Lin Fan is unexpectedly exiled to the northwestern desert along with his family. With no water or food, he builds a distiller to extract water from the sand, digs traps to catch desert rabbits, and constructs heated brick beds to withstand the bitter cold. When desert bandits attack, he uses quicklime to blind his powerful enemies and escape danger. To establish a lasting foothold, he explores underground rivers and builds qanat irrigation channels, scientifically cultivates high-yield potatoes, and produces colored glass to trade for iron tools and warhorses. Armed with modern knowledge, he overcomes one desperate situation after another. Eventually, the barren wasteland becomes a thriving oasis city. From an exiled disgraced official's family to the lord of an entire region, he builds a city of hope with his own hands.