On the day of the solar eclipse, dark clouds loomed over the Forbidden City.
Xu Qing woke before dawn, the red warning on his system interface stinging his eyes: "Historical variation rate 18.9%, spatiotemporal permeation intensifying." What unsettled him more was that the energy bar was recovering nearly half as slow as expected.
"Master Xu, His Majesty requests your presence." The voice of Wang Cheng'en sounded outside his door.
In the Palace of Heavenly Purity, Zhu Youjian was combing his hair before a wall of surveillance screens. The mirror no longer reflected the haggard face of the historically doomed emperor, but a middle-aged man with sharp eyes and jet-black hair at his temples.
"Minister Xu, look at this." Zhu Youjian pointed to one of the screens. The footage showed servants in Wei Zaode's residence distributing weapons. "They plan to strike during the darkest moment of the eclipse."
Xu Qing drew a sharp breath: "Shall we preempt them?"
"No." Zhu Youjian fastened the last button of his dragon robe. "I want them all to reveal their true colors."
He clapped his hands, and twelve Imperial Guards filed in, each carrying a square device on their backs—the portable projectors Xu Qing had brought last time.
"At the height of the eclipse, we proceed as planned," Zhu Youjian commanded.
By mid-morning, all officials had gathered at the Gate of Heavenly Purity square. The Imperial Astronomical Bureau had set up an observation platform, where Zhang Yuchu was explaining to the courtiers using a bronze armillary sphere: "...The solar eclipse signifies the encroachment of yin upon yang, an omen of the ruler's moral failing..."
Zhu Youjian sat on his throne, lightly tapping the armrest. The earpiece hidden in his sleeve transmitted Luo Yangxing's secret report: "Wei's servants are moving toward the Meridian Gate, Eastern Flowery Gate, and Western Flowery Gate in three groups..."
"Your Majesty." Zhang Yuchu suddenly raised his voice. "Last night, I observed unusual movement in the Purple Forbidden Enclosure. The celestial signs indicate that only by removing evil artifacts and distancing from treacherous persons can—"
"Can what?" Zhu Youjian sneered. "Can allow corrupt officials like you to continue ruining the country?"
The court erupted in murmurs. Zhang Yuchu turned pale and pointed to the sky: "The heavenly dog begins to devour the sun!"
All eyes turned skyward. A black moon was slowly encroaching upon the sun, and the daylight visibly dimmed. In this eerie light, Wei Zaode suddenly rushed forward:
"Your Majesty has been bewitched by demons, recklessly using evil artifacts, incurring heaven's wrath! For the sake of the nation, I beg Your Majesty to retreat to the inner palace and execute the demon Xu Qing!"
As if on cue, dozens of officials knelt in unison: "We beg Your Majesty to execute the demon!"
Zhu Youjian calmly took out his phone and pressed play. The speaker emitted Wei Zaode and Zhang Yuchu's conspiratorial voices: "...At the eclipse, use fire arrows as the signal, first seize the armory, then surround the Palace of Heavenly Purity..."
Wei Zaode turned ashen: "Sorcery! This is sorcerous slander!"
"Is it?" Zhu Youjian pulled up another video showing Wei's servants sharpening their blades. "Is this sorcery too?"
Just then, a fire arrow shrieked across the sky—the rebels had acted early!
Shouts and the clashing of weapons erupted outside the Gate of Heavenly Purity. Over three hundred armored servants charged into the square, led by Wei Zaode's son Wei Xuelian. The officials panicked, with old ministers like Fan Fuci collapsing in terror.
"Protect His Majesty!" Luo Yangxing formed a defensive line with the Imperial Guards.
Yet Zhu Youjian remained eerily calm. He pressed a red button on his phone. Instantly, twenty drones rose from the four corners of the Forbidden City, their underbellies' projectors lighting up—
The darkened sky suddenly filled with images of celestial soldiers, golden and resplendent, banners waving. A deep voice boomed from the loudspeakers near the Palace of Heavenly Purity:
"Audacious rebels! I am the Heavenly Lord of Universal Thunder! For deceiving your sovereign and treason, you shall be punished!"
The spectacle was overwhelming. The rebel servants dropped to their knees, kowtowing. Even Wei Xuelian stood frozen, his sword clattering to the ground.
"Arrest them!" Zhu Youjian thundered.
The tide turned instantly. The Imperial Guards seized Wei Zaode, Zhang Yuchu, and others, binding them tightly. Zhu Youjian approached the petrified Wei Zaode, producing a secret letter:
"Shall I read aloud your evidence of treason, dear minister?"
The letter, addressed to Dorgon, promised to open the city gates to the Qing army. Seeing his own seal at the end, Wei Zaode collapsed like mud.
As the eclipse passed and sunlight returned, Zhu Youjian stood atop the Gate of Heavenly Purity, hundreds of rebels kneeling below. He declared to the reassembled officials:
"Celestial phenomena are but the movement of stars. With divine artifacts protecting our nation, the Great Ming shall endure forever!"
At that moment, Xu Qing's system emitted a shrill alarm. He secretly checked the screen, where blood-red text flashed: "Warning! Critical historical node altered. New timeline branch detected for March 19, 1644!"
In the Palace of Heavenly Purity's side hall, Zhu Youjian reviewed the results. Luo Yangxing reported: "472 conspirators captured, weapons confiscated..."
"Your Majesty!" Empress Zhou suddenly rushed in, her hair disheveled. "The Eastern Palace was attacked, but thanks to Master Xu's 'electric rod'..."
Zhu Youjian paled: "The crown prince?"
"Unharmed." Empress Zhou raised the still-crackling stun baton. "The assassin was... electrocuted by me."
Xu Qing noted how the historically gentle empress now had a fierce glint in her eyes.
"Good! Excellent!" Zhu Youjian exclaimed. "Even my empress can fight now!"
He turned to Xu Qing: "Minister Xu, for such a victory, we must livestream again! Let posterity see how We deal with traitors!"
Xu Qing hurriedly dissuaded: "Your Majesty, modern laws prohibit—"
"I know." Zhu Youjian smirked. "No execution livestream, but interrogations should be fine, yes? Let the world know the price of treason!"
The livestream commenced at the Meridian Gate. When modern viewers saw the authentic Ming prison and bound officials, the comments exploded:
[This set is so realistic!]
[I've seen that torture device in a Ming history exhibit!]
[Ask Wei Zaode why he betrayed his country!]
Through Xu Qing's translation, Zhu Youjian saw this question and sneered: "Minister Wei, posterity asks why you committed treason?"
Wei Zaode looked up at the hovering drone (the livestream camera) and suddenly laughed maniacally: "The Great Ming's fate is sealed! Your Majesty obsesses over dark arts, soon—"
"Gag him!" Zhu Youjian roared. "Take him to the marketplace for lingchi execution!"
The comments polarized:
[Traitors deserve it though]
[Too brutal!]
[Historically, Wei Zaode surrendered to Li Zicheng—never a good guy]
Post-livestream, Xu Qing checked the data: peak viewership exceeded five million, with virtual gifts totaling nearly three million yuan. But what concerned him more was a new system log:
"Modern spacetime anomaly report: The Palace Museum's collection suddenly includes a 'Chongzhen Emperor's Livestream Notes.' Carbon dating confirms late Ming origin."
Late at night, Xu Qing studied his system alone. Suddenly, a shadow flitted across the surveillance screen—an intruder in the palace!
He was about to alert guards when the shadow materialized behind him. A cold blade pressed against his throat:
"Don't move, celestial disciple." A woman's voice. "Tell me how you time-travel."
Xu Qing froze: "You... who are you?"
"Princess Changping, Zhu Meichuo." The dagger loosened slightly. "I must save the Great Ming."
Just then, the system emitted a blinding light. Xu Qing broke free and turned to see the princess—who historically should have committed suicide next year—now eighteen, with almond eyes and cherry lips, yet gripping a dagger with razor-sharp intensity.
"Your Highness, why—"
"I saw Father's secret edict." Zhu Meichuo whispered. "He plans to... when the city falls. I must stop it!"
Xu Qing's heart raced: "How do you know about the city's fall?"
"I peeked at your celestial device." She pointed to the tablet. "It says 'Li Zicheng breaches Beijing'..."
Footsteps approached. Zhu Meichuo vanished behind curtains as Wang Cheng'en hurried in:
"Master Xu, urgent summons! Liaodong military report!"
The Qing army, having learned of the court's turmoil, attacked prematurely. Worse, Wu Sangui's secret report mentioned "flying demons beyond the pass."
"Flying demons?" Zhu Youjian frowned. "Could it be..."
Xu Qing paled: "Drones! Someone leaked drone technology to the Qing!"
The system alarm blared again, the entire interface now blood-red: "Critical warning! Historical variation rate 21.3%, technological leakage detected! Host alert: spacetime collapse risk elevated to yellow level!"
Yet Zhu Youjian remained calm: "Minister Xu, it seems we must livestream a battle."