Chapter Twelve: The Three... Year Pact!

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One option is to stubbornly resist; the other, to grovel submissively.
Which to choose?
Zhou Liang twitched the corner of his mouth:
“Neither seems very reliable…”
If he were an ordinary person without a system, stubbornly standing his ground might be a decent choice. After all, these people clearly intend to kill him; either way, death is certain, so why not die gloriously?
As the saying goes, even if a person is pretending, if they pretend their whole life, it becomes reality!
Although he was not truly a loyalist to the Ming dynasty, the loyalist persona was already established. If he really died fighting the remnants of the rebel forces, the Ming court would at least erect a monument in his honor. His deeds would be glorified in the history books; his family would receive financial and political support, and perhaps he would even be deified and worshipped in the city god temple...
In other words, this would be the conventional optimal solution: sacrifice oneself, gain both fame and fortune, a total win!
But he was not an ordinary man; he was a time traveler equipped with a simulation system. If he died in the simulation, he could simply restart. Why bother with fame and fortune behind him?
The important thing was to oppose the Ming! The important thing was to find a possibility of victory against the Ming through different simulation paths!
Therefore, normally, he should try to live as long as possible, so that his actions would have value...
“But the second option probably wouldn’t let simulated me survive either...”
Zhou Liang scratched his head:
Though groveling and surrendering might usually allow survival, the so-called “Li Laiheng” currently had openly vowed to kill him. With his life as a mere witness, to sacrifice it to honor Emperor Yongchang’s spirit in heaven...
Honestly, this groveling seemed useless!
Zhou Liang was not optimistic about this option.
However, the simulation had to continue, so after hesitating for a long while, Zhou Liang gritted his teeth:
“Whatever! Let’s just try it first!”
“Choose option B!”

【You choose option B, your knees suddenly soften, and you slide to the ground in a groveling kneel! You plead tearfully to Lord Chuang, claiming you were forced into this, that those ridiculous writings were not written by you but were instead pre-prepared by your masters, Deputy Ding and Scholar Xue, to use as a front to deceive the magistrate and steal fame... Basically, you’re innocent. You’re just a child; how could you have written such flattering nonsense? Please, Lord Chuang, you must believe me!】
【You sob uncontrollably on the spot, while the elders exchange bewildered glances!】
【You cry and “expose” the false propaganda on your own body: “Rebels... Lord Chuang, your insight is keen! That nonsense article wasn’t written by me. I’m just a naive child who could never write such sycophantic words!”】
【“It was all Sun Xiaochuan—pah! No, it was Masters Ding and Xue who wrote it, trying to promote a child star to cheat for the magistrate’s reward!”】
【“Even my status as a scholar is fake! I never passed the exam; it was the county magistrate who bribed his way to get me through... They are the real culprits, corrupt officials all!”】
【“Me? Weak, pitiful, and helpless me—just a tool. So please, Lord Chuang, treat me like a fart and spare me; I won’t dare again...”】
【Everyone: ...】
【While you cry without any semblance of a literary persona, Li Laiheng’s expression first shows shock, then his face darkens unpredictably, his eyes burning with boundless fury...】
Spicy!
Zhou Liang rubbed his forehead:
To a hardened killer bent on murder, begging for mercy only enrages them more!

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The simulated “Zhou Liang” was, after all, a novice, not someone like the original Zhou Liang who had lived through over fifty years of Ming dynasty turmoil. When facing life-or-death crises, he was still too naive.
Just like last time, when he insisted on a meaningless report out of passion, though understandable, it didn’t help advance the plot.
If the original Zhou Liang faced Li Laiheng’s murderous intent, though he would inevitably be killed to honor Li Zicheng, he would at least temper his protest to avoid appearing too weak—so as not to be underestimated—and die with some dignity.
But the simulated “Zhou Liang” didn’t understand this: he knelt and wept with snot and tears, losing all backbone and dignity... This time, he was probably going to die very disgracefully.
Yet, the course of events is always unpredictable...
【You definitely saw Li Laiheng’s twisted expression and felt a sudden jolt in your heart, then belatedly realized: Did I overdo it...?】
【Overdo it? No! The force was just right!】
【At that moment, the old man opposite suddenly grabbed you off the ground! You were startled, both by his action and his strength!】
【Though you’re only four years old, you are well-nourished and boosted by brutal divine strength, so you’re actually quite heavy. Even your prime-aged father couldn’t lift you in one scoop, yet this unremarkable old man managed it! And it seems he hadn’t even used his full strength...】
【If he is still so strong in old age, imagine how formidable he was in his youth! Could he really be the so-called “Great Grandson Li,” Li Laiheng?】
【You began to wonder...】
【The old man, apparently Li Laiheng, suddenly abandoned his anger and twisted expression, speaking in a strangely gentle tone.】
【“Child, you have been wronged.”】
【His coarse hand gently patted your head as he sighed deeply, as if pouring all his rage and sorrow into that powerless sigh...】
【You stared blankly at him, confused why the ferocious old man who just shouted for your death suddenly transformed into a kindly grandfather?】
【Li Laiheng sighed: “I said, there’s no way a four-year-old child could top the scholar exams! It must be those beasts looking for scapegoats to make money! And that damned article that ruined the reputation of Lord Chuang...”】
【“Child, you have been wronged.”】
【You: ...】
【He... he believed you?! He believed you!】
Zhou Liang: ?
“What the heck?!”
Zhou Liang was dumbfounded; he never expected this turn of events... No, how could he believe it? Such nonsense shirking responsibility shouldn’t be believable to anyone!
Yet upon reflection, it made some sense:
“I think I overcomplicated things. I was so focused on backbone and dignity that I forgot a child doesn’t need to consider those things...”
Zhou Liang’s previous thoughts were entirely from his seasoned perspective, so he valued literary integrity and wanted to die with dignity.
But... does a four-year-old kid really need to think about such things?
Obviously not! Because age itself is his greatest weapon!
A four-year-old child facing a group of fierce villains—being scared is normal. On the contrary, if you act as composed and mature as a worldly adult, and pursue integrity, that would be downright strange...
Moreover, a prodigy who topped the scholar exam at four years old was simply unbelievable!
It was more credible to say he cheated or bribed his way through, rather than truly passing!
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And that old scholar’s sycophantic article? No way a four-year-old wrote that...
“So, the other me accidentally got it right: the more I shirk responsibility, the more Li Laiheng believes me...”
Zhou Liang was speechless:
After always aiming at the wild goose, he was finally pecked blind by the goose. His seasoned perspective was too heavy; the novice’s casual improvisation was more effective...
“But this whole strategy only worked because of Li Laiheng himself!”
Li Laiheng was born lowly, grew up following Li Zicheng and Li Guo as they were chased by Ming soldiers, and in a sense, grew up alongside the rebel army.
The rebel army, as a peasant uprising with some discipline and ideals, was not without flaws, but it treated the common people far better than the Ming or Qing armies—two feudal aristocratic monstrosities. There was truly a close bond between the army and the people.
So if this man was really Li Laiheng, it’s understandable he would feel pity and sympathy for a common child turned a tool of corrupt officials to seek profit...
“So, does this mean I’m exploiting his sympathy?”
Zhou Liang shook his head:
Who cares? Survive first, worry about everything else later...
【Li Laiheng’s attitude shift left you baffled, unsure what just happened.】
【But opportunity waits for no one, so you couldn’t help but shed tears, pretending to be a victim of injustice and oppression...】
【Seeing this, Li Laiheng sighed again: “Child, I know this isn’t your fault, but... Lord Chuang’s honorable name must not be tarnished! No matter what, you must pay the price!”】
【You, weeping and begging for sympathy, froze instantly...】
【“Besides, you know of our existence. For the safety of our Dazhou remnants, I can’t simply let you go!”】
【Damn!】
【Hearing this, you couldn’t help but sigh sadly: it seems death is inevitable after all...】
【“But you’re still a child, so I won’t kill you...”】
【He solemnly said: “So I offer you a kind of life that isn’t truly a life!”】
【“Next year’s provincial exam, you must find a way to pass as a successful candidate, and then, during the banquet held by the Shaanxi provincial governor, you must assassinate him on the spot!”】
【“If you carry out the assassination, success or failure, I will consider my demand fulfilled... Though I cannot save your life, I can protect your parents and family, so you need not worry.”】
【“But if you refuse...”】
【...】
【Ding! Faced with Li Laiheng’s impossible “one-year pact,” you must choose:】
【A: Agree—“I, Liang Piaoling, have wandered half my life regretting not meeting a true lord. If you do not abandon me, I am willing to serve faithfully!”】
【B: Refuse—“I, a proud man born under heaven, cannot endure a life of subjugation!”】
...
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