Mounting a Horse in Shatuo

During the Huang Chao Rebellion at the end of the Tang Dynasty, the Shatuo king Li Keyong came to the dynasty’s aid and defeated Huang Chao time and again, allowing the Tang court to rebuild. But Zhu Wen wanted Li Keyong dead, and after the upheaval at Shangyuan Post Station, the two families became bitter enemies. At this moment, an elementary school student transmigrates into this chaotic age, but can only find a foothold in a family of entertainers. With help from a young American scientist, however, he gains access to the knowledge of a library called the “Ten-Thousand-Volume Domain.” His adaptation of The Butterfly Lovers wins the admiration of the emperor and the chancellor. He thinks he can make a name for himself as an entertainer, but Zhu Quanzhong sends assassins after him. His adoptive parents die horribly, and he takes refuge at Xingzhen Temple, where he grows under the tutelage of Xuanshui Li, a former imperial preceptor.

When he prays for rain in Puzhou, his identity is exposed and he is captured by Zhu Wen. Just then, the Three Commanders rebel against the throne. Zhu Wen decides to use him as a scapegoat, but he persuades the Prince of Qi to rescue the emperor and escort him back to the capital. Later, he returns to Hedong and becomes the new Shatuo king: Li Cunxu.

Zhu Wen successfully usurps the throne. After repeated defeats, Li Keyong dies, leaving three arrows with orders to destroy Liang, destroy Yan, and drive out the Khitan. Li Cunxu puts the crumbling state of Jin back in order, dealing with his rebellious uncle at home and campaigning against Luzhou abroad. In the Battle of Jiazhai, he decisively defeats Zhu Quanzhong.

To restore the bonds between ruler and subject, Li Cunxu destroys Yan and then fights through the great Battle of Baixiang, the Battle of Huliupo, and a bitter struggle at Jiahe before finally bringing down Liang. He becomes a paragon of filial devotion, carrying on his father’s work and restoring the bonds between father and son. He punishes his treacherous empress, restoring the bonds between husband and wife.

Afterward, he continues to correct the original host’s historical mistakes: destroying Shu, bringing Yunnan and Guizhou under control, seizing Nanping and Chu amid the chaos, destroying Southern Tang, and unifying China once more...