Northern Song: I Never Meant to Become the Emperor’s Steward

A snowy night in the first month of the third year of Yuanfu in the Northern Song, 1100 AD.

Seven days remain before Song Huizong, Zhao Ji, inherits the throne.

The Jurchen will establish the Jin dynasty in fifteen years.

The Jingkang Incident is twenty-seven years away.

It has been 162 years since Later Jin ceded the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun.

The Northern Song's thirty-year struggle over reform is raging, with the old and new factions locked in bitter conflict.

The Northern Song, more than a century after its founding, appears to enjoy peace and prosperity, but is riddled with cracks beneath the surface.

But what does any of that have to do with me, Zhao Yu?

Zhao Yu, a fourth-year engineering student with no job prospects and a passionate interest in history, transmigrates by accident into the body of Zhao Yu, younger brother of Song Zhezong Zhao Xu, twelfth son of Song Shenzong, and Prince Xin.

In the struggle for the throne between Prince Duan Zhao Ji and Prince Jian Zhao Si, the crown was never meant for him.

And at first, his goal is simple: stop Zhao Ji from ascending the throne!

The dynasty is in decline, and the Northern Song is beset by troubles at home and abroad. The throne is a dangerously hot seat.

Zhao Yu figures that as long as he keeps that artist, who is no good at ruling, from becoming emperor, the Great Song can still be saved. He can simply be an idle prince and enjoy a comfortable life.

But events seem to be slipping beyond Zhao Yu's control.

"Wait, why is the imperial robe being draped over my shoulders?"

Jokes aside, now that he's become the emperor, he'll do his best to make the Great Song great again! - Zhao Yu

Also known as: "How an 'Unorthodox' Emperor Revived the Great Song," "Being Emperor Is No Easy Job," and "Reviving the Great Song, Starting with Learning to Be Emperor"