Special forces soldier Lin Xiao time-travels to become the declining mountain stronghold's young chieftain, facing a coup by the second chieftain and external enemies at the start. Utilizing modern knowledge, he disciplines the stronghold, builds infrastructure, trains troops and conducts commerce, subduing talents like Wu Yong, Su Wan, and Li Mu, and resolving multiple encirclements. Having endured locust plagues, barbarian invasions, and imperial court political games, he grows his forces step by step from mountain bandits, confronts the usurping treacherous official Wang Chong, protects refugees and commoners in troubled times, and finally faces the dual test of ascending the throne and thirty thousand enemy troops pressing at the border amidst the support of all factions.