Carefree Little County Magistrate

Li Mu is a transmigrator who arrived in the impoverished and famine-stricken Shangyang County during the Daxia Empire. After purchasing his position as county magistrate with money earned from business, he implemented modern governance techniques, transforming the desolate border town into a prosperous hub with advanced infrastructure, public transportation, and regulated commerce. Meanwhile, Empress Xia Xuanmiao, who seized the throne through a military coup, conducts an incognito inspection tour of the northern circuits to investigate widespread corruption and neglect. Upon arriving at Shangyang County, she encounters a stark contrast to other regions: well-paved roads, strict traffic laws, and a bustling economy, all overseen by the seemingly corrupt but efficient Magistrate Li Mu.

Xia Xuanmiao, accompanied by her loyal maid Si Qin and imperial guard Xue Zhiyun, is initially shocked by the heavy tolls and strict regulations, perceiving them as signs of brazen corruption. However, she discovers that the county operates with public buses, traffic signals, and a sophisticated legal system. Her worldview is further challenged when she spends a fortune on luxury items like pocket watches and stays at an opulent inn, all of which are investments controlled by Li Mu. The Empress records these observations, intending to use them as evidence against Li Mu upon her return to the capital, viewing him as a cunning official who exploits laws to enrich himself while maintaining a facade of prosperity.

The core conflict escalates when Cheng Dazhuang, the county captain and Li Mu’s former bandit associate, mistakes Xia Xuanmiao for a local beauty and attempts to abduct her to serve as Li Mu’s wife. This misunderstanding leads to a confrontation in a gambling den, where Xue Zhiyun fights off the county guards. Li Mu intervenes, initially sentencing Xia Xuanmiao to exile but then releasing her after Cheng Dazhuang points out her beauty. Li Mu hosts a banquet for the Empress and her entourage, during which he explains his governance philosophy: he extracts wealth from outsiders and merchants to fund public works and bribe superiors, ensuring the local populace remains tax-free and prosperous. He argues that this method protects the common people from the predations of higher-ranking officials.

During the banquet, Li Mu reveals shocking rumors about the Empress, claiming she is a lesbian, which infuriates Xia Xuanmiao. Despite her anger, she is compelled to acknowledge the effectiveness of his rule, as Shangyang County thrives while the rest of the northern region suffers. The narrative highlights the tension between Li Mu’s unorthodox, morally ambiguous methods and the traditional expectations of imperial governance. As Xia Xuanmiao continues her investigation, she finds herself increasingly confused by Li Mu’s dual nature as both a corrupt official and a benevolent ruler. The story sets the stage for a deeper political struggle, with Li Mu’s modern innovations and independent power base posing a potential threat to the central authority of the Daxia Empire.

Key turning points include the Empress’s realization that Shangyang County’s wealth comes from external sources rather than local exploitation, and her encounter with high-ranking nobles like Duke Wang Jiang, who are already familiar with and supportive of Li Mu. These interactions suggest that Li Mu’s influence extends beyond his county, potentially reaching the highest levels of the court. The narrative concludes with Xia Xuanmiao still undercover, trying to reconcile her role as the ruler of Daxia with the undeniable success of Li Mu’s governance, while Li Mu remains unaware of her true identity, continuing to operate his county with a mix of modern pragmatism and traditional authority.