Male protagonist. Tall and slender, from rural peasant stock. Rose from wretched childhood—crawled through dog holes of schoolhouses, wrote characters in sand. Never participated in imperial examinations but became a minor official noticed by a backwater magistrate. Conquered vast territories south of the Three Rivers and Nine Streams for Great Xia, establishing personal influence spanning hundreds of miles and creating his own independent faction. Known for foul methods, stubborn and arrogant, treacherous and ruthless—an unprincipled villain without moral compass. Countless scions of noble families perished within his domain. Everyone in Shangjing City hated him. Orchestrated a corruption scandal during the imperial examinations that caused upheaval in court and public. Helped Cao Zhao cheat to secure Tong Jinshi degree. Seized eight of Song Chuyu's cargo ships five years ago. Damaged his health young and died early; his life was destined to be as brief as a blooming epiphyllum. Five years after his death, his former subordinates became the dynasty's only effective fighting force against northwestern cavalry invasion. Currently in Shangjing City in disguise, living in a dilapidated temple, hiring a book attendant.
