Li Ke, Prince of Shu, is sent to Yangzhou to sweep the tomb of Emperor Yang, only to become entangled in the struggle among various factions for the emperor's treasure. Li Ke is gravely wounded, and his body is taken over by Feng Zhaowen, a soul from a later age. Li Ke's birth mother, Consort Yang, was never granted the title of princess during the Sui dynasty and holds little status in Emperor Taizong's harem. It turns out this is connected to the mystery of her origins. As Li Ke investigates, he discovers that he carries the bloodlines of three dynasties: the Southern Chen, Sui, and Tang. Yet gaining the support of the great Jiangnan families does not make him arrogant or draw him into the struggle over succession. Instead, he does his utmost to help the court pacify the people of Guanzhong, who are suffering from locust plagues, and supports Taizong's northern campaign against the Turks. After his success, Changsun Wuji persuades Empress Changsun to have Li Ke take up his post in Yizhou ahead of schedule. Once in Yizhou, Li Ke gradually reclaims real power and, through his opposition to the Xianbei nobles, builds strength to rival that of the aristocratic clans of Guanzhong… In the process, the various schools of thought, including Mohism, Daoism, Buddhism, and the School of Military Strategy, step onto the stage and exert their influence. This book reveals the wonders of The Lianshan and The Guicang, as well as the awe-inspiring “Three Swords of the Yin Emperor”…
