In the early years of the Republic, warlords clash and the people suffer. The country is divided into three territories, controlled by the Zhou warlords of Shanghai, the Xiao warlords of Beijing, and the Liao warlords of Yucheng, forming a three-way balance of power.
The Zhou family of Shanghai controls the nation’s economic lifelines and is the wealthiest of the three warlord clans. Its head is Zhou Yuchuan, the nearly fifty-year-old Commander Zhou. His first wife died in childbirth after bearing him a son, Zhou Linzhi. Zhou Yuchuan also has eight concubines, but only his third concubine has a child, a daughter named Zhou Loubai. She is Zhou Linzhi’s younger sister and is married to Liao Wenyu, the legitimate second son of Liao Xingchen, commander of the Liao warlords in Yucheng.
The Xiao warlords of Beijing have gathered many powerful figures from the late Qing Dynasty around them. Their leader is Xiao Jingxuan, also over fifty. His son, Xiao Hengzhi, is engaged to Gu Youming, the only daughter of the distinguished Gu family from the late Qing era.
Zhou Linzhi receives a secret report that the last Qing prince in Beijing, Aisin-Gioro Zaike, is colluding with the Japanese right under his nose, secretly selling opium in a bid to restore the Qing and overturn the current order. Zhou Linzhi goes undercover to investigate, intent on destroying their stronghold and network. After the stronghold is blown up, he is shot during his escape. While hiding, he stumbles into a brothel where Japanese patrons are indulging in sex and is overcome by an aphrodisiac incense. As he flees, he happens to take refuge in the hotel room where Gu Youming is staying. Gu Youming, a member of the Gu family who studied medicine abroad and has just returned home, saves him. She never imagined that her act of kindness would make her the antidote he needs. Afterwards, Zhou Linzhi leaves her a letter and a jade pendant engraved with his name, once owned by his late mother, as a token, then disappears.
Having lost her virginity before marriage, Gu Youming has no choice but to break off her engagement with the Xiao family. But Xiao Hengzhi kidnaps her and uses her to threaten Zhou Linzhi. “Young Marshal, choose one: your wife or your territory.”
