The Broken Sword Guards the Realm is a novel blending history and martial arts. Set during the late Qing dynasty, as British and French forces invade China, it tells the tragic story of martial heroes and patriots joining forces to defend their country. The story centers on Zhao Yunlong, commander of the Imperial Guards, and follows a series of thrilling struggles tied to key clues such as the map of the waterways beneath Mount Yuquan and the Tiger Tally. From the Battle of Baliqiao and the catastrophe at Yuanmingyuan to the Xiang Army’s intrigues and the coup in Rehe, Zhao Yunlong and his allies, including Liu Wushuang, the White Lotus Society’s left envoy; A Ming, a salt smuggler; and Wan Qing, an orphan, gradually expose and thwart the treasonous schemes of foreign powers and corrupt Qing officials amid court intrigue and martial-world feuds. After a series of bloody battles, they awaken the people’s resolve to resist foreign aggression, planting the seeds for the success of the Xinhai Revolution. With its sweeping twists and vividly drawn characters, the novel portrays the spirit of chivalry and the awakening of national consciousness amid the chaos of the late Qing.
