He opens his eyes to find himself the son of a disgraced minister whose family has been confiscated, freezing to death in a ruined temple on the way to exile.
Lin Mo, a modern-day auctioneer, looks at the drafty roof and feels the three copper coins left in his arms as he laughs.
This start is way more exciting than my last life.
The powerful nobles at court soon discover that this disgraced minister’s last descendant doesn’t write poetry or compose couplets. He specializes in all sorts of ingenious inventions.
He pieces shards of colored glass into a seven-jewel pagoda and sells it to a prince’s estate for a fortune.
He invents “Drunken Immortal Brew” in a drinking contest at a brothel, and it becomes the talk of the capital.
For the Dowager Empress’s birthday, he presents a “glass mirror” that reflects every detail with perfect clarity.
The upright officials at court denounce him: “Commerce is a lowly trade, beneath the dignity of a gentleman!”
Lin Mo promptly tosses out a manuscript of The Wealth of Nations. “Oh? Then where do you think your salaries come from?”
At last, the female emperor on the dragon throne sets down her memorial. “Minister Lin, about my private treasury…”
Lin Mo bows with a smile. “Your Majesty, I don’t want much this time. I’d just like to borrow that wasteland beside your imperial mausoleum to grow some potatoes.”
After all, the world map tucked in his arms still needs an invincible fleet to chart it.
It's quite good, with twists and turns, and the writing is fluent.
A good article is one that's engaging and easy to read.