Transmigrating into the imperial examination hall, Lin Chen slacks off during the palace exam, wanting only to resign from office, go into business, and make a fortune.
Who knew that every strategy for ruling the realm in his heart would be heard by the empress?
When the court officials are stumped by the feuding fiefdoms, his thoughts reveal the Favorable Sons of the Imperial Clan decree, letting the court weaken the princes without a single battle.
When annual floods keep defying all attempts to control them, he realizes the disasters are man-made, not natural. Punish the corrupt and eliminate the abuses, and the floods will naturally lessen.
When foreign enemies keep invading, he plans to open trade and assimilate them, making them submit without a fight.
With the Left Chancellor scheming for power, rival nations provoking them, and disasters striking everywhere, the endless crises at court force Lin Chen, who only wants to make money, to step in again and again.
After years of toil, the empire is stable, and Lin Chen says with a helpless expression, "Your Majesty, you've kept me from making a fortune."
The empress lowers her eyes shyly. "Then I shall give you the Great Xia realm along with myself, as compensation, my top scholar."
