Becoming a Prince in Ancient Times
The story unfolds in the **Great Shang Dynasty**, a fictional ancient Chinese empire rife with courtly conspiracies, warlord rivalries, and foreign threats. The dynasty was weakened by internal power struggles among princes and external pressures from neighboring nations like **Chu** and **the Turks. The protagonist, **Ye Ling**, a modern-day survivalist and influencer, dies during an expedition and reincarnates as the **Sixth Prince** of Shang—a notorious wastrel despised for his debauchery and political incompetence. However, his new identity holds a hidden advantage: he is the **sole legitimate heir** of the deceased empress, positioning him as a reluctant contender for the throne.
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### **Opening Scene**
**Time:** Early morning, fog-laden.
**Key Event** Ye Ling awakens in a lavish palace bedchamber, disoriented by his transmigration. His confusion turns to panic when he discovers **Fu Yuanyuan**, the **First Prince’s betrothed** and the dynasty’s renowned scholar, lying beside him. The scandalous situation—engineered by political enemies—threatens to destroy both their reputations. Fu Yuanyuan, torn between fury and shame, becomes an unwilling ally as Ye Ling navigates the fallout, using his wit to deflect accusations and turn the tables against his foes.
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### **Major Plot Points & Conflicts**
#### **1. Power Struggles in the Imperial Court**
- **Internal Conflict:** Ye Ling faces hostility from his half-brothers, particularly the **First Prince**, who views him as a threat to the throne. The court is divided between loyalists to the deceased empress and factions backing other princes.
- **Key Scene:** At a state banquet, Ye Ling humiliates the **Chu Kingdom’s envoys** by solving an impossible riddle, saving Shang from ceding strategic territory. His victory earns Emperor Shang’s cautious approval but deepens his rivalry with the First Prince.
#### **2. Modern Knowledge vs. Ancient Challenges**
- **Technological Innovation:** Ye Ling leverages his survival skills and scientific knowledge to revolutionize Shang’s military. For example, he designs the **Mòdāo (陌刀)**, a legendary long-bladed weapon capable of decimating cavalry, and introduces **blast-furnace steelmaking** to arm the dynasty.
- **Climactic Battle:** During a border clash with the Turks, Ye Ling’s modern tactics and weapons—including early gunpowder devices—secure a decisive victory, solidifying his reputation as a military genius.
#### **4. The Climax: Rebellion and Redemption**
- **Betrayal & Siege:** The First Prince allies with corrupt ministers and the Turks to stage a coup. Ye Ling, exiled to a frontier province, rallies marginalized factions—disgraced generals, peasant militias, and foreign allies—to reclaim the capital.
- **Final Showdown:** In a brutal siege, Ye Ling’s **Liao Yuan Crossbow** and psychological warfare dismantle the First Prince’s forces. The emperor, recognizing Ye Ling’s prowess, names him crown prince but warns of the loneliness of power.
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### **Ending**
Ye Ling ascends the throne, marrying Fu Yuanyuan and Zhao Ling’er in a politically charged union. He reforms the bureaucracy, abolishes hereditary privileges, and launches naval expeditions to expand Shang’s influence, including a campaign against **pirates from the Eastern Isles (Japan)**. However, the story closes on a bittersweet note: Ye Ling’s modern morals clash with the ruthlessness required to rule, leaving him to ponder the cost of his ambition.
