Read to chapter 155 then skimmed to the end. The first half of the novel was pretty entertaining, but went really down hill after chapter 120 or so.

As a warning, the main couples first time is absolutely non consensual and their second time is a little bit dub con, but everything after is lovey dovey.

MC was okay, I usually love a gong MC, but he wasn't anything special. A little bit shameless and rouge like which led to some laughs.

ML is absolutely just a prop of a character after like... more>> chapter 20-30. Once he quickly falls for MC he gets regulated to random superficial appearances. Wanted more about him.

Their romance is meh to be honest. The ML believed and fell for the MC too quickly. At least it wasn't a slow burn.

I did like the MC trying to be more forward thinking about a women/gers place he tried to introduce his ideas everywhere, but not exactly force them on others. His ideas about education was enlightening, saying there are good points in both Western and Eastern styles.

Then the author ruined it all with the overly patriotic China is the best and westerners are horrible rhetoric and the MC being so accepting and brutal to s*aves. The idea that China was upright as merchants and were good their s*aves while westerners were horrible to s*aves and where trying to scam everyone made me laugh. Let's be real, everyone s**ked during that time period.

The part that really bothered me was that the MC had no qualms about owning s*aves and literally let the kids from the school bully and pick on some of them. Granted those s*aves weren't good people, but allowing 10 year olds to bully them was distasteful. The whole last part of the book just ruined it for me.

The last bit is all about

Spoiler

the imperial examination, you know the one that he wasn't going to do. Well he does and of course wins first place. MC then does something I absolutely hate on these books, he creates gun powder and explosives. I wish the novel had kept away from the capital and the political nonsense, just focused on education reform.

Also since when is English a derivative of Latin? Apparently he can learn the "barbarian" language quickly because they speak Latin and he knows English. Like I get Latin did have some influence on English, however, it is a derivative of Germanic.

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Really good from beginning to end. I really liked how he developed the experimental territory to test and perfect new ideas. An almost perfect ending. However, I only found one extra set back in the future. All the MC's hard work had become a lost dynasty... I really want to read the rest of them extras. Does anyone know where they can be found?

I really appreciated the MCs relationship with his children. He is an indulgent father. I have read too many novels where the author thinks that it is... more>> sexy to be overbearingly jealous of everyone around his lover, even his own kids. How s*upid is it to resent your own kids! <<less

A strong take on the genre. The largest point of contention, the r*pe, is over very quickly in the early chapters.

This novel does a surprising number of things right. There is nationalism and discrimination but it is kept to an acceptable level. I suspect this Dayi country is near the current Mediterranean, thanks to some details in the extras and the many interactions with foreign tribes called 'nanyang'. They appear quite often in the story and are the greatest target of discrimination (excluding the very obvious initial gender discrimination). I suspect these so called barbarians to be the fallen Roman Empire and/or the future Italy. This is also important for a big reveal near the end of the story. The other aspects of the story I appreciate are in the little details and the good ending. An example I find particularly amusing is a single sentence that heavily implies that a side character fakes his neglected wife's death to grant her a happy reverse harem life. Her real ending is never mentioned again and really easy to miss but I love that the author still arranged such an interesting ending for a minor character who is just a product of her times. She is not a good or bad person, just originally doomed to an unhappy marriage since she could not accept not being favored by her husband despite agreeing to everything on the surface.

The second largest point of contention is definitively the s*avery. It comes up a lot and the main character participates so do not read if you cannot handle the topic. At worst he even brands some s*aves with his surname on their face, a practice common in Da Yi for the lowest and most permanent form of s*avery.

Well worth a read. The story itself may not be exceptional or groundbreaking by any means, but it is well developed. The small details reveal enough world building that I could probably locate the fictional da yi on a real map if I wanted.

4.5/5

It's a slice of life with the MC slowly gaining power. My only issue with it is that the MC "taking examinations" plot wasn't a huge part of the story ... more>>

Spoiler

Rather it was his students until the latter half

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and it was mainly about the MC supporting the family through building businesses, mending relationships and spreading literacy through schools. I enjoyed the business and infrastructure building very much, but do wish there was more focus on his officialdom.

Other than that, it's a pretty smooth journey and without much drama since the MC can settle problems quickly. It's well written and I really like how mature and endearing MC is. The relationships portrayed are so wholesome no matter if it's with his parents, husband, disciples, friends and I love how others respected him for being himself. <<less

The story is very good. I like how the story progressed from a stall owner to an official. Also I really like this because it has no or less hate on women in it. Noticed lots of bl always has most women as hateful. In this novel though is that the MC helped to improve the status of women and gers.

Good world builidng✅️

Plot ✅️

Romance ✅️

This novel is a good slice-of-life novel. It focuses on Lin Zhe as he builds his business, takes exams, and takes care of his family, just like the title suggests.

There isn't much conflict in the story, and if any arises, it is easily resolved by the overpowered main character. While it may not be the best novel I've read with a similar world building, it still has its own merits.

One of its strengths is that not all the female characters are depicted as 'jealous, s*upid, or shrewd.'

... more>>

Spoiler

The MC's sister is given some screen time for her own love story, which I like.

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Another aspect that I particularly love is the side couple,

Lu Sheng and Guo Zhian (both the disciples of the MC). I have been rooting for them ever since they were introduced together and I was thrilled when they ended up together. (Although it's a bit obvious that they'll be together). It just that it's rare to see a novel featuring two men who can't give birth in a same-s*x relationship when there's a Ger available (the men who can give birth).

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Lastly, in the extras you'll also be able. To know what happen to the original "Lin Zhe"

Overall, it was an enjoyable read. <<less

Loved it, and enjoyed the extras a lot! It did not feel rushed at all, there was good progression with the plot. Though there is political intrigue it does not cause angst but rather there is a funny turn to it. No tragedies, or unscrupulous villains. The extras help bring closure to a lot of the main characters too. Highly recommend!

I really enjoyed reading this ❤️ A very heart-warming slice of life. The story basically revolves around the MC (gong) and how he became strong from weak.

Although he was already a strong person when he was in his past self, but his new body is really pitiful and stupd. The original body is really stpd and I hate how he physically abused the ML (shou) before the MC transmigrated.

But yeah, MC will solve everything and will pamper his newly acquire waifu!

A very Doting Gong. A loving ... more>>

Spoiler

father

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. A wise merchant. A scholar. Our boi can really do lots of things! A man in history, if I may say.

I also love the ML (shou). He is so adorable! Supportive waifu! And a loving

Spoiler

daddy

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. Our ML is also not something you can bully. With the help of our MC, he will grow stronger and wiser as well that no one will not take him seriously.

Anyway, I recommend this to people who wants to read light-hearted romance. No complicated plot. Who wants the Gong to pamper his Shou. And

Spoiler

babies!

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This may not be perfect novel but it brought me joy while reading it so I will still rate it as 🎉 5.0 🎉 <<less