Luoshui Chen

In the fourth year of the Daye era under the Sui Dynasty, Shen Ke, a history PhD, transmigrates as a refugee in Guanzhong and fights for his life on the banks of the Luo River. Drawing on his deep knowledge of Sui and Tang institutions and classical texts, he outwits the officials pursuing him and finds shelter with the abbot of Jingfu Temple. Later, he meets Fang Yanqian and his nephew Fang Xuanling. Impressed by his extraordinary insight, they recommend him for a post as a clerk in Jingyang County, where he puts down roots amid the chaos.

From uncovering hidden discrepancies in household registers and sowing discord among local strongmen to improving weapons and training local militia to defend the city; from risking everything to alter conscription lists and save a family with only one son, to comforting refugees, reclaiming land, and using strategy to overcome bandit threats, Shen Ke holds fast to the belief that “there is light within.” Amid the turmoil, he protects the people of Jingyang.

He witnesses the disastrous defeats of the three campaigns against Goguryeo and the flames of the Yang Xuangan rebellion spreading across the land. He rejects offers from Li Mi, Zhang Xutuo, and other factions, remaining true to his original resolve to “defend the territory and keep the people safe.” When the realm descends into chaos, he gathers refugees, stockpiles grain and supplies, and strengthens the city's defenses, turning Jingyang into a haven in the midst of war.

When the peaceful Zhenguan era dawns, Shen Ke, having seen through the pursuit of fame and fortune, chooses to retire to the countryside. He studies agricultural texts and improves farming tools, benefiting future generations with his Book of Agriculture by Lord Shen. His life spans the upheaval from the waning Sui to the well-governed Zhenguan era. From refugee to hermit, from serving the world to seeking enlightenment beyond it, he ultimately embodies the principle of following nature's way. The spark of “light within” shines across a thousand years, bright in the long river of history.

The novel follows Shen Ke's life, weaving real historical events together with fictional plots and incorporating the wisdom of ancient texts such as the Dao De Jing and the Essential Techniques for the Welfare of the People. It also portrays individual lives amid the chaos of war.