I Became an Officer in an Empire with an Inevitable Defeat. In an empire where the mandatory service period is 8 years, the only way to escape is through dishonorable discharge. However… ‘You can be happy, Second Lieutenant. Thanks to your intuition being spot on, our army was able to prevent the damage in advance.’ The more I struggled to get discharged, the higher my performance evaluations became.

Lu Cheng’an wakes up to find himself transported into a different world where he is compelled to participate in a game called “The Empress Raising Plan”. In this virtual realm, he assumes the role of a scholar wrongly accused of cheating in the imperial examinations. Despite returning home, he realizes the game persists within his mind. Frustrated by being coerced into playing, Lu Cheng’an questions, “What? You’re really telling me to play the game even though I’ve been isekai-ed?” Nevertheless, he reluctantly decides to proceed, selecting the most captivating character, the Princess Han, to embody. At the same time, Su Yuzhou, the Han Princess, stared blankly at a suddenly appearing game interface, and started to navigate the simulated operation with the help of novice guidance. As Lu Cheng’an advances through the game, he achieves numerous milestones such as “The Princess of Han Ascends the Throne,” “Enlightenment at Dragon’s Field,” and “Prime Minister in Brocade Clothes.” He nears completion of the ultimate objective: marrying off the Princess of Han. However, just as he anticipates completing the game and advancing with his “waifu,” he is abducted by the residents of the Jin Palace. Confounded, Lu Cheng’an exclaims, “Wait, is this game actually real?” (Tn: If you enjoyed “I Am A Corrupt Official, Yet They Say I Am A Loyal Minister!”, you might also like this novel.)

During the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang received multiple reports that Li Fan, the county magistrate of Fengyang, was extorting excessive taxes and living off the state while the people suffered. This top scholar, personally appointed by the emperor, had his integrity questioned, prompting Zhu Yuanzhang to investigate personally. Li Fan was accused of blocking roads to collect tolls, arbitrarily imposing harsh taxes, paying lip service while disobeying imperial orders, inventing excuses, and extorting excessive taxes. Tax collection had become so excessive that it felt like it had continued into the year 2050. The people of the Ming Dynasty had become impoverished, raising concerns about their ability to live well. Zhu Yuanzhang: Today we will execute this treacherous official Li Fan. I doubt the Ming Dynasty can last two thousand years with such corruption. Empress Ma: Li Fan is a crucial minister of the state! Ensuring the continuity of the Ming Dynasty for two thousand years! Zhu Biao: Father, Li Fan only collects taxes from the wealthy, allowing the common people to live in peace and prosperity! Zhu Di: Father, Li Fan helped me defeat the Franks and said we should collect taxes for five thousand years first!