The morning sun rose lazily from the horizon, casting its golden light over the still-sleepy county of Yucheng — a humble patch of land tucked away some fifty miles southeast of the majestic capital, Chang'an.
Morning dew shimmered on the rice paddies. Smoke rose from village hearths, spiraling into the crisp air. The sound of roosters crowing and farmers shouting at lazy oxen painted a familiar picture of rural Tang Dynasty life.
On a small hill overlooking the fields, Yang Xu stood with his hands folded behind his back.
His face was youthful — only ten years old — but there was a strange calmness in his eyes. A dignified gaze, full of authority and contemplation. He looked like a small noble child at first glance, but behind those bright eyes was the soul of a modern Chinese engineering and political expert… a man who had once died from overwork while pushing the limits of quantum computing.
This world, now, belonged to him.
"This is my kingdom now," Yang Xu muttered, surveying the modest landscape below.
"A county sealed from the outside world for ten years… Not a bad deal for the start."
A faint translucent interface hovered in his field of vision, like a Heads-Up Display straight out of a sci-fi game.
[Novice Protection Period: 10 Years Remaining][No foreign entities can enter or leave without Host's permission.][Main Mission: Develop Urban Infrastructure. Raise Population Happiness. Unlock Gifts. Path to Immortality Available.]
Yang Xu smirked.
"Classic system setup. Just like those novels I used to read during bathroom breaks."
Behind him, a figure approached quietly.
It was Uncle Fu — a thin, long-bearded steward with a hunched back and a cautious expression. He had served the "noble" Yang family for years, though Yang Xu knew better. His new identity as the son of a minor noble was just a convenient cover cooked up by the System to explain his sudden appearance.
"Youth Master," Uncle Fu said respectfully, bowing low. "The villagers have gathered in the square. They await your words regarding the irrigation repairs."
Yang Xu turned slightly, his expression calm.
"Let's go then. Time to play county lord."
As he made his way down the stone path, villagers bowed to him one after another.
Some of them were surprised. The young master, once sickly and silent, now walked with the bearing of a seasoned scholar. More importantly, he spoke with the confidence of someone who knew things even the Emperor might not comprehend.
"Uncle Wang!" Yang Xu called out, spotting the burly head farmer near the square.
"How many of your men are ready to work today?"
The old farmer stepped forward, chest out like a soldier answering a general.
"Reporting to Young Master — twenty-eight men strong! Just say the word, and we'll rebuild that irrigation faster than a hungry ox chasing turnips!"
Laughter rippled through the villagers.
Yang Xu nodded with a faint smile.
"Good. We'll be installing a basic sluice gate system first — something that regulates water flow using gravity and angle. I'll explain the details later. For now, let's mark the terrain."
He waved his hand.
Several boys came running forward, carrying a strange bamboo contraption — one of Yang Xu's early inventions since awakening. It looked like a surveying level cobbled together from curved mirrors, string weights, and bamboo supports.
A primitive but functional tool.
"From now on," he announced, voice firm, "we'll work smart, not just hard."
The crowd grew quiet as they watched him move about, marking spots, measuring inclines, and muttering strange phrases like "gradient slope" and "water pressure."
Whispers began to ripple through the villagers.
"Did… did he just say 'pipe pressure'?"
"What kind of rice has he been eating? He's suddenly a genius!"
"I bet he's been possessed by the spirit of Lu Ban!"
Yang Xu heard the murmurs and let out a small laugh.
"Not Lu Ban," he said over his shoulder, "but close."