⚠️Important statement: This story is purely fictitious and is only based on the historical background of the Southern Tang and Northern Song Dynasties. It has no connection with the deeds of real historical figures or historical trends. Do not confuse historical facts.
1. The core setting of the novel
1. Protagonist: Li Yu (subverts the image of a subjugated king in historical facts, and is set to be tolerant and prematurely wise, with imperial decisiveness, able to abandon poetry and engage in politics, capable of bringing peace to the country through literature, and wise in knowing and employing people)
2. Core plot: Li Yu took over the turbulent Southern Tang Dynasty, broke the peace-seeking trend, allied with friends, defended the Huaihe River, and accumulated national strength. Taking advantage of the civil strife in the Song Dynasty, he made an expedition to the north, finally destroyed the Song Dynasty and unified the world, and transformed from a poet among flowers to a prosperous emperor.
3. Key supporting roles: Lin Renzhao (the most handsome man in the Southern Tang Dynasty, loyal and brave, the core of the main force of the Northern Expedition), Feng Yansi (Prime Minister of the Southern Tang Dynasty, from the main peacemaker to the full-time assistant), Li Chongjin (an old minister of the Zhou Dynasty) , united with the Tang Dynasty to fight against the Song Dynasty), Meng Chang (lord of Later Shu, allied with the Southern Tang Dynasty), Qian Chu (King of Wuyue, surrendered to the Southern Tang Dynasty), Zhao Kuangyin/Zhao Guangyi (Emperor of the Northern Song Dynasty, a hero in the early period, and seized power in the later period due to civil strife)
4. Core Conflict: Southern Tang (a weak country seeking survival → separatizing the south of the Yangtze River → Northern Expedition to unify) VS Northern Song Dynasty (building a strong country → being trapped on both fronts → destroying the country due to civil strife)
5. The tone of the story: Struggle for power, king and minister, counterattack and comeback, taking into account the righteousness of family and country and Li Yu's true heart as a poet
