[Alternate history + no System + power struggles + unifying the realm]
A declining empire, a fallen family! A cowardly father, and a useless son!
Ji Wuyou transmigrates into another world as the son of a fallen marquis, while an unknown force lurks in the shadows around him.
With no other choice, he enters the court and presents his proposals in the Golden Throne Hall, hoping to use the empress to break the deadlock.
The empress asks, “The treasury is empty. Do you have any way to replenish it?”
Ji Wuyou replies, “Your subject has a new fuel called honeycomb coal. It's high quality and cheap.”
“We can use it to set up the Sea Dream Heart-Stealing Scheme and attract greedy merchants to invest. In three months, we can raise 500,000 taels of silver!”
A civil official protests, “Your Majesty, this vicious scheme will damage your reputation. Ji Wuyou has ulterior motives. I beg you to execute him!”
The empress says, “Merchants are also my subjects. We must not exploit them too much.”
Later, in the imperial study, in private.
The empress says, “I'm nearly desperate with poverty. Tell me every way you can think of to make money!”
He creates honeycomb coal, flying-shuttle looms, cement, and livestock industries, enriching the people and strengthening the nation.
He establishes a city that never sleeps, an academy of natural sciences, and a banking system, drawing wealth from every class to create a functioning economy.
Then he develops heavy industry, unveils firearms and steam engines, and boosts the nation's military potential as he eyes other countries.
With Ji Wuyou's help, the empress eventually restores order at home, sweeps across the Six Kingdoms, and unifies the realm.
When Lü Yuan personally drapes the imperial robes over Ji Wuyou and calls him “Emperor,”
the civil officials stare in stunned amazement, while the military generals are so shocked they look as if they've seen a ghost.
Is this really that useless young marquis?
