The moment Li Sheng's soul transmigrated into a reborn life, a blade was pressed against his neck, yet he smiled.
He knew that Li Cunxu, Li Siyuan, and Shi Jingtang had joined forces to kill Shen Daoyun, the mother he had never met. Li Sheng had to pretend he knew nothing of the truth. He had to survive in that era, maneuver among its many factions, and climb to an even higher position. Then he could choose whether to settle accounts with them or forgive them.
He knew the execution official before him was called Shi Jingtang. In the future, he would found Later Jin, cede the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, and be remembered as a traitor for all time.
He knew the deputy general was called Liu Zhiyuan, who would later found Later Han.
He knew the soldier was called Guo Wei, who would later found Later Zhou.
He knew the four-year-old boy was called Chai Rong. He would die young, and his Northern Expedition would be halted at the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun.
He knew the unborn child would be called Zhao Kuangyin. In the future, he would be hailed emperor by having a yellow robe placed on his shoulders and would found the Great Song.
But at this moment, he was a condemned prisoner sentenced to death by Li Siyuan.
He was also a special forces soldier from the twenty-first century, skilled with cold weapons, medicine, chemistry, and business strategy, and well versed in the history of the Five Dynasties.
This era had an ironclad rule: whoever commanded the strongest army became emperor.
The realm had been in chaos for more than fifty years. Emperors from five surnames had taken turns on the throne, while ordinary people were treated like grass.
Li Sheng decided to change this ironclad rule.
He would rely on the knowledge in his mind, the blade in his hand, and the warlords and brilliant generals he recruited along the way: Meng Zhixiang, Meng Chang, Duan Siping, Qian Hongchu, Zhao Hongyin, Fu Yanqing, Shi Hongzhao, Li Yun, Wang Pu, Feng Dao, and many more.
He would not build his cause on blood ties. He would bring peace to the realm.
Many years later, he ascended the throne as emperor, naming his dynasty Great Zhou and his reign Shengning.
