Chapter 1: The Bastard Who Left Home

In his previous life, Li Xiu was merely an ordinary person, a common man who toiled for fame and fortune. In order to gain the recognition of his superior and to secure opportunities for promotion and salary increases, he left home early and returned late, truly rising earlier than the rooster and sleeping later than the dog. He was quite fortunate, as his efforts were rewarded accordingly, and he gradually rose from the bottom to the upper echelons of the company, becoming an object of envy among those around him

The sun has just begun to rise, and already there are tenant farmers working in the fields. A group of raggedly dressed children is playing by the riverbank. Even though it is already deep autumn, most of these children are wearing oversized and tattered single garments, clearly altered from adult clothing. Many of them are even barefoot, stepping on the frost-covered ground, their small feet turning dark and blue from the cold. Their dirty little faces are streaked with runny noses, yet these children seem completely unconcerned, running around with their companions, sweating profusely.

As soon as Li Xiu entered the courtyard, he rushed into the kitchen. When he had just woken up, he felt extremely cold all over. Now, after moving around for a while, he felt a bit of warmth in his body, but soon he felt an unbearable hunger and thirst in his stomach, which is why he rushed into the kitchen looking for something to eat

During the Tang Dynasty, the social atmosphere was relatively open, and romantic relationships between men and women were not considered scandalous. However, the woman whom Li Xiu admired held a rather special status, as she was a beautiful young nun. If she were from an ordinary family, it would be acceptable to have her return to secular life in order to marry her. Yet, Li Jing was a high-ranking general in the court, and no matter how little favor Li Xiu received, it would be impossible for him to marry a nun; otherwise, the reputation of the Li family would be severely tarnished.

As he spoke, he walked out of the bamboo forest and saw a large river flowing before him. This river is the Huangqu, which is sourced from the Zhongnan Mountain. If one continues downstream for several miles, they will reach the capital of the Tang Dynasty, Chang'an. Ultimately, the Huangqu flows into one of the most famous attractions in Chang'an, the renowned Qujiang Pool, where many literati and poets enjoy placing their wine cups into the water to play a game called "Qu Shui Liu Shang." In other words, if Li Xiu were to urinate in the river, those downstream drinking wine might inadvertently consume river water mixed with his urine. Ultimately, the Huangqu flows into one of the most famous attractions in Chang'an, the renowned Qujiang Pool, where many literati and poets enjoy placing their wine cups into the water to play a game called "Qu Shui Liu Shang." In other words, if Li Xiu were to urinate in the river, those downstream drinking wine might inadvertently consume river water mixed with his urine.

Reflecting on the previous experiences of Li Xiu, he could not help but sigh. Since moving here, Li Xiu had been vigilantly guarding his beloved's grave every day. He was originally a bookish person, somewhat infatuated, and deeply devoted to the young nun. Now, separated by the realms of life and death, he suffered greatly from longing and guilt. As a result, after a year, his health deteriorated. Coupled with the onset of late autumn, the nights grew exceedingly cold. Last night, Li Xiu finally passed away at his beloved's grave, leading to the current state of Li Xiu.

Having made up his mind, Li Xiu said to himself with a relaxed expression, "I crossed over more than a thousand years ago to enjoy life, so let work and all that go to hell!"

Just when Li Xiuchun was enjoying his success, his wife proposed a divorce. After nearly ten years of marriage, Li Xiu was preoccupied with work every day and had no heart to care for his wife. They had even decided not to have children for the sake of his career. Li Xiu's wife had grown weary of this lifestyle, and the deep feelings she once had for him had completely faded, which led her to propose the divorce

Some people, upon crossing over, first see a beautiful woman, while others first encounter a celestial being. There are even those who strike it lucky and, upon crossing over, immediately see both a beautiful woman and a celestial being. Li Xiu has also crossed over, but unfortunately, his first sight was a gravestone that stood half a person tall. Moreover, he was holding the gravestone in a rather ambiguous manner, as if embracing it. If anyone were to see him here, they would surely suspect that he shared an extraordinary bond with the gravestone.

Upon learning about the affair between Li Xiu and the young nun, Li Jing immediately flew into a rage. Not only did he confine Li Xiu to their home and prohibit him from going out, but he also arranged a marriage for Li Xiu at the fastest possible speed. Furthermore, he sent someone to the temple where the young nun resided to reprimand her. As a result, the young nun, who was already frail, became worried about Li Xiu and, feeling wronged, suffered from unrequited love. A few months later, she tragically passed away.

Returning to my residence with a heavy and complex heart, it is, in fact, a simple small courtyard, consisting of three main rooms along with two side rooms. Surrounding the courtyard is a half-height wall. Originally, there were some flowers and plants growing in the courtyard, but unfortunately, it is now late autumn, and the flowers and plants have withered and faded, leaving only some dry branches and fallen leaves standing in the courtyard.

In response to his wife's request for divorce, Li Xiu experienced anger, confusion, and despair, ultimately making the painful choice to let go. After the divorce, in an attempt to numb his pain, he chose to work even more frantically. As a result, one night while working overtime, he suddenly collapsed and died in his office. At that moment, Li Xiu thought his life had come to an end, but unexpectedly, when he awoke again, he found himself transported back to the early Tang Dynasty over a thousand years ago

Walking downstream along the Huangqu for several dozen meters, a small river that branches off from the Huangqu will appear. On this side of the river is the courtyard where Li Xiu resides, while across the river lies a small village with only five households. All five families are tenants of Li Xiu, relying on renting and farming the dozens of acres of land under Li Xiu's name for their livelihood. This was also the only source of income for Li Xiu during his lifetime

Li Xiu did not expect that the so-called prosperous Tang Dynasty would be in such a state. However, upon reflection, it is not surprising. It is only the fifth year of the Wude era, and the Tang Dynasty has just been established for a short time. The chaos at the end of the Sui Dynasty has not yet completely ended, and the people of Guanzhong have only just begun to settle down. It is already quite difficult for them to have enough food to eat, and they cannot afford to concern themselves with much else.

In the early morning twilight, the light remained somewhat dim, and all around was a bamboo forest rustling with the cold autumn wind. In the middle of the clearing stood a solitary grave, and Li Xiu sat in front of the tombstone, embracing it. This scene, apart from being terrifying, truly evokes no other suitable adjectives.

Now it is the fifth year of the Wude era, and the Tang Dynasty has just been established. Most of the warlords from the end of the Sui Dynasty have been subdued, and the remaining ones pose no significant threat. Li Yuan is currently the emperor, while Li Shimin is assisting his father in consolidating power both internally and externally. Li Jiancheng is still the crown prince, and the Xuanwu Gate Incident is still a few years away. Following that will be the renowned Zhenguan governance. As for Wu Meiniang, it is uncertain whether she has been born yet, Li Xiu muttered to himself as he walked.

He is more aware than anyone else of the course of history, yet he does not intend to intervene. In his previous life, he was simply too busy and lived under the gaze of others, feeling exhausted both mentally and physically. This time, having finally gained a chance for rebirth, he decided to live for himself, to do things he enjoys, such as tending to flowers and fishing. When tired, he will lie down; when sleepy, he will sleep, making up for all that he owed in his past life. This is the life he desires. Having finally gained a chance for rebirth, he decided to live for himself, to do things he enjoys, such as tending to flowers and fishing. When tired, he will lie down; when sleepy, he will sleep, making up for all that he owed in his past life. This is the life he desires.

However, there was no expression of fear on Li Xiu's face. He simply stood up to stretch his frozen body, adjusted his long robe, and then bowed deeply to the tombstone in front of him, saying: "Thank you both for your support. May you be united in the afterlife and never again suffer the pain of longing!"

Even Li Xiu witnessed a child, approximately six or seven years old, running while gnawing on a dark, bread-like object. As a result, he accidentally fell to the ground, causing the bread to drop from his hand. Nearby, a stray dog pounced on it and grabbed it in its mouth. Before the dog could swallow it, the child, resembling a hungry wolf, lunged at the dog, forcibly retrieving the bread from its mouth. He then kicked the emaciated dog aside and began to enjoy his spoils like a victor.

Li Xiu, who was originally dull and unassuming, preferred to read books in his spare time, and could be described as a veritable bookworm. Furthermore, as he was not the legitimate son, he was quite inconspicuous in the Li residence. However, more than a year ago, Li Xiu did something that shocked the entire Tang Dynasty. During an outing, he unexpectedly encountered a beautiful woman, and as a result, the two fell in love at first sight, developing mutual feelings for each other

When Li Xiu regained consciousness, he already knew that he had crossed over, because in addition to his own memories, he had acquired the memories of another person. This person, also named Li Xiu, was from over a thousand years ago during the Tang Dynasty, and was the son of Li Jing, a renowned general of the early Tang, known as the God of War of the Tang. However, Li Xiu was not the legitimate son of Li Jing, but rather the son of a concubine, which made him a secondary son, and he was not given much importance in the family.

Li Xiu was imprisoned by his father in the mansion until three days after the young nun's death, when he accidentally learned of this matter. He immediately spat blood and fainted. Upon waking, he was filled with rage for the sake of his beloved, and despite having always been timid in speaking at home, he had a fierce argument with his father and stormed out of the Li residence. This incident became known throughout the Tang Dynasty, and soon everyone on the streets was discussing it. In his fury, Li Jing declared that he would no longer recognize Li Xiu as his son, effectively severing their father-son relationship.

Upon seeing the scene across the river, Li Xiu suddenly felt as if something was blocking his heart. The child eating the steamed bun had a large head and a small body, resembling a refugee from Africa in later times. Although he was merely holding a bun snatched from a dog's mouth, the way he ate it made it seem as if he were savoring the most delicious food in the world. Even the other children around him looked at the bun in his hand with envious eyes. Although he was merely holding a bun snatched from a dog's mouth, the way he ate it made it seem as if he were savoring the most delicious food in the world. Even the other children around him looked at the bun in his hand with envious eyes.

In the future, during the Qingming and Shangyuan festivals, Li will certainly burn more paper money for the two of them!" Li Xiu said as he once again bowed to the tombstone, and then turned to leave. The original Li Xiu had already died, yet the current him still needed to live on. After experiencing a life-and-death situation, he had come to appreciate the value of life even more, thus he cherished this opportunity for rebirth.

After Li Xiu left home, he resided in a small manor by the Huangqu River in the southern part of the city, and he also moved the grave of that little nun next to the manor. This manor was purchased with all the private savings of his prematurely deceased mother, intended as a retreat for Li Xiu. This far-sighted woman understood that the struggles within wealthy families, while not comparable to those of the royal family, were still quite brutal. Moreover, her son was an honest man who never liked to compete with others, and it was inevitable that he would suffer losses in the future. With this small manor, Li Xiu would at least have a fallback option, but little did he expect that just a few years after her passing, he would truly have to rely on this manor for his livelihood.

The pot is empty, the rice jar is also empty. Li Xiu searched the entire kitchen, and aside from some seasonings like salt, there was simply nothing edible to be found. This left him feeling somewhat disheartened and puzzled. After all, he was a small landowner; how could he be in such dire straits? How could it be that there wasn't even a single grain of food in his home?