Lin Zijian, a modern chemistry PhD, transmigrates to the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty and finds himself trapped in a slum in Chang'an's Western Market, penniless, starving, and freezing. He draws on modern science and the principle of investigating the nature of things to survive, using ingenious techniques such as mending pottery with vinegar, testing rice with salt water, and drawing threads through a bottle. From fixing broken jars to performing street "magic tricks," he is repeatedly shaken down by thugs, but uses his wits to expose a scam involving staged accidents, eventually catching the attention of County Captain Du Ming. In Chang'an, where political intrigue intertwines with everyday life, he uses scientific ingenuity to overcome the hardships of his age, finds a way to survive through investigation, and seeks dignity amid chaos, beginning a journey of wisdom and an astonishing rise that spans a thousand years.
