Chapter One: The False Merit System
“Your Majesty, you’re awake?”
A melodious and pleasant voice sounded at his ear. Li Chen sat bolt upright in bed, his head spinning, vision swimming with darkness. It took him quite some time to adjust before he was able to take in his surroundings.
The room was filled with an ancient charm; carved wooden bed, delicate silk quilt covering him—everything was unfamiliar.
“Where… where am I?”
“Your Majesty, are you feeling unwell? Should I summon the imperial physician?”
Only then did Li Chen notice the young woman kneeling by his bed, dressed in palace attire. She was youthful, breathtakingly beautiful, skin as fair as snow, and her large eyes seemed almost to speak, sparkling with life.
He’d seen countless cosplay photos before, but never had he encountered such a stunning woman in ancient dress—she was simply too realistic.
“Who… who are you?” Li Chen swallowed, asking with difficulty.
“Your Majesty, this humble servant is Wan’er, your personal maid.”
“And me?”
“You are the Emperor of the Great Zhou… Your Majesty, what’s wrong?”
He distinctly remembered staying up late writing at home last night and then… dying. How had he awakened here? Could it be… reincarnation?
Wait…
Emperor? I… I’m the Emperor?
“Your Majesty, are you hungry? I’ll go prepare your breakfast right away.”
“No need, Wan’er, I have some questions for you…”
Through Wan’er, he learned that in this world, the Great Zhou Empire was the most powerful, its line stretching back centuries. The nation was ruled entirely by women; almost everyone in the empire was a woman.
In other words, this was a kingdom of women.
Legally, only a woman could be Emperor. Yet Li Chen’s mother, the previous Empress, had only a single child—him. And he was a son.
Originally, the clan ministers had wanted a female relative of the Li family to ascend the throne. But the Empress, defying all opposition, insisted that her son inherit the imperial position.
…
Damn!
Emperor of a kingdom of women?!
Didn’t that mean he could openly enjoy the blessings of a harem, beauties in his arms, indulging in all the loveliness the world had to offer?
At that moment, a pleasant chime sounded in his mind.
[Ding~ Congratulations, Your Majesty, the Fake Merit System has been activated.]
[As long as Your Majesty behaves as a foolish or incompetent ruler, you will receive corresponding rewards.]
[When the Great Zhou’s national fortune is exhausted, you will ascend to immortality along with your family.]
Having rewards was good enough.
He could even ascend to immortality? And bring his family along?
He thought of the protagonists in the novels he’d read in his previous life, who rose to immortality with beautiful women accompanying them, living shamelessly ever after…
Wasn’t this even better than being Emperor?
Wait… what if the country’s fortune didn’t decline, or even increased?
[If national fortune remains unchanged, there are no rewards. If it rises, you will be penalized—converted to Misfortune Points. When Misfortune Points are full, Your Majesty will face the Nine Heavens Lightning Tribulation.]
Hearing the system’s reply, Li Chen wasn’t worried.
Being a wise ruler is hard; being a foolish one should be easy, shouldn’t it?
While Li Chen was lost in his beautiful dreams…
“Your Majesty, it’s time for court.”
…
An hour later.
“The Emperor arrives!”
“Long live the Emperor…”
Li Chen strode briskly to the Dragon Throne.
“You may all rise.”
“Pfft…”
As the ministers straightened, Li Chen was instantly stunned.
My goodness, the entire court was full of women—what a delight!
That one over there… so voluptuous… Damn, what a figure. If she wore black stockings…
“Ahem…”
Prime Minister Ouyang Yu stepped forward, clearing her throat. She looked to be nearly seventy-eight.
“Your Majesty! The envoy from Song has requested an audience and has been waiting at the inn for three days.”
Song? He remembered it was a small country, rather distant…
“What have you all been doing? It’s been three days and only now you tell me?”
“Your Majesty… you forget, it was your own instruction…”
Ouyang Yu sighed softly. As expected, this male Emperor was as unreliable as ever.
“Uh… never mind. Quickly, let them in.”
“Summon the envoy from Song!”
Soon, a middle-aged man in foreign attire entered.
“The envoy from Song greets the Emperor of Great Zhou.”
“Enough with the formalities—what is it?”
The whole court was shocked.
How could the Emperor respond so casually, without a trace of imperial dignity?
The Song envoy nodded slightly, thinking to himself that the rumors were true—the new male Emperor was indeed mediocre.
“Your Majesty, forgive my bluntness. My Emperor has decreed that from this day forth, Song will no longer pay tribute to Great Zhou.”
At these words, the ministers were outraged.
“How dare a minor state like Song! Shall I kill you where you stand?”
“Your Majesty, we have offered tribute to Great Zhou for decades, yet, far as we are, have we ever received your protection?”
“Now, my Emperor is resolved. If Great Zhou does not accept, we will resist with all our might—the people of Song will fight to the death!”
The court erupted into chaos.
Prime Minister Ouyang Yu immediately bowed.
“Your Majesty, Song’s actions are a direct provocation to the dignity of Great Zhou. I beg Your Majesty to issue a decree to send troops and punish Song, displaying our imperial might!”
As soon as she spoke, ministers stepped forward.
“Your Majesty, allow me to lead the army—I will wipe Song from the map!”
“Your Majesty, I suggest we execute the envoy immediately and declare war on Song!”
…
Watching the lively scene in the hall, Li Chen’s lips curled into a wicked smile.
“Silence!”
The hall fell instantly quiet.
Li Chen nibbled on fruit as he gazed at the Song envoy.
The ministers waited. Even if the new Emperor was unreliable, he should understand that Song’s actions were a direct challenge to Great Zhou’s authority.
“Is your Emperor alright? For something so trivial, traveling thousands of miles—couldn’t he just send a letter?”
The hall erupted in an uproar.
Ouyang Yu wiped her brow.
Your Majesty… how could you say something like that?
The Song envoy was speechless.
A hundred and eighty responses flashed through his mind, even contemplating a heroic death, but now… he was left with nothing.
At that moment, Li Chen suddenly stood up.
“Where is the Ministry of Revenue?”
Ouyang Yu was puzzled.
The Emperor wasn’t dealing with Song; why call for the Ministry of Revenue? Was he planning to raise funds and display might to Song? That must be it!
A well-endowed woman immediately stepped forward.
Li Chen smacked his lips.
Such assets wasted in the Ministry of Revenue—she’d make a fine wet-nurse with such stamina.
“Your Majesty.”
Li Chen snapped back to attention.
“Here’s what you’ll do. Raise one hundred thousand taels of silver from the treasury and give it to this envoy from Song.”
“Look at him—pitiful, trekking all this way, his shoes worn through.”
The ministers were astonished.
But he wasn’t done.
Li Chen turned to the Song envoy, shifting his tone.
“You say Song has received no protection from Great Zhou for years?”
“Very well, go back and tell your Emperor: if Song does not wish to pay tribute, so be it. From now on, Great Zhou will pay tribute to Song!”
The court was dumbfounded, the Song envoy utterly bewildered.
What?!
Did he hear right? The Emperor was not only giving silver to Song, but also offering tribute?
Ouyang Yu trembled violently.
Absurd… utterly absurd…
Our Emperor of Great Zhou? He’s clearly a complete fool!
Seeing the brilliant array of expressions on everyone’s faces, Li Chen was delighted.
For in his mind, the system’s voice sounded:
[Congratulations, Your Majesty. First act as a foolish ruler—national fortune of Great Zhou decreased by 50 points, 9,950 points remain!]
[Based on the current decline, reward is being distributed!]