Emperor Wu of Great Qi

After transmigrating into ancient times, Wang Xiu discovers that this world is vastly different from the history he knew in his previous life.

Wang Xiu, courtesy name Yaoshi, is the eldest son of the Duke of Qi of the Southern Chu kingdom. Orphaned at a young age, he inherited the title while still young and, thanks to his father's achievements, was appointed Commander of the Capital Guard.

At first, all he wanted was to be a duke who could eat, drink, and wait for death. But the tides of the age force him, step by step, onto the political stage.

He puts down uprisings, crushes rebels, defends the Yangtze, defeats the Xianbei, conquers Western Shu, and leads a northern campaign.

Only then does Wang Xiu realize that he and the younger brother he raised himself have long since become the court's “Sima Shi and Sima Zhao.”

He is appointed Grand Marshal and Grand General, Commander of All Military Affairs Within and Beyond the Capital, and granted the privilege of establishing his own staff, a ceremonial axe, the Nine Bestowments, and the title of Prince of Qi. He wears a twelve-strand imperial crown, does not hurry when entering court, is not announced by name during formal greetings, may wear his sword and shoes in the palace, is accompanied by guards when he goes out and ceremonial escorts when he returns, and is allowed to use the emperor's banners and carriage.

He even says something as absurd as, “I have treated Your Majesty well. Why, then, have you rebelled?”

There are no more titles to bestow and no more rewards to grant. It seems the only road left before him is usurpation.