Cheng Heng transmigrates into the body of a declining aristocratic family's son who is about to be beheaded. To stay alive, he binds himself to the State Support System.
He rises from a low-ranking eighth-grade official to a high-ranking second-grade official. But the royal family is heartless, and he understands the principle of killing the hound once the rabbit is caught. Following the rule of retiring while things are going well, he plans to go home and farm.
On the very day his resignation memorial is about to be submitted, a sky screen appears.
[Everyone, today we're talking about the greatest ruler in history: Emperor Shengwen of the Yan Dynasty, who would later become a deeply controversial figure.]
As everyone knows, the current emperor, Emperor Wanshu, has five princes. They lack ability but are full of schemes, and their rivalry is so fierce it turns heaven and earth upside down. The position of Crown Prince remains undecided.
Emperor Wanshu looks at the still-vacant position of Crown Prince: ...Suddenly, I have something to look forward to.
The civil and military officials finally perk up. Their chance to make their names immortal in the history books has arrived.
[He left an indelible mark on Yan Dynasty history. His reforms to the official evaluation system, land surveys, and border defenses all benefited the country and its people. But his claim to the throne is the most heavily criticized, because he rebelled against Emperor Wanxiao and installed Emperor Wanshu instead.]
Every official holds their tongue. Not one person in the court dares to speak out, and the princes standing below tremble in fear.
Cheng Heng's eyelid twitches. His memorial, which he is about to submit, contains exactly these suggestions.
[After Emperor Wanshu passed away, Emperor Wanxiao showed his true colors. He was incompetent and immoral, greedy for money and women. For years, he did not hold court or attend to state affairs, causing chaos on the frontier and leaving the people in misery. So our brave and mighty Emperor Wen rebelled!]
Emperor Wanshu's face turns livid. He looks at his useless sons below and wishes he could send them all to the frontier.
The princes throw themselves to the ground and beg for mercy.
Cheng Heng replaces his memorial with a different one. After Emperor Wanshu approves it, he promptly heads home to farm.
As he receives the document bearing the emperor's vermilion approval and stands at the capital gates with his travel permit, the pristine sky screen appears.
[During his ten years on the throne, Emperor Shengwen filled the people's granaries and gave the officials clean records. He was truly a ruler for the ages. He also had another title: the chief minister who led the court during Emperor Wanshu's reign, the greatest chancellor in history, Cheng Heng.]
By then, he has already handed his travel permit to the guard at the capital gates.
Behind him, horses whinny in alarm. A murderous air spreads, raising a chill on his back.
He turns around to see the civil and military officials assembled. Emperor Wanshu kicks away the sons clinging to his legs, then solemnly announces that he will abdicate in Cheng Heng's favor and have him take the throne at once.
Cheng Heng: ...Ascend the throne? ...No... I want to retire!!!
Emperor Wanshu: Heaven has sent a wise ruler to Great Yan, child. You were born for this.
Theme: Study hard and improve every day. Reach for the stars while keeping your feet on the ground.
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