A Hundred Remonstrations: Defying Death in the Ming Court

Chen Huachuan transmigrates into the Hongwu era as a lowly seventh-rank censor. At his very first court audience, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang demands his stance on executing Hu Weiyong's entire clan. Armed with his knowledge of Ming history, he boldly remonstrates: "If you kill them all, who will do the work?" The entire court expects his execution, yet he walks out of the imperial prison alive. He goes on to compile the History of Yuan, save General Lan Yu, investigate the Guo Huan corruption case, repel Japanese pirates, expand maritime trade, and implement the household registration system. The more ruthlessly the emperor kills, the more audacious his remonstrations become—even kicking down the doors of the Qianqing Palace only costs him a month's salary. In the twilight of the Hongwu reign, he remonstrates on relocating the capital, pacifying the princes, and securing the Jianwen heir. On his deathbed, Crown Prince Zhu Biao entrusts both Zhu Yunwen and Zhu Yuntong to his care. When the Jingnan Campaign erupts, he secretly facilitates the Jianwen Emperor's escape and later survives the blade of Prince Zhu Di. After the Yongle Emperor ascends the throne, he is promoted to Grand Protector of the First Rank, dispatched as an envoy to Joseon, and tasked with overseeing the sacred sites of Wudang. In the end, the dying Yongle Emperor bequeaths him the most secret imperial edict of all. A censor who dared to face death before every sovereign of the Zhu dynasty—and lived—spent a lifetime proving to Great Ming that the sharpest blade is not meant for killing, but for saving lives.