A promising young man named Zhao Yan became the new magistrate
of the county of Lang Ling. He faced the challenge of how to
improve the living conditions of his subjects living in the
county as they were plagued by famine and poverty. During
the investigation, he was surprised to find out that the
local gentry, Fan Zhong, committed sinful acts of murder
and seized the lands of others by force.
Fan Zhong was a very good friend of Zhao Yan's father-in-law,
Li Tong. They went through thick and thin and Fan Zhong was
Li Tong's benefactor. During the war at Guan Du, Fan Zhong
had given up his family fortune to help Li Tong in obtaining
provisions and funds for his troops, and Fan Zhong's son was
sacrificed during the war.
Zhao Yan was in a dilemma as to how best to discharge the
personal gratitude owed and yet maintain judicial and moral
obligations. Let's see how he would act impartially and
fairly in dealing with this villain, Fan Zhong, by placing
the public sentiment and national law above the personal
relationships and benevolence.
