Legend of the Magnate

A compelling Watch!

'Legend of the Magnate' is a worthy adaptation of the original Novel 大生意人 (Dà shēngyì rén), literally translates to 'The Great Businessman', which is more suitable as a title, instead of this overbearing English title.However, the Native Chinese title of this drama wasn’t changed from the book and kept the same as it is, Dà shēngyì rén! It is indeed a business-heavy drama set in the Late Qing Dynasty in the 1860s, During & after the Xianfeng Emperor's reign,a turbulent period of wars and rebellions.

The story centers around The Main Male protagonist Gu pingyuan, a scholar who was framed during his Imperial examination and got exiled in the harsh & cold Northern land Ningguta.After 5 years of his exile, he managed to escape that place after much hardship & struggles,narrowly escaping death.In the process,he met a humble merchant family from shanxi, Chang si with his daughter Chang Yu'er, And Li Qin, son of a powerful and wealthy Beijing Tycoon,Li Wantang. Gu pingyuan,starting from the rock-bottom,gradually starts navigating the complex political and business environments of that era, getting involved with 8 big business families of Shanxi, And a Free spirited 'Rebel' Noblewoman Su zixuan.

There's not much to 'spoil' in the plot,as the plot mostly is Main-character driven, & the true focus yields heavily on the merchants and business deals,All the other aspects kinda take a backseat in the story, eg. The romance of the leads is very subtle, but one poetic scene in the Rain totally stole my heart & soul in an earlier episode.The director of this drama,Zhang Ting,who also wrote the adapted screenplay, did a good job bringing out the best of each scenes, all thanks to the veteran Actors who portrayed their roles perfectly as per characters.Chen Xiao is amazing as always, Luo Yi zhou as Li Qin was brilliant (such an acting talent to discover this year!), The Acting masterclass of Cheng Tai shen as Chang Si, Huang Zhi zhong as Li Wantang, & Liang Guan Hua as Viceroy Ruilin were truly remarkable,and this drama almost felt like a big level movie production in certain scenes.The cinematography, specially in the Mongolian grasslands and Anhui Tea making episodes were eye candy, Natural Make-up & styling with plain beautiful costumes were Cherry on Top.


There was Taiping rebellion going on in the beginning of the drama until middle episodes, Drama mentions it as "rebels of south" for obvious censorship reasons, As I've always noticed, Qing Dynasty dramas are largely scrutinised by Chinese censor board, i guess they Have their reasonings of possible historical distortion or maybe ''public opinions" surrounding many topics, the reason why I'm discussing this matter is, i found it interesting how this drama at some exact points of the story, deviated from the Novel,and deliberately changed some character arcs and omitted some definite important parts as well (eg. Li Cheng, Su zixuan & Bai yimei's individual characterizations). I read the novel quite a long while ago and liked it a lot, The Author of the novel, Zhao Zhiyu, is a Manchu descendant of the Plain Blue Banner,whose ancestor was Irgen Gioro Gagai, a founding general of the Qing Dynasty. Majoring in language & literature, zhao zhiyu actually Researched on the Commercial history & political-business relations of Qing Dynasty era for many years,Maybe that's why i found the situations of the storyline quite realistic and believable to watch.In one scene we see the Main protagonist solving a huge sum of loan issue of the 8 families by creating 'Bank drafts', Which i believe is a tribute to Shanxi merchants of the 19th century who pioneered this sophisticated financial banking system known as Piaohao (票號), which served as a prototype of modern banking system of credit and debts.Although Gu pingyuan always have a touch of luck amongst the craziest troubles, he cleverly solved matters, strategically approached things and paved his own ways out of absolute despair,which is one of the intriguing parts about his character and for overall drama. The dialogues are superbly written with depth,& screenwriter of the drama is as good as the novel author for sure....

...ehem,Till the ending episodes.If it weren’t for the last 5/6 episodes, i'd have given this drama a solid 8.5 or Maybe 9.0.The ending wasn’t satisfying to me at all. Salt trade matters in Liangjiang were dragged for long enough, some of the important character dynamics were abruptly changed in the end which made no sense at all, Gu pingyuan's Ending is even more underwhelming,some may finish the drama and question Himself, "All these to meet this end? I'm not talking about happy ending or sad ending, It's surely a happy ending, but the end mostly DOES NOT justify the character build-up and the overall journey of Gu pingyuan, who was supposed to meet a glorious ending becoming a well recognised Big Businessman respected by all merchants in the central plains.Rather than that,Drama made him a Wanderer ship merchant or what? nah,i can't accept it at all.

This is not a drama to binge watch,It's specifically for slow & attentive watchers,and it needs a rather mature audience to understand the depth & significance of the whole storyline. I enjoyed watching it and it wasn’t boring or annoying at all,there's some light comedic scenes to balance out with the seriousness, and Gu family with Chang & Liao family gave some warmth in the story to continue it,the wedding ceremony of our leads was too natural and a real happy occasion meeting all the people Gu pingyuan and Chang Yu'er met in their journey throughout northern & southern regions.I really wished they flesh out Ms. Su zixuan's character MORE, she was one of the most important & interesting strong characters in the Novel that served a purpose from soup to nuts ,but the drama sadly made her just a plot device for Main character's storyline.Another is Li wantang's character,i can't believe the character changes that were made after the Secret reveal,It wasn’t supposed to be like how it was done. Many changes in the drama story were better than the original story,i appreciate that,but then,i couldn’t end it with satisfaction as a Novel reader bcz of these vacuums.

8/10, the overall quality of the drama was great, i hope the viewers who didn’t read the novel enjoyed it more.It's very much worth watching.

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A Symphony of Silver and Strategy: Why Legend of the Magnate is a Masterpiece of Historical Drama

In the vast landscape of historical dramas, it is rare to find a series that perfectly balances the visceral grit of survival with the intellectual elegance of high stakes commerce. Legend of the Magnate, adapted from Zhao Zhi Yu’s celebrated novel "Da Sheng Yi Ren," is precisely that rarity. Having immersed myself in the journey of Gu Pingyuan, I can confidently assert that this drama is a ten out of ten masterpiece. It is not merely a show about making money; it is a profound exploration of destiny, resilience, and the sheer power of the human intellect when backed into a corner.

From Inkstones to Abacuses: A Character Study of Gu Pingyuan

The heart of this drama’s success lies in the impeccable characterization of the protagonist, Gu Pingyuan. The narrative hook is compelling: a passionate young man from a family of small merchants who yearns to transcend his class through the imperial examinations. The tragedy of his failure, coupled with the injustice of being framed and exiled, serves as a crucible. What makes Gu Pingyuan such a fascinating character to watch is that he does not lose his identity as a scholar; rather, he weaponizes it.

In many historical dramas, the protagonist relies on martial arts or magical intervention. Here, Gu Pingyuan’s weapon is his mind. The transition from a naive student to a shrewd merchant is handled with incredible pacing. When he joins the private salt caravan to flee to Shanxi, we see the death of the boy and the birth of the magnate. The "astonishing courage" mentioned in the synopsis is brought to life vividly on screen. It is one thing to read about a character leading a caravan into treacherous swamps; it is another to watch the actor portray the nuanced mix of fear and calculated risk-taking required to survive the ancient plains.

The audience falls in love with Gu Pingyuan not because he is perfect, but because he turns his disadvantages into assets. He views the chaotic world of the Late Qing Dynasty not as a trap, but as a chessboard. His ability to maintain his composure while being regarded as a convict allows him to operate in the shadows, surprising his enemies who underestimate the "failed scholar."

The Art of Rivalry: Gu Pingyuan vs. Li Qin

A protagonist is only as good as his antagonist, and Legend of the Magnate provides a spectacular foil in Li Qin, the son of the Beijing merchant tycoon. The dynamic between these two is the engine that drives the series. Unlike standard villains who are motivated by simple greed or malice, Li Qin represents the established order. He is the Titan of industry, born into power, viewing Gu Pingyuan not just as a nuisance, but as an existential threat to the hierarchy he controls.

The drama excels in portraying their struggle as a duel of wits. The synopsis notes that Li Qin regards Gu Pingyuan as an "old enemy," and this animosity feels earned and heavy with history. Their battles are fought not on blood soaked fields, but in pawn shops, tea houses, and grain depots. The scriptwriters deserve immense praise for making logistics and supply chains feel as high stakes as a military invasion. When Gu Pingyuan moves from the pawn industry to the tea trade, and eventually to military grain and salt, it is not just business expansion it is a siege against Li Qin’s fortress.

Watching Gu Pingyuan turn defeat into victory in these dangerous situations is cathartic. There is a specific thrill in seeing him cornered by the Li family's vast resources, only to find a loophole or a psychological weakness in his opponent that flips the table. It is this intellectual cat and mouse game that keeps the viewer glued to the screen.

Teasers and Tactics: The Brilliance of the Plot

To truly appreciate the genius of this show, one must look at the specific narrative arcs without spoiling the grand finale. One of the most gripping segments involves the conspiracy of Tiangui, the overlord of Shanxi merchants. This arc serves as a masterclass in business strategy.

Spoiler Alert (Mild): The confrontation with Tiangui is a pivotal moment. Most characters would cower before such a dominant regional overlord. However, the drama portrays Gu Pingyuan’s reaction as one of almost delight he is "very happy" to solve the situation. Why? Because Gu Pingyuan realizes that Tiangui’s conspiracy relies on fear and silence. By exposing the leverage points within the salt trade and utilizing the very swamp routes that others feared, Gu Pingyuan doesn't just survive Tiangui; he dismantles the man's monopoly by changing the rules of the game. He realizes that in a corrupt system, the one who controls the flow of information controls the market. This victory is what ultimately attracts the dangerous gaze of Li Qin.

Furthermore, the subplot regarding the military grain is executed with nail biting tension. Gu Pingyuan has to navigate corrupt officials and dying soldiers, balancing morality with profit. It is here that we see the layers of the mystery unfold the conspiracy behind the murder that framed him is inextricably linked to the Li family. This revelation transforms the business rivalry into a personal vendetta, raising the stakes from financial ruin to life and death.

Atmosphere and Production

Visually, the drama captures the waning days of the Qing Dynasty with a melancholic beauty. The dust of the Shanxi plains, the claustrophobic interiors of the pawn shops, and the opulence of the Beijing merchant estates create a vivid backdrop. The cinematography emphasizes the scale of the world Gu Pingyuan is trying to conquer. The contrast between the harsh, open swamps where he begins his journey and the gilded cages of the merchant guilds highlights his social ascent.

Final Verdict

Legend of the Magnate is a triumph. It is a story that respects the intelligence of its audience. It avoids the pitfall of making the protagonist overpowered; Gu Pingyuan struggles, he bleeds, and he loses, which makes his eventual victories sweet and earned.

I love this drama because it romanticizes competence. It shows that in a turbulent era, the sharpest blade is a sharp mind. The integration of the mystery regarding his own life experience and the murder conspiracy provides a strong emotional undercurrent that runs beneath the business dealings, ensuring that we care about the characters as people, not just as businessmen.

For those interested in a serious, well written historical drama that combines the intrigue of Nirvana in Fire with the business acumen of The Merchant of Venice, this is a mandatory watch. It is a 10/10 experience that will leave you analyzing the strategies long after the credits roll. The journey of Gu Pingyuan from a prisoner in exile to a legend of industry is one of the most satisfying narrative arcs available on iQIYI. Do not miss the chance to witness this legend unfold.

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A really good story

I read a review that called it a compelling story and that is an accurate description.

If I had named the show I would have called it "The extraordinary life of Gu Pingyuan". I really enjoyed the story, it's about a guy just living his life and what an extraordinary life he is living. It's a very easy watch, not a complicated story, just a smart guy with a silver tongue living his life, trying to get back to his family and figure out who framed him and run his small tea farm, but life has other plans. There's a bit of a revenge plot, little bit of palace and foreign politics, some war and unnecessary romance.

I just want to rant a bit about the romance, initially the thought the story is so good it doesn't need a romance, and I still do because his interactions with the love interest all felt inorganic, like a filler plot, they didn't added to the story or move the plot, I felt like it distracted from the story. However towards the end of the drama I thought, a romance between Gu Pingyuan and Ms Su would have been perfect and it wouldn't need to be an in your face we are in love romance, just leave us with the impression that they are riding off into the sunset together. *End of rant*

Overall a good easy watch that won't give you anxiety, some parts could be done better but still highly recommend.

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If you don’t have power and influence, you are literally nothing

This is an interesting story, but not in a good way, but I’ll get to that.
It takes place in the Qing Dynasty and revolves around our male lead Gu Pingyuan who goes to the capital to take part in the imperial exam but is tricked into thinking his mother is ill and he causes a scene and gets exiled for 10 years in the harshest of lands where he is surrounded by evildoers but uses his wit and intellect to stay alive. He finds love but has to separateand escapes the hell hole and is reunited with his family. He then goes into various different businesses and is constantly challenged by the establishment but manages to thwart their plans at every turn making several enemies.. though these people including his father, ms Su, various officials and royalty all plan his demise and death he always manages to find a way out. The story finishes with him going back to his wife and them living a peaceful life, even though he is declared officially dead..

The problem with this story is too many to list, but the point I will make is that it is supposed to be about Aspiration. The show uses Gu Pingyuan as a highly idealised aspirational figure. The issue I have with this is that it makes it very clear that the average Joe literally has no chance to succeed. The fact that only a person of Gu Pingyuan's extraordinary caliber can survive and effect change highlights just how flawed and brutal that society was.
They also try and show us this is about Nationalism/Patriotism: The core message emphasises that qualities like intelligence, resilience, and integrity, when dedicated to the good of the nation, lead to ultimate triumph and national salvation. This suggests that extraordinary individuals are needed to correct systemic injustice, and shows the average person is disposable.
But in my opinion, all this show does is reinforce Hierarchies. The status quo. Influence matters above all else, and the system is so brutal that typical hard work won't save you. My perspective views the show as subtly discouraging mass dissent and encouraging reliance on exceptional, virtuous leaders.
So while the show aims for a message of "virtue triumphs," the mechanics of how it gets there (requiring the ML to be essentially a genius superhero with incredible luck) inadvertently support the reasoning that the average person doesn't stand a chance.
It’s clearly Chinese state propaganda and this stems from this contrast between an individual's struggle and the state's message of strong, morally sound leadership being necessary to overcome challenges.

My final thought is I also hated the fact that every time somebody did something to the ML not only did he forgive them but he somehow found a way to reward them for their despicable actions by either becoming allies and cooperating with them in business or allowing their business to flourish successfully .

The whole thing is just stupid.

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Success never goes unpunished.

It was a beautiful success story. It was well-crafted. However, it certainly had its shortcomings. Perhaps there were deficiencies in adapting the novel to the stage. Because some scenes seemed too simplistic to me. Superficiality prevailed in general. No event was explored in depth. The story felt incomplete in some way. Especially the father's story was glossed over with a barely naive and superficial narrative. However, the importance given to the mother was not given to the father; the father is at fault, but shouldn't the fault have been explored and detailed? That question remains in my mind. I also thought that the scenes were cut short because a more in-depth explanation would have required longer scenes and more episodes.

It's a success story, but our main character is a scholar. Is it possible for a scholar to act with a merchant's mentality? I don't think so. But can he be successful? Maybe. But is it possible for this scholar, in this state, to escape from a wild, reckless bandit in a remote, cold, snowy, mountainous region? No. Some things, as I said, were very superficial. People are easily deceived or persuaded. If he gets involved in a business venture, he's always successful. He makes those around him rich, and, as luck would have it, he never benefits from it himself. But when he needs money, these people he made rich help him out of goodwill. How wonderful. It's a complete dream world. Is it believable? I don't think so.

Even the Empress praises him, meets with him, and paves the way for him. It's gone too far. He never stumbled. But he's not interested in money or wealth at all. His father also turned out to be rich. But he was someone who abandoned them and hindered them. That was also strange. The meeting between the mother and father was strange. The fact that they both fell ill suddenly was strange. And they died a day apart. A coincidence? Because of the superficiality of the event, I couldn't understand these shocks and illnesses. I couldn't figure it out. Their shock, surprise, a little disappointment, a little hurt, anger during their meeting after all these years... But it's not unexpected, it's unlikely, that they would be affected to the point of illness and subsequently die. There are such strange situations in our series. However, the portrayal of a success story impressed me. It was beautifully directed, and the cinematography was excellent. The acting was also great.

The relationship between the main characters was also rather strange. It wasn't clear if they loved each other. Later, the girl made a request, but the man avoided it. Because they had an engagement from childhood. I think they separated during the imperial exams. They never saw each other again. Years passed. They changed. And the fiancée fell in love with a rebel. But the male character still insists, even though he doesn't love her. Because there's someone who loves and wants her. He knows this. He himself was affected by that girl. But for some reason, he doesn't leave his childhood fiancée. He pressures her. I think there was a sense of shame towards the parents here. Traditions were involved. While the girl didn't care about this, the man's remaining at this level, especially for a more traveled, experienced, and learned person, was very absurd.

Ultimately, it was absurd that someone who had achieved great success in business ended up in prison, that all that success was punished, even that their head was to be cut off, only to be saved thanks to the Governor, to whom they had brought so much money. I didn't like this ending. It didn't work. This ending didn't suit this success story, frankly. I didn't like it.

Chen Xiao carried the series on his own from beginning to end and was very successful. I liked him. Sun Qian did more than her share. I liked her. Luo Zhi Yhou was very well-suited to his role. I liked him. Ling Zhuo was very, very successful. He's very good at comedy. He prepared well for his role. He acted very well. Well done. Zhu Ya Wen and Julia Xiang had short appearances but delivered very effective performances. Well done. Cheng Tai Shen, Liang Guan Hua, Liu Pei Qi, Li Chun, Huang Zi Zhong, and Zhu Yin were the standout actors I liked. Overall, all the actors were quite good. I liked it.

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A character-driven, morally grounded drama with excellent ensemble chemistry.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND

Overall Impression

Legend of the Magnate - it has exactly the blend of morality, intelligence, humour, and human warmth that resonates. The writing may not be perfect, but the heart of the series is unusually sincere, especially for modern C-drama.

The foundation of this drama is the ML’s moral backbone - a man who believes in the Dao, in honourable business, in treating workers fairly, and in refusing to compromise principle for profit. That already sets this drama apart.

A deeply enjoyable drama that rises above its structural imperfections because of:
• A remarkably strong leading male (ML) performance,
• A competent, lively supporting cast,
• A world that blends business intrigue, ethics, and family loyalty,
• Light comedic beats that never feel forced.

The beauty of this drama also lies in the ensemble, not just the leads.

You get:
• loyal retainers,
• business rivals with believable motives,
• political actors whose schemes mirror real-world corporate politics.

No character feels like filler.

Personally I highly recommend watching this costume drama…

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Beautiful production and a great history lesson, but I wish I liked the plot more

The first thing I noticed about this show is the magnificent landscapes. Spanning all different types of settings, they are gorgeous, impressive, and noticeably real. On-site shooting makes a difference; CGI just doesn’t look this good.

This show must have spent so much money. Not only did they travel all over to film, but the amount of attention and effort paid to costumes, sets, music (eg regional folk songs), etc is astounding. I saw a BTS that explains how each setting has its own color palette; it creates a lovely, artistic feel. Even something like the horses- they are all real, there are a lot of them, and the actors all ride themselves. Such details add up to really immerse the viewer in the world of the show.

This is also clearly a show in which history and historical accuracy matter. Set in the Qing Dynasty towards the end of the Taiping Rebellion, when Westerners are starting to gain power, the story takes us through a tumultuous period of China’s recent past. Some historical figures show up, and big events are referred to, but mostly it’s a story of citizens trying to live their lives. Whether you already know the history or are just learning about it, its skillful integration in the story lets you appreciate the historical context without getting bogged down.

The historical context and amazing production are my favorite parts of this show. I wish I could like the story and characters as much, but something didn’t quite do it for me.

At its core, this is the story of how one very smart person smooth-talks and schemes his way out of countless hopeless predicaments and into various astounding successes. “Scheme” is perhaps too strong a word- he’s a good guy who pretty much always does the right thing. This makes it easy to root for him, although I didn’t feel I was rooting for him so much as sitting back and watching him work miracles.

Gu Pingyuan’s ventures are mostly in the world of business, though it’s not his original career path. Having no experience is not a problem, however, as his brilliant ideas and sturdy plot armor help him win repeatedly against much stronger opponents. He demonstrates impressive expertise in economics, banking, politics, law, and more, all of which I suppose he figured out just by thinking a little.

The show doesn’t even pretend to add an element of suspense about whether or not he’ll succeed. Plot armor aside, he’s always so confident that it’s hard to imagine him failing. And I certainly couldn’t independently critique his plans- I rarely understood them to begin with. It’s more about watching and appreciating his brilliant ideas. Seeing an underdog succeed against an unscrupulous and overpowered bully is always fun, and it certainly kept me happy and entertained for awhile.

Still, while I liked Gu Pingyuan and enjoyed watching him succeed, I didn’t really connect with him. He does have some setbacks, but they didn’t hit me that hard. Perhaps he is missing just a touch of humanity that would make me empathize with him more.

We also nominally have a female lead in Chang Yu’er. It took a few episodes for her to grow on me- Lovestruck is one of my least favorite kinds of FL- but as I was finally starting to like her, she disappears from the story. By the time she came back, I no longer cared.

Chang Yu’er is not bad, she’s just not well-developed enough for me to care about her. She’s about as important as any side character. I think she is supposed to have some martial arts ability, but due to lack of proper and consistent development, her occasionally swooping in to save the day feels more random than anything else. I can see how people would like her; I just wasn’t particularly impressed.

Not surprisingly, I wasn’t too into their romance either. But it’s also only one part of Gu Pingyuan’s story. Getting married is an important milestone in his life, and it makes sense that he finds a supportive, loving, and perfectly nice wife. Their relationship develops but is not played up as some epic thing; for better or worse, it’s much more grounded and realistic than the usual drama.

There is, however, a secondary romance that I found much more captivating. I definitely had a thing for General Li. He’s not quite the prettiest face (sorry dude), but between his calm, natural-leader personality and some excellent acting that brought it all to life, I was swooning over him more than Gu Pingyuan. Unfortunately though, he is just a side character, relevant to a story arc or two and that’s it.

As for other side characters, friend and rival Li Qin is quite likable. The way he tries to hang onto his friendship with Gu Pingyuan despite circumstances is very endearing. Li Qin is not as incredible as Gu Pingyuan, which means he loses sometimes and struggles with different emotions, and perhaps that’s why I found him a lot more relatable. But I also worried about him.

And then we have Miss Su. Sharp, capable, and deadly, she is an intriguing character, right up until her character assassination in the last 10 episodes or so. After that, she is weirdly reduced to randomly popping by to make things happen. Her character’s story is not the only one that’s dropped, but it’s the most egregious. This is a point where the writers really dropped the ball.

The plot consists of various story arcs as Gu Pingyuan moves through different ventures. I found it mostly not too stressful, due to his aforementioned confidence and general infallibility. I did worry about things like the fate of the rebel army and his friendship with Li Qin, but they are irrelevant for blocks at a time. There are also sprinkles of humor throughout, just little things that make you laugh. Overall it is not too stressful or angsty until the end, though there is one part in the middle where I also cried.

The pace for the most part is... atmospheric and artistic. Events happen in decent time- in fact, Gu Pingyuan seems to constantly be jumping from hot spot to hot spot (at some point I realized the show spans years, it's just that the passage of time is not well conveyed). But the scenes themselves are drawn out with pauses, theatrically delivered lines, etc. It’s good acting, but kind of slow if you just want to know what happens next.

Unfortunately, entering into the last third or so of the show, I found myself losing interest. Watching Gu Pingyuan’s nth success starts to get old. Perhaps if I’d connected more with his character, I would at least feel some emotional attachment to keep me invested, but instead it felt a little draggy. I was mildly interested in the late-stage grand reveal of his past, but not too happy with the way things play out afterwards. I found it believable enough, just too upsetting and angsty. It is kind of cool how the final story arc (Gu Pingyuan’s final battle in this battlefield of business) brings together many pieces of earlier arcs, but I had checked out by then.

Acting-wise, the acting in this show is exceptionally good. I wasn’t a huge fan of Chen Xiao in another show, but I thought he did a fantastic job here, showing subtle and complicated emotions through his expressions. The supporting cast also did a fantastic job.

As mentioned before, the production is exceptional. This however makes the occasional sloppiness somewhat jarring. For example, the battle scene in the grasslands looks a bit off, like they tried to fit in too many artistic portrayals of a battlefield. Bai Yimei’s prayers to Buddha don’t sound that Buddhist to me, more Christian style (but surely they wouldn’t mess this up, right?) And while the Westerners’ English is unusually fluent for a Cdrama, the accents are wrong (eg not British). Minor details, but I expect more when most of it is so good.

The background music is quite nice with some excellent string solos, and is used well to set the mood. The songs aren’t used that often, but sound nice. It’s overall not my personal favorite music, but not bad and used well.

Overall, I really wish I liked this show. It has an epic feel, with such beautiful production. Still, the more it went on, the more I found myself constantly “taking breaks” to watch other shows, which is the biggest sign that it didn’t quite captivate.

ENDING – READ AHEAD ONLY IF YOU WANT TO KNOW, CONTAINS SPOILERS





I consider this a happy ending. The last few episodes are angsty, but Gu Pingyuan eventually makes it out and returns to his family and hometown to live in peace.

Li Qin fulfills audience fears by turning against Gu Pingyuan, but he does make it through and they are ok-ish by the end. It bothered me a little that they never fully talk things out, but I guess that is also realistic.

At the very end there is a quick scene of Gu Pingyuan with silver-streaked hair, some 40 years later, sending money to support the latest revolution. It lowkey gave me an existential crisis (a legend’s life just flashing by in an instant, fizzled to some mundane existence) but is a kind of nice tie-up that brings the show back to its historical context.

MORE MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD





I felt very sorry for Li Qin in the last few episodes. He's suddenly left with no support and no way down, and it’s no wonder that he turns to the dark side. I hoped Gu Pingyuan would save the day as usual, but unfortunately he takes this moment to finally be a normal human who doesn’t always do the perfect thing. Gu Pingyuan’s reactions to the momentous developments near the end are definitely not the most gracious, but they are totally understandable and more realistic than a more saintly response.

The way all of it play out feels a little manufactured, purposely blowing up the rivalry between Li Qin and Gu Pingyuan into a final, climactic showdown with grand consequences. Forcing the plot in this direction feels a bit like predictable, artificial drama-building. But, in fairness, it’s well-executed and believable enough. So while I’m tempted to write it off as bad scriptwriting, my biggest problem is that I simply didn’t like this turn of events in which a character I like becomes the antagonist.

I couldn’t blame Li Qin for the final arc, so where to redirect the anger? Li Wantang is partly to blame, and he definitely did wrong things, but I also sympathized somewhat with his situation past and present. The fat man is pretty hateful but he does let Gu Pingyuan go at the end. Overall there is no satisfaction of having an enemy who is defeated; it’s more like, we all crawl out of the mess and take what scraps we have left. Still, to find some peace after it all is not a bad ending.

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Ahead of the times

Adapted from the novel of the same name (大生意人), this drama ambitiously tries to cover a lot of ground and time in only 40 episodes. Having not read the novel, I can judge the drama on its merits alone. And there is certainly a lot to admire about this lavishly produced period drama set from the Taiping Rebellion during the Qing dynasty all the way to the early days of revolution before the Republic of China. Shot on location for the most part with a generally naturalistic and accurate-to-history approach to costumes, makeup and styling, Legend of the Magnate is a welcome break from the manicured and somewhat derivative idol period dramas coming out of Chinese drama land these days. Performances are also more raw (everyone is using their own voice here too as far as I can tell) and real, with some very moving sections of the story.

The story starts off with a bang in the frigid cold of Ningguta as Gu Pingyuan makes a thrilling escape from exile. From there, the story slowly begins to lose focus as more and more strands of storylines are introduced, making it harder on the audience to connect emotionally with every strand. Some storylines were more effective for me than others. Whether you agree or not with the romance, the Li Cheng and Bai Yimei storyline was striking for me. Serving tea to Empress Dowager Cixi - while completely farfetched - was also thrilling. Unfortunately, the latter part of the drama had some of the weaker storylines. The British characters were not developed enough to make me feel much by the time the last couple episodes came along. Female characters that were so impactful and gripping to watch (Ms. Su and Chang Yu'er) in the first half have less to do in the latter half.

All in all, this is worthy period drama to catch if one appreciates a more grounded production with a generally more well-written script (with better dialogue and performances than the usual idol dramas of today). But this story could have either been expanded to allow for better development of certain storylines or eliminated sections that did not elaborate on the core characters - some of whom I feel were underused by the latter third of the story.

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A Realistic Look at History, Business, and Human Life

This is a purely business and political drama. If you’re looking for fluffy romance, light entertainment, or wuxia-style fantasy where characters fly between mountains, this drama is probably not for you.

However, if you enjoy realistic historical storytelling and are curious about how people actually lived in the past, this drama is worth watching.

What I loved most is the realism. I’ve always been curious about how ordinary people lived during that time—how marriages worked, whether common people had concubines like the upper nobility, and how daily life really looked. This drama portrays those aspects in a grounded and believable way.

The exile arc of the main lead is especially memorable. The scenery and locations during that period are beautifully shown and add depth to the story.

Another strong point is the depiction of business interactions with other countries. The drama shows how trade was conducted, how different cultures interacted, and how people adapted foreign influences while still preserving their own traditions.

I also appreciated that the main leads are mature and realistic, not overly sweet or childish. There’s no excessive makeup or doll-like appearance. When characters work hard or go through difficult situations, they actually look tired—messy hair, worn expressions, and natural faces. This makes the drama feel far more authentic compared to others where characters remain flawless no matter what.

The supporting cast is equally strong, and every character feels well-written and well-acted.

Yes, the pacing can feel slow at times because it focuses heavily on politics and business. But once you get invested and understand the storyline, it becomes very engaging.

Overall, this is a solid, realistic historical drama with strong performances, meaningful storytelling, and a refreshing lack of artificial glamour. If you enjoy serious, grounded dramas, you’ll likely appreciate this one.

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An interesting journey through a turbulent era

PLOT: The ML was exiled to a harsh region for 15 years (after a plot against him during the imperial examination). He takes advantage of a salt convoy (led by the FL's father) to escape. He spends a year learning the trade, navigating through hardships, meeting a friend (the son of an enemy – the Li family) and Mrs. Su (Resistance Army). When the emperor dies, there is a global amnesty, and he can return to his village (despite the FL's sadness) to reunite with his family and his fiancée, Yimei. However, Yimei is at General Li's camp (Resistance Army), whose life she saved and then they are married. The ML then embarks on the tea trade (competition/exports/etc.).
When he finally gets married with the FL (episode 28), he is sent as a strategist (with his family, more or less held hostage) to manage a complex situation amidst powerful factions.

+++ Chen Xiao's performance is remarkable (as always). The entire cast is convincing and believable, and Sun Qian is superb in this role.
+++ Magnificent, high-budget production: visuals, costumes, hairstyles, war scenes, etc.
+++ The OSTs perfectly match the atmosphere of the different scenes, and I really like the ending song sung by Liu Yu-Ning.

### The foreign characters aren't always believable, and their costumes are a bit anachronistic. I don't think the East India Company colonists were "good boys," but here the portrayal is somewhat caricatured.

=> A series focused on one man's journey, not addictive, but very interesting and well-researched regarding the period.

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PLOT: Le ML a été exilé ds 1 région austère (après complot contre lui lors de l'examen impérial) pr 15 ans. Il profite d'1 convoi de sel (conduite par le père de la FL) pr s'enfuir. Il va apprendre le commerce pdt 1 an, navigant au milieu des pbs, rencontrant 1 ami (fils d'ennemi - Famille Li) et Mme Su (Armée de résistance). Qd l'empereur meurt, il y a amnistie générale, et il peut retourner ds son village (malgré la tristesse de la FL) retrouver sa famille et sa fiancée Yimei. Mais celle-ci est au camp du Général Li (Armée résistance) dont elle sauve la vie puis l'épouse. Le ML se lance ds le commerce du thé (compétit° / exportat°/etc.).
Qd enfin il se marie (ép 28) il est envoyé comme stratège (avec sa famille +/- otages) gérer 1 situat° complexe, entre les gdes fact°.

+++ Remarquable performance de Chen Xiao (comme tjs). L'ensemble du cast est convaincant, crédible, et Sun Qian est magnifique dans ce rôle.
+++ Product° magnifique, high-budget : images, costumes, coiffures, scènes de guerre, etc.
+++ Les OSTs s'accordent bien à l'atmosphère des différentes scènes et j'aime bcp la ending song chantée par Liu YuNing.

### Les personnages étrangers ne sont pas tjs crédibles et leurs costumes sont un peu anachroniques. Je ne pense pas que les colons de la Cie des Indes aient été de "good boys" mais ici la vision est un peu caricaturale.

=> Série centrée sur le parcours d'un homme, pas addictive, mais très intéressante et bien documentée sur l'époque.

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