YWTGU -Chapter 2 This Round Is Definitely in the Bag!

That very night, at a quarter past midnight.

Li An—who had become famous throughout the capital in a single day for openly berating the court—felt his way through the darkness. Following the memories of his predecessor in this body, he wound his way through twisting alleys until he arrived at a dilapidated temple in the eastern part of the city.

“This dump?”

With a bitter smile, Li An pushed open the temple’s wooden door and stepped inside cautiously, his heart pounding with unease.

Although he no longer had any desire to carry out missions for Blackwater Terrace—after all, he now had a system backing him up—he still had to show up for the scheduled rendezvous.

If he didn’t, and Blackwater Terrace labeled him a traitor and eliminated him on the spot, he’d truly be done for.

“Lone Wolf?”

Out of the darkness, a cool female voice suddenly sounded by his ear.

Li An jumped in fright, nearly crying out.

“Who’s there?”

“You can’t even recognize my voice anymore?”

Before the words fully faded, a small flame flickered to life in the corner.

By the wavering candlelight, the silhouette of a woman with a graceful figure gradually came into view.

She appeared to be just in her early twenties. Dressed in tight black attire, with brows like distant mountains and eyes like autumn waters, she exuded a cold yet striking beauty that kept people at arm’s length.

“Hong… Hongmei? Commander Hongmei!”

Through the memories in his mind, Li An recognized her—the Thousand-Household Commander of Blackwater Terrace, specifically responsible for monitoring and controlling low-level undercover agents like him.

High-level operatives like Han Zhao reported directly to their prime-minister fathers within the Northern Yan court.

“Hmph. Good. At least you still remember. I thought after becoming the glorious top scholar of Great Qi, you’d forgotten your roots. What is it? One taste of success and you’re planning to burn the bridge and ditch Blackwater Terrace?”

Hongmei set the candle on a broken table and gave Li An a thorough once-over.

“I’ve already heard about your performance in the Golden Hall today. You’ve got some nerve—daring to curse the Great Qi emperor and all the officials right there in the Throne Hall, scolding that muddleheaded ruler until he was drenched in humiliation. Tsk tsk. Even I have to admire that courage.”

Li An’s heart skipped a beat.

Oh no. Was she here to hold him accountable?

His “extraordinary” performance had truly been a bit too extraordinary.

Had he completely disrupted Blackwater Terrace’s plans? Were they really here to settle the score?

This is so unfair! I never even wanted to become top scholar!

“Um… I can explain… I really didn’t mean to—”

“Explain what?”

Hongmei snorted, then smiled faintly. “You cursed the emperor your way into becoming top scholar. That takes some skill. The higher-ups think highly of you… They’re calling you the greatest surprise Blackwater Terrace has ever cultivated.”

Only then did Li An let out a breath of relief.

So… he was being praised?

“However…”

Hongmei’s tone shifted. “You are now both the top scholar and an attendant of the Imperial Study—one of the people closest to the emperor. Do you know what that means?”

“It means… I can gather intelligence more conveniently?”

Li An ventured cautiously, inwardly groaning.

He didn’t want to be any spy or undercover agent. He just wanted to use the system to earn enough gold and return to the modern world!

“Gathering intelligence is only the most basic task.”

Hongmei stepped closer. Her cool, captivating eyes locked onto his. The faint fragrance from her breath brushed against his cheek and nose, making his face itch, his nose itch, and even his heart itch.

“Blackwater Terrace spent enormous resources raising you death soldiers. Do you think it was just to collect trivial bits of information?”

“Just feeding and clothing your cohort from childhood, supplying paper and ink, hiring renowned tutors—that alone costs tens of thousands of taels of silver each year. Do you know why your codename is Lone Wolf? Because among the pack, you’re the least sociable, the most unruly—but also the most capable of standing on your own.”

“We trained a thousand scholars. Aside from Han Zhao, who was heavily favored, only you passed the provincial exam. And now, you’ve actually become Great Qi’s top scholar.”

She paused and stared directly into his eyes. “Your mission is simple: perform well in Great Qi’s court and make Great Qi’s national fortune decline. Every month, you must achieve results worthy of Northern Yan’s investment in you.”

Li An couldn’t help complaining inwardly: Single-handedly dragging down a nation’s fortune—and that’s called simple?

That’s exactly what he’d thought during the day. And what happened? He cursed the emperor and somehow increased the national fortune instead!

Still…

Li An felt that during the day, he simply hadn’t performed well enough.

And now, with the status of top scholar plus Blackwater Terrace backing him up, stirring up some trouble should be easy!

Facing his cold-faced superior, Li An naturally switched to the same flattery tactics he used on bosses in his previous life. With a look of utmost loyalty, he said, “Rest assured, Commander Hongmei! I will do everything in my power to sabotage Great Qi’s national fortune—strive to plunge the court into chaos and the people into misery, and have the country destroyed by next month!”

Hongmei raised a brow slightly, seemingly unaccustomed to his sudden enthusiasm.

“One last reminder. From now on, I will remain by your side under the identity of a maid. Every word and action of yours will be reported to the higher-ups. So…”

In an instant, she changed her demeanor. Performing a maid’s curtsey, she sweetly said, “Young Master! From now on, this servant will be your personal maid—the close kind.”

Li An’s mouth twitched.

A personal maid?

Sounds nice.

More like a superior’s shadow—or a 24/7 surveillance device.

…

The next day.

In the Golden Hall.

With dark circles under his eyes, Li An stood at the end of the civil officials’ ranks, forcing himself to stay upright.

He didn’t even know when he’d fallen asleep last night. His mind had been spinning nonstop, trying to figure out how to sabotage Great Qi’s national fortune.

Not to mention sharing a room with such a cold yet stunning “undercover superior” maid.

Damn it—she didn’t even avoid him when using the chamber pot at night.

Who could handle that? And who would dare complain about it?

But that wasn’t the main point.

The key issue was—

The system had only given him one month for the first cycle!

One day had already passed, and instead of decreasing, the national fortune had increased by a hundred points!

If he didn’t stir something up soon, not only would he earn barely any gold at settlement, he’d also face a punishment mission!

Yawning and pretending to slack off, Li An secretly glanced at the system panel visible only to him—

【National Fortune System】

【Current Great Qi National Fortune: 88,100】

【Current Cycle Stance: Northern Yan Spy (Sabotage Great Qi’s Fortune)】

【Fortune Change This Cycle: +100】

【Estimated Settlement Reward: 1 tael of gold (Penalty Multiplier Triggered)】

【Time Remaining: 29 days】

A hundred points…

That emperor’s imagination is way too powerful!

After being cursed like that yesterday, he still made me top scholar!

“Gotta cause trouble!”

“Big trouble! Bad trouble!”

Li An roared inwardly.

Blackwater Terrace wants Great Qi’s fortune to drop? The system wants it to drop?

As long as he could make Great Qi’s national fortune plummet, let alone schemes and conspiracies—even punching a hole in the sky would be worth it!

“Any matters to report? If none, the court will be dismissed…”

The shrill, duck-like voice of the old eunuch snapped Li An out of his wandering thoughts.

“Your Majesty!”

From the front of the ranks, an elderly minister with white hair and beard stepped forward shakily. “This humble servant, Qian Tong, Minister of Revenue, has a memorial to present!”

“Proceed.”

Emperor Zhao Ling’er said calmly.

“Your Majesty! Urgent news from the frontier! Northern Yan has amassed one hundred thousand troops along the border, eyeing us menacingly and ready to march south at any time! Our border forces urgently require provisions and military supplies for defense—but the treasury… alas, the treasury is already unable to make ends meet!”

Ding!

【National Crisis Event Detected!】

【Frontier emergency, empty treasury, shaken public morale!】

【Great Qi National Fortune -5】

【Current Fortune: 88,095】

Li An’s eyes lit up.

It dropped!

Just the Minister of Revenue complaining about poverty caused a five-point drop?

Seems like this kind of “bad news” hits national fortune pretty hard!

What if…

A wicked idea slowly began forming in his mind.

“What’s more severe is this!”

Qian Tong grew increasingly agitated, sweat beading on his forehead. “At the current rate of expenditure, if no new sources of income are found, the treasury can only last three more months! After three months, the border army’s rations and pay will be cut off! If the troops mutiny, the consequences would be unimaginable!”

Ding!

【Minister of Revenue alarmist rhetoric, court officials panic!】

【Great Qi National Fortune -3】

【Current Fortune: 88,092】

Li An inwardly rejoiced.

Another three points down!

Good, good, Minister Qian—keep talking! Best if you make it sound like the nation’s collapse is imminent!

Behind the beaded curtain, Emperor Zhao Ling’er frowned slightly.

“Minister Qian, what solution do you propose?”

“Th-this…”

Qian Tong stammered for a while but failed to produce a concrete answer.

The hall fell silent for a moment before Prime Minister Wang Fu stepped forward.

“Your Majesty, the emptiness of the treasury was not caused in a single day. In my opinion, the most urgent course of action is to increase revenue and reduce expenditures—on one hand, cut palace spending; on the other, increase taxes…”

“Raise taxes?”

The Emperor let out a cold laugh. “The people are already suffering beyond endurance. Raise them again, and we may well drive them into rebellion. Prime Minister, are you asking me to become a tyrant who squeezes the people dry?”

Ding!

【The Emperor rebukes the Prime Minister, displaying the bearing of a wise ruler!】

【Great Qi National Fortune +2】

【Current National Fortune: 88,094】

Li An nearly cursed out loud.

A perfectly good assist handed over by the Prime Minister—and Your Majesty just blocked it like that?!

Two whole points restored!

“Then… then, Your Majesty, I truly cannot think of any other solution at the moment…”

“You are the Prime Minister of the realm, the chief minister of a nation, and you cannot think of a solution?”

The Emperor’s tone turned sharp at once. “Then what do I keep you for?”

The hall instantly fell silent.

Li An stood quietly in a corner, watching the tug-of-war between ruler and ministers while calculating rapidly in his mind.

The border was in crisis. The treasury was empty…

If he could think of a way to make things even worse—cut off military funds, cause a mutiny at the frontier, plunge the capital into chaos—wouldn’t that be credit delivered straight to his doorstep?

No.

Suddenly, he thought of an even better idea!

Rather than waiting passively for Great Qi to collapse on its own, why not take the initiative?

Just as his thoughts raced, Prime Minister Wang Fu stepped forward first.

“Your Majesty, I have someone in mind.”

Wang Fu stroked his beard, a thin smile on his lips as he cupped his hands. “Yesterday at the palace examination, the newly crowned top scholar spoke with astonishing boldness, his eloquence like a flowing river. With a single discourse, he left the entire court flushed with shame. Since the Top Scholar is so concerned for the nation and gifted in talent, surely such a trivial matter of livelihood would be nothing more than child’s play for him?”

The moment he said this, many ministers wore strange expressions.

Yesterday, Li An had berated both the Emperor and the officials in open court. Wang Fu had borne the brunt of it.

Today, the old fox clearly meant to take revenge by making this hotheaded youth embarrass himself.

“Prime Minister speaks wisely!”

Minister of Revenue Qian Tong chimed in immediately. “With the Top Scholar’s extraordinary talent, he must already have a brilliant plan to break this impasse!”

“I concur!”

“I concur as well!”

In no time, several ministers spoke in unison, pushing Li An straight toward the fire pit.

Standing at the very end of the ranks, Li An almost burst out laughing.

These old foxes! Crafty—so very crafty!

But…

This Top Scholar isn’t afraid!

You’re practically handing me a pillow just when I’m feeling sleepy!

He had been worrying about lacking an opportunity to make a grand move. And now one had delivered itself right to his door.

Behind the pearl curtain, Emperor Zhao Ling’er’s gaze settled on Li An.

“Li Aiqing,” she said in a low voice, “the ministers all believe you have a solution. What is your insight?”

Li An took a deep breath and stepped forward.

“Your Majesty, I… I am but shallow in talent and learning. I fear I am unfit for such a heavy responsibility.”

He first put on a humble, uneasy expression.

A flicker of satisfaction flashed through Wang Fu’s eyes.

Just as expected. The boy was nothing more than a bookworm good at talking big. The moment he was asked to provide a real solution, he wilted.

“Li Aiqing is too modest.”

The Emperor’s expression remained unreadable. “Yesterday, you spoke at length in this hall, boldly pointing out the flaws of Great Qi. I remember it clearly. Today’s matter concerns the livelihood of the people—just the sort of issue that requires someone who dares to speak and act.”

Li An’s thoughts shifted, though he still appeared hesitant.

“Since Your Majesty places such trust in me… then I shall boldly request one condition.”

“A condition?” The Emperor raised an eyebrow slightly.

The court erupted in murmurs.

This boy dares to bargain with the Emperor?

“Li An! What audacity!” Qian Tong snapped. “His Majesty questions you, and instead of repaying imperial grace, you haggle?”

“Minister Qian, please remain calm.”

Li An replied unhurriedly. “This condition is precisely so I may better share His Majesty’s burdens.”

He turned toward the pearl curtain and said clearly, “I only ask that Your Majesty uphold one principle: If you doubt a man, do not use him. If you use a man, do not doubt him.”

“Oh?” The Emperor’s interest was piqued. “Explain.”

“My meaning is simple. If Your Majesty and the ministers insist that I propose a solution, then whatever solution I present—no matter how shocking or unprecedented—must be implemented strictly and without compromise.”

Li An spoke firmly. “If I offer a plan, yet the ministers secretly obstruct it or comply only on the surface while defying it in practice, then even if I possessed heaven-reaching abilities, it would be useless. Should disaster result, my guilt would be minor—but the delay of state affairs, the loss of military opportunity at the frontier—that would be grave indeed!”

Wang Fu frowned.

The boy was truly cunning.

After a moment’s contemplation, the Emperor agreed.

“Very well! I promise you. So long as you can resolve the military funding crisis, whatever method you propose, I shall follow it. No one may obstruct you!”

“Many thanks, Your Majesty!”

Li An bowed deeply, his heart bursting with delight.

Success!

If you want a show, I’ll give you a grand one!

Great Qi lacks money?

Then I’ll give you the “fastest” way to get it.

A method that will truly send Great Qi’s national fortune plummeting.

He cast a furtive glance at the system panel.

【Notice: Host is about to propose a major policy recommendation】

【System scanning…】

Li An cleared his throat and declared loudly:

“Ministers, you all say the treasury is empty and there are no funds for military provisions. But I say this: the world has never lacked silver. What it lacks is a way to make silver flow into the treasury!”

“Oh?” The Emperor leaned forward slightly. “And what method do you suggest?”

Li An’s voice suddenly rose, resonant and decisive:

“The method is exceedingly simple. If the treasury lacks silver, then we must find a way to make silver come in willingly. Who has the most money in this world? The wealthy merchants, the great landlords! They lack nothing—save for one thing…”

“Official status!”

“Therefore, my proposal is—”

“Sell offices!”

“Each post priced accordingly. The higher the rank, the higher the price. Anyone may purchase one—as long as they have the money!”

Boom!

The moment the words left his mouth, the entire Golden Throne Hall exploded.

Ding!

【Congratulations, Host!】

【Proposed the shocking ‘Sale of Offices’ policy, shaking the foundation of Great Qi’s official system!】

【Court stunned, morale shaken!】

【Great Qi National Fortune -15】

【Current National Fortune: 88,079】

Watching the numbers drop on the glowing screen, Li An’s lips curved upward.

And this is only the beginning.

Once the policy is truly implemented, won’t Great Qi’s national fortune plummet straight into the abyss?

Heh…

This move is definitely a sure thing!

…

The instant Li An uttered the words “sell offices,” it was as though a thunderbolt had struck the Golden Throne Hall, plunging it into deathly silence.

Then came a tidal wave of furious denunciation from the ministers.

“Absurd! Utterly absurd!”

“This is the language of national ruin! This will destroy the very foundation of Great Qi!”

“Li An! His heart deserves execution! Deserves execution!”

Ding!

【The court erupts in outrage; opposition shakes ruler–minister relations!】

【Great Qi National Fortune -3】

【Current National Fortune: 88,076】

Li An rejoiced inwardly.

Another drop!

As expected, a rotten idea that strikes at the roots of governance packs a completely different punch.

Especially the Censors—each one red-faced and livid, looking as though they might leap forward and tear him apart on the spot.

“Your Majesty! This man is arrogant and rebellious! Yesterday he berated ruler and ministers alike; today he proposes a poisonous scheme of national ruin. Clearly, he harbors sinister intentions to disrupt the court!”

“I beseech Your Majesty to dismiss and investigate this madman immediately, to serve as a warning to others!”

Ding!

【The Censors request punishment for Li An; court order destabilized!】

【Great Qi National Fortune -2】

【Current National Fortune: 88,074】