The Chaotic Everyday Life of Early Tang (Infrastructure)

In the Tang dynasty, in the sixth month of the ninth year of Wude, Prince of Qin Li Shimin launched the Xuanwu Gate Incident. Afterward, Li Yuan abdicated and called himself the Retired Emperor. Li Shimin ascended the throne, adopting the reign title Zhenguan. Thirteen days after his accession, he made the Lady of the Sun clan empress. The Empress's old illness proved difficult to cure, so Li Shimin posted a golden notice offering a reward to any renowned physician who could treat her. In her previous life, she had only just graduated and had not yet spent long being ground down by society when an accident took her life. She had no car, no house, and no burdens. Her only regret was dying so young. Now four-year-old Zhai Yue studied the golden notice, deep in thought. Tricking Li Shimin shouldn't be too difficult, right? Li Shimin: ... Later, after Zhai Yue proposed several sensitive policies, the powerful aristocratic clans targeted her, spreading rumors that she was a wicked Daoist and clamoring to purge evil advisers and drive out the wicked Daoist. “...” Li Zhaiyue's mouth twitched violently. What had she ever done to deserve this? All she'd done was ask them to skim a little less money and seize a little less land. They were all so petty. Besides, although she had proposed the equal-field tax reform, she had left them some leeway and hadn't advocated that gentry and commoners alike pay grain taxes and levies. Li Shimin's face darkened. That was the precious treasure he and Guanyinbi had lost. Anyone who dared bully her would have their entire clan exterminated. Unfortunately, she refused to acknowledge him and didn't believe a word the emperor said. Furious at the aristocratic clans' slander, Li Zhaiyue stamped her feet. She was only trying to earn enough to eat. Did they really have to be so vicious? Fine, then. They had better not blame her for fighting back. Having lived through the internet age and its information explosion, she would make their lives miserable if they wouldn't play fair. She was declaring war. Li Zhaiyue: “Hmph! Amitabha. Though Heaven has a virtue of cherishing life, this Daoist has always repaid grudges with grudges. Repaying kindness with resentment can wait until my next life!” The officials of Great Tang: ... Little Daoist, do you even remember who you are? Anyway, Li Zhaiyue's life in Great Tang was a whirlwind. She argued with the emperor, clashed with the imperial family, and fought the aristocratic clans. Her motto was: If I'm unhappy, you won't have a good day either. If I'm happy, your good days are over. Li Shimin said, “This is the sin I committed in my previous life.” The imperial family wailed, “She's become a menace! Getting close to her is bound to bring trouble.” The aristocratic clans declared, “She's the reincarnation of an ill-omened star!” Li Zhaiyue thought she was rather lucky after all. No wonder Li Shimin had put up with so much from her: she'd managed to fool her own father. But once she acknowledged him as her father, plenty of troubles followed. The biggest one was that a grown woman ought to get married! Li Zhaiyue: “...Heh! Whoever dares come near me, I'll castrate him.” Su Zhengran: ... Yuchi Gong patted his brother-in-law, who was younger than his eldest grandson, and said earnestly, “Zhuoying, you'd better take care of yourself. Don't worry. If the princess wants to act, His Majesty definitely won't stop her. Your brother-in-law will sharpen a knife for you, so you'll suffer a little less.” Su Zhengran: ... Upcoming novel: Everyday Life of the Northern Expedition of Shu Han An accident caused Liu Yue to transmigrate into the Three Kingdoms era as the daughter of the famous Liu Shan... Liu Shan, whose childhood name was Adou, was the son of Liu Bei, the sandal-wearing imperial uncle, and the man who achieved the feat of “finding no reason to return home after conquering Shu.” At the time, her bargain of a father had only recently ascended the throne. Shu Han had been founded less than three years earlier. The kingdoms of Wu and Wei eyed them hungrily from beyond the borders, while rebellions broke out one after another in the three commanderies of Yuexi, Zangke, and Jianning... Liu Shan cradled his tiny, soft eldest daughter and asked with a worried frown, “A Yue, tell me, how should Father restore the Han dynasty?” Liu Yue's eyelid twitched. Restore the Han dynasty? She thought about what the history books would say later. Dynasties rose and fell as part of the natural order, but she didn't want to go through the chaos of the Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern Dynasties. Thinking of it that way, her main quest really did have to be restoring the Han dynasty. Her gaze fell on the renowned Zhuge Kongming, who was working at a desk nearby, and hope immediately filled her eyes. Back when her bargain of a father was still a baby, he followed Zhao Yun through seven advances and seven retreats, jointly achieving the feat of taking on a million Cao troops in single combat. With Mr. Zhuge Kongming by her side, surely achieving “restoring the Han dynasty” would be... easy, right? With that thought, she turned and clasped her bargain of a father's large hand in her little one. “Father, with Chancellor Zhuge here, we can definitely do it!” Liu Shan looked toward Zhuge Liang as well, his eyes full of admiration and trust. “Prime Minister, you are a man of extraordinary talent and vision, able to plan everything from your desk. We'll all follow your lead!” Liu Yue tugged at his broad sleeve and said in a childish voice, “Listen to me, too.” Liu Shan: ... He lowered his head, and the two of them stared into each other's eyes. Zhuge Liang heard them and looked up, only to see their identical, foolish (crossed out) innocent expressions. The corner of his mouth twitched... Upcoming novel: Who Knew My Elder Sister Would Top the Imperial Examinations? Lin Dong transmigrated one day into the daughter of a village schoolteacher in the Great Yong dynasty. Her parents were dead, leaving her with only an older sister. Just as Lin Dong was wondering how to survive in ancient times, news came from the county that her older brother, Lin Xia, had passed the highest imperial examination. Lin Dong: ?! The name was right, but had they gotten the gender wrong? The villagers of Lin Family Village were confused at first. Once they confirmed that it was someone from their village, they rejoiced. Male or female, anyone with an official degree could be exempted from taxes, so the people of their village would benefit, too. Starting today, Lin Xia was a man, and a top scholar. Watching the villagers accept this without question, Lin Dong gazed helplessly at the sky. Who said the ancients were rigid and ignorant? Later, Lin Xia offended her superior and was demoted. With no other choice, Lin Dong packed her bags and sat for the imperial examinations too, setting out on the one-way road to becoming an official and rescuing her sister. She earned the top-scholar title, winning the Lin family the glorious reputation of having two top scholars... As they listened to everyone's praise, the sisters exchanged awkward, anxious glances. Lin Xia was demoted for the second time. Lin Dong was promoted to an assistant department director, and went to rescue her again. Lin Xia was demoted for the third time. Lin Dong became a vice minister, and went to rescue her yet again. Lin Xia was demoted for the fourth time. Lin Dong went to rescue her once more. At last, Lin Xia's identity was exposed, shocking the entire court. The emperor wanted to force her into the palace as a consort. Lin Dong met her sister's pleading eyes and wiped the cold sweat from her forehead. “Sis, if I rescue you again, we'll have to rebel!” Lin Xia said plaintively, “Why not?” The emperor was benighted, favored corrupt officials, and left the people destitute... Lin Dong: “...Fine. We're already doing something that could get our entire clan executed, so the risks are about the same.” The next time the people of Lin Family Village heard any news, it was that their little top scholar, Lin Dong, had raised an army in rebellion. They anxiously endured for a while, until the county magistrate came to tell them that Lin Dong had ascended the throne. The people of Lin Family Village were stunned at first, then overjoyed. Their village had become the birthplace of a dynasty! They were all going to enjoy the benefits! Theme: Stay positive and forge ahead bravely.