From the Start in the Northern Song, Exiled with a Gold Brand on My Face That Became a Jade Seal

In the second year of the Xuanhe era, in Bianjing. The moment retired reconnaissance soldier Lu Zheng opened his eyes, a branding needle was being driven into his cheek: "Sentenced to hard labor in the Zhen Ding prison camp!"

The escorting guards had taken bribes to make sure he died on the road. The camp warden had prepared a hundred punishment rods, and six years later, the Jin cavalry would trample this greatest city under heaven to dust.

The two humiliating lines of golden characters branded on his face began to shine in the blood: read people's hearts, survey the land, rise from a convict's brand to a marshal's seal, a prince's seal, and at last the Imperial Seal of the Realm.

"A condemned soldier like you dares talk about ruling the realm?"

"Then watch how a condemned soldier takes the dragon throne."

This novel and its characters are entirely fictional. Any resemblance is purely coincidental. Do not imitate.