Sixfold Top Scholar, Shouldering the Great Song

Reborn child prodigy + sinister political intrigue + a cheat code for the imperial exams + deadly court struggles + securing the frontier + reforms under Emperor Renzong

Zhao Heng was a Hanlin Academy editor in his previous life, at the end of the Northern Song. He died beneath the Jin invaders' blades during the Jingkang Incident, then was reborn as the son of a minor official in Kaifeng in the first year of Jingyou, during Emperor Renzong's reign. He began his education at six. Cunning and patient, he appears to be a gentle child prodigy, but is actually a deep and calculating schemer who knows how to leverage circumstances and plan ahead. He believes, "You must be ruthless to survive, and even more ruthless to save the country."

A six-year-old prodigy plays the pig to eat the tiger → sweeps the imperial exams with six top honors and delivers face-slapping comeuppance to the powerful → uses underhanded tactics to outmaneuver ministers at court → reshuffles the court through the Qingli Reforms → gives civil officials command of the military and pacifies Western Xia → turns the Great Song's decline around. Packed with satisfying moments from start to finish, this story brings political intrigue and fiery passion together.