It tells the story of a group of Guangdong merchants and their experiences amidst the changing historical tide during the late Qing Dynasty. Wu Dunyuan establishes Yihe Hang, which was among the Thirteen Factories (thirteen hongs) dealing in trade with Western merchants in China. British teenager Staunton had business dealings with Wu Dunyuan (Zhu Yawen) early on after coming to China with his father. Wu Dunyuan goes on to establish Yihe Hang in Canton. After completing his studies, Staunton becomes an employee of the East India Company. The two meet again after a long time because Wu Dunyuan has sold substandard English tea. While investigating the issue, Wu Dunyuan discovers the recipe for frying tea. Thereafter, Wu Dunyuan is wrongfully imprisoned and his Yihe Hang is forcibly shut down. In order to save Wu Dunyuan, Lao Tan finds a way to get his hands on the ledger that will prove the corruption of customs supervisor Ji Shan. Li'er who is the youngest daughter of a businessman named Lu Wenzhong takes the ledger to the capital to report the case to the imperial court. After being freed, Wu Dunyuan manages to turn Yihe Hang into one of the most successful hongs. Years later, he is among the wealthiest men in the world. As the First Opium War erupted, the British government decides to send troops to Guangzhou in May 1840. Wu Dunyuan remains righteous and upright in protecting his country and swears that the Chinese nation will never endure the same humiliation again.