Yuan Zhun, a patrol officer in Cangzhou who has memories of a later age, saves Lin Chong from being murdered by Lu Qian. Moved by Yuan Zhun, Lin Chong becomes his sworn brother. The two flee to Chai Jin's estate. Yuan Zhun has Lin Chong go in search of his master, Zhou Tong, while he heads to Tokyo himself to rescue Lin Chong's family. He later gradually builds up his power.
By this time, the Liao and Jin armies have fought a disastrous battle, while Fang La has also launched an uprising in the south. Yuan Zhun conquers the entire Shandong Peninsula, but this prompts the court to send Wang Bing, with Zong Ze as military supervisor and Zong Ying accompanying him, along with Han Shizhong, Wu Jie, and others, to suppress him. Yuan Zhun defeats them and stations them in Shezhou in the south, ordering them to prevent Fang La from crossing into their territory.
After losing its war against the Jin, the Liao is forced to cede the Liaodong Peninsula to Yuan Zhun. Once he takes control of it, Yuan Zhun sends men to occupy Jeju Island and goes to war with Goryeo. Attacking from two directions, he reunifies the peninsula once more.
Seeing Liangshan grow powerful, Zhao Ji actually allies with the Jin against it. Zhao Heng eventually has a change of heart and informs Liangshan. Zhao Ji is disgraced and loses the support of the people across the realm. Yuan Zhun sweeps south through Fang La's former territory and largely pacifies Jiangnan. Zhao Heng surrenders to Yuan Zhun on behalf of the Song dynasty.
Afterward, Yuan Zhun pacifies the Shandong Peninsula and fights off the Jin from beyond the borders. At last, he recovers the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, preventing the devastation and loss of life brought by the Jingkang Disaster.
