I was watching short videos and historical figures were collectively vomiting blood!

Chapter 14 Ying Zheng – What? No More Emperors in the Future?

[21:27, Wang Yangming investigates the principles of bamboo (fails).]. [21:38, The Jiajing Emperor ascends the throne.]. [21:40, Wang Yangming promotes the philosophy of the mind.]. [21:51, Qi Jiguang leads a southern campaign against the Japanese pirates.]. [21:56, Wu Cheng’en writes Journey to the West.]. [21:57, Zhang Juzheng implements his reforms.]. [22:03, Qi Jiguang passes away.]. [22:03, Li Shizhen completes Compendium of Materia Medica after a lifetime of work.]. [22:13, Nurhaci establishes the Later Jin dynasty, leading to the rise of the Jurchens.]. [22:13, The first edition of Jin Ping Mei, hailed as “the most unique novel in history,” is published.].

In the Ming Dynasty timeline, inside a traditionally furnished study, a scholar dressed in luxurious robes closes a freshly written manuscript. The cover boldly displays the title Jin Ping Mei.

A satisfied smile plays on his lips.

“The most unique novel in history?”

“As Lanling Xiaoxiao Sheng, I shall secure my place in history! How wonderful, how marvelous!”

With that, he eagerly opens the scroll again, gripping his brush with determination. His goal? To craft the most thrilling and passionate chapters about Pan Jinlian and Ximen Qing…

[22:20, Huang Taiji renames his dynasty to the Qing.]. [22:22, Travels of Xu Xiake is completed.]. [22:23, Li Zicheng enters Beijing; Emperor Chongzhen hangs himself. The Ming Dynasty falls.]. [Ming Dynasty lasted: 1 hour, 39 minutes, 50 seconds.]. [22:20, Huang Taiji ascends the throne as emperor.]. [22:23, Wu Sangui invites the Qing army into China, defeating Li Zicheng.]. [22:27, Emperor Kangxi is born.]. [22:29, Zheng Chenggong (Koxinga) recaptures Taiwan.]. [22:30, Kangxi ascends the throne—China’s longest-reigning emperor.]. [During his reign, he defeats Oboi, abolishes the Three Feudatories, establishes Taiwan Prefecture, resists Russian incursions, and suppresses Galdan.].

In the Qing Dynasty timeline, the grand hall was filled with kneeling ministers, bowing deeply before the newly enthroned Kangxi.

“Long live the Emperor! Long live the Qing Dynasty!”

Kangxi, filled with heroic pride, stands tall. Though the celestial script does not praise him as much as Qin Shi Huang, Han Wu, Tang Taizong, or Ming Taizu, it at least acknowledges his accomplishments—an affirmation of his life’s work.

“Issue a decree! One year of tax exemption to thank the Heavens!”

“The Emperor is wise!”

A chorus of praises erupts again. Flattery may be hollow, but it is music to the ears nonetheless!

Among those prostrating, several young princes harbor their own thoughts. Crown Prince Yinreng, in particular, looks bitter.

“The longest-reigning emperor? That means I’ll be stuck as Crown Prince for a long time!”

“I need to start taking better care of my health. And I should visit Chunhua less often—my body comes first…”

[22:51, Emperor Yongzheng succeeds Kangxi under a secret decree.].

Crack!

A bolt of lightning seemingly strikes Yinreng’s soul. His head snaps up, eyes bloodshot.

“The longest reign is bad enough… But now the throne isn’t even mine!”

“Father, how could you be so heartless?”

His furious outburst echoes through the hall. Ministers pale in shock—has the Crown Prince lost his mind?

Before things escalate, Fourth Prince Yinzhen (the future Yongzheng) steps forward and swiftly covers Yinreng’s mouth, instructing the guards to escort him out.

“The Crown Prince was up all night discussing governance with me and is now delirious from exhaustion. Please send him back to his residence and summon the imperial physician.”

Then, he kneels before Kangxi.

“Father, please do not punish the Crown Prince. I will accept punishment on his behalf.”

Kangxi nods slightly but remains silent, observing his ministers instead.

“The Fourth Prince is calm and steady—a man of great talent.”

“Look at the celestial script—he is the next emperor!”

“Indeed. Just look at the faces of the Crown Prince’s supporters. They are turning pale!”

As Yinreng is dragged away, he notices that none of his faction dares to speak up. His expression darkens further.

“So this is how it is? Once the tree falls, the monkeys scatter…”

Hearing the officials praise Yinzhen, Yinreng glares at the celestial script, nearly coughing up blood.

“Damn you, Heaven! This is unfair!”

[22:56, Emperor Qianlong ascends the throne.].

Kangxi to Qianlong—China’s last golden age, known as the “Kang-Qian Prosperity.”

[China’s decline, and the Qing Dynasty’s downfall, began with Qianlong.]. [People say Qianlong merely enjoyed the benefits of Kangxi and Yongzheng’s hard work. In contrast, Yongzheng, known as the most diligent Qing emperor, ruled for 13 years and personally reviewed over 40,000 imperial documents—writing more than 10 million characters.].

Kangxi, reading this, glances at Yinzhen with newfound warmth.

“Such diligence… No wonder history remembers you as a wise ruler. You must choose your successor carefully.”

“A good hand of cards must be played well.”

Meanwhile, in Qianlong’s timeline—his brush, poised to compose poetry, suddenly halts mid-air.

A drop of ink falls, blotting out the words beneath—just as the celestial script had summarized his entire reign in a few sentences. But it was not finished with him yet.

[Qianlong favored corrupt officials like Heshen, leading to rampant government corruption.]. [He enforced extreme isolationist policies. While beneficial in some ways, they left China technologically backward, widening the gap between China and Western powers. Eventually, the Eight-Nation Alliance forcibly opened China’s doors, ushering in a humiliating era.]. [If Kangxi and Yongzheng laid a strong foundation for the Qing, then Qianlong left a mess for his successors.].

In the Jiaqing timeline, newly enthroned Emperor Jiaqing beams at his ministers’ congratulations. Then he sees the celestial script. His smile vanishes.

“So it really is a mess!”

“Heshen, you’re the first to die!”

Hearing this, Heshen shrinks back nervously.

…

[23:06, Cao Xueqin passes away, leaving behind an unfinished Dream of the Red Chamber.]. [23:19, Jiaqing executes the corrupt official Heshen.]. [23:33, Lin Zexu destroys opium in Humen.]. [23:34, Britain launches the First Opium War.]. [23:41, Empress Dowager Cixi rises to power, leading the Self-Strengthening Movement.]. [23:41, British and French forces invade Beijing, burning the Old Summer Palace.]. [23:56, The Boxer Rebellion erupts; the Eight-Nation Alliance invades China.]. [23:58, Cixi poisons Emperor Guangxu; three-year-old Puyi ascends the throne; Cixi dies.]. [24:00, Sun Yat-sen leads the Xinhai Revolution. Puyi abdicates.]. [At 24:00, the imperial system is abolished. Chinese history turns a new page.].

As the 24-hour celestial broadcast ends, a single sentence echoes across all timelines—sending emperors across history into collective shock.

Ying Zheng (Qin Shi Huang).

“What? The future has no more emperors!”