Chapter Summaries

Qin Hao and Li Bai took the Imperial Examination after Qin Hao arranged proof of identity for them, and both passed, though Li Bai ranked tenth and Qin Hao ranked 298th. Qin Hao was summoned to meet Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, where officials condemned his essay’s modern ideas and he insisted that his proposed technology was real.

• Qin Hao comforted Li Bai, then persuaded him to take the Imperial Examination and fabricated proof of identity for them both.
• Qin Hao copied answers during the examination and wrote an essay proposing that roads and industry could make a poor county prosperous within three years.
• Emperor Xuanzong of Tang found Qin Hao’s references to modern inventions and ideas implausible, though the essay left a strong impression on him.
• Qin Hao and Li Bai saw that Wang Wei had placed first, while Li Bai ranked tenth and Qin Hao ranked 298th among the selected jinshi.
• An imperial edict summoned Qin Hao alone to the palace, where Emperor Xuanzong and the officials challenged his essay and Qin Hao defended its claims about technology.

Qin Hao was appointed magistrate of Taoyuan County and given one year to end its drought and defeat its bandits. On his way there, he killed a group of bandits with his powers, but the starving people he tried to help fled from him in fear.

• Qin Hao persuaded Emperor Taizong of Tang to let him prove himself, and the emperor appointed him magistrate of Taoyuan County with one year to solve its problems.
• Qin Hao returned to the inn, found that Li Bai had left him a letter, and departed Chang'an City.
• Qin Hao walked for three months and found roads littered with bones and starving people near Taoyuan County.
• Qin Hao roasted a gigantic bear as roving bandits approached and said they had killed countless people.
• Qin Hao used Time Stop and blades of wind to kill the bandits.
• Qin Hao offered the roasted meat to the starving people and introduced himself as the new magistrate, but they ran away in terror.

Qin Hao arrived in famine-stricken Taoyuan County and found the magistrate's yamen deserted. He used his Mastering Origin ability to recruit a few dozen constables by promising them food, then showed them a Great Strength Pig as proof he could feed them.

• Qin Hao saw the devastation caused by Taoyuan County's three-year drought and found the yamen completely empty.
• Qin Hao used Mastering Origin to make loudspeakers, a Lamborghini, and then a Harley motorcycle when the broken roads made the car unusable.
• Qin Hao rode around the county broadcasting a call for people to gather at the yamen, but only a few dozen people came.
• Qin Hao offered the newcomers jobs as constables, promised wages and meat, and led them into the yamen to see him grill a Great Strength Pig.
• The recruits recognized the beast and were stunned as Qin Hao asked whether they were willing to work for the yamen.

Qin Hao organized a mass distribution of beast meat and water to Taoyuan County’s starving residents, using newly appointed constables and a deadly show of force to keep order. As the relief effort began, Master Jia heard that the new magistrate was handing out meat and reacted in disbelief.

• Qin Hao brought out more than a hundred beasts, water, cooking equipment, and weapons, then recruited the first twelve people to serve as constables.
• Qin Hao taught the constables how to use their AK-47s and ordered them to maintain order and help prepare food.
• When a man threatened to seize the meat, Qin Hao shot him dead, and the crowd formed an orderly line.
• Qin Hao and the constables cooked the beasts, then began distributing meat and soup to Taoyuan County’s more than two thousand households.
• Master Jia heard from a subordinate that the new county magistrate was feeding disaster victims beast meat and expressed disbelief.

Qin Hao confronted the Jia Family after learning one of its servants had stolen food from two children, then received Jia Fugui at his residence with a chest of silver. Jia Fugui revealed he had come to ask a favor, leaving Qin Hao unaware of what he wanted.

• Qin Hao ordered Xu Qiang to bring the Jia Family servant who had robbed the children to the yamen.
• Qin Hao took the hungry children to his residence, cooked for them, and shared a meal.
• Jia Fugui arrived at Qin Hao’s residence with his steward and four sedan bearers.
• Jia Fugui presented Qin Hao with a chest of silver, and Qin Hao invited him inside.
• Jia Fugui told Qin Hao he had come to ask a favor.

Qin Hao agreed to sell Master Jia one hundred beasts for three hundred taels of gold each and hunted a thousand beasts to supply him and the disaster victims. He then investigated the theft of meat from the little girl and boy, traced it to Jia Fugui, and sentenced him to a fine and detention.

• Master Jia offered to buy beast meat, and Qin Hao agreed to deliver one hundred beasts for three hundred taels of gold each.
• Qin Hao hunted a thousand beasts in the primeval forest to fulfill the sale and feed the disaster victims.
• At the yamen, Qin Hao interrogated a Jia Family servant, who confessed that Master Jia had ordered the theft to test the meat.
• Qin Hao sent Xu Qiang and men to arrest Master Jia, and they brought Jia Fugui to the yamen.
• Under torture, Jia Fugui confessed to ordering the servants to snatch a bowl of meat.
• Qin Hao fined Jia Fugui one thousand taels of silver and sentenced him to fifteen days' detention.

Qin Hao transformed Taoyuan County into a thriving modern city and continued investing his wealth in its development. As Emperor Xuanzong of Tang prepared to inspect the county, Jia Fugui received a warning that an esteemed guest would arrive in three months, but dismissed it.

• Qin Hao sold Jia Fugui a hundred beasts, then used the proceeds and his designs to begin rebuilding Taoyuan County's roads and streets.
• Over the next year, Qin Hao expanded the county into a vast, prosperous city that attracted wealthy residents and merchants.
• Emperor Xuanzong of Tang decided to visit Taoyuan County with Minister Zhang to see what Qin Hao had accomplished.
• Jia Fugui asked Qin Hao to let him invest in the Eastern District expansion, and Qin Hao offered him a chance to distribute the county's newly developed beer.
• Qin Hao's second disciple returned by helicopter and reported that the bandits on Tiger Mountain had been wiped out without casualties.
• Jia Fugui received a letter warning that an esteemed guest would arrive in three months, then tore it up dismissively.

Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and his entourage traveled to inspect Taoyuan County, debating whether Qin Hao had managed to solve its drought and poverty. Qin Hao, who had built a prosperous county, drove out to meet Li Bai and introduced him to a luxury vehicle.

• Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Zhang Shuo, Li Xuanxuan, Wang Gonggong, and an imperial guard traveled to Taoyuan County for an inspection.
• Emperor Xuanzong of Tang explained that Qin Hao's ideas about roads, commerce, and industry could help solve the county's problems, and promised not to behead him if he had made progress.
• Qin Hao ate at Haidilao with Chu Feng and Chu Ling'er before driving away in a black luxury business vehicle.
• Qin Hao drove a thousand kilometers from the county seat and stopped to meet the exhausted scholar Li Bai.
• Li Bai asked Qin Hao what the wheeled, house-like object was, and Qin Hao laughed.

Qin Hao brought Li Bai to Taoyuan County, where Li Bai was amazed by its modern transport, buildings, and customs. A day later, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and his companions reached the county gates and stared in shock at the city and its advertisements.

• Qin Hao took Li Bai in his black car, served him beer, and drove him toward Taoyuan County while Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and his companions watched in astonishment.
• Qin Hao brought Li Bai to his villa, where Li Bai marveled at the city, its fashions, and the house, then settled in.
• Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Wang Gonggong, Zhang Shuo, Liu Shuai, and Princess Yuzhen arrived at the southern district gates and saw the illuminated entrance, skyscrapers, moving cars, and a screen playing advertisements.

Emperor Xuanzong and his party arrived in Taoyuan County and were tricked into buying jelly by men posing as helpful sellers. After spending 800 taels of silver, they learned that their carriage could not enter town and were offered paid storage and a ride inside.

• Princess Yuzhen questioned whether the party had reached Taoyuan County, and Zhang Shuo confirmed they had.
• Emperor Xuanzong asked local men about the county and its strange sights, and they lured him and his companions into sampling Xizhilang Jelly.
• The men persuaded Emperor Xuanzong's party to buy 20 boxes of jelly, charging them 800 taels of silver while making them believe they had secured a bargain.
• The men told the party that carriages were forbidden in town and offered to store their horses and carriage for at least a week for 50 taels of silver.

Emperor Xuanzong and his companions entered Taoyuan County, where Zhang Mazi charged them exorbitant fees and drove them toward an inn. They arrived at the brightly lit Jiu Kenni Hotel at night, amazed by the city’s scenery and modern car.

• Two young men persuaded Emperor Xuanzong and his companions to pay 100 taels in management fees and offered to take them into Taoyuan County by car.
• Zhang Mazi arrived and drove the group, along with their twenty boxes of Xizhilang Jelly, toward the Jiu Kenni Hotel after they chose not to go straight to Qin Hao.
• On the highway, Zhang Mazi demanded 50 taels per passenger, and the palace guard threatened him after realizing they had been swindled.
• Zhang Mazi invoked his dashcam and warned that the group had exceeded the car’s capacity, so Emperor Xuanzong paid him 250 taels.
• After receiving payment, Zhang Mazi sped up and brought the group to the glowing Jiu Kenni Hotel, where Princess Yuzhen marveled at the city’s night scenery.

Emperor Xuanzong and his companions checked into the Jiu Kenni Hotel at a steep price after Zhang Mazi introduced them to Sister Wang. In their rooms, the visitors investigated unfamiliar amenities, while Liu Shuai drank toilet water and Zhang Shuo secretly watched an adult video.

• Zhang Mazi brought Emperor Xuanzong and his companions to the Jiu Kenni Hotel and asked Sister Wang to give them a discount.
• Sister Wang offered the group half-price rooms and showed them a cramped standard single room and a luxurious deluxe king room.
• Emperor Xuanzong booked five deluxe king rooms, and Zhang Shuo paid Sister Wang 220 taels of silver.
• Emperor Xuanzong, Princess Yuzhen, and Wang Gonggong explored the unfamiliar features of their rooms.
• Liu Shuai relieved himself in a drainage pipe and then drank water from the toilet, mistaking it for complimentary drinking water.
• Zhang Shuo discovered adult videos on his television and secretly opened one after repeatedly turning the television off and on.

Zhang Shuo’s television accidentally played an adult film before Liu Shuai mistook toilet water for mineral water, while Wang Gonggong broke into a device in his room. The next morning, the five guests checked out and learned they would have to pay for damaged items.

• Zhang Shuo accidentally played an adult film loudly, then hid the television when Liu Shuai came to investigate.
• Liu Shuai drank from the toilet, mistaking it for mineral water, and Zhang Shuo sent him back to his room to watch the television.
• Wang Gonggong found a device with a QR code and smashed it open after he could not figure out how to use it.
• The next morning, Zhang Shuo and Liu Shuai retched when Emperor Xuanzong of Tang praised the mineral water, and the guests went downstairs to check out.
• Sister-in-law Wang told the guests that items in several rooms had been damaged and they would have to pay for them.

Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and his party left Sister Wang’s shop after paying for the damaged items, then explored Taoyuan County and experienced its traffic rules. They reached Haidilao and were led into a spacious private room.

• Sister Wang charged Zhang Shuo and Wang Gonggong 500 taels for the damaged items after they refused to pay the tenfold penalty, and Emperor Xuanzong of Tang paid the bill.
• Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and his companions walked through Taoyuan County, noticed its two-wheeled vehicles and Taoyuan Takeout workers, and headed toward Haidilao.
• Zhang Shuo argued with a volunteer after the group crossed against a red light, and Liu Shuai paid the 50-copper-coin fine.
• Princess Yuzhen played with Haidilao’s revolving door, and the staff welcomed the group and escorted them to a spacious private room.

Qin Hao taught Li Bai to use firearms and flew him in a WZ-10 helicopter, while Emperor Xuanzong and his companions explored Taoyuan County and discovered its modern conveniences. After realizing they had been overcharged elsewhere, they headed to the yamen to report the swindlers.

• Emperor Xuanzong and his companions ordered food at Haidilao, then chose cheaper dishes after learning the prices.
• Qin Hao taught Li Bai to use firearms and took him on a helicopter flight over Taoyuan County and Chang'an.
• Emperor Xuanzong and his companions mistook the helicopter for a giant bird until a merchant explained that it was an aircraft.
• The group booked rooms at the Great Tang hotel and complained that they had been cheated out of nearly a thousand taels of silver.
• Emperor Xuanzong and his companions took a taxi to the yamen, and Zhang Shuo tipped the driver before asking about his navigation phone.

Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and his companions bought five high-end phones in Taoyuan County and learned how the county had transformed under Qin Hao. They arrived at the government office, where Emperor Xuanzong prepared to examine Qin Hao’s ability to judge cases.

• The taxi driver showed Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and his companions a mobile phone and Douyin, then took them to a China phone store.
• Wang Gonggong ordered five China Mate 60 Pro phones, and Chu Feng delivered the remaining three after arriving in a supercar.
• Emperor Xuanzong asked Chu Feng about the supercar and learned that Chu Feng was Qin Hao’s disciple and the store’s chairman.
• The taxi driver described how Qin Hao had ended Taoyuan County’s famine and led its development, raising average monthly income to over four taels of silver.
• Emperor Xuanzong and his companions reached the government office and prepared to observe Qin Hao judging cases.

Emperor Xuanzong and his companions reported their scam to Taoyuan County’s police, then explored modern services by buying a car, enrolling in driving school, and opening bank accounts. Back at the hotel, Zhang Shuo paid for permanent VIP access on the television.

• Emperor Xuanzong and the others passed security screening and gave statements at the county yamen, where a constable opened an investigation into their scam.
• Emperor Xuanzong used his phone to find a dealership and bought a Galloping Big G for 188 taels of gold.
• The five companions enrolled at Taoyuan Driving School because none of them could drive.
• Emperor Xuanzong, Princess Yuzhen, Zhang Shuo, Wang Gonggong, and Liu Shuai deposited money into their new bank accounts.
• Zhang Shuo scanned the television’s payment code and bought permanent VIP membership.

Zhang Shuo was lured into a dating-app scam that ended with him being beaten and forced to pay a thousand taels of silver. He was left with none of the three thousand taels he had brought on the trip.

• Zhang Shuo bought an explicit video, scanned its QR code, and downloaded a local dating app.
• Zhang Shuo paid to meet a woman, agreed to a deposit, and waited for her at the hotel.
• The woman arrived, and Zhang Shuo began groping her despite her resistance.
• The woman’s husband and four suited thugs burst into the room, beat Zhang Shuo, and threatened to report him for rape.
• The woman showed a video as evidence, and Zhang Shuo paid the group a thousand taels of silver.
• The woman and the others left with the silver, leaving Zhang Shuo broke.

Emperor Xuanzong and his companions went to the South Urban District county office to hear their fraud case against Zhang Mazi and the other merchants. Qin Hao arrived and began the trial, where the defendants denied defrauding them.

• Zhang Shuo hid his bruises by claiming he had been sleepwalking as the group traveled to the county office.
• A constable explained that both plaintiffs and defendants received courteous treatment before Qin Hao heard their case.
• Emperor Xuanzong and the others learned that their tea cost only ten copper coins per jin and heard about Qin Hao’s exceptionally expensive tea.
• Zhang Mazi arrived and taunted the plaintiffs, then Qin Hao flew by helicopter to the county office.
• Qin Hao opened the trial over the alleged theft of 1,160 liang of silver, and Zhang Mazi and the others claimed they had been wronged.

Qin Hao presided over Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and his companions’ complaints against Zhang Mazi, the Liu Brothers, and Sister Wang, using surveillance footage to show that most of the accused had acted legally. He dismissed the main fraud claims, issued limited penalties and compensation rulings, and left the courtroom after the case was closed.

• Qin Hao explained that he wanted to use the case to expose gaps in Great Tang law and motivate nationwide legal reforms.
• Zhang Shuo asked Qin Hao to review surveillance footage, which showed the Liu Brothers selling Xizhilang Jelly at inflated prices without forcing Emperor Xuanzong of Tang’s group to buy it.
• Zhang Mazi presented dashcam footage showing that Emperor Xuanzong of Tang’s companions had threatened him, while Zhang Mazi had only violated traffic rules by carrying one extra passenger.
• Qin Hao fined Zhang Mazi ten taels of silver and deducted ten points, then sentenced Liu Shuai to fifteen days’ detention and a ten-tael fine for intimidation and threats.
• Qin Hao reviewed the Jiu Kenni Hotel footage, ordered Sister Wang to refund excess compensation and pay ten taels for emotional damages, and ordered the plaintiffs to pay Zhang Mazi and the Liu Brothers ten taels each.
• Emperor Xuanzong of Tang’s group and the defendants accepted Qin Hao’s ruling, and Qin Hao dismissed the court and went to his office.