I Want to Be Emperor.

Summary

In a society where merchants are viewed as lowly and detrimental, the Confucian and Legalist factions advocate for their eradication, while the Huang-Lao faction tolerates them only if they obey the law. The power of merchants is weak, overshadowed by landlords who once thrived but now face challenges from industrious peasants shifting towards workshops. Liu Che, the emperor, aims to reform the workshop system, emphasizing compliance with legal standards while introducing a piece-rate wage system. This strategy is designed to redirect capitalist exploitation outward, alleviating social tensions and ensuring workers are treated more humanely, albeit still under the threat of severe consequences for non-compliance.

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