"Mountains and Rivers" is an epic historical novel set against the backdrop of the turbulent history of the late Sui Dynasty and early Tang Dynasty. It tells the legendary life of Lin Xiao, a failed scholar who struggled to survive from a commoner in troubled times, and eventually founded a dynasty.
The story begins during the Daye reign of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty. The protagonist Lin Xiaohuai failed in the imperial examination and witnessed the decay of the empire and the people's dire livelihood. Wrapped up by the times, he resolutely devoted himself to the uprising against the Sui Dynasty. With his extraordinary wisdom and courage, he quickly rose to prominence and formed his own faction. However, his fate was ill-fated. As his power grew, he encountered strong suppression from the emerging dynasty and was forced to surrender and lie dormant.
Until the age of thirty-two, Lin Xiao seized the opportunity and resolutely launched the second uprising. This time, he strategized, went through hardships, and finally succeeded in the Northern Expedition, overthrew the powerful enemy, established his own "Great Xiao" dynasty, and completed the great cause of unification in the 40s and ascended the throne as emperor. The novel not only focuses on Lin Xiao's magnificent military journey and political strategy, but also deeply depicts his complex inner world and growth arc.
The many characters around him are equally vivid: there is Wu He Qian, his brother who was loyal and fought side by side but eventually died on the battlefield, and was posthumously named King Wu; there is Xu Annan, his close friend who never abandons him and goes through ups and downs and is finally granted the title of Duke An, allowing him to enjoy his old age; there are also the assistance and games of capable advisers such as Liu Bowen and Lan Haihong. The relationship between family and country, brotherhood, and the principles of monarch and ministers are intertwined and tested in troubled times.
