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.… ...

Before YU CHING sets out for Yazhou, TUNG CHIU sees him off. Later, his daughter YUK-KIU marries to CHI-SHAN as his concubine. However, CHI-SHAN suspects that she still cannot let go of YU CHING, who is beaten up severely owing to his refusal to commit bribery upon his arrival in Yazhou. Under custody in Wuguocheng Prison, suffering endless humiliation and torture, KWAI-SHING survives by sheer dogged persistence recalling TUNG CHIU's teachings. Unfortunately, his situation worries the Empress and Consort TAK so much that the latter even suffers a miscarriage. CHI-SHAN proposes creating KWAI-WO as crown prince, which is refuted by the court officials. Believing that TUNG CHIU is their key to success, Consort WAI requests TUNG CHIU to forge KWAI-SHING's handwriting to write a letter to NING CHUNG suggesting KWAI-WO be the crown prince.… ...

Apart from the forgiveness of the alleged crime of the forgery, NING CHUNG also grants TUNG CHIU as Hin Mo Court Scholar. Being despised by KWAI-WO regardless of Consort WAI's vehement recommendation, TUNG CHIU then pays a visit to the Empress secretly revealing Consort WAI's conspiracy. Following others to pan for gold near the river, YU CHING learns from YEUNG CHUN that the commandant colludes with the outsiders, depriving the prisoners' labour in gold digging. He later bumps into his old servant HAU, who lost contact with YU TSING and YU JING in Pak Sing Village. Worrying about his siblings, YU CHING plans to run away with YEUNG CHUN. Having discovered that gold sand is missing, the commandant and FAN CHIU-LUN, the second-in-command of Waterway Gang, comes to check up, during which YU CHING successfully proves YEUNG CHUN's innocence regarding the alleged accusation.… ...

In order to show his gratitude to YU CHING for saving his life, YEUNG CHUN lends a helping hand to search for YU CHING's younger siblings upon their return to Linan City. Overhearing that TUNG CHIU has joined forces with CHI-SHAN and the Crown prince when dining at the Riverview Inn, all sorts of feelings well up in YU CHING's mind. He then bears resentment against HUNG-YING, a daughter of the Waterway Gang Chief – FAN CHIU-LUN, resulting in a note of discord creeping into their relationship. Observing a familiar figure resembling YUK-KIU, YU CHING tracks her to Pure Land Monastery. Ahead of his departure to bring back KWAI-SHING under NING CHUNG's decree, TUNG CHIU has stirred up controversy over the issue of present and former Crown princes with CHI-SHAN at the court. At the Jin Depot he finds out that KWAI-SHING has lost his mind. Later KWAI-SHING falls overboard after being chased by assassins on their way back.… ...