1. Story background
The story is set in the late Northern Song Dynasty. On the surface, it is the bustling market depicted in "Along the River During the Qingming Festival", but in fact, there are undercurrents, and internal and external troubles gradually emerge. The aftermath of Wang Anshi's reform, the continuation of old and new party struggles, and the threat of the Liao and Jin Dynasties in the north are all affecting this seemingly prosperous dynasty.
2. Main characters
1. Su Mo: A young scholar, talented, eager to pass the imperial examination and become an official to realize his ambition. He had unique insights into the culture and politics of the Northern Song Dynasty, and witnessed the rise and fall of the Northern Song Dynasty from his perspective.
2. Old Man Zhang: An ordinary citizen in Bianliang City, he runs a small teahouse and is familiar with all kinds of things in the market. Through his narration, he shows the life of the people at the bottom.
3. Wang Anshi: Although he has passed away, his reform ideas still profoundly influenced the Northern Song Dynasty court, and his reform measures and ideas were constantly mentioned and discussed in the story.
4. Sima Guang: He opposed Wang Anshi's reform, and his conservative ideas also had great influence in the court. His dispute with Wang Anshi was an important part of the political struggle in the Northern Song Dynasty.
