In sixth-century China, the Emperor of Great Liang orders the unjust execution of his brother-in-law Marshal Lin Xie alongside the Lin family, his 70,000 army soldiers, and Crown Prince Qi. Secretly surviving the massacre is Lin Xie’s son, Lin Shu, who undergoes medical treatment that changes his appearance entirely and leaves him in a weakened state, unable to ever perform martial arts again. Lin Shu changed his name to Mei Chang Su and later became the chief of the pugilist world and established the Jiangzuo Alliance.
Twelve years later, Mei Chang Su returns to the capital with a secret plan after being sought after by Prince Yu and Prince Xian during their fight for the throne. He decides to covertly assist Prince Jing, the unfavoured son of the Emperor, and wisely rids the court of all scheming officials.
~~ Adapted from the novel “Lang Ya Bang” (琅琊榜) by Hai Yan (海宴).
So the Emperor thought he could just order a family BBQ? Guess he didn’t check the guest list!
‘The unfavoured son’—classic case of sibling rivalry. Can’t wait for the reality show spin-off!
‘Secret plan’? This sounds like Lin Shu is auditioning for the next big blockbuster!
‘Jiangzuo Alliance’? Sounds like my friends and I trying to figure out where to eat next!
‘Medical treatment changed his appearance’? I guess they had some pretty wild plastic surgery back then!
‘Chief of the pugilist world’? I’m just here waiting for him to start a fashion line next.
If only everyone had a makeover like Lin Shu, the royal court would be a fashion runway!
‘Covertly assist’? More like ‘let’s play chess with real lives’. What a fun game!
‘Ridding the court of scheming officials’—I mean, who needs ethical debates when you have assassinations?
Lin Shu really pulled a glow-up! From sad son to pugilist superstar! #TransformationGoals
‘Rid the court of scheming officials’—why does that sound like my last family dinner?
‘Covertly assist Prince Jing’ sounds like an undercover mission from a spy movie. Where’s the popcorn?
Seventy thousand soldiers? That’s more than my entire village! What was the Emperor thinking, throwing a mass execution party?
So let me get this straight, the guy changes his face and name, and suddenly he’s a superhero? Sounds legit!
Ah yes, because secretly plotting in a palace is so much better than just talking things out. Great plan!
‘Surviving a massacre’? Talk about winning the family reunion lottery! I want in on that action.
Wow, nothing says ‘family values’ like executing your brother-in-law! What a loving family!
‘Medical treatment changes his appearance’? Is that code for a really bad haircut?
‘Unable to perform martial arts again’—guess he’s more of a peaceful protester now!
So he can’t do martial arts anymore but can still run the pugilist world? Sounds like my kind of career move!