Zhao Zhi was a soldier king who struggled for ten years in a zombie apocalypse before fighting to the death. His soul transmigrates into the body of a starving border garrison soldier who shares his name. Even more shocking, a memory of the “future” appears in his mind: three years later, rebellion will erupt at Daze Village and the realm will descend into chaos. His border garrison unit will mutiny after their superiors embezzle their rations and pay, only to be wiped out by Qin forces. His closest friends will all die, and he too will perish in exile, starving and freezing.
Reborn at the starting point of a tragedy, Zhao Zhi clenches his fists. In this life, he won’t just survive: he’ll stop that blood-soaked era of chaos from happening again! Drawing on the steely resolve and military skills forged in the apocalypse, as well as his foreknowledge of “history,” he sets out to defy fate. He cleverly resolves the garrison’s first internal crisis and earns their initial trust. He uses his foresight to make his first fortune through border trade, then applies training methods far ahead of their time to turn a band of scattered stragglers into an elite force.
But his rise threatens the interests of local officials, bringing suppression and false accusations. He must also carefully balance his relationships with the “heroes” who will shape the future. Should he befriend Liu Bang and Xiang Yu early, or build a new power of his own? A greater shadow looms from Xianyang: Zhao Gao, the Commandant of the Chariots and Cavalry, has noticed the unrest on the border and turned his attention to this troublesome “foot soldier.” Zhao Zhi dances on the edge of a blade, building his strength while laying hidden pieces on the board. He intends to use the power in his hands to move the wheels of history and establish a new order on the ruins of the collapsing Qin, one where the people are spared hunger and the ravages of war. It is a desperate gamble against time and an entire empire.
