This is a historical novel. In the late Eastern Han Dynasty, Cao Cao moved Emperor Xian to Xudu where he ""had a firm hold over the emperor to oppress the princes"" and gradually took control of military and political power. The story happened under such a background. A group of people who were loyal to the Han court took Emperor Xian's younger brother Yang Ping to the court and then started a struggle with Cao Cao's subordinates. With instructions of Yang Xiu, Yang Ping soon adapted to the court struggle and found his own place, trying to protect the Han power among the struggle.
Ma Boyong (born 14 November, 1980) is a Chinese novelist, columnist and blogger. In the year of 2010, he won People's Literature Prize, one of China's most prestigious honors.
His short story The City of Silence was translated into English by science fiction writer Ken Liu.