I Am a Foolish Emperor

Li Chengjun accidentally transmigrates to the ancient Liang Dynasty, where he becomes its last emperor. He is diligent and hardworking, and has spent ten years managing the realm with painstaking care, yet still cannot save the dynasty from its decline.

Thinking of the Liang Dynasty in history, beset by internal and external troubles, overrun by refugees, and nearing its end, and of the last emperor, who worked day and night but still ended up taking his own life with a sword when the rebels stormed the capital, he immediately decides to give up and do as he pleases.

So, in the first year of Emperor Yongxi's reign, he eats, drinks, and has fun, and watches cricket fights.

In the second year, he listens to music and watches plays, lifting the ban on popular romantic tales.

In the third year, he often sneaks out of the palace in disguise and spends lavishly. He favors eunuchs and lets factional strife spread through the court.

In the fourth year, he disguises himself as a young nobleman on a tour of the provinces, then appoints his fake identity as an investigating censor.

In the fifth year, when the Jingxiang Rebellion breaks out, he sends troops to put it down in name only, while spending nine out of every ten days shouting at the rebels from afar.

In the sixth year, when the Xianbei invade the northern border, he casually picks a few spoiled young nobles to command the troops at the front. He berates an old general as stubborn, accusing him of failing to hold the pass and even trying to kill a senior commander without authorization.

In the seventh year, with the capital in peril, he packs his things and prepares to flee, berating the city gate commander as a fool.

In the tenth year, the rebel army and the Xianbei are locked in fierce battle in Xuanzhou. He watches the spectacle and munches on snacks.

In the eleventh year, he taunts the rebels for being unable to defeat anyone... Wait, why haven't the Xianbei and the rebels taken the capital yet? I'm still waiting to kill myself with a sword and return to my own world!!

In the twelfth year, a rebel general, short on provisions and pay, leads his troops in surrendering to the imperial court. Li Chengjun is stunned: How did the rebels end up being the ones who couldn't pay their soldiers?

The chief minister: His Majesty welcomes frank advice and appoints people according to their abilities. Though he seems lost in pleasure, he reforms long-standing abuses with ease, balances the powers at court, purges corruption, and repels foreign invaders and rebels... He is truly a great ruler for the ages.

Li Chengjun: Stop praising me like that. I only meant to be a useless emperor!!

Theme: May China be peaceful and strong