Core main line
Taking the first year of Zhenguan (627) as the starting point, it revolves around the founding process of the "Reign of Zhenguan" by Li Shimin, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, and connects the five branches of court intrigues, people's livelihood innovation, frontier management, cultural prosperity, and personal growth to show the rise of the Tang Dynasty from the devastation after the war to the coming of all nations to the dynasty. It has both historical authenticity and storytelling.
Central figure
Li Shimin: From an enterprising young emperor, he experienced suspicion, setbacks, and transformation, and grew into a Zhenguan Mingjun who "outdid the three emperors and five emperors". He had both great talent and great strategy and human struggles (such as the shadow of the Xuanwu Gate incident, the checks and balances on the heroes, and the entanglement over the successor in his later years).
Empress Changsun: Virtue, virtue and political wisdom coexist. She is not only the spiritual support of Li Shimin, but also the invisible force that balances the power of the court, witnessing the rise and fall of Zhenguan's prosperous era.
Fang Xuanling/Du Ruhui: The core prime ministers and assistants of "Fang's plan and Du Jue", respectively representing steady innovation and decisive courage, running through the construction of various systems in the Zhenguan Dynasty, showing the character of civil servants.
Wei Zheng: A "rebellious minister" who spoke out and dared to remonstrate. From the prince Jiancheng's old ministry to the first criticizing minister of Zhenguan, he promoted the improvement of government affairs by "offending his face and directly remonstrating", reflecting Li Shimin's broad-mindedness and imperial skills.
Li Jing/Li Ji: The "Military Gods" of the Tang Dynasty, they dominated the northern grasslands and the eastern battlefield respectively, pacified the Eastern Turks, Gaochang, Goguryeo, etc., Showing the hardships of the Tang Dynasty's military expansion and border management.
Supporting group portraits: Changsun Wuji (a powerful relative), Yuchi Jingde (a powerful general who founded the country), Ma Zhou (a wise minister from a poor family), Xuanzang (an eminent monk traveling to the west), Princess Wencheng, Jieli Khan (the leader of the Turks), etc., Covering the court, the army, the people, the frontier, and foreign countries.
