From the Start, I Had Only a Sword, and Now I Must Talk Down a Tyrant

In the sixth year of Zhongping, on a street corner in Luoyang, Cao Zheng, a former military officer, unexpectedly transmigrates into the body of a beggar named Qian Qi. Starving and freezing, he clutches an ancestral bronze sword. Just then, Cao Cao flees after his failed attempt to assassinate Dong Zhuo. At this life-or-death moment, the bronze sword awakens a mysterious power, allowing Cao Zheng to see a towering aura of imperial destiny above Cao Cao's head. Desperate to survive, he cries out, "Lord Cao, I can help you ascend the throne!"

Those reckless words make Cao Cao turn back to save him. From then on, Cao Zheng enters the chaos of the age with the ability to "read auras and divine fortune." His blast furnace steelmaking method gives the Wei warriors blades and armor without equal. His pig castration and composting techniques fill the granaries of Yan Province. He also invents thunder bombs and lightning cannons, which shatter Yuan Shao's forces at the Battle of Guandu.

With his foreknowledge, he also averts countless tragedies: he saves the gifted Cai Yan from the Hu cavalry and wins a confidante; recruits Lu Lingqi, daughter of Lu Bu, adding a fearless heroine to his side; and turns Diao Chan into a covert agent who commands the realm's intelligence network. Dian Wei survives the battle of Wancheng and is reborn, Xu Shu pledges himself wholeheartedly, and Zhang Xiu gives his devoted loyalty. Cao Cao's ranks teem with brilliant strategists and fierce generals.

At home, Cao Zheng develops profitable salt, iron, and soap industries. Abroad, he expands into the ocean's supply of dried fish. He raises military funds through tomb-raiding and saves countless soldiers with alcohol disinfection. With knowledge far ahead of its time, Cao Zheng builds Cao Cao's dominance in the economy, military, and medicine. Finally, in 195 AD, on Cao Cao's fortieth birthday, Emperor Xian abdicates in his favor. Cao Cao ascends the throne as Emperor Wu of Wei and establishes a new dynasty, the Forged Wei.

On the palace roof, ruler and subject lean against the railing. Cao Cao asks, "Now that the realm is at peace, what should we do next?" Cao Zheng gazes at the stars and smiles. With one man and one sword, he defies fate and changes history. Not only does he help his ancestor ascend the throne early, he also lights a spark on the land of Huaxia, setting it on a course toward an unknown future.