Core background: The fictional dynasty "Dayin" appears to be peaceful and prosperous on the surface, but in fact there is an undercurrent of power struggle in the court. The feudal kings are divided, the eunuchs are exclusive, the border is in crisis, the imperial power is declining, the six ministries and nine ministers are divided up by several major families, official business is common, and the people are in poverty. Protagonist identity: Xiao Jingyan: Originally the eldest grandson of the Xiao family in Jiangnan, he was a child of an aristocratic family. He was well-dressed and well-fed since he was a child, and he was proficient in poetry and calligraphy, as well as the art of war. However, because his father was involved in party disputes, he was framed and executed. Fortunately, he was rescued by an old servant. He lived on the border and became a handyman in the army. Later, due to fate, he came to Beijing, changed his name to "Lin Yan", and hid as a down-and-out scholar. Xie Wuhuan: The top performer of the "Yusheng Tower" in the capital. He has a stunning appearance and sings sad songs. He is actually the grandson of the former Taifu. His family was destroyed by Shen Chong, the powerful prime minister of the dynasty. He hides his name in the theater troupe where the powerful gather, secretly collecting evidence and waiting for opportunities for revenge. Core conflict: Xiao Jingyan wants to avenge his grievances and return to the court, but has no way; Xie Wuhuan wants to assassinate Shen Chong, but is unable to get close. The two met because of a murder on stage, tested each other, and finally formed an alliance - one needed to use the eyes of an actor to peek into the privacy of powerful people, and the other needed to use the power of a wealthy family to gain a high position. The main storyline of Machiavellian conspiracy: Using the "Imperial Examination Fraud Case" as an introduction, the three hidden threads of household corruption, border army embezzlement, and crown prince disputes were revealed. Xiao Jamyan took advantage of the scientific examination to become an official, and worked step by step to unite poor families, divide aristocratic families, and start a court game with the "Qingliu Party" headed by Shen Chong; The core of counterattack: from "the one being crushed" to "the one who plays chess". Jamel Xiao grew from an orphan on the run to a young master with military power and control over the public opinion; Xie Wuhuan went from a despised actor to a "hand in the shadow" that stirred up the situation in the court. The two used extraordinary methods and did extraordinary things, and finally brought down the powerful Shen Chong from the altar. Key image: a broken jade flute - originally a keepsake of the Xiao family, it was picked up by Xie Wuhuan after it broke and recast into a dagger, symbolizing the intertwined fate of the two people, and also a metaphor for "the bones of culture turn into blades, and softness overcomes hardness".
Intention: Machiavellian, fair