The Villainous Chancellor Refuses to Reform [Imperial Examinations]

Ye Chengfeng transmigrates into an imperial-examination novel as a poor scholar. The scholar has mediocre talent and passes the provincial exam by stealing the male lead's essay. After becoming an official, he opposes the male lead at every turn, and will eventually become a treacherous villain who murders his wife, abandons his child, and aids the wicked, before being executed by slow slicing at the hands of the new emperor.

As a top university genius with unimpeachable values, Ye Chengfeng despises all this. He will take the imperial exams through his own efforts, become a good official, and leave a lasting legacy just like the male lead.

But it seems he tries a little too hard: the top scholar title that should have gone to the male lead falls into his lap.

And the male lead, who should have been a fine, upstanding man, insists on dragging him into becoming a "treacherous official."

Male lead: "Brother Ye, why not just take the throne? You'd be great at it."

Ye Chengfeng, horrified: "No, I wouldn't."

Male lead: "I know you want to become a powerful minister who stands above everyone else."

Ye Chengfeng shakes his head. "I want to be a virtuous official remembered for generations."

Male lead: "Then why have you seized the government and gained absolute power?"

Ye Chengfeng: "..." He really did try too hard.

At first, people are simply amazed that Ye Chengfeng, a man of mediocre talent, can place first in all three imperial examinations and become the top scholar.

Later, they start cursing him for holding all the power, controlling the government, and plotting rebellion.

In the end, Ye Chengfeng really does rebel, and people start calling him "a sage emperor of civil and military excellence, blessed with sacred virtue," praising him to the skies.

Ye Chengfeng says, "Walk your own path. Don't listen to the jealous haters."

Theme: Taking responsibility for the people's welfare