During the Northern Song dynasty, prosperity seemed to reign on the surface, but undercurrents swirled both inside and outside the imperial court. All kinds of strange cases broke out among the people, disrupting their lives to varying degrees. Within the court, rival factions contended openly and covertly. Some with ulterior motives schemed to enrich themselves, or even to overthrow the government. Meanwhile, the martial world was home to all manner of mysterious organizations. Some committed crimes, while others pursued hidden agendas, and they were intricately connected to the cases unfolding in the court and among the people.
