Sky Curtain: The opening scene explains the four major cases of the Ming Dynasty plus the early Ming

When Judy Jun uttered the words "died in the right place".

The entire sky, and the myriad spaces and times beneath it, fell into an eerie, awe-inspiring silence.

[Modern Live Streaming Room]

After a brief silence came a volcanic eruption, a complete explosion!

"I... damn... I... can't say a single word..."

"Martyrs... these are the real martyrs!!! For their ideals, for their country, for their future, they faced death with composure! I'm a grown man, and tears just streamed down my face!"

"The martyrs... I think of those martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the new China! Brother Jun's spirit at this moment is so similar to theirs!"

"I take back everything I said before! I thought Brother Jun was an extremely cunning and scheming strategist, but it turns out he's an idealistic madman! A great madman who's willing to give his life to realize his ideals!"

"‘By sacrificing myself, I can achieve a complete purge of the entire gentry class in the southeast, ensure the smooth implementation of the new policies, and extend the national fortune of China for at least another hundred years!’ — This statement is divine! Utterly divine!"

["Zhu Qizhen cried like a child, and I cried like an idiot too! It's so touching! This is more effective at getting me to cry than any other sentimental plot!"]

"I thought it was a triumphant return, but it turned out to be a hero's expedition! And an expedition with no return!"

……

In the long river of time and space.

Those emperors who once commanded the land and looked down upon the world now had remarkably similar expressions on their faces.

Shocked.

And, from the bottom of my heart...respect.

The Qin Dynasty. Xianyang Palace.

Emperor Qin Shi Huang stood for a long time beneath the sky. For the first time, his tiger-like eyes, which looked down upon the world, were devoid of sarcasm and sneers, leaving only a complex and incomprehensible sentiment.

"Using oneself as bait to lure and kill traitors..."

He muttered to himself, his voice carrying a hint of approval that he himself was unaware of.

"Great courage! Great methods! And even greater magnanimity!"

"When our ancestor Duke Xian implemented his reforms, Shang Yang served as his sword. This young man, however, willingly chooses to be that sharpest sword, one destined to break!"

"The younger generation is truly formidable! Indeed, the younger generation is truly formidable!"

The Great Han Dynasty. Weiyang Palace.

Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, clenched his fists and looked at the young man in the sky who was determined to die. He recalled the enormous resistance he had encountered when he implemented the "Decree of Grace".

He knew better than anyone how terrifying it was to be an enemy of the entire gentry class, that is, the local powerful clans and aristocratic families of the Han Dynasty.

"Chao Cuo's attempt to reduce the power of the regional princes resulted in his death and disgrace, but Emperor Jing ultimately achieved great success."

A look of admiration gleamed in Liu Che's eyes.

"This young man possesses the courage of Chao Cuo, and even surpasses him in strategy!"

"He not only wants to die, but he also wants his death to become the sharpest weapon! I... am no match for him!"

The Great Tang Dynasty. The Taiji Hall.

Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, looked at Zhu Qizhen, who was weeping uncontrollably, and couldn't help but recall that bloody morning of the Xuanwu Gate Incident.

He killed his brothers for the throne.

But this descendant was willing to die to pave the way for his brother.

The contrast made even this great emperor of all time feel a strange sense of shame.

"Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it... I understand this principle, but I have not seen it put into practice."

Li Shimin let out a long sigh.

"This child, however, is willing to use his own body to fill the monstrous wave that capsizes the boat."

"If all rulers in the world had this mindset, why would they worry about unrest in the world, or that their dynasties would not prosper forever?"

"I am willing to share the world with him!"

The moment the words "sharing the world" were uttered, Changsun Wuji and the others standing nearby were all horrified and their expressions changed!

For Li Shimin to say such a thing, it was no simple appreciation; rather, it placed him on a position equal to, or even higher than, his own!

The Ming Dynasty. The Hongwu reign.

"Okay! Okay! Okay!!!"

Zhu Yuanzhang slapped the armrest of the dragon throne, and tears streamed down his weathered face.

He showed no anger, no roaring, only a heartfelt and profound sense of satisfaction and pride!

"They are our good descendants!"

"He's a fine son of our Zhu family!"

He pointed to the sky, then turned to Empress Ma and Crown Prince Zhu Biao beside him, his voice choked with emotion.

"Girl, Biao'er, Fourth Brother, did you see that? This is what a true member of the Zhu family should be like! Responsible! principled!"

"They're willing to risk their lives for our great Ming Dynasty! That ruthlessness is just like us!"

"No! He's even more ruthless than us! We killed corrupt officials back then to vent the people's anger. He's risking his own life to uproot the rotten roots and bring a brighter future to his descendants!"

"Our good grandson... no, our good... good young man!"

"We must write a book for him, erect an inscription, one copy in public and one copy buried, to tell future generations and my Zhu family descendants that one of their descendants was willing to sacrifice his life for the strength of the nation, to be a martyr!"

A parallel Yongle timeline.

Emperor Yongle, Zhu Di, remained silent.

He just stared intently at the sky, his hawk-like eyes swirling with the turmoil of wind and thunder.

After a long silence, he managed to squeeze out a few words through gritted teeth.

"This child... is destined to become a wise and benevolent ruler of the Great Ming Dynasty!"

Then they looked down at Zhu Gaosui. Not only him, but also Zhu Gaochi, Zhu Gaoxu, Zhu Zhanji, and Yao Guangxiao were the same. Are they really descendants of the "Arrogant Hermit" Zhu Gaosui?

It doesn't look like it at all.

Zhu Gaosui was speechless. He looked at the future generations in the sky who were going to the southeast to die for the continuation of China's national destiny for a hundred years, abandoning the throne. Then he looked at the suspicious eyes around him. Not to mention them, even he himself began to doubt himself. His descendants were too outstanding, which only made him look more incompetent.

No, I really need to seriously study archaeology and compile history. I don't want people to doubt that my ancestors were unworthy of their positions, or that my descendants were adopted from the eldest or second eldest son—that would be truly shameful.

----split line----

On the other side...

The Jingtai, Tianshun, Chenghua, Hongzhi, Zhengde periods of the Ming Dynasty... and beyond.

Those officials, landlords, gentry, and merchants who were enjoying privileges and oppressing the local people were all terrified when they saw this scene on the sky!

"A madman! This 'Zhu Qiyu' is a madman!"

"Don't let him come any closer! Please don't let him come any closer!"

"Quickly! Quickly submit a petition! Impeach him! No! We can't let him go to the Southeast! Absolutely not!"

"It's over! It's over! If the current emperor follows suit, then... will we even have a chance to survive?!"

They felt a fear that came from the depths of their souls.

They were not afraid of the emperor's greed, lust, or even incompetence.

What they fear most is this kind of mad emperor who doesn't even care about his own life and is determined to perish together with them, the beneficiaries of the system!

At this moment, Judy Jun single-handedly shook the heavens and intimidated the villains.

In the most resolute way, he erected an immortal monument in the long river of history for himself and for the "Zhu Qiyu" he portrayed!