On the third day of the first lunar month in the fourth year of the Jiaqing reign, Qianlong dies, and snow falls over the capital.
Zhou Heng, a modern history graduate who failed his entrance exams, opens his eyes to find himself as Hu Yan, a servant who has swept the courtyard of Heshen's mansion for four years.
He knows better than anyone: Heshen's immense wealth and influence have only ten days left. Confiscation, imprisonment, execution. No one in the household will escape.
While everyone else rushes to prove their loyalty, he only wants to run.
But how can a lowly servant get away?
First, he shows off his skills in front of the accountant, going from a lowly sweeper to a clerk. Then, under the pretext of checking the books, he tracks down the hidden ledgers and southern pearls Heshen stashed outside the mansion. Before Jiaqing's troops seal off the estate, he heads south with the knowledge of two centuries to come.
At the Thirteen Hongs of Guangzhou, a merchant tries to swallow up his goods. Using futures-market thinking, he sets a trap that leaves his opponent ruined.
At the Guangdong Maritime Customs, the superintendent tries to block his ships. Zhou has the man's entire family exile written into the script ten years in the future.
While the capital is still tearing itself apart over Heshen's fortune, Zhou has already bought his first house by the Pearl River.
With money Heshen hid outside the mansion.
I got out before Heshen died.
I'm not trying to change history. I just want to find a way to survive before history rolls over me.
