The Treacherous Minister's Light

☆ Complete! On the night of Guang Du's fifteenth birthday, he spent it in a dungeon. His legs had been broken during torture, and he lay on the filthy ground, never knowing when he would get his next meal, or which meal would be his last. On the night of Guang Du's nineteenth birthday, he spent it in the emperor's bedchamber. He lay on a snow-white fur rug, and the emperor, wanting to make him happy, promised him power and rank, then opened his private treasury and let him choose whatever treasures he wanted. After serving as a royal favorite for a year and holding office for three, Guang Du set a record for the fastest rise through the ranks in the Western Xia court. Everyone in the government and the court knew that he was unscrupulous, ruthless, and... a man far too beautiful for his own good. Because he was so beautiful, the emperor had gone four years without visiting the imperial harem for his sake. From a prisoner in chains, he had become a treacherous minister wielding immense power, standing at the very peak of authority. Guang Du: Hmm? You ask what I'm planning next? To turn on my master. Guang Du: This emperor won't do. Let's replace him with someone more capable. As for the ruler he considered worthy... The current emperor's cousin, Prince Li Yuanque, who controlled the military forces of Western Xia. He seemed like a good choice. He had liked this man for a long time. He really was quite a catch. CP: Li Yuanque! Not the emperor, but a prince! [Please Read Before Starting] - Both the top and the bottom are virgins. Please don't read if that bothers you. - The bottom may strike you as a bad person. Please don't read if that bothers you. - The top and the bottom are on opposing sides at the beginning. Please don't read if that bothers you. - This is not a traditional everyone-loves-him story! It has that old-school, angsty, cathartic melodrama! A serious story with a happy ending. - The bottom is eighteen from the start. He will hold real power a year later, so give him some time. - Former title: Treacherous Minister Guang Du [Important Disclaimer] ☆ This novel is set during the historical period of 1220 CE, when Genghis Khan of the Mongol Empire was campaigning west against Khwarezm. The first three volumes focus on laying the groundwork for Western Xia's internal strife and the protagonist's personal experiences. In the fourth volume, the protagonist will push Western Xia to change its diplomatic policy toward the Mongols, and Western Xia will go to war with them, prompting Genghis Khan to lead a campaign in person, in keeping with the historical course of events. The extras do not follow the historical course, which is why they are separate. ☆ CCTV's documentary on Western Xia has affirmed that Western Xia is part of the Chinese nation, and its capital, Xingqing Prefecture, is now Yinchuan, Ningxia, China. I have confirmed with my editor that Jinjiang does not have a rule saying that historical fiction about a minor dynasty cannot be published under derivative works and must be posted as original fiction. ☆ In accordance with Jinjiang rules, this novel is set in a fictional parallel world and does not deny historical reality. Some historical figures do not appear under their real names, to avoid violating the rule against changing historical figures' sexual orientations. All characters in same-sex relationships are fictional, including the protagonists, for the same reason. The story also includes original elements, such as improved hairstyles and the use of the name "Western Xia," which was a term from the Ming dynasty. Theme: Serving both country and family.