Several Northern Expeditions of the Song Dynasty were met with disastrous defeats. At this time, millions of Khitan cavalry troops invaded the south. The novel shows the strategic and tactical planning of both sides, the implementation of logistical support, the life-and-death struggle to capture cities and territories, the bloody battles of hand-to-hand combat, the fierce border defense, espionage wars, and new weapons that make the enemy invincible, and the invincible thousands of troops creating obstacles. Years of wars brought down the economy of the Song Dynasty, and the economy could not make ends meet. However, developing cavalry and consolidating national defense required huge funds. The novel describes how Song Zhenzong earned huge wealth by developing industry, commerce and overseas trade.
The novel shows the opening of the Ancient Tea-Horse Road in the Song Dynasty, the establishment of coastal ports, and the detailed process of production of silk, grain, tea, porcelain and other commodities.
The novel also shows the prosperity of economy and trade in the coastal areas of Lingnan, southwest and southeast during the Song Dynasty; the reforms of various agricultural and commercial policies and the changes brought about by the application of new technologies. The novel is a small encyclopedia of the history of the Song Dynasty, trying to let readers understand the secrets of doing things and being a human being.