Great Zhou: Who Cares About Being the Imperial Brother-in-Law?

Chen Lang wakes up to find himself transported to Bianliang, the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, where he has become a night watchman. His family is a peculiar mix: his father is a low-ranking imperial guard, his mother is a refined lady from an old military family, his older sister suffers from face blindness, his younger brother is a scholarly prodigy, and his youngest sister is an angelic figure. Recognizing this era as the Later Zhou founded by Emperor Taizu Guo Wei, with Guo Rong currently on the throne, Chen Lang initially believes he knows the historical script. He plans to ally with the Zhao brothers to secure a position among the scholar-officials and guarantee a life of ease. However, his plans are shattered when he realizes the current year is the twenty-sixth year of the Xiande era. Emperor Guo Rong has successfully achieved his goals of expanding the realm, nurturing the people, and establishing peace. In Youzhou, the capable Prince of Yan rules, accompanied by his stout eldest son. Instead of the expected rise of the Song Dynasty, Guo Rong passes the throne to the Prince of Yan, who moves the capital to Youzhou to better defend against external threats. The Song Dynasty never comes to be, yet Zhao Kuangyi remains, famously associated with his erratic escape in a donkey cart. Years later, Chen Lang’s father, Chen Mingshan, now the Duke of Ding, proudly claims that his strict, impoverished upbringing was essential for Chen Lang to s쳮d as the Imperial Brother-in-Law. Chen Lang merely looks on calmly, aware that the truth of their roles is open to interpretation. As for the prestigious title of Imperial Brother-in-Law, he finds it burdensome rather than desirable, wishing only for the simple pleasure of resting a while longer.