Xiao Chen, a financial elite, transmigrates into the Northern Song Dynasty as Wang Yirou, the second legitimate son of one of the empire’s most powerful noble families. His grandfather is Wang Dan, his maternal grandfather is Kou Zhun, and his father is a deputy chief councilor. He has an unbeatable start, yet he’s a good-for-nothing from the capital, obsessed with cockfighting and dog racing, with no interest in learning.
He has barely opened his eyes when he’s caught up in the Jin Zou Yuan scandal. Wang Gongchen viciously accuses and impeaches him, costing him his position and ruining his reputation. His family spends three years’ worth of their fortune just to save his life.
In his darkest hour, he latches onto Princess Zhaolingyi, the Grand Princess who Protects the State. Armed with modern financial know-how and advanced technology, he makes soap and brews fine wine within the household, captivating the noblewomen of Bianjing. At court, he plays the pig to eat the tiger, starting out as a minor official and drawing in a host of officials’ sons, including Wen Jifu and Fan Chunren, as he stirs up the Great Song bureaucracy.
He pits his wits against Lü Yijian, Xia Song, and Sima Guang, wins the favor of Yan Shu, Bao Zheng, and Di Qing, makes friends among the imperial princes, and throws his support behind Zhao Zongshi, heir to Prince Pu, to take the throne.
While enjoying wine, romance, and beautiful women, he builds wealth through trade, strengthens the army, reforms the court, crushes Western Xia, reclaims Hehuang, reopens the Western Regions, and establishes a Maritime Silk Road. At last, during the reigns of Emperors Shenzong and Zhezong, he rises to the highest offices of state, becoming the foremost minister in the land as envoys from every nation come to pay homage!
