The Days of Being a County Magistrate in Ancient Times

Xu Xingzhi transmigrated again.

That's right, something that would never happen to an ordinary person had happened to him twice. How weird is that?

The first time, he transmigrated to the interstellar era and got bound to a trashy infrastructure-building System. He gritted his teeth and worked himself to the bone for fifteen years, finally passing the exam to become an interstellar infrastructure official.

Through his own blood, sweat, and tears, along with the System's golden finger, he somehow transformed a rundown trash planet into a famous interstellar tourist destination.

Before he could enjoy it, he was made to transmigrate a second time. The System casually took its data project and walked away, leaving Xu Xingzhi as the world's most aggrieved victim.

He arrived in a remote, impoverished corner of the ancient world and became a notorious playboy who had caused a huge scandal. His father had used his connections to dump him in a distant region to lie low.

His father said, "Son, of all the people you could have crossed, why did you have to provoke Commandery Princess Qinghe? I've pulled some strings and gotten you a seventh-rank county magistrate post. Keep your head down for a few years. I'll see if I can get you out of there later."

Looking at the low-yield farmland, the dilapidated government offices, and the numb people, Xu Xingzhi let out a long sigh. What else could he do? Roll up his sleeves and get to work.

Farming essentials: improved high-yield seeds, better plows and seed drills, and fertilizer. How about raising pigs and chickens, growing medicinal herbs, and making cane sugar, refined salt, and cement?

He farmed, built roads, and came up with new inventions. When he looked back, he had somehow been promoted and made a name for himself across the land.

His father, who had originally wanted to rescue his son, said, "Son, you're the real father here!"

Let me recommend my upcoming novel, I'm Working Hard to Become a Tyrant Again Today.

Take a look, my dears! Mwah!

Qu Wanming transmigrated and ended up bound to a Tyrant System.

The System said that if she could take the path of a foolish, incompetent tyrant, wreck the country, and bring about its fall, it would send her back to her original world.

[This little world needs to rise from the depths of despair and be reborn. You are a doomed tyrant. Someone chosen by fate will break through the encirclement, change dynasties, and restore peace and justice to the world.]

Qu Wanming had no choice but to try her best to become a decadent ruler who would bring down the country.

"System, I haven't attended court in ten days. I've just been watching beautiful people dance every day. Is this really okay?"

[We're tyrants! Tyrants!!!]

But unexpectedly, an ordinary palace dancer became a shadow assassin known to everyone.

Qu Wanming offered an idea: "System, shouldn't tyrants waste people's labor and money? We can start some big construction projects, conscript laborers, and build a canal. Then the people will get furious, the peasants will revolt, and they'll take us down!"

The System was delighted: [Wanwan, you're right! We'll recruit people and not pay them, just give them enough to eat.]

Qu Wanming hesitated for a second, then nodded. "Exactly. Just feed them."

The people, who had been struggling to survive as the years went by, were all grateful for the emperor's compassion. At least if they worked, they would have enough to eat.

Infrastructure across the whole Great Xia improved at a rapid pace. The people's lives got better and better. They had enough food and warm clothes, and could even afford to send their children to school.

Qu Wanming alone was utterly baffled. She had done everything she was supposed to, but no matter what she tried, the dynasty showed no sign of falling. If anything, it seemed to be thriving.

"System, how far has the male lead gotten? Why hasn't our country fallen yet?"

[…This doesn't make sense. Did something glitch?]

The System muttered to itself, hid the line of titles for great rulers of the ages that was cluttering up its toolbar, then spent its few remaining points to check.

This was bad!

[Do you remember that handsome top scorer from the palace exam a few days ago?]

Qu Wanming blushed. "System, a tyrant should be blinded by lust and force a loyal minister to submit. His lips are so soft and red. They look so kissable."

The System stared at the male lead label and 100% affection rating on the screen, and began to doubt its entire existence.

Theme: Hard work brings rewards