I, Wang Mang, Swear to Usurp the Han Dynasty

In the fourth year of the Heping era under Emperor Cheng of Han, a man named Wang Mang transmigrates into the body of the historically renowned Wang Mang, the chosen one. Faced with a bare-walled home and the low status of a commoner, he decides to stake everything on the path of the chosen one.

Under the guise of filial piety, Wang Mang acts with humility. Taking the Confucian twenty maxims as his foundation, he manipulates power and plays upon people's hearts amid the political turmoil of the Western Han's final years, turning the tide with a flick of his hand as he begins his journey to usurp the Han dynasty.

Wang Shang: “Mang is an exceptionally filial child. I am willing to give him part of my fief.”

Wang Feng: “Mang is a filial child. I ask Her Majesty the Empress Dowager to give him an important position!”

Wang Zhengjun: “Mang is filial, humble, courteous, and renowned far and wide. He is the ideal candidate for Grand Marshal.”

Emperor Cheng of Han: “Brother Mang, I want us to be friends, as close as brothers, because in all the realm, you, Wang Mang, are the only one who keeps faith and honors righteousness!”

And yet, years later!

Wang Zhengjun angrily hurled the jade seal to the ground, her eyes blazing with fury. “Wang Mang, I trusted you and held you in high regard. I never imagined you would disguise your true nature for your entire life.”

The Child Emperor: “I am willing to abdicate the Han throne in favor of Duke Anhan, Wang Mang!”

Wang Mang picked up the jade seal and stamped it onto the abdication edict with a smile. “Grand Empress Dowager, I, Wang Mang, was merely keeping up appearances. I just took a little longer to let the mask slip. The blame lies with you for failing to see people clearly from the start, not with anyone else.”