Chapter 2: Empress Development Plan!
Lu Cheng’an cried.
When others transmigrate, their cheat abilities are one more outrageous than the other, one more macho than the other. They either tear through biochemical monsters or move the spirits to tears, captivating the entire world.
Why is it that he ended up like this?
On the fifth day of his transmigration, Lu Cheng’an had already become familiar with his new identity, a southern scholar from a humble background.
And he had also found his own cheat ability — the “Empress Development Plan”.
What’s going on? Before transmigrating, due to special circumstances, Lu Cheng’an had to work overtime for an extra day before his long vacation. Lu Cheng’an went crazy and played the “Empress Development Plan” all night. As a downtrodden office worker oppressed by life, unable to find a wife in real life, of course, he went into the game solely for the attractive illustrations of the girls inside.
Am I playing the game? No, I’m playing the illustrations! I’m playing the character development! Watching the characters in the game grow step by step, Lu Cheng’an became more and more satisfied.
However, after transmigrating, people came, and the game came too. But in such an era, what use was there for a game in his head?
The only noteworthy thing was that after transmigrating, the “Empress Development Plan” had updated with many new girls.
But it was still useless!
Saying this, Lu Cheng’an opened the “Empress Development Plan” in his mind. Generally, players play as protagonists who start as commoners. They can enter politics after excelling in imperial exams or become military generals by giving up the pen for the sword. The trajectory is either becoming a favored courtier or finding ways to increase their influence and status as powerbrokers. Of course, there’s also a gameplay where they sacrifice themselves as loyal ministers.
After transmigrating, for some reason, Lu Cheng’an felt that the difficulty of his game had increased. Even the temperament of the female lead was somewhat unpredictable.
For example, this time, he fancied the illustration of the eldest princess, Princess Han, and eagerly joined the Princess Han faction. But as a useless Princess Han, she couldn’t even squeeze into the core circle of succession. She was a complete puppet, with her influence in the capital so low that it was appalling. Not long after, she applied for an outlying fief and was banished to Le’an Prefecture as a feudal lord.
Regardless of the setup, the dignified eldest princess actually fell to the point of not even having the qualifications to compete for the throne, and even condescended to become a feudal lord, completely giving up on pursuing the throne. This showed the character’s weak foundation. Not having a political base in the capital was one thing, but not even having a powerful family to rely on was another.
With Princess Han being exiled, Lu Cheng’an had to crazily cultivate the land along with Princess Han.
After playing all night for several days, Le’an Prefecture had been well managed, completing the most basic poverty alleviation work and becoming a prosperous state in the Great Cheng dynasty.
The most crucial thing was that the control of Le’an Prefecture had gradually shifted from local officials to Lu Cheng’an and Princess Han.
Now, Lu Cheng’an’s basic policy is to accumulate food, stockpile population, build reputation, and wait for the opportunity to directly support Princess Han into the East Palace, and that’s it.
[In the 13th year of Zhengying, the fifth year since you followed Princess Han as a regional lord, the court sent an official to meet with you.]
[You were noticed by Princess Qin, and she dispatched you back to the capital for an official position.]
[Please choose—]
[1: A loyal minister does not serve two masters, sharply refuse Princess Qin’s attempt to win you over.]
[2: Flirt and seek favor with both sides to pursue a higher status.]
[3: Defect on the spot and be willing to serve as a vanguard for Princess Qin.]
Lu Cheng’an stared at the options, feeling truly fed up with this situation. He had been with Princess Han’s faction for five years, although in the real world, it was just five hours of issuing decrees and choosing options, but in the game, it had been five years.
Five years of desperately trying to cozy up to Princess Han. After all, among so many princesses, Princess Han’s appearance was his favorite.
You can’t refuse your first crush. Princess Han’s illustration was just too appealing. According to mobile game terms, Princess Han was his fetish card.
Trying to persuade me to defect? No way!
Princess Han, the best in the world.
Even though Princess Han was a powerless and pathetic princess in the capital, she was still Lu Cheng’an’s first choice, especially since he had worked so hard to develop her until now.
He had even developed feelings while farming the land. He had established his base, so why would he defect now?
Are you so powerful? Why don’t you just assassinate me?
Lu Cheng’an decisively chose option one.
This isn’t reality; in games, you can respawn after dying. If you’re afraid of dying in a game, then why even play?
Fear of death? Nonexistent.
With loyal courage and unwavering loyalty, he was a contemporary Yue Fei1.
That’s right, I’m Lu Cheng’an.
The scene changed, and a completely new scene appeared before him. Lu Cheng’an realized that the person in front of him was himself, completely identical.
In the game after transmigration, there was even this kind of effect, which truly surprised Lu Cheng’an.
At this moment, Lu Cheng’an appeared to have aged a bit, with a beard, but he still looked young, and the gentle Lu Cheng’an in the picture calmly said, “Please leave, as loyal ministers do not serve two masters since ancient times.”
“I am a well-known Princess Han faction.”
“There is absolutely no talk of switching to Princess Qin.”
With a slight smile, the other person said, “After next year, there will be no more Princess Han faction in the world. Mr. Lu, think carefully. Princess Qin values your talent, hence the opportunity today.”
With that, Lu Cheng’an left with a sweep of his sleeve.
The scene changed again.
[In the 14th year of Zhengying, Emperor Su Yiming passed away at the age of fifty-four, posthumously named “Enlightened, Just, Intelligent, Martial, Virtuous Emperor”, with the temple name Renzong, buried in the Emperor Sheng’s Mausoleum. Crown Prince Su Zhizheng succeeded to the throne.]
[In the winter of the 14th year of Zhengying, Princess Su Zhizheng ascended to the throne as the emperor’s second daughter, changing the reign title to Ji Yu.]
[In the first year of Ji Yu, Su Zhizheng implemented a policy of reducing the power of feudal lords. Princess Han, Su Yuzhou, to prove her innocence, set fire to the Princess Han Mansion and rode a white horse into the flames, following the late emperor.]
[You are extremely sorrowful. Please make a choice—]
[1: Land on the ground and follow Princess Qin. (Choosing this option will transform your allegiance to Princess Qin).]
[2: Rise up and stir up trouble. (Choosing this option means you will continue to exist mainly under Princess Han’s regime).]
[3: Ally with Jin and attack Qin, seeking a new master. (Choosing this option means you will join the Jin faction).]
“Damn it, they forced my waifu to death and now they want to persuade me? If I surrender, I’ll be nothing but a Wu Sangui, becoming his lackey.” Lu Cheng’an didn’t hesitate and directly chose the second option.
After all, it’s just a game; having fun is what matters most!
You killed my waifu so I’ll definitely take you on to the end.
[The following year, as the governor of Le’an Prefecture, Lu Cheng’an recruited local militia from Le’an Prefecture and rebelled against Qin, later committing suicide after the defeat of his forces, known as the ‘Han-Lu Rebellion’.]
“Damn, all this fuss over a piece of paper, and I lost? Crushed in rebellion? So I’m just a loser?” Lu Cheng’an complained.
“So that was the final warning,” Lu Cheng’an realized after seeing ‘defeated and killed’. “Mainly because I haven’t fully understood this version yet. I didn’t expect my first brush with death to be here.”
[After Lu Cheng’an’s death, due to the gratitude of the people of Le’an Prefecture for his clean and honest governance during his tenure, temples were erected in several places in the province in his honor.]
“I need to make a note of Princess Qin’s ascension. I got too immersed in farming, didn’t take precautions, and didn’t advance in military technology. It was a mistake.”
As he spoke, the screen quickly transitioned to the settlement interface.
[This time, your political career is rated: 55 points.]
[Lu Cheng’an]
[Character profile: Han ethnicity, courtesy name Qingzheng, native of Qiantang County, Hangzhou Prefecture, Zhejiang Province. (Held the position of governor of Le’an Prefecture), lifespan (1277-1306), key figure in the ‘Han-Lu Rebellion’, core official of the Princess Han faction.]
[Historical evaluation: Negative. (Han-Lu Rebellion: This was a period of internal turmoil in the struggle for imperial power, leading to numerous rebellions and uprisings, with four regional princes and their subordinates rebelling in succession, plunging the Great Sheng Dynasty into a weakened decade.)]
[Historical image: Source of chaos.]
Lu Cheng’an sighed for a few seconds.
“The winner takes all, huh?”
“Games are still games after all. Logically, with simulation-type cheats, shouldn’t I retain all the memories of this simulation when it’s settled?”
“But I got nothing.”
“Nevertheless, it’s quite fun.”
With that, Lu Cheng’an continued, rubbing his temples. “In that case, my cheat isn’t completely useless. At least I can kill some time in this poor era without internet.”
Suddenly, Lu Cheng’an became serious. “I remember there used to be visual content every time I made a choice. Why didn’t I look for a partner in there? If the other party has some background, I could use their family wealth to develop internal affairs and play the marriage alliance strategy.”
Lu Cheng’an actually didn’t have any weird ideas; he just wanted to use marriage alliances to solve the early economic problems. That’s what strategic planning is all about.
I’ve tried looting homes, so why not try marriage alliances?
If one aristocratic family isn’t enough economically, then try another.
But for now, let’s think about how to solve the first stage’s problems.
Supporting Princess Han’s ascension is definitely the most important task in the 14th year of Zhengying.
So Lu Cheng’an’s choice is—’Start again.’
After walking the path many times, there will eventually be a feasible route.
1. Yue Fei was a famous Chinese military general and national hero during the Song Dynasty (960–1279). He is celebrated for his loyalty, patriotism, and military prowess. Yue Fei led campaigns against the Jurchen Jin dynasty, which had invaded northern China, aiming to restore Chinese territory. His story is often depicted in literature, art, and popular culture as a symbol of loyalty and righteousness.
