In the year 1572—seventy-two years before the fall of the Ming dynasty and the loss of its lands—southeastern pirates ravage the coast while Tartar forces press the northwest; local warlords carve out fiefdoms, the army and government are exhausted, and the common people suffer. The Longqing Emperor has just passed away.

At that moment, Shi Yue transmigrates into the body of Zhu Yijun—the future Wanli Emperor—who has spent thirty years without attending court.

The good news: Zhu Yijun has not yet ascended the throne, so he has not yet had the chance to bring disaster to the government.

The bad news: Zhu Yijun has not yet ascended the throne.

Feng Bao, the Seal-holding Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial, plans to act as the spokesperson for imperial power.

Senior Grand Secretary Gao Gong wants to sideline the emperor and strengthen the cabinet.

Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng is intent on ruling wholeheartedly and pushing through new reforms.

His only hope lies with his birth mother, Lady Li—who still forces him to kneel in punishment and compels him to draft self-criticisms.

With the dynasty’s fate hanging in the balance and ruthless power struggles unfolding at the highest levels, how will he, destined to become a “sage ruler,” survive—and shape—the coming storm?

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