Holy Ancestor Jiajing

In the crowded genre of historical transmigration, Feng Huang 3.5 delivers a refreshing and subversive take with Holy Ancestor Jiajing. While most protagonists in this category aim to preserve the status quo or play the traditional game of imperial politics, this novel takes a sharp, chaotic turn that is as exhilarating as it is unexpected.

The premise is grippingly dire: our protagonist, a history professor, awakens in the dying body of the Jiajing Emperor, ravaged by alchemy-induced mercury poisoning and trapped in a Ming court strangled by an immovable bureaucracy. With only six years to live and no hope of reforming the rigid civil servant class, the protagonist rejects the standard "Confucian savior" narrative. Instead of attempting the thankless task of reform, he leans into the madness.

What makes this story truly unique is the protagonist’s refusal to play by the rules of history. Armed with a "corpse picking and inheritance" system that allows him to farm skills and power, he essentially opts out of traditional governance to build his own shadow empire. The dynamic between the Emperor and his suffocating court is electric; watching him bypass the corrupt bureaucracy to consolidate power through martial might and sheer, unadulterated willpower is deeply satisfying.

The pacing is relentless, balancing the tension of a ticking clock with the dark humor of an emperor who decides that if he cannot rule a stagnant empire, he will simply build a new one on its ashes. The final reveal—that the "Holy Ancestor" is essentially rebelling against his own government—provides a comedic and triumphant climax that flips the historical genre on its head. If you are looking for a story that trades tedious court intrigue for explosive ambition and a protagonist who chooses to burn the system down rather than fix it, this is a must-read.