Lin Xiao was an ordinary modern-day wage slave, spending every day being squeezed by his boss and tormented by difficult clients. After working overtime for days on end, he was utterly exhausted. On his way home, a mysterious ancient bell suddenly fell from above and struck him, knocking him out on the spot. When he woke up, he found himself in an unfamiliar ancient military camp, having become an obscure foot soldier. Through conversations with those around him, he learned that he had transmigrated to a dynasty called Great Xia, whose emperor was a depraved, tyrannical ruler who imposed heavy taxes and levies, leaving the people in misery. By chance, Lin Xiao accompanied the army as it escorted the tyrant on a journey. Along the way, seeing the emperor's extravagant and debauched lifestyle filled him with disgust. To escape his predicament, Lin Xiao drew on the military knowledge in his modern memories and distinguished himself during army drills, catching the attention of his superiors and earning a promotion to squad leader.
However, during an unexpected incident, Lin Xiao accidentally collided with the tyrant's carriage. The emperor flew into a rage and ordered him beheaded in public. At the critical moment, Lin Xiao thought quickly and took out a lighter he had brought from the modern world. In front of the emperor, he used it to set a branch alight. The emperor had never seen anything so miraculous. He spared Lin Xiao for the time being and took him on as a personal servant, though in truth he wanted to study the lighter further. At the tyrant's side, Lin Xiao witnessed even more acts of tyranny, and the idea of overthrowing him gradually took root in his heart.
