In the 20th year of Emperor Kaihuang's reign in the Sui Dynasty (AD 600), the imperial examination system was first established, and students from poor families finally saw the light of day. In the city of Luoyang, there are undercurrents from all sides: aristocratic families are secretly obstructing it, conservative officials are acting in secret, but a group of candidates with different identities have embarked on a journey to change their destiny.
Chen Zhibai, a poor scholar, went to Beijing with only three coins in his arms. On the way, he met Su Muwan, the daughter of a general who was disguised as a candidate. Qian Duolai, the son of a wealthy businessman, brought a box of silver to "open the way with money"; Dugu Ming, a descendant of a noble family, did anything to regain his family title; and Niu Dazhuang, the seemingly honest farmer's son, was actually burdened with a mysterious mission. They all have their own concerns, but they gather in the capital for the imperial examination.
At the same time, the forces opposing the imperial examination have laid a dragnet: Cui Yan, the Minister of Rites, promotes the imperial examination on the surface, but secretly colludes with aristocratic families to plan sabotage; he is an informant among the invigilators, and murderous intent is everywhere inside and outside the examination room. A battle about fairness and privilege quietly unfolded inside and outside the imperial examination hall in the 20th year of the founding of the emperor.
