Smoke Rises in the Qingli Era, and a Commoner Secures the Realm

He transmigrates as the son of a disgraced official, sentenced to execution in three days.

With his knowledge of Song history, Su Mo exposes the first cracks in a wrongful conviction at the execution ground.

The man who saves him is Du Yan, a key figure in the New Policies and an incorruptible censor.

From then on, he is swept into the turbulent waves of the Qingli Reforms.

At court, Xia Song watches like a tiger waiting to pounce. At the border, members of the old faction secretly collude with the enemy.

His policy essays win over Fan Zhongyan, and his military achievements earn Han Qi's trust.

But the reforms still fail, and his mentor is demoted and sent away from the capital.

On the day they see him off, Du Yan says, “I have taught you everything I could.”

Su Mo kneels outside the city and bows his head three times.

He knows that from here on, he must walk the road alone.

This is a contest between a young man and his era.

It is also a requiem for all who refuse to give up.