This King Is Far Too Eager to Improve

[The rise of a penniless king + outsmarting unruly commoners + war and farming + low-magic fantasy]

A handsome king, late-night snacks galore.

The old emperor wets his pants.

The people are thin as bean sprouts, and the crown makes my neck stiff.

I work overtime till my hair shines, and stagger through court every day.

Don’t flip the table, don’t smash the crock, let me sit on my throne and bask in the sun!

I’ll give you three big slices of cake, just leave your king one bowl of soup!

Don’t go on strike! Don’t curse me!

Don’t throw manure at the castle!

Listen up, you common folk, and see what new tricks your king has up his sleeve.

The lives of ordinary folk are miserable, but none of it is my fault.

Now I really do have a plan. Help me take the throne!

King and commoners, let’s work together and overthrow the bad emperor!

When I’m crowned, I’ll hand out candy! When I’m crowned, I’ll abolish the grain tax!

When I’m crowned, I’ll build bathhouses! When I’m crowned, I’ll find you wives!

First, let’s paint you a pretty picture, then we can talk.