In his previous life, Zhao Tingyuan was a top academic prodigy at Qingbei.
In this life, he transmigrates into the eldest legitimate son of the Duke of Wei's household in the Great Ning Dynasty.
But his good fortune doesn't last. The Shuntian Prefecture uncovers a shocking case: Zhao Tingyuan was switched at birth by the Duke's wife, who traded him for her own daughter. He's a fake heir.
After being driven out of the ducal residence, Zhao Tingyuan returns to the Zhao family. His grandparents play favorites, the first branch is cruel, his father worked himself to death, and his mother is disabled. If he doesn't strive to make things better, who will?
His family is supporting two useless students to pay for his cousins' education. If Zhao Tingyuan wants to pursue the civil service exams, he'll have to make his own way.
At ten years old, Zhao Tingyuan sets out to find work in the county town, but by sheer coincidence, a wealthy family hires him to tutor their two ridiculous young masters.
Zhao Tingyuan enters the examination hall only as a companion student, yet he dominates every exam he takes, leaving the Imperial Tutor stunned when he hands in his papers.
He becomes a literary giant of the Great Ning Dynasty, an undisputed top-tier star idol adored by scholars across the land.
Of all the literary talent in the world, Zhao Tingyuan claims nine tenths. He deliberately leaves the remaining tenth to the great scholars and Imperial Tutors at court, so they can save face.
Years later, he builds the world's finest artillery corps, destroys ten kingdoms, reclaims the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, and rises to become the most powerful official under heaven.
Civil officials admire his literary talent, while generals worship his strategic genius.
The emperor kneels on the ground and massages his legs. "Minister Zhao, if we conquer another kingdom... we'll have unified the whole world."
Zhao Tingyuan: "Once we conquer that last Japanese kingdom, I'll stop."
The emperor drapes his dragon robe over Zhao Tingyuan's shoulders. "It's cold, Minister Zhao. Don't catch one."
Zhao Tingyuan: "Your Majesty? You... you've really made things difficult for me!"
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