A Censor from a Humble Family: From the Start, Granted Imperial Authority

Gu Zhao heads south under imperial orders, carrying a token inscribed “As if the Emperor himself were here” and a gentleman’s sword gifted by his master at his waist.

The officials of Jiangnan give him three presents: a brother thrown from his horse and left crippled, 300,000 taels meant for river repairs that have vanished, and pleasure boats on the Qinhuai River singing through the night.

He answers with three strokes of his sword: the first cuts down the head of the grain transport guild, the second slaughters the salt merchants in their lair, and the third holds the Imperial Sword of Authority to the governor’s throat.

The martial world is shaken. The officialdom trembles.

Only when a great fire at the Furong Pavilion turns half the sky red do they finally realize: this impoverished-born censor didn’t come to investigate a case.

He came to change the face of Jiangnan.