Starting with a Small Manor in a Border Town

The emperor is now middle-aged and desperate to have a son;

The powerful clans and court officials are busy looking for folk remedies to conceive a son, beautiful women who can bear children, and ways to band together and scheme for even greater wealth and status;

The wealthy merchants of Jiangnan are busy squeezing the people dry and training their sons to study and become officials;

Longxi suffered a great flood last year and a severe drought this year, killing countless people. The relief supplies were supposed to include grain, but no one knows where the grain went. All that remains is chaff;

On the northwestern frontier, the foreign tribes suffered a disaster last year too, and raids and robberies have become constant. The great general is drilling his troops, waiting for a major battle;

In an unremarkable manor near this border, a small-time estate owner is doing everything he can to survive.

The age of prosperity is waning, and troubled times are emerging. First, lie low. Lie low...

This story is entirely fictional. Any resemblance to actual events is purely coincidental.

Happy New Year, everyone, in 2025! This lazy author will work hard to update in the new year and try to finish the story soon!

2025.01.01

Theme: No matter what kind of predicament you find yourself in, live life on your own terms!