The Prime Minister’s Troubles

In the Zhou, there was Jiang Ziya; in Shu, there was Zhuge Liang; and in the Great Yun court, there is Qin Ning! I am no spoiled scion of a noble house, but a worthy son born to humble parents. The Son of Heaven himself calls me his father of state, and with one hand I wield imperial decrees to command the feudal lords. Of all things, I had to transmigrate into the body of a fake eunuch. So be it! I’ll vie for favor, seize power, form cliques, pursue private gain, bend the law, and depose the emperor. Just watch Qin Ning rise from the bottom! There is court politics here. Qin Ning says, “As Great Yun’s chancellor, how could I stand by and watch the people suffer?” And so, as you can see, high in the halls of government, he worries for his people. There is the martial world here. Qin Ning says, “Without the support of the countless people of this realm, the emperor on the Dragon Throne would have been replaced long ago!” And so, as you can see, far from the halls of government, he worries for his sovereign. There is the defense of home and country here. Qin Ning says, “Every inch of our land is worth its weight in gold, yet no amount of gold can buy back a single inch! I urge the invaders to stop coveting Yun territory. A million troops already lie in wait, weapons at the ready!” And so, as you can see, though our realm spans ten thousand miles, not an inch of land is ours to spare! There is the splendor of a golden age here. Qin Ning says, “I rose from humble beginnings, first serving as a eunuch, then as a court official. I have devoted myself to the realm for countless years, and now that peace reigns across the land, we must hold a grand feast to celebrate this golden age!” There is the whole tapestry of human life, the imperial guards and their commanders, heroes with a chance to shine, civil officials governing the realm… “Your Majesty, please call me your father of state!”