During the Hongwu era, Zhu Yuanzhang disguises himself as an ordinary person and secretly visits the countryside. Unexpectedly, he discovers that he can hear the inner thoughts of Xia Ren, a scholar who has traveled through time. As a low-ranking government clerk, Xia Ren appears cautious and submissive on the surface, but privately makes blunt remarks about the shortcomings of the Ming dynasty's bureaucracy, problems with official salaries, and widespread local corruption. He also secretly harbors forward-thinking ideas about improving people's livelihoods and cultivating high-yield crops. Initially furious and suspicious, Zhu Yuanzhang gradually becomes impressed by the wisdom in Xia Ren's thoughts. He secretly observes him along the way, eventually making an exception to promote Xia Ren and joining forces with him to reform local administration and improve the lives of the people.