In the first year of Jianxing, the Western Jin dynasty exists in name only.
Luoyang falls. Emperor Huai is captured, taken to Pingyang, and dies in humiliation. Emperor Min ascends the throne in Chang’an and issues an edict calling for the kingdom’s rescue.
The entire court agrees: Jiangdong has only just been pacified, and it is not the right time to march north with the whole army.
As for answering the call to save the emperor, all they need to do is submit a memorial and say a few empty words, then carry on building their power in the half of the south they still control.
But that autumn, the usually meek Prince of Langya, Sima Rui, a puppet in the hands of the great clans, is gazing north from the banks of the Xin Ting River when he tumbles down a slope and hits the back of his head. When he wakes up, he no longer knows whom he can trust.
I will lead a northern campaign! But where are all my trusted men?!
A soul from 1,700 years in the future has taken over the body of this ruler, sidelined by the great clans and destined to be driven to his death by Wang Dun years later.
The whole court wants me to cling to the south? Then I’ll march north!
