So, Translator's reviews.

Honestly, I really like this series. It reminds me a lot of series like Release that Witch and Genjitsushugisha no Oukokukaizouki. Albeit not until like chapter 40 or 50. (I'm going to be mentioning RTW a lot in this review)

The title may be a bit misleading, the book is more focused on kingdom building than actual battles. However, that's not to say there are none. Much like Release that Witch, the battles are spread out and have some moderate build-up. Which is nice.

As much as I like... more>> RTW, the one complaint I have is that the battles are so stinking short. In this novel, it gets a bit better but it still lasts only several chapters. Which is to be expected in any novel with a technological gap between armies.

Being that this is a historical series, there will be a lot of domestic affairs. Not so much politics but quite a bit of explaining by the author.

Btw, this series has a direct sequel that is still ongoing. <<less

Very close to Release the Witch (RTW), also the pace and writing style is like Tales of the Reincarnated Lord (TORL, and now The Black Iron's Glory) author.

It is half story and half history book. There are a lot historoic/reality imprecision (the author confess that he isnt an historian and most of his knowledge is from the internet/wikipedia), but on all it is a good story, if you searching for a more realistic plot and world building.

Be warned not to stress out about MC knowledge. He is a wikipedia super... more>> ultra genius, I am not exaggerating. He knows the history and family tree of all rulers (eastern Europe on 1500 had more than 100 independent states), he knows the position and composition of all mines in the world of every mineral, he knows the population and geography of the whole world, his knowledge of technology is incredibly deep, he is a chemistry master, and a lot more! And he has no dreamworld like RTW MC... The author of KOM has no qualms on hindering MC knowledge.

Epilogue (continuation) : I would give 5/5 for the story, but 2/5 for the author morale.

There is a +1k chapters of the continuation of this story on the internet, mostly on Chinese sites.

Also, be prepared on chapter 600ish and on to read a lot of racism (telling blacks have low IQ) and discrimination against japanese. The author says he isnt racist, but I am pretty sure he is and he definitely hates japanese people. The MC is a sociopath, doesnt care for his vassals and people being robed and hungry for his strategy to work, doesnt care for his wife reputation and helping decreasing it, uses and disposes some people, no problem assassinating nobles and poisoning kings...

The author adds some fiction like DNA bone-blood exam, ice cream is bad for pregnancy, medicine that completely remove risk of new pregnancy, some other miracle drugs that can cure diseases... (Remember that it is a realistic story still on 16th century, at that time there wasnt these type of things). <<less

Story is nice, I read ahead and found that the pace is good. So far, there's no heavy conflict, to where I was left off, he's gone back to his family's fief to temporary stay there as he waits for the Emperor to conscript mercenaries. While he's at it, he tried to improve his family's way of living, consequently introducing money-making stuffs. I look forward to his future exploits since I expect him to turn out more or slightly less like RTW's MC.

PS: Translator-sama!!!!! Please update this story!!!!!

This review is based off of this and its sequel.

Pros

• • Kingdom building, political and army battles using strategies; fun stuff

• • Has Industrialization!

• • It has a sequel where it left off at chapter 350

Cons

• • Slow paced at times; often I would skip a few chapters if it's going too slow

• • Protagonist knows too much

Other thoughts

• • Again, Protagonist knows too much! He knows map coordinates of resources of both America and Europe, knows how to fight in his previous life, knows how to counterfeit, knows strategy and tactics, knows American and European history extremely well (Including what islands are famous for resources), and knows and remembers chemistry and metallurgy, such as getting zinc and certain alloys, even after a decade since he got there.

• • Protagonist is not a "good" person. In fact, he commits many atrocities, and would not hesitate to kill innocent families if they get in the way, but there is a general line where he draws at. However, I do think he uses castration as the solution for many problems is a bit too much.

• • Industrialization is too slow! Steam engines gets built courtesy of handing it off to Da Vinci, but he hasn't publicly nor privately used yet for any production tasks or in creating better technology via precision machining (lathe, etc), even after 500 chapters into the sequel. While it's fine he's repressing technology because he's afraid of other countries getting a hold of it, he shouldn't stop development just because he's waiting for resources and instead should focus for his own private development.

• • His army upgrades are also slow. Yes, he got matchlocks while everyone else are still knights, and got flintlocks as well, but those are special troops and are generally not used due to repressing his technology advantage. He also uses Napoleonic-style cannons, which is technically still a large upgrade compared to those wooden seats of medieval cannons. I kind of want him to be 2 steps ahead technologically, but its only half-granted due to him not investing as much into research
  • He actually has a steel mill, but he tends to focus on making armor rather than using it for more tech development usages.

• • There are moments where I feel like the protagonist is drunk despite not drinking, due to out of character actions, but those moments are rare.

Its a good read.

But the thing is the MC knows WAAAAAAAY too much, racist (and says he is not), ruthless, and does everything to achieve his goals even if its inhumane.

too much propaganda bulls**t on this one also.

If you want something to read just to pass time then this one is suitable for that.

Another Chinese who can't stop proclaiming his hate for Japan and desire to cozy up to China despite how interest may differ. Forget about ruthlessness and being power hungry willing to do anything, it seems the Chinese are have limited stimuli response when the issues of Japan and China is brought, truly it amazed me how strong CCP is able to brainwash people.

In my opinion this novel and its sequel are one of the best back to the past kingdom building novels and the only aspect that takes it off the top is the racist side and “China number 01” which is common in Chinese novels but this one takes it to the extreme.

It is a slow novel, but for those who like the subject, this is not a negative thing and the period chosen to situate the novel 1500 is a very interesting period because it deals with the discovery of... more>> the Americas and the politics behind it.

in general, apart from the negative part I mentioned above, a great novel. I would like to see similar novels and books. <<less