In this play-by-play account of the elite politics that led to the military
crackdown during the 1989 Tiananmen protests, Su addresses the repression of
the protest in the context of political leadership succession. He challenges
conventional views that see the military intervention as a necessary measure
against a revolutionary mobilization.
The Qielan Clan’s youngest assassin, Xiahou Lian, needs to get inside the aristocratic Xie family. He manages to gain a post serving Xie Jinglan, the family’s youngest son. However, the boys’ friendship soon undercuts Xiahou Lian’s treacherous ruse, causing him to make a choice that will follow him long into adulthood… Xiahou Lian, the Qielan Clan’s youngest assassin, needs to get inside the aristocratic Xie household for his next assignment. He secures a post under Xie Jinglan, the family’s youngest son, and all players are in position. Yet as the date of the planned assassination approaches, the two boys find that they’ve become fast friends. Thus, Xiahou Lian takes a course of action that will haunt him for years to come…As fates turn, Xiahou Lian is reduced to working as a dog for the chief of the Eastern Depot, a Ming dynasty spy agency. But the chief is the very boy Xiahou Lian once saved! What’s more, he seems more charming than resentful. There’s definitely something wrong with the chief…