Chapter 1: First Encounter with the Great Tang Dynasty

“Hiss! Damn, that hurts!” Du Chengfeng sprang up from the tattered bed, his first sensation nothing but pain. His head felt as if it would explode, a sharp agony sweeping through his mind in an instant. Large beads of sweat seeped from his forehead.

With great effort, Du Chengfeng forced his eyes open, gazing at the unfamiliar surroundings in confusion. A dilapidated mud-brick house, its yard enclosed by walls fashioned from bamboo slats, wooden strips, and yellow clay, formed an isolated little courtyard.

Inside, two battered tables stood amidst the clutter of simple food and household items. The bed beneath him was a rickety wooden plank, and next to it stood a stove built from stone.

Shaking his still-dazed head, Du Chengfeng scanned the room again. Beside the bed, a boy of seventeen or eighteen lay fast asleep, clearly exhausted, snoring softly.

Where am I? How did I suddenly end up in this completely unfamiliar place? Wasn’t I carrying out a special mission in Shennongjia? Not wanting to disturb the sleeping youth, Du Chengfeng quietly climbed off the bed, his mind racing with questions.

Clutching his aching head, he tried to piece together the scant memories that remained. As a well-trained special forces operative, timely analysis was second nature to him.

He recalled escorting a mysterious chip to the capital, a mission in which a dozen teammates had laid down their lives to snatch the artifact from several foreign mercenary groups. Tragically, during the escort, he had fallen off a bottomless cliff with the chip.

Just as Du Chengfeng thought he was doomed, a blinding white light shot from the chip, enveloping him. He felt something torn from his body, vanishing with the light as he lost consciousness.

With the disappearance of the light, his body had presumably plummeted to pieces at the base of the cliff. When he awoke again, he found himself in this entirely unfamiliar place.

Could it be that I’ve transmigrated? And not just my body, but my soul as well? Was it the light from the chip that brought my soul here? Could such a bizarre thing really have happened to me? Du Chengfeng couldn’t help but smile bitterly at his own misfortune.

Well, since I’m here, I’ll make the best of it. Am I, Du Chengfeng, a first-rate special forces soldier, afraid I can’t survive in this world? With a wry smile, he quickly accepted the reality of his transmigration.

As a versatile talent in China’s elite forces, Du Chengfeng had absolute confidence in his abilities and strengths. His first priority was to figure out what era and place this was to make informed decisions.

Just as he was about to get up and look around, a flood of unfamiliar memories poured into his mind. As they merged with his own, clarity returned.

It turned out that after being enveloped by the white light, his soul had traversed time and space to inhabit this dying body. By chance, this body’s name was also Du Chengfeng—a village orphan raised by an elderly grandfather. The youth sleeping by the bed was Du Wen, the grandfather’s grandson, a year older than Du Chengfeng.

A few days ago, the old man had died suddenly. Overcome with grief, Du Chengfeng had struck his head against a large stone and nearly perished. At the very moment of death, the white light carrying his soul struck, and from then on, the original owner was replaced by the transmigrant—perhaps this was fate.

“Du Chengfeng, rest assured. Since I now possess your body, I’ll live your life well and bring honor to your name!” he swore silently. Though he didn’t know who this body’s parents were, he trusted that fate would reveal the answer in time.

From the inherited memories, he learned that the current era was the early Zhenguan years. Emperor Taizong, Li Shimin, had just staged the famous Xuanwu Gate coup, killing his brothers and forcing the abdication of Gaozu, Li Yuan.

What? The early Zhenguan era of the Great Tang? The reign of Li Shimin—the emperor for the ages? Du Chengfeng was astounded, but as a former special forces soldier, his mental fortitude quickly allowed him to accept the facts.

He considered his advanced skills and knowledge, a millennium beyond this era, as well as his formidable abilities—though, wait, this wasn’t his old body, so his physical prowess had vanished. Well, with his memories intact, he could recover in time.

More importantly, armed with his knowledge and skills, once he regained his strength, perhaps he could carve out a legacy in this Tang dynasty, achieving feats worthy of history! Having grown up on television dramas and films set in this era, Du Chengfeng couldn’t help but feel a secret thrill at finding himself in Li Shimin’s time.

This was a period when the Tang dynasty was newly established, Li Shimin had just ascended the throne, and the nation was in disarray, surrounded by enemies. Li Shimin, anxious to restore order, would later become known as a wise and enlightened emperor, famed for his meritocracy, openness, and willingness to heed advice, which led to the prosperous Zhenguan era.

Having sorted out his thoughts, Du Chengfeng examined his new body. The original Du Chengfeng was just sixteen, his body frail from long-term malnutrition—small, thin, and sickly.

As for his looks, there were no mirrors in this era, but Du Chengfeng quickly fetched a basin of water and stared at his reflection. He was stunned—his features were exactly as he remembered from his own youth: fair skin, delicate and handsome features with a hint of firmness, well-defined contours, and dark, deep eyes—a dashing young man, indeed! Du Chengfeng couldn’t help but admire himself; after all, he’d been quite the looker in his previous life.

Is this really fate? Gazing at the familiar face, he couldn’t help but wonder if destiny had played its hand.

No matter. What mattered most was that this body was presentable. Smiling self-assuredly, the annoyance over his frail health was eased by the fact that at least he looked good—something he always cared about.

As for the weak physique, with his previous experience as a king of special forces, he was confident he could recover.

He exhaled deeply, straightened his back, and decided to go outside for a walk. Casting a helpless glance at the shabby mud-brick house, he shrugged.

Just then, a hoarse voice called out behind him, “Little brother, you’re awake.”

Du Chengfeng turned to find his “big brother” Du Wen, who had woken up and was rubbing his eyes vigorously.

Looking at Du Wen, whose youthful face was now sallow and haggard, his red-rimmed eyes full of fatigue, Du Chengfeng felt a pang of guilt. Clearly, his brother had exhausted himself caring for him during his coma.

“Yes, big brother, I’m awake and was just about to go out for a bit,” Du Chengfeng said softly.

Du Wen rose slowly, unsteady from having leaned over so long, nearly stumbling. “Thank heaven you’re alright. You’ve been unconscious for days; I was worried sick,” he said with relief.

“Sorry to have worried you,” Du Chengfeng replied. Though Du Wen was not his biological brother, the memories told him they’d been close since childhood, their bond stronger than blood.

Having taken over this body, its family was now his family too.

“Grandfather is gone—now it’s just the two of us,” Du Wen said, his voice heavy with sorrow.

“Don’t worry, big brother. As long as I’m here, I’ll make sure you have a good life,” Du Chengfeng replied with determination.

“You…” Du Wen looked confused, surprised by the resolute words from his usually shy and introverted brother.

Not wishing to explain further, Du Chengfeng simply said, “I’ve been lying down for days, big brother. I want to get some fresh air.”

“Alright, go on. I’ll make you something to eat,” Du Wen replied. Their grandfather had always cooked for them, but now that he was gone, Du Wen would have to care for his younger brother himself.

As Du Chengfeng stepped out into the yard, he was met by an elderly man with plain clothes, a kindly face, and a warm smile.

“Chengfeng, child, why are you up already? Your body hasn’t fully recovered; shouldn’t you rest a bit longer?” the old man asked with concern.

Du Chengfeng recognized him at once—Grandpa Du, his grandfather’s elder brother who lived nearby. When he’d been injured and collapsed, it was Grandpa Du who, despite his age, had helped carry him to bed with Du Wen. Strictly speaking, he owed the old man his life. Besides, Grandpa Du had always shown him care and affection, one of his few remaining relatives.

Du Chengfeng bowed deeply and said, “Thank you for your concern, Grandpa Du. I’m much better now. I’ve been lying down so long my body’s stiff—I just wanted to move around a bit. Please don’t worry, I’m fine!” He wasn’t sure about all the ancient rituals, but for a lifesaver and elder, gratitude was only right.

“Good, good. As long as you’re alright. You must bear your grief and look after yourself,” Grandpa Du said, visibly relieved as he smiled and shuffled home.

Watching the old man’s joyful smile, Du Chengfeng felt a surge of warmth. He resolved that if he ever had the means, he would support Grandpa Du’s family well.

After Grandpa Du had left, Du Chengfeng began to wander around the village.

This was Du Family Village, nestled at the foot of a great mountain outside Chang’an. The village had about a hundred households, with continuous mountains behind it forming a natural barrier from the outside world.

In the gentle days of early spring, willows caressed by the breeze, children returning early from school, flying kites in the east wind—all these lines of poetry described the picturesque beauty of Du Family Village.