Chapter 11

Li Kuan ran to his small courtyard, his feet barely touching the ground. He could swear that since he had been transported to this era, he had never moved so fast. Along the way, the servants bowed to him. Normally, he would stop, smile, and nod in return. But now, he had no time for such things.

Back in his room, he gave orders, “No matter what happens, don’t disturb me!” Then he slammed the door shut.

“System, are you still there?” Li Kuan asked cautiously, afraid that a loud voice might scare away this golden opportunity.

“The host can ask directly. This system does not have an AI program, so there’s no need to flatter!” A cold, mechanical voice echoed in Li Kuan’s mind.

“If you don’t have an AI program and still know flattery, imagine how monstrous you’d be with one!” Li Kuan thought to himself.

“Only when the energy is fully saturated can the system develop an AI program. Currently, the system’s energy is less than one ten-thousandth. Only basic level exchanges are possible. For advanced exchanges, the host must quickly find other energy sources! Additionally, due to the energy absorption causing suspicion among the locals, the system will activate a restriction program. Please check everything as soon as possible.” The cold voice continued without emotion.

“So, can you tell me what the system can do?” Li Kuan began to ask his questions.

“The host finds energy sources, absorbs energy, and gains energy points. Then, through the system, the host can exchange for items or skills, which will appear in the host’s mind. The host can also specify items to exchange, consuming energy points accordingly.” The system answered briefly.

“Can I exchange for anything?” Li Kuan wondered if everything could be exchanged.

“Due to the activation of the restriction program, exchanges are limited, and not everything can be exchanged.” The system’s voice was flat, cold like ice that never melts.

“What? What’s going on?” Li Kuan lamented. If everything could be exchanged, he could get those sci-fi super gene repair liquids, supercomputers, super weapons, and super mechs, and conquer the world, declaring, “Our goal is the stars and the sea!” But now, it seemed that dream was shattered.

“Because the host’s current time and space have low productivity, items and technologies that disrupt the balance are restricted. The host cannot exchange for high-tech products.” The system remained cold, like that cold swordsman: long ago, there was a swordsman whose sword was cold, his heart was cold, and he was cold, and in the end, he was frozen to death!

“Indeed! Are there any other restrictions besides high-tech?” Li Kuan guessed that things weren’t that simple and there must be more conditions!

“Due to the energy absorption causing suspicion among the locals, the following conditions apply: First, the system will not absorb energy in front of the locals. Second, energy sources not owned by the host will not be absorbed. Third, for energy sources underground, the system will only absorb those that have been mined, not directly from the ground, to avoid causing collapse and harm to the locals!” A series of restrictions made Li Kuan feel a chill.

But with these conditions, Li Kuan would have to buy the land to absorb the energy. Was he supposed to become the largest landowner in the Tang Dynasty?

“Are there any other restrictions? Please tell me all at once!” Li Kuan, though feeling cold, knew it wasn’t over.

“The host cannot exchange for items that exceed the current social productivity by fifty years, cannot exchange items in front of people, and must not reveal the system’s existence in any way! The host must not use the system’s convenience to harm the locals’ lives and property!” The system listed the conditions, and Li Kuan’s heart sank deeper.

“What kind of system is this? Who is the host here? Why are you protecting the locals’ lives and property? What’s going on? Isn’t the system supposed to help me, a穿越者 (穿越者 means '穿越者', a person who has been transported to another era)?” Li Kuan roared in his mind, feeling exploited.

“The host must comply, or the system has the right to punish the host with an energy cleansing!” The system’s cold response included a threatening term—punishment.

“You win, respected system. I promise not to threaten the locals’ legitimate interests, OK?” Li Kuan, a typical petty citizen, couldn’t change his nature easily. He was quick to yield but still grumbled in his mind: You call yourself a super exchange system? You should be called a local protection system.

“System, how is ownership determined? Do I have to buy everything?” Li Kuan understood the other conditions but was still unsure about ownership.

“Under normal circumstances, the host must obtain ownership through monetary transactions or direct mining.” The system answered.

“Are there any special cases?” Li Kuan asked, hoping for some leeway.

“Yes, there are special cases. For example, during a war, the host can absorb energy sources in enemy territory without restrictions. If the energy source was obtained by the current owner through illegal means, the host can absorb fifty percent of the energy.” The system explained.

“That’s much better!” Li Kuan felt relieved. He had already planned to absorb the oil fields near the Red Sea, which were largely ignored in this era. The oil fields were large and shallow, perfect for the system. The second condition also gave him the thrill of outsmarting others.

“System, how many energy points did we get from the coal we absorbed earlier?” With the big picture clear, Li Kuan started to care about the recent gains.

“From the absorption of five hundred kilograms of low-energy coal, the host gained fifty energy points.” The system’s voice came through.

“Fifty points, so ten kilograms of coal equals one energy point. If I find a coal mine, won’t the energy flow in?” Li Kuan smiled, thinking of the good times ahead.

“Fifty energy points can exchange for a fifty-year-old ginseng root.” The system scanned Li Kuan’s body and suggested what he needed.

“What? Fifty points for a fifty-year-old ginseng root? That’s a mistake, right? A fifty-year-old ginseng root can only support body conditioning for three days, so I need five thousand kilograms of coal a month, five tons a month, sixty tons a year. At the current mining level, without machinery, how much can be mined in a year? Can the system help me calculate?” Li Kuan suddenly felt the weight of his task.

“After calculation, if the host owns a coal mine and employs three hundred local workers, about one hundred tons of coal can be mined in a year. After deducting the coal needed for body conditioning, forty tons remain. At a market price of fifteen coins per kilogram, the host can earn six hundred thousand coins. After paying the workers and additional rewards, the host can profit two hundred thousand coins, equivalent to two hundred silver taels!” The system, perhaps flattered by Li Kuan, acted as a calculator.

“Two hundred silver taels a year, a bit more than my monthly salary at the Qin王府 (Qin Wang Fu, the Qin Prince’s residence).” Li Kuan, a minor official at the Qin Prince’s residence, earned fifteen silver taels a month, totaling one hundred eighty taels a year.

“In this era, productivity is extremely low, and the risk of mining accidents is high. The host must be prepared for compensation!” Just as Li Kuan was feeling optimistic, the system poured cold water on his enthusiasm.

“Do I have to subsidize it? And buying the land for the coal mine also costs money!” Li Kuan realized he had a long way to go. As a saying from the future goes, the revolution is not yet complete, and comrades must continue to strive.

“I need to get some money from my cheap old father when he returns. Otherwise, I won’t even have the initial capital!” Li Kuan decided to target Li Er, whom he had previously feared due to his lack of confidence in facing the future emperor. But now, with the system as his golden leg, he was fearless.

“The system has answered the host’s questions. If there are no other matters, the system will enter sleep mode to save energy.” The system’s voice interrupted Li Kuan’s thoughts.

“System, besides a fifty-year-old ginseng root, what else can I exchange with my fifty energy points?” Li Kuan quickly stopped the system from going to sleep.

“What does the host need? Ginseng can be exchanged for a fifty-year-old root. For other items, the host can search on their own.” The system sounded arrogant, annoyed by the interruption.

“Is there a skill to change the voice?” Li Kuan thought for a moment, his brows furrowed in determination.

“Yes, there is a basic voice-changing skill. It requires thirty energy points and can alter the sound of the voice.” The system answered.

“Thirty points, what else can I get with the remaining twenty points?” Li Kuan rubbed his temples lightly, a habit he had when thinking.