The Great Yuan Dynasty

In the final years of the Zhanghe era of the Great Yuan Dynasty, the late king Ying Ji passes away. The young new emperor, Ying Yun, ascends the throne and names his reign Zhaohua, but before his power is secure, he is plunged into a desperate crisis. At court, Zhang Bai, a lowborn and ambitious Minister of Personnel, builds a faction for his own gain. He seizes on the Yellow River floods to make his move, conspiring with the chief eunuch Chu Xiu to force the emperor from the throne. Outside the imperial city, Ma Guocheng, deputy general of Jinling, and others launch a rebellion, bringing their troops to the gates.

Fortunately, Yang Ming, Minister of Works and a member of the Hongnong Yang clan, joins forces with the astonishingly gifted Wen Xi, the female Minister of Rites, to protect the emperor. General Su Qi'an also leads troops to suppress the rebellion. Political maneuvering conceals deadly blades, while palace intrigues are swept up in the clash of armies. With loyal ministers at his side, the young emperor takes one careful step at a time through courtly power struggles and the flames of war, vowing to purge treacherous officials, secure imperial authority, and defend the vast lands of Great Yuan. A life-or-death struggle that will decide the dynasty’s fate now begins.