A Hundred Years' Past

This drama is adapted from Du Liang's novel "A Hundred Years' Past". During the Xianfeng period of the Qing Dynasty, Songzhuzhai, a century-old Nanzhi shop in Liulichang, Beijing, was loved by literati and poets for its high quality and complete range of goods, and became famous in Beijing. During the Second Opium War in 1860, the shopkeeper of Songzhuzhai used ancient ink to stop bleeding and heal injuries of General Zheng Yuanpei, saving his life. General Zheng expressed his thanks with "Tie of the Virgin Mary of Xiling" by monk Huaisu and "Picture of Liu Quan" by Zhao Ji, Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty. The second-generation shopkeeper Zhang Shanlin (played by Ma Weifu) is so addicted to having fun that his nephew Zhang Youlin (played by Li Bin) has no intention of studying. Qiuyue (played by Yang Si), a descendant of the Zheng family, fell into prostitution and was rescued by Mr. Yang Xianji (played by Liu Weiming) of the Punishment Department and came to the capital, where he finally recognized the Zhang family. Zhang Youlin was imprisoned for beating someone, but as a blessing in disguise he met Huo Zhenxi (played by Wang Xinhai), a swordsman from the northwest. During this period, the poorly managed Songzhu Restaurant was on the verge of bankruptcy. Fortunately, the new shopkeeper, Zhuang Huchen (played by Liu Peiqi), made vigorous reforms and the Songzhu Restaurant was renamed Songhe Restaurant and was able to come back to life. Although the adult Zhang Youlin (played by Zhang Jiayi) has feelings for Qiuyue, he eventually marries He Jiabi (played by Yao Chen), the daughter of Midian, as his wife. Time flies, the next generation shopkeeper Wang Renshan (played by Zheng Xiaoning) and the Zhang family continue to work hard to run Songhe Zhai, a century-old shop...