I'm a Contractor in Ancient Times!

Transmigration + imperial examinations + political intrigue. “Slow-paced,” “slice of life,” “rural life in ancient times.” An ensemble cast.

[A few things to know before you read: There is no System and no golden finger. The protagonist gets by through sheer brains and grit. Even victory comes at a cost. This is not a comedy full of memes and jokes. It focuses on the contest of wills and the many faces of the scholarly world. It’s a slow-burn, realistic story. If you dislike protagonists who endure hardship quietly, this may not be for you.]

Li Xing, a village boy, uncovers the dark secrets of the countryside through an old account book.

Local gentry and petty officials collude to conceal farmland and amass wealth. Clans and villages use their rules to decide who lives and dies, while rumors manipulate people’s hearts.

He sees through the conspiracy but has no proof. His family is caught in danger, and either choice leaves him in a dilemma.

An ordinary farmer’s son lies low and studies for the imperial examinations. Amid a corrupt and turbulent world, he faces the good and evil in human nature and protects those around him.