Volume 1, Chapter 3: I Shall Rebel

The moment Li Jize’s soul transmigrated into this world, he was thrust into the heart of court intrigue. Between the collision and fusion of memories from two lifetimes, his mind was left in a daze, causing him to appear foolish and simple-minded. Unexpectedly, this "idiocy" became his salvation, thanks to the well-meaning intervention of his father-in-law, Imperial Physician Wang.

Now, after the initial mental chaos subsided, Li Jize fully integrated the original body’s memories and realized that his prospects were dire. He possessed no "system" and no "ancient master in a ring." His only assets were the knowledge and memories of a 21st-century military engineering Ph.D. from another world.

Of course, he also had a fiancée who spent every waking moment plotting his demise: the ultimate superior, the Empress herself. He had a father whose blind loyalty prioritized family interests over his own son’s life. And he was surrounded by a group of incompetent allies—ministers who, ignoring the stability of the empire, were obsessed with their own partisan infighting.

In the Great Qi dynasty, the northern barbarians were poised for invasion, while internal natural disasters and uprisings plagued the land. Yet, in this precarious situation, the Empress had chosen to "slaughter the donkey after the millstone was put away," disposing of the Prince of Qin, Li Jize.

Why? Did she believe that because she held the military power, she was a better commander than the General of the Heavenly Strategy? Or did she think she could hold the empire together without him? The transmigrator Li Jize found this woman’s erratic behavior incomprehensible. Even more absurdly, based on a fabricated dream, the Empress wanted him dead, the ministers wanted him dead, and even his own father wanted him dead!

Good grief! Was there not a single "decent human" around him?

What made it even more ridiculous was that, under such circumstances, his predecessor had actually managed to fight against the heavens, the earth, and the barbarians, saving the nation, the people, and the Empress herself. He really was... it brought tears to his eyes! And yet, the "Yue Fei" of Great Qi met a truly tragic end, ordered by his own lover to be exposed to the sun for three days, branded a "scourge of the nation" and a "monster." One could only imagine the agony he felt in his final moments.

Li Jize, from another time and space, resolved that in this life, saving the Great Qi? Saving the Empress? To hell with that!

Since the Empress claimed to have dreamt that Li Jize was a monster destined to rebel, the transmigrator Li Jize decided it was time to teach this woman a lesson. If she wanted a monster, he would give her one. A corrupt, feudal dynasty ruled by such a selfish, short-sighted woman belonged in the dustbin of history.

Of course, rebellion was neither a dinner party nor an essay; it could not be summoned on a whim. Li Jize knew well that while he had avoided immediate disaster by playing the fool, countless eyes were undoubtedly watching his every move in the shadows. They would invent crimes if they had to, just to see him dead. Any suspicious behavior would likely trigger an immediate order from the Empress to eradicate him.

No rush. Take it slow; there was plenty of time. Empress, we shall see who has the last laugh!

...

The Li family served as the cornerstone of the Great Qi dynasty; strictly speaking, they were the empire’s "meritorious nobility." Since the ancestor Li Xiang followed the founding Emperor of Great Qi to victory and was enfeoffed as a Great General, the family had remained loyal to every sovereign, serving as the "absolutely trusted" inner circle. By Li Jize’s generation, this imperial favor had reached its zenith. The late Emperor had not only betrothed a princess to him but also allowed him to lead an army, establishing the legendary "Northern Liang Wolf Cavalry." This force was the only one capable of standing against the barbarian horsemen.

Alas, prosperity leads to decline; things turn when they reach their extreme. When Li Jize reached the pinnacle of favor and power, he inevitably invited the Emperor’s suspicion. When there were no more titles to bestow upon him, his fate was sealed.

Outside the Li manor, a line of family members stood watching the road. At the head was the matriarch, clutching a dragon-headed staff. Despite her white hair, she remained spirited. Yet, she seemed troubled today, remarking to the women beside her, "Suqiu, Anran, I don’t know why, but my eyelid has been twitching incessantly. I fear something is about to happen to our family."

Huang Suqiu, dressed in plain clothes with simple wooden hairpins, shook her head with a smile. "Mother, that cannot be. Our family has enjoyed imperial favor for generations, and Jize is the Empress’s betrothed! In Great Qi, we are the ones others fear; who would dare provoke us?"

The matriarch’s face softened at the mention of her grandson. Beside her, the extravagantly dressed and opulent Chen Anran spoke with a sour, insincere tone. "That’s not necessarily true, sister. I’ve heard rumors in the city that a 'monster' is set to be born in Great Qi, one who will destroy the empire and bring war to the world!"

Huang Suqiu turned, glaring fiercely at her. "Shut your mouth! You are but a concubine; is it your place to speak here?"

Chen Anran pouted in disdain, but the matriarch grew anxious. "What is this about a monster?"

Before Chen Anran could answer, Huang Suqiu interrupted, "Mother, it is all nonsense! In this peaceful world, where could such a monster come from?"

The matriarch nodded, reassured. "True. My grandson is the Great General of the Heavenly Strategy. With him here, what monster could possibly stir up trouble in Great Qi?"

Just as the two women were exchanging these sentiments, the concubine Chen Anran suddenly blurted out, "But the monster is Li Jize!"

What? The matriarch turned to her, stunned. "Jize is the monster? Where did you hear such a thing?"

Chen Anran, intimidated by Huang Suqiu’s glare, shrank back. "It’s... it’s the talk of the town. It was the Empress’s dream!"

"Silence!" Huang Suqiu snapped, but before she could act, a loud thud echoed from behind. They turned to find the matriarch reeling, nearly collapsing. As the others rushed to support her, the matriarch gripped Huang Suqiu’s hand tightly, her voice trembling. "The Li family has been loyal for generations. If the Emperor wants a subject to die, he must die! If Li Jize is to bring catastrophe to Great Qi, does that not mean... does that not mean the Li family is to rebel?"

"That cannot be!" Huang Suqiu cried, shaking her head. "Jize is a man of deep concern for the nation—he is the Empress’s betrothed! How could he rebel?"

"He is no longer her betrothed!"

A harsh, abrupt voice cut through the air. The group turned to see the head of the house, Li Jin, riding up on his horse, his face ashen and cold.