In the year 1572, 72 years before the Ming dynasty’s fall and the land’s ruin, the southeastern coasts are overrun by Japanese pirates, the northwestern Tatars are knocking at the gates, local warlords are merging, the military and civil administration are exhausted, the people are suffering, and Emperor Longqing has just passed away. At this moment, Shi Yue transmigrates into the body of the Wanli Emperor Zhu Yijun, who historically did not attend court for thirty years. The good news is that this Zhu Yijun has not yet ascended the throne, so he hasn’t had a chance to ruin the government. The bad news is that this Zhu Yijun still hasn’t ascended the throne. The Director of the Ministry of Rites, Feng Bao, wants to become the spokesperson for imperial power. Prime Minister Gao Gong wants to sideline the emperor and strengthen the cabinet. Deputy Prime Minister Zhang Juzheng is determined to rule and implement new laws. The only hope is his own birth mother, Lady Li, who constantly orders him to kneel in punishment and forces him to write self‑criticism edicts. …

The crumbling palace stands right before his eyes, with intersecting factions flashing swords and knives in the central court. As the world rises and falls, a wise ruler of his generation—how should he act?