Summary
Highlights
Li Qingcao starts a hotpot business with the support of the local magistrate and a mysterious 'old shaman' (who is revealed to be a relative of the magistrate). He presents his innovative agricultural tools to the magistrate, leading to imperial recognition and his ennoblement as a Marquis. His old family, still embroiled in their own troubles, are shocked by his success.
Li Qingcao's father dies in a brothel, and his brothers are arrested for trying to extort money. When his family tries to claim their relation to the new Marquis, Li Qingcao publicly disowns them, asserting his independence. He focuses on raising his children, ensuring their education and future prosperity, while his old family faces the consequences of their past actions.
A modern man transmigrates into the body of Li Qingcao, a 35-year-old widower burdened with supporting his parents, siblings, and children. He is treated poorly, often beaten, and his family takes advantage of his hard work. Recognizing the children's sensible nature despite their hardships, he resolves to change their fate and leave his abusive family.
Li Qingcao discovers a mysterious system, allowing him to identify and sell valuable items like Prunella vulgaris and wild boars for coins. He saves a meat bun for his kind daughter, Da Ya, who expresses fear of being sold due to their poverty. He comforts her and assures her he will protect them, then takes his sons up the mountain to gather valuable resources.
Li Qingcao's family continues to exploit him, with his father admonishing him to prioritize his younger brother's studies and his mother physically abusing him. He realizes he needs to separate from his family to protect his children. He pretends to be extra filial and consults a a shamanku (sorceress) to create a narrative that will allow for a family division without being branded unfilial.
Li Qingcao and his family visit a local shamanku for a 'fortune telling' where, with Li Qingcao's influence, the shamanku diagnoses the family's misfortune as stemming from a 'malevolent spirit' (Li Qingcao himself). This creates tension and eventually leads to a heated discussion about family division, with Li Qingcao subtly manipulating the situation to his advantage.
The family officially divides their property, with Li Qingcao's manipulative parents giving him the smallest share, believing he is an unfilial son. Despite the unfair division, Li Qingcao is relieved to be free from their control. He uses funds from his system to buy necessities and establish their new, independent life, with support from the village head and clan elders.
Li Qingcao discovers a gold mine, making him immensely wealthy. He uses the system to acquire blueprints for modern agricultural tools (curved plow, waterwheel) and a hotpot recipe. He plans to use these new resources and knowledge to improve his family's life, legitimize his wealth, and contribute to the community.