Eight Years Hauling Sacks: One Bag of Grain Topples the Ming

During the Jiajing reign of the Great Ming, corruption runs rampant in the Grand Canal transport system, floods frequently ravage the Yellow River, Japanese pirates plague the southeast, and the imperial treasury lies empty. In Penglai County, Dengzhou Prefecture, Shandong, the Liang family has worked as laborers at the canal docks for generations. The third son, Liang Qi, has grown up hearing tales of the Eight Immortals crossing the sea and often accompanies his father to Mount Tai to offer incense. He has a deep faith in the Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak.

The story follows Liang Qi as he is accidentally drawn into a case involving stolen grain shipments. From the lowest rung of dock labor, he is swept into a series of events vital to the livelihood of the people and the state, including reforms to canal transport, river management, and the movement of military supplies to fight the Japanese pirates. An ordinary man, he survives by following his understanding of the Eight Immortals' teaching that each person should do their part and make the most of their abilities. In the end, he exposes a major corruption scandal in the canal transport system and saves the imperial court a million shipments of grain. But he also offends powerful figures and is demoted to commoner status.

He has no regrets, for he has learned one thing: immortals are not attained through prayer. They are cultivated amid the everyday world of humanity.