Chapter 001: Crossing Over

Zhang Mingwei believes that Emperor Chongzhen was an emperor with ideals and ambitions, who was able to persistently translate them into action

In modern society, it is impossible for there to be individuals without eggs. It is highly likely that such individuals existed only in ancient times

Suddenly, I transformed from climbing a mountain to being in a palace, how bizarre! There are also two individuals dressed in Ming Dynasty attire, and from their demeanor and temperament, they seem to be different from modern people.

These two individuals are dressed quite strangely: one is wearing the attire of a Ming Dynasty emperor; the other is dressed as a eunuch from the Ming Dynasty. The one in the bright red robe holds a high rank and can be referred to as a eunuch.

During this period, natural disasters and man-made calamities occurred in succession, cannibalism became a grim reality, the land was devoid of the crowing of roosters for thousands of miles, and bones lay exposed in the wilderness. The land of Huaxia has suffered unimaginable and immense pain.

With this thought in mind, Zhang Mingwei made his decision. Coming back to his senses, he happened to hear Emperor Chongzhen repeating his questions with an expression of hope.

"Your Majesty is speaking to you!" Seeing Zhang Mingwei looking around, that "eunuch" finally couldn't help but remind him. However, there was still a hint of respect in his tone, or perhaps a sense of fear.

Later on, Zhang Mingwei stopped asking questions. This was because he was already certain that he had truly traveled through time, and indeed, he had arrived in the familiar month of March in the fifteenth year of the Chongzhen era, with only two years remaining until the fall of the Ming dynasty

Upon hearing these words, Emperor Chongzhen could not help but feel a deep sense of disappointment. The person who had suddenly appeared before him was like a deity, yet they were not a divine being! Could it be that heaven truly wished to witness the fall of the Ming dynasty?

The implication is that you should not speak carelessly; do you have any evidence

The eunuch beside him, upon hearing that the person before him was not a deity but seemed to be an ordinary man, finally regained some semblance of normalcy and immediately added, "Your Majesty cannot tolerate deceitful lies in your presence"

He was thinking that the person before him, who was none other than Emperor Chongzhen, had become somewhat anxious after failing to receive a definitive response from the "immortal" on several occasions. With an expression of earnest anticipation, he confirmed for the third time, "May I ask, are you the immortal sent by heaven to assist me?"

Zhang Mingwei received confirmation, yet felt a chill in his heart; the army of Daming that could fight was truly doomed!

Hearing his words, Zhang Mingwei came to his senses. As someone well-versed in history, he could certainly discern the expression in Emperor Chongzhen's eyes and knew what the emperor was likely hoping for at that moment

A few meters in front of him, there were two people staring at him, both with a look of astonishment on their faces

Emperor Chongzhen, upon hearing this, felt that the immortal was verifying the situation, and could not help but feel overjoyed. He quickly nodded excitedly and said: "Yes, yes, yes, I have just received the news of the defeat at Tashan!"

Wait a moment, on the first day of the third month in the fifteenth year of Chongzhen, it seems that the Battle of Songshan, the decisive battle between the Ming army and the Jianlu, has already concluded, and the last main force of the Ming Dynasty capable of fighting was completely annihilated in this battle

Ah!

Is it really a time travel? Has it even traveled to the first day of the third month in the fifteenth year of the Chongzhen era? Moreover, it just so happens to have appeared right in front of Emperor Chongzhen?

Upon thinking of this, Zhang Mingwei immediately associated it with the person before him, whose eyes were red, resembling that of Emperor Chongzhen. Could it be that he was crying due to the impending doom of his nation? No wonder there were no eunuchs or palace maids in this grand hall, just the two of them

After all, there have been quite a few web novels about time travel, where the protagonist finds themselves in an ancient world that is not familiar to them. Therefore, he asked the person in front of him: "It is the first day of the third month in the fifteenth year of Chongzhen, so has the Battle of Tashan already been lost? Has the main force of the Ming army under Hong Chengchou been completely annihilated?"

Thinking of this, Zhang Mingwei was truly taken aback: having written so much about Chongzhen, is this retribution? Has he really come to the time of Chongzhen?

In response, Zhang Mingwei smiled slightly and said, "I have evidence!"

However, this "eunuch" still closely follows the "emperor," as if ready to protect him at any moment, displaying an appearance of unwavering loyalty

The reasons for the lack of success are multifaceted, including the deep-rooted issues of the Ming Dynasty and the erroneous decisions made by Emperor Chongzhen. In summary, the history of the late Ming period is filled with too many regrets

Having written extensively about time-travel novels, his first reaction was to feel that he must have encountered the legendary phenomenon of time travel.

At this moment, if one were to impersonate an immortal, what would happen if Chongzhen or others demanded to see the powers of an immortal? Looking just like an ordinary person, wouldn't there be suspicions? ... In short, one would have to continue lying incessantly, while also worrying about the trust crisis that might arise if one were to be exposed.

Zhang Mingwei is relatively easygoing; to put it more elegantly, he is quite composed. Upon seeing others, he surprisingly remained unflustered

In later generations, a widely accepted view is that in the fifteenth year of Chongzhen, particularly after the Battle of Tashan, when the main force of the Ming army was completely annihilated, the fall of the Ming dynasty was already predetermined

Upon hearing this, Zhang Mingwei turned to look at him. This voice was very distinctive, not the tone of an ordinary person. Could it be that only someone utterly inept would produce such a tone

Then he saw himself suddenly appear, and thought he was a deity. As soon as he opened his mouth, he begged for help, which seems to align with the mindset of someone who is at their wit's end

Wasn't it just when I was climbing that my foot slipped and I fell? What is going on? How did I suddenly end up in a house that looks like a palace? Am I seeing things!

If he were to take advantage of the situation and pretend to be a celestial being sent by heaven to assist Emperor Chongzhen, he could be assured of receiving the utmost trust and support from Emperor Chongzhen, thereby effecting change in the Ming Dynasty

At that moment, the person dressed as the emperor seemed to come to his senses, and a look of surprise immediately appeared on his face. With a strong regional accent, he asked Zhang Mingwei, "Are you a deity? Have you been sent by heaven to assist me?"

It is truly speechless; it seems that he is already in his thirties, no, it appears he might even be in his forties. Such a grown man, yet he is crying like this, it is quite something!

Zhang Mingwei pondered for a moment on the words of the "Emperor" and soon grasped the essence of what this person was saying

The "Emperor" seemed to take a moment to comprehend Zhang Mingwei's meaning before responding: "I am indeed the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and it is now the first day of the third month in the fifteenth year of Chongzhen!"

All of these indicate a certain situation

This time, upon hearing these words, Zhang Mingwei began to seriously contemplate this issue

After receiving the answer, his expression was as if he had grasped a lifeline, and with a face full of anticipation, he asked again: "Are you a celestial being sent by heaven to assist me?"

Zhang Mingwei instinctively assumed a defensive posture, looking at the two individuals, and loudly asked: "Who are you?"

Zhang Mingwei directly ignored the latter statement. At that moment, his head was buzzing, completely lost in thought.

The reason I recognized him at a glance is that Zhang Mingwei is a specialist in writing time-travel novels set in the late Ming Dynasty. He has conducted extensive research, so it is only natural that he could be recognized.

After asking, he became a bit puzzled

If it is true, Emperor Chongzhen has many things he would like to know, and he can ask for the answers. For example, whether he truly is the ruler of a fallen nation

The person next to him, who resembled a eunuch, also came to his senses at that moment and immediately assumed a defensive posture, seemingly intending to protect the "emperor". However, after hearing his words, he hesitated slightly and did not take any further action

Among them, the one wearing the emperor's robe, with red eyes, seems to have just been crying.

The descendants of Huaxia have truly had a difficult journey

In a moment of panic, Zhang Mingwei immediately surveyed his surroundings, and upon turning his head, he was suddenly startled.

He then looked around again; on a royal desk, there was a pile of memorials. There was even one discarded on the floor, and from the scattered memorials, it was evident that they were written in an ancient format. Looking at the other aspects of the grand hall, no matter from which angle one viewed it, it felt as though one had returned to ancient times

However, he was still unwilling to accept it and confirmed again: "Is it true that the rebel leaders such as Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong have become too powerful to be controlled? And the previous emperor was the Tianqi Emperor, with Wei Zhongxian wielding immense power, claiming to be the Nine Thousand Years, and then before that..."

Due to the sensitivity of his profession, he instinctively asked, "Are you the emperor of the Ming Dynasty? What year is it?"

However, Zhang Mingwei has always adhered to a principle in his work, which is to never tell a lie. This is because he believes in a truth: that behind one lie, countless other lies are needed to cover it up.

It is precisely for this reason that Zhang Mingwei fell silent

He is an author of historical time travel, known as the "Specialist of the Late Ming Dynasty," and more accurately referred to as the "Specialist of Chongzhen," specializing in writing about the historical time travel of the Late Ming Dynasty. Consequently, he has indeed researched a considerable amount of material on the Late Ming history, which is why he has a relatively clear understanding of this period.

Lying is too exhausting

Thus, he straightened his expression, glanced at the eunuch beside him who had been silent yet attentive, and then said to Emperor Chongzhen: "Your Majesty, I am not an immortal; I am a person from China over four hundred years in the future"

Emperor Chongzhen listened attentively, nodding vigorously at each question. With every nod he made, Zhang Mingwei felt an additional "thump" in his heart.

After writing too much, he really traveled through time! Zhang Mingwei felt quite speechless as he turned to look at the face of "Emperor Chongzhen".

In one breath, he recounted the major events from the reign of Chongzhen to that of Wanli, in order to confirm whether this dimension was indeed the historical period he was familiar with

The reason why Zhang Mingwei focused on the period of Chongzhen is that the late Ming Dynasty represents one of the most regrettable chapters in Chinese history

However, he quickly regained his composure and immediately confirmed, "You come from over four hundred years later?"

More critically, from this period onward, the West rose to prominence, surpassing China and even trampling upon it, dividing it among themselves. Even if future generations strive for self-improvement and pursue progress, they have continuously faced joint suppression from Western powers.

He keeps asking this question over and over again, for in his despair, he truly needs a miraculous helper!

He was deep in thought, while Emperor Chongzhen beside him waited for a while, becoming somewhat impatient. He then spoke again, with a look of expectation, and asked: "May I ask if you are the immortal sent by heaven to assist me?"

Zhang Mingwei came to his senses, carefully scrutinizing him once more, and felt again the appearance and attire of this person, as well as the eunuch beside him, truly believing that they were not modern individuals

He is a science student and usually considers matters quite comprehensively. At this moment, he thought of a possibility and wanted to confirm the situation further

Zhang Mingwei patted his sore bottom and, upon getting up from the ground, was instantly dumbfounded

Emperor Chongzhen's diligence, which he believed he could not achieve. It is also for this reason that he admired Emperor Chongzhen's diligence. However, it is regrettable that although Emperor Chongzhen made efforts, he did not succeed

"May I ask, are you a deity sent by heaven to assist me?" At this moment, the "Emperor Chongzhen" once again confirmed with an expression of hope.