After transmigrating into the body of Li Chengqi, the most spineless imperial grandson in the Wu Zhou dynasty, he learns that his father plans to send him to prison with his own hands to save himself.
Li Chengqi smiles.
He sharpens his bone-cleaving knife and intercepts Xue Huaiyi, the empress’s favored consort, outside Xuanwu Gate.
“Let me borrow your head.”
“This court could use a wake-up call.”
The blade falls, and the head rolls.
He walks into Daming Palace with the bloody head in his hands, leaving the entire court stunned.
Wu Zetian, however, gives him the post of abbot at White Horse Temple.
“Since you hate monks, you can manage this mess.”
Li Chengqi accepts the decree, looks at the temple packed with worshippers, and grins.
“Your grandson obeys.”
“But my way of managing a temple...”
“Is to tear it down and use the money to pay the army.”
When all the Buddhist estates have been confiscated and the state treasury is piled high with gold and silver, the empress reads the report and falls silent for a long while.
“Does this child want to be an abbot...”
“Or take my throne?”
