In the early Zhenguan era, Shen Yan, the magistrate of Jingyang County, submitted memorials every year crying poverty, claiming that there was no grain in the county and the people were suffering. Li Shimin went on an undercover inspection of the disaster, only to find that Jingyang's granaries were bursting, trade routes were flourishing, and the people lived and worked in peace and contentment. Yet the very next moment, he bumped into Shen Yan accepting bribery money, visiting the Pingkang quarters, investing in gambling dens, and even accepting money on the spot to recommend officials. Li Shimin had murderous intentions several times, but the more he investigated, the more he discovered that this "corrupt official" reeking of copper coins actually harbored a startling set of hidden cards to save the county and its people. And Shen Yan never knew from beginning to end that the wealthy Chang'an merchant he had been fleecing was none other than the reigning Emperor.