The Framed Tool-Man General 01

"You're saying I've been chosen? That I need to go change some unreasonable worlds?" Fang Zhiyi pointed at his own face, his gaze fixed intently on the writhing, indistinct creature before him.

"Correct. Please prepare yourself, Host. We will now begin the first mission," the pitch-black mass rasped in a hoarse voice.

"Hey, hey—wait! What do you mean ‘begin’? I haven’t even started writing today’s chapter yet—you—!" Fang Zhiyi’s vision went dark.

"Host, please note: Your initial score is five points. If you fail to complete the mission, five points will be deducted. When your score reaches zero, you will die and become nourishment for the Overgod."

"What kind of tyrannical clause is that?!"

"General! A letter from home!" A soldier clad in armor rushed in.

Before Fang Zhiyi could regain his bearings, a sharp pain shot through his mind, followed by a flood of memories.

Fang Zhiyi, the Northern Garrison General of the Xia Kingdom. His father had fought for the kingdom for many years, earning the title of Duke of Dingyuan from the emperor. As his father grew older, Fang Zhiyi took up the mantle, succeeding him as general—capable in both skill and appearance.

But the ensuing plot was utterly bewildering.

The Fang family commanded hundreds of thousands of border troops, constantly guarding against the barbarian tribes beyond the frontier. As a result, Fang Zhiyi could only return home once or twice in three years. With the emperor’s health deteriorating, the princes began vying for the throne—and it was then that Liu Guxia appeared.

She was the youngest daughter of the Minister of War. After nearly drowning and surviving a severe illness, her temperament changed drastically. Not only did she frequently disguise herself as a man to roam outside, she even opened a shop in the marketplace. During one of his rare visits home, Fang Zhiyi encountered her on the street and was instantly captivated. A girl with such a bold, unyielding personality was a rare sight.

For many days afterward, Fang Zhiyi acted as if possessed, seeking out Liu Guxia daily. They discussed everything from poetry to philosophy, and her unconventional perspectives left him deeply impressed.

His father urged him to return to the northern border—the capital was in turmoil, with the princes rallying factions. The Fang family had no desire to take sides, so retreating north was the safest option.

Just as Fang Zhiyi was about to leave, Liu Guxia came to him, declaring outright that the Second Prince would surely seize the throne and urging Fang Zhiyi to support him. Fang Zhiyi refused—choosing sides was dangerous, and his father had always warned against involving the family in political struggles.

Liu Guxia lectured him on grand ideals—"equality for all," "eternal legacy"—but Fang Zhiyi barely registered her words, too distracted by how endearing she looked with her hands on her hips.

Though he didn’t agree, just as he was about to cross into the northern territories, Liu Guxia appeared again—still disguised as a man. Fang Zhiyi was stunned; it was incredibly dangerous for a woman to travel so far alone.

That night, Liu Guxia brought wine and chatted with him, subtly praising the Second Prince as a wise ruler. Drunk, she even threw herself onto Fang Zhiyi, forcing him to hold her through the night.

The next morning, he arranged for her safe return to the capital.

Two months later, a letter arrived from Liu Guxia—a love confession, declaring that she could think of nothing but him since their parting. Unaccustomed to such bold affection, Fang Zhiyi was utterly smitten. He pledged his full support for her endeavors and promised to propose upon his next return.

With the Fang family’s backing, the Second Prince swiftly consolidated power. When the old emperor died, he ascended the throne. Fang Zhiyi returned to the capital, but Liu Guxia insisted they delay their marriage out of respect for the late emperor. Fang Zhiyi admired her propriety, growing even fonder of her.

Back in the north, he received word of his father’s death—along with rumors of his own alleged treason, which the new emperor suppressed. Liu Guxia wrote again, asking him to stay in the capital to be closer to her.

Without hesitation, Fang Zhiyi decided to return—to mourn his father, voluntarily surrender his military authority, and seek the emperor’s blessing for their marriage.

But upon arriving, he discovered his father’s death was suspicious. Investigation revealed poison—administered by his father’s concubine, though the evidence had been destroyed. The concubine’s family had close ties to the new emperor, leaving Fang Zhiyi powerless.

Surrendering his military command went smoothly, and the emperor granted him a new post—but then he saw Liu Guxia nestled in the emperor’s arms. His world shattered.

From then on, Fang Zhiyi resolved to become a power-hungry minister. He schemed, formed factions, and orchestrated the execution of his father’s murderers. But when he turned his vengeance toward the emperor for stealing his beloved, he realized his every move had been manipulated—the emperor had used him to eliminate dissenters.

Feeling utterly played, Fang Zhiyi prepared for a final, desperate strike—until Liu Guxia stopped him.

"Next life, I’ll marry you. This life… can you just be my brother?" Liu Guxia pleaded, her hands resting on her seven-month pregnant belly.

His heart softened. The emperor promised leniency if he stood down, so Fang Zhiyi left in despair—only for the emperor to betray him, leaking his whereabouts to his enemies. He died in obscurity.

"Ridiculous!" Fang Zhiyi slammed the table after absorbing the memories, startling the soldier before him.

"Leave the letter and go." The soldier obeyed hastily.

"What kind of joke is this? What kind of tool was this guy? System—hey! That woman was a transmigrator, wasn’t she?"

The twisted creature materialized slowly. "Yes."

"So what do I do now?"

"Host, your task is to guide this character toward a better ending. The original soul regrets abandoning revenge and failing to detect the emperor’s spies. Given another chance, he would overthrow the emperor and claim the throne."

"Got it. Dismissed."

The creature hesitated before vanishing.

Fang Zhiyi opened the letter—confirming his father’s death.

"Dammit, I’m too late. That bastard Second Prince is already emperor." He paced, hands behind his back. "And now rumors of my treason? That’s the emperor’s doing—forcing me to return and surrender my army."

"Wait—the army!" He snapped his fingers. "Men!"

Two soldiers entered. "General."

"How many troops do we have?"

Puzzled but obedient, they answered, "Over half a million infantry and cavalry, sir."

The twisted creature reappeared. "Host… what are you planning?" The soldiers seemed oblivious to its presence.

"Summon all the military commanders for me!" The two personal guards were somewhat puzzled but still turned and left.

"What can I do? There are people in the court slandering me." Fang Zhiyi slumped into a chair.

"So?" The system seemed confused.

"I need to clear my name!"

The system appeared to understand: "If you want to clear your name, I can provide 24-hour surveillance on key figures for just one credit. I can also warn you in advance about who plans to move against you, so you can prepare—also one credit."

Fang Zhiyi stared at it. "Too expensive. No thanks."

"Host, are you planning to rely on wit alone to navigate court intrigue? That’s extremely difficult."

"I have hundreds of thousands of troops at my command. Why would I bother with petty scheming?" Fang Zhiyi spread his hands.

The system paused. "Host… are you planning to march your army into the capital?"

Fang Zhiyi nodded. "A loyal general like me, and yet someone dares to spread lies about me? What does that mean? It means there are traitors in the court! We must purge the evil around the emperor—it’s necessary!"

"Host, please calm down. The original owner of this body was a man of principle and sentiment..."

"Exactly! I am principled and sentimental! And I have half a million soldiers under my command—meaning over half a million families depend on me! Isn’t that proof enough of my virtue?"

The system whirred rapidly as it processed this.

"Host, your actions seem to be confirming the rumors as true."

"Nonsense! Just wait until I enter the capital—then see if those rumors hold up!"

"Host, please think rationally. Your beloved and your family are still in the capital."

Fang Zhiyi clapped his hands. "Ah, right! You mean that transmigrated woman who tricked the original host into being her pawn? And those who plotted against my father?"

The system fell completely silent. This person’s actions were nothing like what it had anticipated! According to the usual plot, he should return to the capital, gather strength, forge alliances, and then overthrow the current emperor in one decisive move!

"Enough chatter. Focus on completing the mission."

"Host..."

"Dismissed! Dismissed!"