The story begins with Zhao Kuangyin, the founding king who coexisted ambition and restraint and laid the foundation of the Song Dynasty. Zhao Guangyi lived in the shadow of his elder brother. After he succeeded to the throne, the Northern Expedition failed miserably, and the fate of the Song Dynasty changed. Kou Zhun, a tough guy, tried his best to turn the tide, but was ostracized by the court and died unjustly, showing the tragedy of a hero's end. Because of the humiliation of the Chanyuan Alliance, Zhenzong staged the farce of the Book of Heaven enshrining Zen under the instigation of Wang Qinruo, and the Song Dynasty began to sink under the surface of its prosperous age.
In the palace, the legend of "civet cat for prince" is lamentable. Liu E, Li and Zhao Zhen were bound by fate, performing a tragedy without a winner. In the desert of the northwest, Li Yuanhao was ambitious and led the Dangxiang clan to rise and establish Xixia. He started a fierce conflict with the Song Dynasty and the clouds of war loomed.
Through the wonderful portrayal of many historical figures, this book vividly presents the complex picture of the Song Dynasty in politics, military affairs, palace struggles and other aspects, allowing readers to feel like they are in that magnificent era and appreciate the unique charm and profound connotation of the history of the Song Dynasty.
