Interstellar wars have raged for hundreds of years as one civilization battles another. Tang Long, an average-looking young man just out of high school, dreams of becoming the Army Marshal who unites humanity across the universe. He knows the road runs through the ranks, from soldier to General to Marshal, and it starts when he accidentally joins a division that, on paper, no longer exists. Basic training in boot camp is his first hurdle, as his instructors put him through harsh, unorthodox, but well-meant torment to lay his foundation. From there, Tang Long uses his wits to stop the Silver Eagle Empire's plan to spark a black hole bomb war. He becomes acquainted with Star Zero, the Federation Central Computer, endures brutal training from mechanical instructors, rescues a self-propelled gunboat team, and leads a company of female soldiers back into the war. Once he is freed, a bigger enemy conspiracy lies in wait for him. The story pairs military sci-fi action with a soldier's climb toward an outsized dream.