The Great Warlord

Steal a hook and you get executed; steal a kingdom and you become a lord.

In his previous life, Zhou Rong was called a treacherous traitor to his face for the rest of his life. In the end, he never rebelled, and died for his country.

After he died in battle, the Jin army invaded. His useless imperial cousin sobbed as he hanged himself from a crooked tree.

Then came the chaos of the Five Barbarians, warlord conflicts, and widespread suffering.

Reborn, Zhou Rong thought, This time, I'll be the emperor myself.

-

Zhou Rong was determined to become a rebel. But for some reason, his political rival, who had been at loggerheads with him in his previous life, the emperor who was harsh and ungrateful, and his scheming colleagues all ended up kissing him.

"Weizhen, no matter how the world insults, slanders, or defames you, I will always believe in you!"

Zhou Rong: ...Oh?

*

Right after being reborn, Li Chengping slapped himself hard across the face. This time, he told himself, he would cling to his cousin's coattails and focus on logistics, without letting wicked people lead him astray again.

"Your Majesty, Marquis Qin is gathering troops for his own ends!"

Sowing discord! Beat him to death!

"Your Majesty, Marquis Qin is building up his reputation. He may have treasonous intentions!"

Trying to drive a wedge between us! Castrate him!

"Your Majesty, Marquis Qin has declared himself king and rebelled!"

Li Chengping: ...

Wait, man. That's not how this goes in a back-alley game!?

Notes:

1. This is a fictional historical setting, but draws on many real historical events. Close enough. I can't write anything too highbrow.

2. The protagonist has moral flaws and is extremely cold-blooded. He's a scholar and a warrior, and harsh laws are the order of the day in troubled times. Don't judge him by modern standards.

3. The protagonist is Zhou Rong, courtesy name Weizhen. The emperor cousin is not the love interest; he is only included in the blurb as a representative figure.

4. Author's Weibo: @Xiao Qi Liu

Theme: Everyone is responsible for the fate of the world.