The Song Dynasty’s Power Broker: De Fang’s Rise to the Throne

Modern history graduate student Zhao Yu transmigrates into the Northern Song after an accident, becoming Zhao Defang, the fourth son of Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin, and the historical prototype for the legendary "Wise Prince of Eight Virtues." The realm is still far from unified: rival regimes such as Later Shu and Southern Tang encircle the Song, while the Liao Empire looms menacingly to the north. At court, his uncle Zhao Guangyi wields immense power, and the shadow of the "Candlelight and Axe Sounds" has already begun to fall.

Disguising his modern soul beneath the identity of a young prince, Zhao Defang proceeds cautiously through the intrigues of the imperial palace. He foils the consorts' schemes with childish remarks, recruits maids and eunuchs as informants through his wit, and lays his pieces on the board before the succession struggle even begins. He knows how history ends, and refuses to sit back and await his fate. While his father still lives, he has time to set his plans in motion.

He shows his military talent during exercises, improves the Divine Arm Crossbow, and devises new formations, earning the quiet admiration of the imperial guards' commanders. He joins a southern campaign and goes to the front himself, breaking Southern Tang's fleet with fire and bringing Wuyue under control without bloodshed. His concrete military achievements let him break through Zhao Guangyi's blockade. He also secretly weaves a network of informants, from the inner palace to the border garrisons, from the court to enemy camps, keeping human nature and political intrigue in the palm of his hand.

When the night of the "Candlelight and Axe Sounds" finally arrives, he has already laid a deadly trap. When the new emperor ascends the throne, Northern Han remains unconquered and the lands of Youzhou and Yunzhou unrecovered. Sword in hand, he gazes north, determined to use a transmigrator's insight and an emperor's iron will to rewrite the fate of the Great Song with his own hands in this turbulent age, and ultimately become the ruler who brings the realm under one crown.