After This Good-for-Nothing Got the Script of a Fallen Tyrant

Jiang Cundu transmigrated into a book and became the newly enthroned tyrant who would bring his country to ruin. The book’s male lead was Prince Zhengan, who guarded the northern frontier, while the female lead was a modern woman who had transmigrated into the story. After arriving, she used her modern knowledge to go into business and provide Prince Zhengan with financial support. In the end, she helped him march back to the capital and claim the throne. The original tyrant, meanwhile, was placed under house arrest at the imperial retreat by Prince Zhengan. He remained there until he died of old age, never once setting foot outside… After reading the System’s plot summary, Jiang Cundu asked, “After Prince Zhengan takes the throne, does the original tyrant stay under house arrest at the imperial retreat?” The System reassured him, “Don’t worry, Host. Once you’ve completed the required plot points, you can fake your death and escape. The System will arrange a new identity for you…” “No, no, no! I don’t want to fake my death. I’m happy to be under house arrest!” No clocking in for work, just eating and drinking every day, and a stay in a top-tier mansion like the imperial retreat. Jiang Cundu, who had worked himself to death in his previous life, declared that he was perfectly happy to live like this forever! Jiang Cundu: “Where are we in the plot now? When will Prince Zhengan march into the capital?” System: “…” * The enemies to the north invaded every year, and Prince Zhengan, who guarded the northern frontier, needed provisions. The ministers: “Prince Zhengan is a treacherous schemer. Your Majesty must not agree!” System: “Reject Prince Zhengan’s request and issue an imperial edict reprimanding him.” Jiang Cundu reprimanded Prince Zhengan as the mission required. The harvest had been poor, disasters were rampant across the land, and the imperial treasury had no surplus grain! After sending the reprimanding edict north, Jiang Cundu ordered grain and supplies gathered and sent to disaster-stricken regions. Not long afterward, a batch of provisions suddenly appeared at the northern army camp, where food was running short. The ministers: “Great Jin is doomed!” System: “…” The female lead developed gunpowder, turning the tide of the war in the north. Prince Zhengan asked the emperor to arrange a marriage, wishing to take the common-born female lead as his princess consort. The ministers: “Your Majesty, think carefully! We must not let Prince Zhengan’s power grow any further!” System: “Reject Prince Zhengan’s request and summon the female lead to the capital.” Jiang Cundu rejected Prince Zhengan’s marriage request. Right afterward, an imperial edict arrived in the north, naming the female lead Princess Anlai and summoning her to the capital to receive her title. The ministers: “Great Jin is doomed!” System: “…” The northern frontier was pacified, and Prince Zhengan wanted to bring his army back to the capital. The ministers: “Your Majesty, Prince Zhengan commands an army of three hundred thousand. We must not let him return to the capital!” Jiang Cundu: “Open the city gates. I will personally welcome Prince Zhengan.” The ministers: “Great Jin really is doomed!” System: “At last, things are back on track…” With three hundred thousand troops at the city gates, Prince Zhengan appeared at court in full armor to pay his respects to the emperor. The ministers held their tongues, not one daring to speak. Only Jiang Cundu excitedly rose from the dragon throne… Having to attend court before dawn and get up earlier than any overworked office drone, Jiang Cundu couldn’t bear to be emperor for another day! Jiang Cundu took Prince Zhengan’s hand, intending to lead him up to the dragon throne. But Prince Zhengan suddenly stepped back, dropped to one knee, and offered up his military tally with both hands. “Your servant has fulfilled his duty!” Jiang Cundu: “???” System: “!!!” Jiang Cundu and the System both crashed… The ministers looked at one another. So their emperor had been hiding his true abilities all along, and had already brought Prince Zhengan to heel. The ministers knelt as one. “Your Majesty is wise and mighty! May Great Jin stand forever!” Seeing the admiration in the eyes of the assembled court, Jiang Cundu panicked completely. Jiang Cundu: “The northern frontier has been pacified, and Prince Zhengan deserves all the credit. I am neither virtuous nor capable, so I hereby abdicate in favor of Prince Zhengan.” Prince Zhengan: “Your servant is terrified.” Prince Zhengan and Princess Anlai fled back to the northern frontier that very night. Jiang Cundu: “I wish to appoint a regent to handle state affairs on my behalf.” The ministers: “Your Majesty, you must not!” Several loyal ministers and generals knelt without rising, begging His Majesty to withdraw the order. * Since the pacification of the northern frontier, peace had reigned throughout the land, and the first signs of a golden age had appeared. The emperor’s reputation for governing diligently and working for the people spread far and wide. People everywhere built temples of their own accord to pray for his well-being. When Jiang Cundu heard the news, he couldn’t sleep that night. The next day, he appointed a Crown Princess and resolved to retire within a year. If he couldn’t be the ruler of a doomed dynasty, couldn’t he at least become the retired emperor? Reader’s guide: - This is a fictional setting; please don’t overanalyze historical accuracy. - May 3, 2022 Coming soon in the author’s collection: From King of Beasts to Ruler of the Animal Kingdom Chu Zhongsheng, founding emperor of the Great Zhou dynasty, had only just ascended the throne when he died young from old injuries. When he opened his eyes again, all he could see was an endless grassland. Chu Zhongsheng: “Where is my empire? Where is my realm?!” A mighty roar burst from his throat. Chu Zhongsheng lowered his head and stared at his two front paws, and at the bold yet oddly alluring tiger stripes on them. He fell into a long silence. Chu Zhongsheng set off at a run, galloping around the grassland on all fours twice before he finally accepted reality. The King of Beasts was still a king! Chu Zhongsheng decided to conquer the grassland before him. [Ding! The Overlord System is at your service. Host’s current prestige is 100. You may summon subjects once. Summon now?] Summon subjects? Chu Zhongsheng thought of his generals, Zhenbei and Zhengxi. The two had joined him in conquering the realm, and with their help, how could he fail to rule the grassland? Chu Zhongsheng didn’t hesitate: [Summon!] [Ding! Summoning complete. Please check your subjects.] Chu Zhongsheng waited a moment. A limping old wolf came running toward him, wagging its tail. Chu Zhongsheng glared with his tiger eyes and pounced. He could have a hearty meal while he waited for his two generals. The old wolf was knocked down by a tiger’s paw. As the tiger’s jaws were about to close around him, he hurriedly shouted, “Your Majesty, I am your Censor!” Chu Zhongsheng stared at the old wolf beneath his paw and asked, “You mean the Censor who’s always saying ‘That’s an affront to proper conduct’ and ‘How utterly improper’?” The limping old wolf: “Your Majesty, it is me.” Chu Zhongsheng: “…” * During the relocation of the zoo in the west of the city, a tiger went missing. After a thorough search, it was finally found among a pack of wolves. The staff used a tranquilizer gun and managed to bring the tiger back to the zoo. That very night, however, a pack of wolves surrounded the zoo. Their howls rang out one after another, creating a dark and terrifying atmosphere. The frightened zoo director immediately released the tiger. Not long afterward, the tiger that had become ruler of the wolf pack went viral online. “Can someone tell me how a tiger became the alpha of a wolf pack?” “What’s wrong with the King of Beasts leading a pack of wolves?” “I heard this tiger holds morning meetings with the wolves every day.” “Are you sure those ‘meetings’ aren’t actually court sessions?” “Tiger King: All the beasts under heaven are my subjects! Wolves: Long live Your Majesty!” “HAHAHAHA, that last comment killed me.” Other beast kings and their subjects to be unlocked. Theme: Never bow to the fate laid out for you.