The Bandit Who Became Emperor

That year, drought had ravaged the land for three years straight. The earth lay barren for thousands of miles, and corpses littered the roads. Relief grain from the authorities was skimmed off at every level, until the people were driven to trade their children for food.

That year, the feudal lords waged war year after year, while onerous taxes and levies burdened the people. Bandits sprang up across the provinces, robbing merchants and common folk alike. The administration was corrupt, and county lieutenants and local gentry colluded with the bandits to prey on the people.

That year, Lin Xiaoyao transmigrated. From cowherd to bandit, he took up arms for the people, seized the landlords’ estates and divided the land among the peasants, took charge on behalf of the common folk, and became emperor.