In the dramatic world of Legend of the Magnate (大生意人), the imperial examination hall in Beijing becomes the stage for a life-shattering deception. Gu Pingyuan (古平原), a diligent scholar from Huizhou (徽州), is on the verge of achieving his dreams when a cruel lie upends his fate. During the critical exams, an unknown voice cries out that his mother is gravely ill, prompting him to abandon his test in a frantic rush.
In the chaos, he accidentally spills ink on an official, leading to accusations of disorderly conduct. This single moment of deceit results in his expulsion, the loss of his scholarly rank, and exile to Ningguta (宁古塔). The mystery deepens as Gu Pingyuan seeks answers: who would orchestrate such a plot, and why? This tale weaves together personal vendettas, hidden family ties, and the cutthroat world of commerce in 19th-century China, setting the scene for a relentless pursuit of truth.
Exam Day Deceit
The imperial exams were meant to be Gu Pingyuan's path to honor and success. As he focused on his papers in the bustling hall, a shout pierced the silence, claiming his mother had fallen ill back in Anhui. Panic set in; he pushed through the crowd, desperate to leave, but in the scuffle, ink splattered across a supervisor's face. The authorities swiftly labeled him a disruptor, and despite his pleas, no evidence of the message could be found. His exile to Ningguta followed, leaving him to grapple with the injustice and the haunting question of who planted the false alarm.
After his banishment, Gu Pingyuan's family confirmed that no such news had been sent, exposing the lie as a deliberate act. This revelation fueled his determination to uncover the truth, transforming his journey from scholarly pursuit to a quest for redemption. The incident not only stripped him of his status but also exposed the vulnerabilities within the rigid examination system, where a single whisper could destroy years of effort.
As he adapted to life in exile, Gu Pingyuan's resilience grew. He began to piece together clues, recalling fragments of the voice that had cried out that day. This memory would later become key in identifying his enemy, turning his misfortune into a driving force for investigation and revenge in the unfolding drama of Legend of the Magnate.
Unraveling the Plot
Years later, while in the northern frontiers, Gu Pingyuan overheard a familiar voice—that of Zhang Guangfa (张广发), a manager for the powerful Li family of Beijing. The tone matched the one from the exam hall, sparking a confrontation. When Gu Pingyuan accused him, Zhang initially denied it but slipped by using his name and referencing his exile, revealing his knowledge of the past. This encounter confirmed Gu Pingyuan's suspicions, pointing to a deeper conspiracy tied to the Li family's interests.
Further investigations revealed that Gu Pingyuan's father, Gu Wanzhang (古皖章), had vanished years earlier while trading in the north, coinciding with the Li family's domain. This connection suggested that old business rivalries or secrets might be at play. Zhang Guangfa's nervous behavior, especially when young master Li Qin (李钦) threatened to expose their meeting, hinted at hidden orders from higher authorities within the family.
As Gu Pingyuan navigated this web of deceit, he faced Zhang in several commercial battles, each time pressing for answers. Yet Zhang remained silent, guarding the secret until his death. This silence only intensified the mystery, pushing Gu Pingyuan to dig deeper into the Li family's history and their possible motives for ruining his life.
Hidden Connections
The truth emerged from a tangled past: Gu Wanzhang, once a scholar-trader, had been recruited by the Li patriarch to marry into the family and continue their lineage, renaming himself Li Wantang (李万堂). This arrangement required him to sever all ties with his past, including his son Gu Pingyuan. When Gu Pingyuan arrived in Beijing for the exams, the Li family feared exposure of this secret, which could undermine their social standing and wealth.
Mrs. Li (李太太), Li Wantang's wife, orchestrated the exam hall deception through Zhang Guangfa to prevent Gu Pingyuan from succeeding and potentially revealing the truth. Li Wantang, aware of the plot, felt powerless to stop it, as Mrs. Li threatened harm to Gu Pingyuan's family if he interfered. This moral dilemma forced him into complicity, highlighting the oppressive dynamics within the family.
Gu Pingyuan's eventual discovery of his father's identity added layers of conflict, as he realized the betrayal stemmed from familial fear rather than mere malice. The revelation reshaped his understanding of loyalty and sacrifice, turning his personal vendetta into a broader reflection on the costs of ambition and secrecy in a society driven by reputation and power.
