Li Che, a modern-day transmigrator, finds his soul transported into the body of the sixth prince of the Great Qing dynasty. Framed by the crown prince for witchcraft and treason, he falls under the emperor's suspicion and is driven to the brink of smashing his head against a pillar. Pretending to take his own life, he seizes the opportunity to accept an imperial decree exiling him to Ninggu Prefecture, only to discover that his new territory is the resource-rich Northeast. Along the way west, he recruits convicts and talented but disillusioned officials from all walks of life, rescues women refugees being sold into slavery, and foils the crown prince's ambush at Mount Mangdang, capturing the prince's secretly stockpiled grain, supplies, and weapons. Enforcing strict military discipline, reclaiming wasteland, and bringing peace to the people, he builds a new army in Ninggu. When he reaches Dongping, he reunites with his fourth brother, the Prince of Yan, who guards the land of Yan. But assassination threats lurk ahead. Armed with knowledge far beyond his time, Li Che will carve out a new realm and build his own power beyond the passes!