A Southwest military king × an investment banking elite. They were mortal enemies in their previous lives, and now they've transmigrated to the Ming dynasty together!
Guan Yuan starts out as a gravely wounded deserter on the northern frontier, short on food and clothing and surrounded by powerful enemies. He nearly dies in a mass grave.
Xu Zhihuan is stranded in the impoverished south. To survive, he has to scheme and amass wealth through connections, becoming a crooked merchant everyone despises.
They battled it out on Wall Street in their previous lives. In this one, they trade barbs but secretly admire each other, backing one another up as they charge ahead!
Starting as a deserter who barely escaped death, Guan Yuan draws on his modern military expertise and support from the System to fight the Di on the northern frontier, sweep away the bandits of Liangzhou, and foil the plots of Prince Han and Prince Zhao. He fights his way through blood and fire, rising from deserter to a legendary god of war! Across the reigns of Yongle, Hongxi, and Xuande, he marries a commandery princess, becomes a grand general, and is enfeoffed as Marquis of Dingyuan, defending the empire with an iron fist!
Xu Zhihuan only wants to make money and protect himself. But after handling a shocking string of cases involving young girls and witnessing the suffering of ordinary people firsthand, he finally sees the light! He abandons commerce to pursue the imperial examinations, enters government on the strength of his talent, and transforms from a crooked, greedy merchant into an upright official who fights for the people. He investigates corruption, improves people's livelihoods, and writes works that make him famous across the land. He marries the richest woman in the realm and takes control of its wealth!
One is a man of letters, the other a man of war. They grow from afar and help each other succeed. When the border is in danger, one rushes to the rescue; when the court is in trouble, the other holds the line.
But just as they've achieved success and glory, the System is completely sealed by a mysterious force!
Without their cheat abilities, they are about to face the deadliest fight for survival since they transmigrated...
This is my first time reading a novel about rivals who travel through time together. It unfolds from two perspectives. The two protagonists have their own characteristics. Xu Zhihuan appears to be a profiteer but is actually delicate and brings peace to the people. Guan Yuan is rough but just. It unfolds in an involution system and has a novel setting. I prefer Xu Zhihuan because of his wisdom and the path of a civil servant. It is very difficult to follow, especially the inheritance of the girl's case. Lord Gu is really just.