Chapter 1: The Easiest Job He Ever Took

Luo Che had been told the assignment was simple: attend one court session dressed as the Grand Strategist, nod intelligently, say nothing controversial, and collect his fee. The Grand Strategist had died quietly the previous week and his family needed three months to manage the succession — they simply needed someone to maintain the illusion until the paperwork cleared. Luo Che had excellent cheekbones, a passable imitation of the old man's handwriting, and absolutely no understanding of military strategy. He had said yes because the fee was excellent and had then said nothing for an entire court session while the emperor outlined a border crisis of moderate complexity. The emperor had interpreted his silence as deep contemplative wisdom and promoted him.