Ji Province, Guangping County, Zhang Family Residence in the East City.
"Steward Wu, it's been three days, and Young Master is still unconscious. What should we do?"
A young girl dressed as a maid looked anxiously at the young man on the bed and said to a fifty-year-old man beside her.
The old man was wearing simple cloth clothes and had graying hair and beard. He appeared to be the steward of the residence.
"Alas, the Master just passed away, and now the Young Master has been... Could it be that Heaven truly intends to destroy our Zhang Family?"
The young man on the bed was named Zhang Chen, the only son of the Zhang Family's Master. He had just come of age a few months ago, with the courtesy name Zifan.
A few days ago, he was injured by some beggars. By the time Steward Wu arrived, he was already unconscious. The doctor said that if he didn't wake up in the next few days, he might never wake up.
The Master was already gone. If something happened to the Young Master, the Zhang Family would truly be finished.
The Steward sighed deeply, his eyes filled with worry.
At this moment, Zhang Chen was in a daze, feeling only darkness before his eyes.
My head hurts so much...
Zhang Chen used all his strength, and a sliver of light finally appeared before his eyes.
"Young Master... Young Master is awake! Steward Wu, Young Master is awake!"
The scene before his eyes gradually became clear. What came into view was a young girl of fourteen or fifteen, with eyes full of concern. But why was she dressed like that?
"Young Master, Young Master!" Call after call came from his ears, causing Zhang Chen to feel a bit confused for a moment.
Young Master? What Young Master?
He glanced around with his peripheral vision and saw that the furnishings and decor in the room were all ancient and lacked any modern feel. If someone didn't know, they might think they were on the set of a historical drama.
Where is this? How did I get here? Shouldn't I be working overtime at the company?
Just after taking a call from the boss and being severely scolded, then... it seemed like my head hurt, followed by everything going black, and I collapsed at my workstation...
In an instant, another wave of dizziness hit, and some memories that weren't his own flooded into his mind like a tide.
Eastern Han Dynasty, the second year of Zhongping, Guangping County, Zhang Family, Zhang Chen, Zhang Zifan...
...
I... transmigrated?
Zhang Chen looked at the maid in front of him, and a name suddenly flashed in his mind.
"Ping'er..."
"Young Master! That's great, you're finally awake, you scared Ping'er to death!" The maid said, tears welling up instantly.
Zhang Chen propped himself up to sit, and Steward Wu quickly went forward to help him.
Zhang Chen closed his eyes, sorting through the jumbled memories in his mind.
The Zhang Family had been merchants for generations. Although they weren't extremely wealthy, the family assets accumulated over several generations made them a prominent wealthy family in Guangping County.
Zhang Chen lost his mother at a young age. A few months ago, his father went out on a business trip and encountered bandits on the way back. Not only were his belongings looted, but he was also killed by the mountain bandits.
Thus, the newly come-of-age Zhang Chen naturally became the head of the Zhang Family. But he was only sixteen and had never been involved in business matters. How could he manage everything at once?
Within a few months, the accounts were a mess, and creditors constantly came to demand payment. Out of necessity, he had to sell off land and dismiss servants. The once large Zhang Family was on the verge of decline.
That day, as he was walking, three or five beggars approached him for alms. In the past, whenever he saw them, he would always kindly give them something, but now that the family had declined, he had no extra money to spare and simply walked away.
Unexpectedly, these beggars who had previously received his alms became enraged when they saw he no longer gave them money and struck him from behind with a blunt object.
Just like that, Zhang Chen's soul transmigrated into his body.
The original owner's situation could truly be described as a difficult life.
Wait, it's... the second year of Zhongping? Zhongping... Emperor Ling's reign title! This is the late Eastern Han Dynasty!
A chaotic era, the Three Kingdoms standing in opposition. Zhang Chen from his previous life was well-versed in history and particularly familiar with the Three Kingdoms. He never expected that by some twist of fate, he would end up in this era!
An era where heroes emerged in large numbers and vied for dominance over the world!
But why did his soul transmigrate into the body of a merchant's son?
"Scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants." Merchants were the most looked down upon in this era. Although they were 【Loaded with Wealth】, they were everywhere scorned and mocked for being tainted with the smell of copper.
This era placed great importance on background. As a mere merchant, how could he recruit talented individuals from all over the world and achieve dominance in the future?
Moreover, he was just a down-and-out merchant!
This is truly a hellish start!
"Buzz—" Suddenly, a ringing in his ears made Zhang Chen instinctively cover his head.
In his ear, an ethereal voice sounded.
【Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully integrating the God-level Trait System!】
Sys... System?!
That's right, it's the essential cheat for transmigrators!
A wave of joy surged in Zhang Chen's heart, and he eagerly asked, "System, quickly tell me your function!"
【Ding! This system is a Trait System. Everyone in this world possesses exclusive traits, which correspond to different attributes or abilities. This system allows the host to possess the abilities to view, plunder, merge, and upgrade traits, thereby enhancing the host's strength and helping the host achieve dominance!】
【Trait levels from low to high are: White, Green, Blue, Purple, Gold, Red. Higher-level traits provide more powerful attribute bonuses, but are also more difficult to plunder.】
【The system's current level is 1, granting the host the abilities of 'Insight Eye' and 'Hand of Plunder'. The host can view and plunder traits carried by others. Obtaining traits will also grant Plunder Value, which can be used to upgrade the system level.】
【Current Plunder Value required for system upgrade: 1500 points. Upgrading the system to level 2 will unlock the function: Trait Fusion. Merging identical traits can increase the trait level and enhance the trait effect.】
With the System's help, Zhang Chen finally felt a bit more at ease. However, what was the use of these traits?
As Zhang Chen was pondering to himself, the System's voice sounded again in his ear.
【Given that the host is from another world and does not possess traits, to ensure the host's smooth growth, this system specially presents a 'Novice Gift Pack'. The host can choose one from the following traits as the initial trait.】
Along with the voice, more than a dozen card-like objects appeared before Zhang Chen's eyes.
"Not bad, there's even a Novice Gift Pack!" Zhang Chen looked at them one by one. "Let's get a red one, or a gold one is also fine, hehe! Eh? This..."
Looking at the cards before him, Zhang Chen couldn't help but be greatly disappointed. Except for one blue and two green, the rest were white.
Alas, it seems the dream of hitting it big with one draw is shattered. Let's face reality. Starting with a blue trait is not bad either.
Zhang Chen casually chose the blue trait: "This one then."
【Congratulations to the host for obtaining the blue trait 'Superhuman Strength'. If the host needs anything, they can summon this system at any time. Wishing the host great martial prowess and early achievement of dominance!】
As the voice fell, the scene before his eyes instantly disappeared, and Zhang Chen slowly opened his eyes.
Beside him, Ping'er's concerned voice came: "Young Master, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell again?"
"I'm fine," Zhang Chen said, secretly activating 'Insight Eye' to check the trait he had just obtained.
【Superhuman Strength (Blue)】: You are very strong, more than enough to deal with ordinary martial artists. (Attribute Bonus: Strength is greatly increased)
So that's how it is! If that's the case, those famous historical generals must have traits with extraordinary abilities. If I plunder them, how could I not achieve dominance!
Since fate has arranged for me to transmigrate here, I absolutely cannot be an ordinary person!
Zhang Chen was full of confidence at this moment.
Just then, a commotion suddenly came from outside the main gate.
"Zhang Chen, get your ass out here! You have to pay back the money today. If you dare say half a 'no', I'll tear down your house!"
"Get out!"
"Come out quickly!"