Great Ming: The Jinyiwei's Rise to Power Amidst the Turmoil

During the reigns of the Jiajing, Longqing, and Wanli emperors of the Ming Dynasty, Shen Xiao was a hundred-household commander in the Embroidered Uniform Guard. He wanted nothing more than a quiet life and to raise his daughter, but a blood feud drew him into conflicts between the martial world and the imperial court. Twenty years ago, his father was killed in a haunted-house case. Three years ago, his wife was burned to death in an arson attack. In the treacherous world of officialdom, Shen Xiao is ordered to confiscate properties and crosses paths with famous historical figures such as Qi Jiguang, Zhang Juzheng, and Yan Song and his sons. Torn between loyalty and morality, he uses his family's inherited craft and his wits to navigate the whirlpool of power, rising from an inspection officer.