King Maker

Following the death of Emperor NING CHUNG of the Southern Sung Dynasty, his son KWAI-SHING succeeded him as Emperor LEI CHUNG with assistance from two King Makers – YU CHING and TUNG CHIU, after a chain of political strife. Flashback: During the period of Ka Ding, being framed by wicked persons, Grand Tutor - YU POK-MAN is banished to the borderland. His son YU CHING feels helpless, but determines to move up the political ladder so as to seek justice for his oppressed father, regardless of his father's exhortation of not joining officialdom. He later is recruited by Chancellor YEUNG CHI-SHAN as his private strategic advisor. Owing to the antagonism between CHI-SHAN and TUNG CHIU, YU CHING breaks off his engagement with TUNG CHIU's daughter - TUNG YUK-KIU.… ...

KWAI-SHING and TUNG CHIU try to inform NING CHUNG about the Foundry explosion, but they are staved off by Consort WAI. Attempting to usurp the throne of the crown prince, CHI-SHAN threatens YU CHING with his family members' lives to falsely claim KWAI-SHING and TUNG CHIU are liable for arson. Criticizing CHI-SHAN and KWAI-WO's iniquity due to their craving for greatness and success, TUNG CHIU is condemned by NING CHUNG instead. On the heel of exposing CHI-SHAN's plot, he not only appeals to NING CHUNG for clemency for YU-CHING, but also recommends him as KWAI-SHING's Reader-in-Waiting. Further he explains to YU-CHING the cause of his father's conviction upon arrival to YU-CHING's previous residence. After YUK-KIU brings back YU-TSING and YU-JING, YU-CHING requests her to return a jade pendant keepsake of their engagement fearing that CHI-SHAN will seek revenge against him.… ...

Even though scolding YU CHING for boasting recklessly at Jin's state banquet, TUNG CHIU begs forgiveness from Prince NGAN-LUNG and offers an explanation to KWAI-SHING for him. KWAI-SHING signs the treaty with Jin, during which NGAN-LUNG regales him on Kam-lan wine. Sensing there is something wrong with the alcohol, YU CHING tries to protect KWAI-SHING, ends up having his hands injured by the spillage. Unexpectedly, NGAN-LUNG dies right at the scene. Confronted with the allegation of conspiracy to murder the Prince of Jin with the Mongols, KWAI-SHING is kept under custody of NGAN-FU. Instead of rescuing KWAI-SHING, CHI-SHAN detains TUNG and YU back persuading NING CHUNG to convict them. For the sake of retaining TUNG CHIU's position in the court, YU CHING, like his father, takes all the blame.… ...