I transmigrated as Ji Heng, the ten-year-old ruler of Zhongshan, and found myself in hell from the start. The famed general Le Yang’s army was bearing down on us, and the court was wailing about moving the capital. But when I saw the name Le Shu, I couldn’t help laughing.
That night, I sent a secret letter straight to the enemy camp: “For General Le Yang’s eyes only: You are a renowned general of your age, serving Wei and earning unparalleled merit. Yet your son, Le Shu, is now in Zhongshan. Even if you take Gu City, can you guarantee his life? Zhai Huang recommended you for this campaign, and his intentions are vile: if the father wins, the son dies; if the son survives, the father becomes a traitor. Either way, the Le family is ruined! If you win, your achievements will overshadow your ruler, and once the birds are gone, the bow will be put away. If you lose, you and your clan will be destroyed. That is exactly what Zhai Huang wants! Marquis of Wei is suspicious, and Zhai Huang holds great power. What chance of escape do you have? Zhongshan may be small, but we are willing to treat your family as honored guests.”
Three months later, after Le Yang had “failed to take the city for a long time,” Zhongshan submitted to Wei in exchange for the withdrawal of its troops. I flung my bamboo slips to the floor in court and shouted, “Am I supposed to be Wei’s dog? No! I’ll be the wolf that bites back!”
Then I brought the salt and iron industries under state control and founded a “Mathematics and Sciences Academy,” publishing books and teaching there myself.
Three years later, Yan invaded, and a thunderclap rang out from the city wall. “Marquis of Yan!” I chuckled as I fired my homemade cannon. “Have a taste of my scientific inventions!”
