Yan Feiqiu, the daughter of the prefect of Shang'an City in the Great Yu Kingdom, gets caught by Lu Chuanqing, the son of the city's chief constable, after swindling local merchants and wealthy families. After their families intervene and Lu Chuanqing once stands up for her, the two become close friends. Even before that, Lu Chuanqing had been deeply captivated by Yan Feiqiu. He secretly swears to join the army, distinguish himself in the military exams held in the capital Linyang, and earn a military rank. Then he plans to head to the border between the Great Yu Kingdom and its mortal enemy, the Jinye Kingdom, to earn military merit. He intends to become a great general and then ask for the hand of the woman he loves. But this only provokes the jealousy of Wen Zhao, Yan Feiqiu's childhood friend. As a vice minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Wen Zhao had previously treated Lu Chuanqing like a sworn brother because of Yan Feiqiu. When he learns that Lu Chuanqing has feelings for her too, he uses his official authority to obstruct him and set traps at every turn, eventually even taking the path of treason. Several times, he puts Lu Chuanqing in mortal danger. Once Yan Feiqiu learns what kind of person Wen Zhao really is, she and Lu Chuanqing pledge themselves to each other for life. Wen Zhao ultimately meets a fatal end as well. Meanwhile, thanks to his outstanding military achievements, Lu Chuanqing rises to become the Great General Who Guards the Nation. He repels the southern advance of Jinye's ruler, Yelü Junzuo, laying a firm foundation for the Great Yu Kingdom's prosperity and peace, and becoming the greatest hero of Great Yu.