Born into this world twelve years ago, Gu Zhixue had loving parents, a harmonious family, and friendly neighbors. Her life was comfortable and carefree.
But then disaster struck. Her brother, who was supposed to sit the county examinations, was envied by others and had his right hand crippled by a fellow student. As a result, her grandfather was left bedridden, her father was crippled in both legs, and relatives and friends avoided them like the plague.
All because the culprit had power, and ordinary people could not fight the authorities!
How ironic.
The terrible price they paid taught Gu Zhixue that only by becoming stronger could she keep her family safe.
From then on, Gu Zhixue had no choice but to show her mettle and prop up their tottering household.
Making money, learning martial arts, finding doctors, protecting friends, standing up to the powerful, and leading the whole village to prosperity: she would do it all! See how Gu Zhixue carves out a life of her own in ancient times!
In this strange world, besides her precious family, Gu Zhixue has three close friends.
Xie Yu, who was forced to grow up in the countryside after a clash of powerful families; Gu Pancai, who was raised with great expectations but insists on going into business against her elders' wishes; and Gu Tingjie, who depends on his grandmother and eventually goes to the battlefield to fight the enemy.
The four grow up together, starting from a remote corner of the countryside. One uses ingenuity to break through a deadlock, one reveals their identity and claims their rightful place, one becomes an imperial merchant and takes charge of the economy, and one dons armor for battle.
From humble beginnings in the fields to reaching the pinnacle in their own ways, the four remain one another's steadfast support throughout the long river of time.
