Chapter 1: Starting Off Bankrupt?

"Young Master, Young Master, wake up!"

His head felt like it was splitting, his whole body aching.

Two anxious female voices rang out beside his ears.

Liu Zheng struggled to open his eyes. Where am I?

An antique-style bedroom, screens and furniture carved with dragons and phoenixes, the floor covered in top-grade Persian carpets.

Apricot blossoms adorned the spring curtains, the Eight Treasures table displayed auspicious patterns, precious calligraphy and paintings hung on the walls, and the rosewood carved cabinets were filled with all sorts of top-tier jade and antique treasures.

He himself was lying on a luxurious bed called "Peaceful Night Dream," and a distinct aura of overwhelming wealth rushed toward him.

"What kind of suite is this?"

Liu Zheng remembered he was still working overtime. As a 996 corporate slave in the twenty-first century, after seven days and seven nights of continuous overtime, he finally felt like he was going to die from overwork.

And then...

"The Young Master is awake! Someone come quickly!"

A young girl beside him was ecstatic.

Boom!

A massive amount of information flooded his brain, and Liu Zheng instantly understood what was going on.

He had transmigrated into a dynasty called the "Longyan Dynasty." In this life, he was also named Liu Zheng, born in Liangzhou. His father was the richest man in Liangzhou, Liu Dahao.

The history of this world before the Three Kingdoms was the same as the historical trajectory Liu Zheng was familiar with. But it changed in the late Three Kingdoms period; after the Wei replaced the Han house, it was quickly destroyed by the Xie Clan of the Longyan Dynasty, followed by all sorts of historical chaos. This continued for a thousand years until today, the present-day Longyan Dynasty.

And Liu Zheng, as the only son of Liu Dahao, had been pampered since childhood, living in luxury, spending money like water, and becoming a notorious playboy. After Liu Dahao donated a million silver taels to buy him the title of "Liu Township Marquis," he began to commit all sorts of evils, coming up with new ways to cause trouble every day, leading to a foul reputation. Wherever he went, it was chaos, and children would stop crying in fear.

In short, this Liu Zheng was a good-for-nothing spendthrift!

"What a sin! To not cherish such a good life!"

Liu Zheng beat his chest and stamped his feet.

Isn't this just a textbook rich second generation?

The reason he had transmigrated and taken over this body was because this ancient Liu Zheng had gotten drunk at the Liangzhou Poetry Society, was egged on by a group of playboys, made a complete fool of himself, and finally, in a suicidal move, reached out to touch Chen Ruoshi, the daughter of the Prefect!

How could this be tolerated?

The Prefect's daughter's servants were burly men who beat Liu Zheng until he was bloody and bruised, causing him to pass out on the spot.

It didn't matter that he passed out; Liu Zheng had arrived.

"Young Master, be careful..."

Seeing Liu Zheng get up, four maidservants came up cautiously, one supporting Liu Zheng's back, one holding his feet, and the other two supporting his arms respectively. For a moment, the four beauties were soft and fragrant, their skin smooth, the scent of young girls assaulting his senses; Liu Zheng felt as if he were in a dream.

"Young Master, are you thirsty?"

"Young Master, be careful!"

Once Liu Zheng sat up, a maidservant had already brought over red date and white fungus soup, carefully feeding it to him with an exquisite silver spoon.

One fanned him, one wiped his sweat and massaged his legs, one fed him soup, and one peeled fruit.

A life like an immortal!

Liu Zheng looked satisfied, his heart already filled with wild joy. In his past life, he was a 996 corporate slave, even dying from overwork because of it. Was Heaven compensating him this time?

Starting off as a super rich second generation—it couldn't be more dreamlike.

"The Master is here!"

At this moment, someone called out respectfully.

The other maidservants stopped what they were doing and stood quietly to the side.

In a flurry of activity, a big fat man ran in.

Liu Zheng also stood up, not having spoken yet.

The fat man had already grabbed him in a hug, tears flowing uncontrollably: "My poor son, to suffer such physical pain at such a young age; this old thief of the Chen Family is truly hateful!"

Liu Zheng was startled: "Father, watch your words, that is the Prefect!"

Compared to the Prefect Chen Ping, who was a legitimate PhD graduate, Liu Dahao's Township Marquis title was purely a correspondence diploma. In this era of official-rank supremacy, the greatest taboo was class distinction and insubordination. Those who were convicted for their words were not few.

"Father, don't be sad. At worst, Zheng will not act so recklessly in the future."

Liu Zheng said hurriedly.

Liu Dahao sighed: "What saddens me is not that my son is reckless, commits crimes, is unrighteous, and does all kinds of evil... these are my son's true nature; it is rare to persist in one's nature, and I am gratified!"

Liu Zheng was held tightly by this obese body, almost unable to breathe, his face turning black. Is this praising me or scolding me?

"Then Father, you..."

Liu Dahao said indignantly: "Son, I fear that our days of luxury and splendor, where white jade and pearls are but flowers, will have to be put on hold for now! Because of your actions yesterday, that old thief Chen will not let it go. This time, I fear..."

Liu Zheng was stunned.

What is this situation?

Liu Dahao was just about to explain.

At this time, a commotion arose in the courtyard, and Liu Zheng pushed Liu Dahao aside and trotted out. In the courtyard, many Garrison soldiers were aggressive, shouting and ordering people around, and the people of the Liu Family were crying in panic.

"Where is the Liu Township Marquis?"

"By the Prefect's order, you are to produce a million in grain and money within today to meet the needs of the war at the front! Because of the Liu Township Marquis's account deficit, we have come to help you sell off your family assets! Your noble son's heinous crimes that anger both gods and men can then be dealt with at our discretion."

"The Township Marquis title is temporarily retained, pending a decision on his future conduct!"

The Captain read the order with a cold face, and the entire Liu Family was in mourning, holding their heads and crying.

Liu Zheng stood messy in the wind.

What does this mean? A half-hour trial card for a rich second generation?

Can I transmigrate back?

I thought the start was a dream, but now it seems the start is bankruptcy?

One million silver!

Some time ago, Liu Dahao had just taken out more than half of his family assets to buy a hereditary Liu Township Marquis title, which had severely drained his resources. But in order to secure a future for his son, Liu Dahao was willing to go all out.

Today, another million?

If he didn't sell off his family assets, where else could he scrape it together?

The Liu Mansion covered over a dozen acres, designed in the style of Suzhou and Hangzhou gardens, with rockeries, flowing water, pavilions, kiosks, white marble bridges, and winding, rugged bluestone paths—it was magnificent.

In ordinary times, this was a residence others could only envy, the number one luxury mansion in Liangzhou.

But now.

This Liu Mansion was in a state of chaos; the Liangzhou soldiers were charging about, showing no care for these treasures.

"A pair of blue and white porcelain vases from the previous dynasty!"

"A pair of fine sandalwood carved cabinets!"

"A Hetian jade mythical beast ornament!"

"A scroll of 'Ink Orchid Pavilion', an authentic work!"

The Captain was keeping the ledger.

"Everyone be careful! These are now the property of my Luo Family. Liu Township Marquis, I thank you in advance!"

"This painting belongs to my Wang Family!"

As the family assets were sold off, many wealthy merchants from Liangzhou flocked over to pick up bargains; these items were all sold at half price. Every time one was announced, Liu Zheng and Liu Dahao both shuddered.

Money!

As the saying goes, it is easy to go from frugality to luxury, but difficult to go from luxury to frugality!

Liu Zheng had only just enjoyed a moment of luxury, so it wasn't that hard for him, but today everything was caused by "himself," so how could he not feel guilty?

"Father..."

Liu Zheng wanted to offer a few words of comfort.

Who would have thought that Liu Dahao would instead comfort him first: "My son, do not blame yourself. Aren't these just worldly possessions? As for making money, for your father, it's as easy as turning over one's hand!"

He lowered his voice: "Rest assured, my son. I know you aren't used to a life of hardship, so I have left you a backup plan!"

"What backup plan?"

Liu Zheng's eyes lit up. Could it be that there was a glimmer of hope after all?

Liu Dahao tremblingly pulled a money bag out of his trousers and, taking advantage of the fact that no one was looking, stuffed it into Liu Zheng's hand, saying: "Even if we sell everything in our house, it won't be enough to reach a million taels, so let them scramble for it! They can't possibly seize my manor too; that old thief would be going too far! I was worried that you, Zheng, wouldn't have money to squander... er, wouldn't have money to get by. I've secretly hidden five hundred taels of silver for you. Spend it sparingly, Zheng. Give your father half a month, and I will surely rise again and return as the richest man in Liangzhou. By then, you can continue your lavish spending. Since I gave birth to you and raised you, I must ensure you live a life without worry!"

"Father..."

The corner of Liu Zheng's mouth twitched, but his eyes grew hot.

Regardless of whether these values were correct, Liu Dahao's love for his son was plain for all to see.

A thousand thoughts flashed through Liu Zheng's mind.

Longyan Dynasty, Liu Township Marquis, title, richest man...

Because of his own misdeeds, was the title currently in a state of "probation"?

In this era, the status of a title was indeed more important than money!

He must first find a Method to keep the title!

Liu Zheng took a deep breath and asked Liu Dahao: "Father, what does the Prefect Chen like most in his daily life?"

Liu Dahao looked at his son strangely, then his expression changed: "Don't you go causing trouble, Zheng. I call him an old thief because he relies on me for money. He won't give you even half a shred of face!"

"Father, just tell me."

Liu Zheng said.

Liu Dahao said: "The literary atmosphere in the Longyan Dynasty is very strong, and this old man Chen Ping naturally loves poetry and prose the most. That's right, wasn't that Poetry Gathering in Liangzhou his creation? Your act of urinating after getting drunk was quite in your father's style, hahahaha!"

Liu Zheng wiped the black lines off his face.

A Poetry Gathering?

In his memory, the Poetry Gathering would last for seven days and was an annual grand event in Liangzhou.

Now that three days had passed, he still had a chance!

"Xi'er, help me change!"

Liu Zheng said indifferently.

He called out a few times, but there was no response. Only then did he realize that he was no longer the son of a wealthy family, but a pauper. That maid had also been treated as "property" and handed over to others.

He changed into a scholar's outfit himself, put on a square cap, and held a folding fan in his hand.

In the bronze mirror, a fair-faced scholar appeared.

Liu Dahao blinked: "Zheng, what are you..."

"Father, shall we go to the Poetry Gathering to observe?"

Liu Zheng opened his folding fan, looking infinitely dashing.

Liu Dahao's expression changed drastically: "Zheng, don't you dare cause trouble. If you cause more trouble, your father's title will be gone! Fine, fine, you may only observe, you must not cause trouble, and you must not drink alcohol, understood?"

Unable to withstand Liu Zheng's aggrieved look, Liu Dahao could only agree, but setting ground rules was a must.

Neither of them had a Horse Carriage anymore, so they walked out.

Along the way, Liu Zheng also took the opportunity to observe everything about this world. Liangzhou was in the Northwest, with barren land and a harsh climate. But this had forged a tough folk character and strong combat capability. Liangzhou bordered the desert and had produced fierce horses since ancient times; its Cavalry was famous throughout the world.

The only thing that made Liu Zheng shake his head was that Liangzhou was truly too barren!

Here, crop yields were mostly poor, and the people struggled to get by.

On the streets, most people were gray-faced, gaunt, and dressed in rags. By the standards of a modern person like Liu Zheng, these people were no better off than beggars.

"Longyan Dynasty, I have arrived..."

But no matter what, Liu Zheng was living a second life, and a surge of heroic spirit rose in his chest.

He opened his folding fan, looking dashing and debonair.

Yet he had been snubbed at the Liangzhou Poetry Society.

"You again? Does your family not have a latrine?"

"The scoundrels of the Liu Family are here, close the gates and release the dogs!"

"Beat them out with clubs!"

Seeing the father and son, several servants immediately brandished their clubs, looking murderous.