The Great Qian dynasty has just been founded. Emperor Taizu, Zhao Yuan, overthrew the previous dynasty’s tyranny and established his capital at Yanjing. The realm is newly unified, but the dynasty’s foundations remain shaky. At court, Taizu enfeoffs his sons, each prince eyeing the throne. In the provinces, remnants of the previous dynasty are stirring in the shadows, while powerful clans are deeply entrenched. The common people have found some respite, but still suffer under corrupt officials and harsh policies. Although the new dynasty’s emphasis on the imperial examinations has made it somewhat easier for scholars from humble families to advance, the path remains firmly controlled by the powerful, and reaching the top overnight is still all but impossible.
