Better to Snatch a Job Than a Man

I, Qin Xuanji, am the ultimate overachiever.

Taking the imperial examinations disguised as a man was only the first step in my grand plan.

But before I knew it, I had worked my way up to become the youngest chancellor in the dynasty's history.

Every day, I had to outwit a pack of old foxes at court, while keeping an eye on my useless boss, who only knew how to shout, "My dear subject, save me!"

I often thought this country was doomed.

Then one day, a powerful neighboring nation marched its army to our gates.

I was rubbing my hands together, ready to make a grand move, when the legendary Regent Ye Cangming, famed for his ruthless decisiveness, waved his hand. "The war is off."

The court officials breathed a sigh of relief.

Then he slowly pointed at me. "Hand him over in exchange."

Me: ???

The emperor burst into tears right there in the Golden Throne Hall and clung to my leg. "My dear subject! For the sake of the realm, you... you must go along with this! I'll remember your sacrifice!"

Me: "Your Majesty, get a grip! He wants me to be his chancellor, not his princess consort!"

The emperor, eyes full of tears: "Is there a difference? Besides, if I don't go to hell, who will, my dear subject?"

And so I, Qin Xuanji, a first-rank official of the former dynasty, was "sold" to the enemy nation by my own emperor for three baskets of tribute pears.

Looking at the Regent before me, who offered his entire realm as a bride price and insisted on poaching me for a round-the-clock job,

I fell into deep thought.

Is it still too late to seize his regent's seat and ascend the throne myself?