Li Ansheng, a modern scholar of philology, arrives in the Great Yong dynasty and becomes a member of a wealthy imperial merchant family. A scandal surrounding the imperial examinations plunges his family into crisis. With his literary talent and poetry, he earns the admiration of Zhou Yanghao and meets the gifted young woman Su Qingyuan, with whom he develops a deep connection. He goes on to top the palace examination. After taking up a post in the Eastern City Military Command, he handles affairs skillfully and resolves disputes among powerful nobles. Navigating the complex relationships between the emperor, princes, and prominent clans, he investigates old cases and plans overseas trade, striving to strengthen the nation through commerce and protect his family.