In the seventh year of Xuanhe, before the Jin troops had even crossed the river, a porter starved to death outside Tokyo's outer wall.
Shen Yan transmigrates into the body of a clerk at the Guangbei Granary, holding a disaster-relief ledger that can only verify grain routes. The accounts show three hundred shi of millet, but the granary is empty. A fake military supply boat ticket sends him to the estate of Duke Anguo.
While other transmigrators in the Song dynasty are busy chasing noble titles and high office, Shen Yan starts by repairing granaries, intercepting ships, and issuing grain vouchers. When the outer city runs out of food, he opens the granaries. When the Bian River is blocked, he reroutes the boats. When the court wants to abandon the city, he lays out the black ledger.
By the time the Jin troops truly cross the river, every sack of grain in Tokyo has somewhere to go, and every city gate comes at a price.
“You defend the walls. I'll protect the people inside who are still alive.”
