Great Ming: I Refused to Marry Xu Miaoyun, I Just Want to Farm!

[Ming Dynasty + political intrigue + farming + refusing marriage + infrastructure + System + satisfying power fantasy]

Gu Changfeng wakes up in the Hongwu era, having transmigrated, and, damn it, he has even passed the imperial exam to become the top scholar.

Others are overjoyed. He breaks out in a cold sweat. The Four Great Cases of the Hongwu era claimed the lives of a hundred thousand officials!

At the Qionglin Banquet, Zhu Yuanzhang beams with delight: "Gu, you are a man of great talent. I shall betroth you to Xu Miaoyun, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Wei!"

The court officials kneel and congratulate them. Zhu Di's eyes turn red with envy.

But Gu Changfeng steps forward: "Your Majesty, I refuse this marriage!"

The whole hall falls silent.

"Miss Xu is strong-willed and not a suitable match for me. I only want to marry a gentle, refined young lady and go grow lychees in Lingnan!"

Zhu Yuanzhang angrily slaps the dragon throne, while Xu Miaoyun grits her teeth.

[Ding! Rejected a top-tier marriage arrangement. Reward: Divine Water Management Technique!]

Just as the old Zhu is about to have his head chopped off, an urgent report arrives: the Yellow River has burst its banks across an eight-hundred-li stretch!

Gu Changfeng: "Your Majesty! I am willing to stake my life on managing the flood! If I fail, I will present my head to you!" (Please, please exile me!)

He thinks he is courting death, but he has no idea...

After he controls the floods, the old Zhu has him build roads. After the roads, the old Zhu has him reform taxes. After the tax reforms, the old Zhu has him lift the maritime ban.

The more he tries to escape, the higher his rank gets. The more he courts death, the more the old Zhu thinks he's the real deal.

Years later, Chief Councilor Gu, whose power is second to none, is stopped at the gate of his residence.

Xu Miaoyun blushes: "Gu Changfeng! You've brought peace to the whole realm. When are you going to... bring me some peace?"

Gu Changfeng: "...I really only wanted to grow lychees!"