the MC still had his modern day inwardly comedic personality? He still felt nervous about meeting enemies and stuff. He slowly became more and more, hm, more taciturn? As more and more people worshipped him. He became more ruthless and calculating, in short, he became hotter.

There's a lot of scheming to this, and a lot of super duper extra minor character deaths. If you ever see a random POV of a random guy, expect him to die in the next few paragraphs. It's tear jerking even tho they only have those few words.

The romance is not that pronounced, so far. I didn't think that Chen was the male lead at first, good thing I read translator notes haha. I almost forgot this was a bl novel. But although lacking in romance scenes so far (as of ch 78) it's really addicting.

The translation is so good too! I love it. It was very easy to read and looks very professional.

I will edit this review once the translation of the novel is done! <<less
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Silangan
Silangan rated it
May 14, 2021
Status: c76
This is basically a kingdom building novel with a hint of gay. I love it.

If you enjoy an actual plot thats not overshadowed by how the two leads will get together, then this is for you.
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MeowMeowMeow
MeowMeowMeow rated it
May 5, 2021
Status: Completed
Waaa- I didnt expect to find diamond among stones. A refreshing novel, absolutely loved it. The Mc's character development was wonderful and slow pace. I'm glad that he learned most of the things from his past life experiences.

The ML was faithful and loyal to the MC as expected, they were a wonderful pair.

The ending:

... more>>
Spoiler

MC dies and is buried along with the ML. Before dying, he chose his sister's daughter as the next emperor as she rules the dynasty well.

[collapse]

would highly recommend if you're interested in war/army/strategy/Survival tags.

Although there is a tag of shonen AI, the romance doesn't start below 170 chapts. I even wondered why there is shonen ai tag at the middle - cuz I didnt find no development between the MC and ML. <<less
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