In the wake of Zhenguan, during the prosperous Wu Zhou era, an eccentric transmigrator arrives in the imperial palace of Luoyang, the divine capital. Chu Ci transmigrates as a low-ranking prospective male consort in Wu Zetian’s harem, and the moment he opens his eyes, he faces the threat of being executed as a political sacrifice. At this life-or-death moment, he binds himself to the “Get Paid to Be a Kept Man System.” By bossing around the immortal empress and relentlessly dishing out modern workplace-style psychological manipulation, he can obtain modern supplies and miraculous medicines. So, to the shock of the court officials and the beauties of the harem, Chu Ci kicks over the pedestal of feudal imperial power.
Facing the all-powerful Empress Wu, Chu Ci refuses to kneel. Instead, he crosses his legs and flings out a “Five-Year Great Zhou Plan KPI.” Want a life-prolonging pill? Fine, fix the Yellow River floods first! Want miraculous water to preserve your looks? No problem, conquer the Turks this month and earn a perfect attendance bonus! The greatest empress in history is forced by Chu Ci to become an early-rising, late-working “996 office drone.” The court officials are horrified to discover that the decisive, ruthless empress acts like a meek punching bag in front of Chu Ci.
As modern technology and extraordinary blueprints from the System are put to use, the Great Zhou’s technology tree goes completely off the rails. Potatoes and sweet potatoes fill the granaries, flintlock guns and cannons pacify the four barbarians, and steam locomotives roar through the divine capital. With the most brazen attitude, Chu Ci enjoys the easiest ride in the land while leading the Great Zhou toward an unprecedented empire on which the sun never sets. When the entire world map belongs to the Great Zhou and Wu Zetian comes to him, looking aggrieved and holding her report card, hoping for praise, Chu Ci merely smiles. “Your Majesty, well done. Back to work overtime tomorrow.”
