Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
The Murder Mystery
Xu Tian investigates his fiancée's murder, leading him into a web of political intrigue and personal danger.
Key Events
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Fiancee Murdered — Xu Tian's fiancée Jia Xiaoduo is found murdered Characters: Xu Tian, Jia Xiaoduo
Location: Beiping streets
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Investigation Begins — Xu Tian starts investigating the murder case Characters: Xu Tian, Feng Qingbo
Location: Police station
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Brothers Gather — The three brothers meet amid growing tensions Characters: Xu Tian, Jin Hai, Tie Lin
Location: Teahouse
Brothers Divided
The three friends face conflicting beliefs and loyalties as historic changes approach, forcing them onto different paths.
Key Events
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Brothers Gather — The three brothers meet amid growing tensions Characters: Xu Tian, Jin Hai, Tie Lin
Location: Teahouse
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Meets Tian Dan — Xu Tian meets communist member Tian Dan Characters: Xu Tian, Tian Dan
Location: Refugee camp
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Conflicting Beliefs — Brothers face conflicting political loyalties Characters: Xu Tian, Jin Hai, Tie Lin, Feng Qingbo
Location: City hall
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Brothers Divided — The three friends choose different paths Characters: Xu Tian, Jin Hai, Tie Lin
Location: City gates
Liberation of Beiping
Xu Tian becomes deeply involved in the communist movement working to liberate Beiping from the old regime.
Key Events
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Brothers Divided — The three friends choose different paths Characters: Xu Tian, Jin Hai, Tie Lin
Location: City gates
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Underground Work — Xu Tian works with communists for liberation Characters: Xu Tian, Tian Dan, Communist Party members
Location: Secret meeting place
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Final Confrontation — Final showdown between conflicting factions Characters: Xu Tian, Jin Hai, Feng Qingbo
Location: Palace
Dawn of a New Era
As the People's Republic of China is established, the characters reconcile their past and face an uncertain future.
Key Events
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Final Confrontation — Final showdown between conflicting factions Characters: Xu Tian, Jin Hai, Feng Qingbo
Location: Palace
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Liberation Achieved — Beiping is liberated as PRC is established Characters: Xu Tian, Tian Dan, Jin Hai, Tie Lin
Location: City square
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New World Dawns — Characters reflect on their choices in new era Characters: Xu Tian, Tian Dan, Jin Hai, Tie Lin
Location: City walls
Set in the city of Beiping during the 22 days before the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949 is a story about the drastic changes in the lives of three brothers Jin Hai, Tie Lin, and Xu Tian as well as a romance between Xu Tian and Tian Dan. In investigating the murder that claimed the life of his fiancee, policeman Xu Tian starts on a trail that will eventually lead to his involvement in the liberation of Beiping. Jin Hai, Tie Lin, and Xu Tian are three friends who are as close as brothers. In the face of historic changes and conflicting beliefs, they make choices that take them on diverging paths. Xu Tian and communist member Tian Dan meet during their lowest moments and find a common goal that brings them together.
