Building Machines on the Ruins

[Heroine] Clever, loyal, and devoted

[Hero] Cautious and steadfast, with a fierce competitive streak

Neighboring states, allies or rivals.

Nations contend for supremacy. Who can stay safe?

A wealthy, prosperous nation, but with weak defenses and too few soldiers...

Excellent! So fat with wealth and too weak to fight back. Who else should we eat?

"Crack!" Huh? A mouthful of broken teeth and blood. I'd bitten into a rock-hard bone!

*

The Director of the Armaments Bureau of Yunlan has only one child, a daughter. He doesn't want her to learn embroidery; he wants her to be able to make the sharpest blades, the strongest crossbows, and the most powerful cannons in the world. Since women cannot hold office, she only needs to choose a young man who will protect her and obey her, then help him rise to prominence.

What if he stops obeying after he's risen to prominence? There's only one precious jewel, but the box can always be replaced.

*

When Jiang Fu was eight, she narrowly survived an attempt to poison her. She became a loathsome girl, her face marked with poisonous blotches and her legs crippled. Yet the Jiang family was soon besieged by powerful families seeking marriage alliances. From princes and nobles to wealthy merchants, all were devoted to her and flattered her to no end.

One, two, three, four, five. This isn't about going up the mountain to hunt tigers; she's counting the fingers on her hand to tally how many families covet and scheme against her, waiting to devour her flesh and blood. At least five!

If they can't have her, they'll destroy her. Only an obedient pawn is worthy of being a pawn.

*

A pawn?

Even as a pawn, she's the one piece that can decide the entire game.

Her father is wrong. It may be a crime to possess a priceless treasure, but she holds the nation's most powerful weapons, commands its borders, and measures the fate of every kingdom.

Whoever condemns her, she'll replace their heavens.

*

How could he not understand their intentions? He only had to be the box protecting the hidden pearl.

But pearls have their boxes and blades their sheaths, and Jiang Fu has his heart.

He'll play along with their scheme. Even if the box is destroyed, he has the marriage contract in hand. What can anyone do about it?

[Automatic Notes]

1. A strong heroine and a strong hero. The heroine's characterization and emotional choices will be respected.

2. The early chapters lay a lot of groundwork; the plot gets more exciting later.

3. The writing style isn't intentionally imitative. Please point out any obscure passages.

4. Entirely fictional, with many sources of inspiration. If you're here to scrutinize the historical accuracy, please close your eyes.

Theme: With a blade in hand, its edge does not differ based on whether the wielder is male or female.