Ying Zhao, a modern history graduate student, awakens in the body of a conscript stationed at Yangcheng near the end of the Qin dynasty, on the eve of the Daze Village Uprising. Chen Sheng and Wu Guang's fury is about to ignite a rebellion against Qin across the land. The Qin court is corrupt, Zhao Gao wields power, the Second Emperor is incompetent, and the old nobility of the Six Kingdoms are waiting for a chance to strike back. The realm is on the verge of chaos. Armed with knowledge of history from later generations, Ying Zhao understands people's hearts, sees the greater trends, knows the art of war, and understands how to govern. He rises above nine hundred conscripts, leads his trusted followers in slaying the white serpent, breaking through encirclements, seizing Pei County, and capturing Pengcheng, gradually building a power base of his own. He recruits Xiao He, takes in Zhang Liang, and appoints Han Xin, but refuses to follow the old course of history. He shelters refugees, sets taxes, reforms military discipline, and strengthens the state, forging a path to supremacy unlike any other. He contends with Xiang Yu for control of the Central Plains, defeats Zhang Han's Lishan army, and executes Zhao Gao and the remaining Qin court conspirators. At last, he unifies the realm, ascends the throne, and establishes a brand-new dynasty even greater than mighty Qin!
