My Roommate Picked the Weak Nation's Prime Minister and Regretted It

Lin Mo and Chen Hao, two modern college students, accidentally crossed over together to a fictional ancient realm. Leveraging their contemporary knowledge, they earned nationwide fame as the "Sleeping Dragon and Young Phoenix," a title for peerless geniuses. Envoys were sent simultaneously from powerful State Zhu and feeble State Zhao, both inviting the pair to serve as their prime minister. In their past life, Chen Hao chose State Zhu, forcing Lin Mo to take up office in impoverished State Zhao. Though militarily weak, State Zhao was rich in coal, iron, and other industrial resources. Lin Mo survived countless life-or-death crises—a suspicious monarch, corrupt officials, northern border famines, and barbarian invasions. Using modern knowledge, he steered State Zhao into the steam age and decisively defeated State Zhu in war. Chen Hao was taken prisoner. Out of old roommate loyalty, Lin Mo treated him with kindness, only to be stabbed to death by Chen Hao, consumed by bitter jealousy.