Volume One, Chapter One: The System!

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"Ah..."

"How did I end up transmigrating to the Ming Dynasty?"

"And as the last emperor, no less!"

"This dragon throne is no easy seat!"

Zhu Youjian sat alone in the Hall of Heavenly Purity, his fingers tapping lightly against the imperial desk.

Before him, memorials were piled like mountains, each one bearing testament to the empire's desperate straits.

He gazed at the numbers flickering across the system panel, and a faint, meaningful smile crept to the corner of his lips.

"But since I am here, this world shall change, one way or another."

He murmured to himself.

"The only question is — how will you lend me your strength in this great undertaking, System?"

"System, give me a full and detailed account of all your functions."

Zhu Youjian sat upon the dragon throne and asked in a low voice.

A curtain of blue light unfurled before him, and the System's voice rang out:

"Esteemed Host, this System contains nine core functional modules:

Silver Revenue Module: Generates one tael of silver per minute at a stable rate, with output upgradable through missions.

System Shop: Provides all manner of equipment and supplies, from cold weapons to firearms and everything in between.

System Warehouse: Capable of storing and deploying all categories of goods, with unlimited capacity.

Intelligence Network: Gathers intelligence on allies and enemies alike, and issues crisis warnings.

Commerce Module: Conducts trade operations to generate profit.

Talent Cultivation: Trains loyal and capable subordinates.

Technological Research: Accelerates scientific and technological advancement.

Military Advisor: Provides tactical counsel and strategic guidance.

Disaster Warning: Predicts natural calamities such as earthquakes, floods, and droughts."

Zhu Youjian narrowed his eyes. "What are the specific functions and limitations of each?"

The System continued: "The Silver Revenue Module is currently at Level 1, producing one tael of silver per minute. Completing missions raises the level, and output doubles with each upgrade.

The System Shop is divided into three categories: cold weapons, firearms, and special equipment. All goods must be purchased with silver, and care must be taken regarding timing so as not to arouse suspicion.

The Intelligence Network allows the deployment of spies, the establishment of covert outposts, and the bribery of informants. Intelligence gathered is highly accurate, though it requires time to accumulate.

The Commerce Module enables trade in grain, silk, porcelain, and other goods, including monopolization of production and overseas commerce — generating profit while regulating prices.

The Talent Module can cultivate civil officials, military commanders, and specialists, though cultivation requires time and resources.

Technological Research encompasses military, civilian, and foundational fields, accelerating the Ming Dynasty's technological progress.

The Military Advisor provides tactical recommendations based on battlefield conditions and assists in formulating battle plans.

The Disaster Warning Module predicts natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and droughts, allowing for early preventive measures."

Zhu Youjian nodded slowly. "What is the most pressing matter at present?"

The System replied:

"It is recommended to begin with the following:

Use the Silver Revenue Module to accumulate funds.

Establish an intelligence network to grasp the state of the court.

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Form a personal imperial guard to consolidate military authority.

Develop commercial operations to stabilize the people's livelihood."

"Very well." Zhu Youjian rose from the throne and clasped his hands behind his back. "We have made up Our mind."

From outside the hall came the shrill voice of a eunuch: "Your Majesty, the midday meal has been prepared."

"Understood." Zhu Youjian replied with cool indifference.

The System's chime sounded at precisely the right moment:

[Daily Missions Refreshed]
Collect 100 taels of silver.
Recruit one trusted subordinate.
Establish one intelligence outpost.
Reward: System Upgrade Progress +10%

"Let Us go and see," Zhu Youjian said, a cold smile playing at the corner of his mouth, "which among this court full of civil and military officials is most fit to become Our confidant."

"Your Majesty, the meal is prepared," Wang Chengen announced softly.

Zhu Youjian gave a slight nod and walked at a measured pace toward the imperial kitchen.

Along the way, palace maids and eunuchs held their breath in silence, bowing their heads in deference.

Sunlight filtered through the carved lattice windows and fell upon the vermilion floor tiles, casting a dappled mosaic of light and shadow.

The imperial kitchen was filled with fragrant aromas. Eight treasured delicacies were arranged in perfect order, flawless in appearance, scent, and taste.

Zhu Youjian settled into the gold-inlaid, silver-traced dragon chair as Wang Chengen personally served the dishes.

"This tender steamed perch was rushed here by swift courier from Jiangnan in the fifth watch of this very morning," Wang Chengen explained. "And this dish of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall was simmered over a slow fire for three full days..."

Zhu Youjian responded absently, his thoughts elsewhere.

His gaze fell upon the silver chopsticks before him, taking in the exquisite dragon-and-floral engravings, as he quietly calculated.

"These silver chopsticks must be worth three to five taels at least."

"And the System only yields one tael per minute — I shall have to find a way to raise the level."

After the meal, Zhu Youjian instructed Wang Chengen: "Convey Our decree — summon the Treasury Keeper of the Ministry of Revenue to the inner vault at once."

"This servant obeys." Wang Chengen bowed and withdrew.

Zhu Youjian walked to the inner vault. It held the gold and silver reserves of the Ming court, though in recent years precious little remained.

The heavy bronze doors swung open, and a musty, stale odor rushed forth.

"Your servant pays respects to Your Majesty." The Treasury Keeper prostrated himself upon the ground.

"Rise." Zhu Youjian said evenly. "Conduct a full inventory for Us."

The Treasury Keeper trembled as he led the way. Row upon row of wooden shelves were stacked with ledgers; in the corners, a scattering of gold and silver vessels lay in sparse disarray.

Zhu Youjian opened a ledger at random. Dense columns of figures recorded tribute received from various regions and expenditures made.

"How much silver in total was received from regional tributes last year?"

"In — in reply to Your Majesty..." The Treasury Keeper riffled through ledgers. "Thirty-two thousand taels in total."

"And expenditures?"

"Expenditures were approximately... approximately eighty thousand taels."

Zhu Youjian let out a cold laugh.

The deficit alone was nearly fifty thousand taels, to say nothing of the many accounts that had never been entered into the ledgers at all.

He then ordered several of the gold and silver vaults to be opened.

What met his eyes made his brow furrow deeply.

The storerooms that should have been piled high with gold and silver were utterly bare, with only a few broken and tarnished pieces of gold and silver ware scattered in the corners.

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"Is this all the court has in reserve?"

"In reply to Your Majesty, there is — there is still some... in the other vaults..." Cold sweat beaded on the Treasury Keeper's forehead.

Zhu Youjian asked no further. He had already taken a rough measure of what remained.

It was worse than he had imagined.

He would need to raise the System's level as quickly as possible and increase revenue.

"Go and summon Wen Tiren to see Us," he ordered.

Before long, Wen Tiren arrived in haste. This official of more than fifty years wore a blue-green court robe, his face lean and spare, yet his eyes burned with uncommon brightness.

"Your aged servant pays respects to Your Majesty." Wen Tiren kowtowed with reverence.

"Rise." Zhu Youjian gestured for him to stand. "Has there been any movement of late from the Donglin faction?"

A gleam flickered in Wen Tiren's eyes. "In reply to Your Majesty, this servant has heard that Huang Daozhou has been meeting frequently in private with several remonstrating officials of late — it appears they are conspiring over something."

"Oh? Do you know what they are conspiring about?" Zhu Youjian asked with studied nonchalance.

"This... your servant has not yet been able to determine."

"But in this servant's estimation, it can be nothing good."

"Those men invariably proclaim themselves paragons of purity, yet in truth they form factions for personal gain and bewitch the hearts of the people."

Zhu Youjian gave a slight nod.

With these words, Wen Tiren had pointed to the Donglin Party's failings without directly offending anyone — a seasoned old fox, without question.

"Then in your esteemed view, how should this be handled?"

Wen Tiren reflected for a moment. "Your Majesty, this aged servant believes the most important thing at present is to first stabilize the situation. The Donglin faction's influence is vast — to tug at one thread is to move the whole. It would be better to first dispatch men to observe them in secret, and once the truth is established, make a decision."

The words were watertight — they declared his position while leaving himself ample room. Zhu Youjian gave an inward nod of approval.

"Well said." He deliberately shifted course. "We have heard that you maintain certain connections with the remnants of Wei Zhongxian's faction?"

Wen Tiren stiffened, then at once knelt down. "Your Majesty's discernment illuminates all — this servant's dealings with those men were nothing more than ordinary acquaintance, with never a shred of divided loyalty..."

"Enough." Zhu Youjian waved his hand. "We merely asked in passing. Your loyalty, We know well."

Wen Tiren exhaled with relief, though fine beads of sweat had already gathered on his brow.

Zhu Youjian continued:

"At present the treasury is empty and military pay is failing. We intend to implement new policies — to open new revenue streams and reduce expenditures. Have you any sound strategy to offer?"

"This..." Wen Tiren hesitated. "This aged servant believes we might begin by rectifying tax collection. In recent years, tax revenues across various regions have suffered considerable shortfalls. If official corruption can be purged, income could be substantially increased."

Zhu Youjian noticed the man's eyes shift as he spoke — clearly he was holding something back.

"And how specifically should this rectification proceed?"

"Trusted senior officials could be dispatched to inspect the regions, to rigorously investigate tax conditions, and at the same time..." Wen Tiren went on to offer several further proposals.

All of them were thoroughly conventional measures — nothing that would offend local officials, nothing that would touch upon any fundamental interest.

Zhu Youjian understood perfectly.

This old official was indeed a master of the bureaucratic arts — every word he spoke, every act he proposed, left himself room to maneuver.

Such a man was useful to have in hand, but not one to be trusted too deeply.

"What you say is most reasonable." Zhu Youjian said coolly. "We shall discuss the matter further in due course. By the way — We recall that you have certain holdings in Jiangnan?"

Wen Tiren stiffened again. "In reply to Your Majesty, this servant has a few modest fields in Jiangnan, all left by his ancestors..."

"Is that so?" Zhu Youjian fixed him with a long, meaningful look. "We have heard it is rather more than a few fields."

Cold sweat poured from Wen Tiren. "Your Majesty, this servant..."

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