This novel, through the creation of a group of ministers of the Qing Dynasty represented by Chen Tingjing, reflects the difficult choice of the officials in their personality, morality and behavior in a unique historical background, and recreates the situation of the officialdom some 300 years ago. On the basis of historical materials, the author presents the image of the celebrated upright, lenient, competent and iron-handed Minister Cheng Tingjing. Chen Tingjing, originally named Chen Jing, became a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations at the age of 21. As there were two candidates named Chen Jing, Emperor Shunzhi changed his name to Chen Jingting. From the moment he entered the officialdom, he was involved in constant confrontations with Mingzhu and Songgotu whose power later became second only to that of the emperor, and in open or secret struggle with Emperor Kangxi’s confidants such as Xu Qianxue and Gao Shiqi … In the 53 years of his official career, he consecutively served as Emperor Kangxi’s tutor, minister of the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Revenues and the Ministry of Penalty, Grand Secretary of the Imperial Library, and editor-in-chief of Kangxi Dictionary before he died in post and was crowned with eternal glory. The plot of the novel is both lucid and heavy, giving enlightenment and caution to people of today.
