Cyber Daji Transmigrates to Qin

Daji, who had once lived in the modern world, transmigrates back in time.

The good news is that her magic, which she couldn't use in the modern world, has returned. The bad news is that she hasn't gone back to the Shang dynasty, but has landed in the Great Qin instead.

Daji, with nine years of compulsory education: My charming ancestor... Wait, given our ages, I'm the ancestor here.

After getting used to modern conveniences, Daji struggles to readjust to an agrarian civilization in the age of cold weapons.

By now, the First Emperor has conquered the six states and unified the realm. He is implementing a series of Qin laws, including standardizing the written language and the width of cart axles.

Daji waves a hand.

Bamboo slips are such a hassle. Laws and culture need to spread efficiently and conveniently. And so papermaking, printing, and other innovations quietly make their way through the Qin dynasty...

Then the First Emperor orders campaigns against the Xiongnu in the north and the Baiyue in the south.

Daji waves a hand.

The army needs better equipment. They need handheld weapons and buffs, too. And so iron-smelting and gunpowder technology are casually delivered to the desk in Xianyang Palace...

Later, the First Emperor orders the construction of the Great Wall, the Lingqu Canal, the imperial roads, and the Epang Palace.

Daji waves a hand, then stops.

The first few are fine, but forget the Epang Palace. If the productive capacity isn't there, building anything will only burden the people. And so the beginnings of an industrial reform plan with Qin characteristics take shape in her mind...

*

Many years later, Daji and Qin Shi Huang stand together on a high terrace, gazing out over the capital and the people living in peace, a prosperous scene before them.

Looking at the dazzling neon lights and the brightly lit streets, and thinking of the machines that even now he can barely believe were made possible by anything other than magic, Ying Zheng ponders for a moment, then can't help asking her again: “Minister Su, is this magic?”

While casting a spell to drive away mosquitoes, Daji answers matter-of-factly, as if nothing is amiss.

“No, this is cyber science.”

Bonus Scene

“Your Majesty, look. This is the elixir of immortality I have developed.” Xu Fu gazes at Ying Zheng with shining eyes and a fawning smile.

Ying Zheng hesitantly takes it, his expression still cold. Then he catches sight of Daji storming toward them.

“Xu Fu, no scamming the elderly with health supplements! If he gets heavy metal poisoning, you're dead!”

It's just an elixir of immortality, isn't it? She has one too, and hers is the real deal!

Reader's Guide:

1. Daji draws on some elements of the Investiture of the Gods setting. She can use magic, but not much. The main plot is about developing the infrastructure.

2. Daji's love interest is King Zhou, who appears in her memories. There is no romance with Qin Shi Huang.

Theme: Trust science and strive to develop