Assassinating Song

Zhao XinyaoDec 2025

3.0

Word count: 155K words
Chapters: 81

Summary

In 1094, Kaifeng Prefecture. Liu Youde, owner of the Liu family needle shop, is arrested in connection with a plot to assassinate the Assistant Administrator of State Affairs. A dragon robe is discovered in his shop, drawing the young Emperor Zhezong, Zhao Xu, to kneel before it in person. Constable Wang uncovers a hidden casket from a former dynasty in the shop, and its contents send shockwaves through the court. Liu Youde is taken into the palace and reveals a secret that entangled his ancestor, the tailor Liu, in the Chenqiao Mutiny a century earlier. Thus surfaces the struggle and helplessness of ordinary people—father and son, brothers, love and hate…

Editor's review

Cishan Song (Assassinating Song) opens with a 1094 assassination case in Kaifeng Prefecture, drawing readers into a story steeped in suspense and historical weight. The author skillfully links Liu Youde the needle shop owner, Constable Wang, and the young Emperor Zhezong, Zhao Xu, using a dragon robe and a hidden casket from a former dynasty to peel back layer upon layer of the struggles and helplessness of ordinary people behind the century-old Chenqiao Mutiny. The book's strength lies in viewing grand history through the eyes of small figures, weaving the emotional entanglements of father and son, brothers, love and hate into political intrigue. It combines the tension of a detective story with the heft of historical fiction. Best read continuously in a quiet setting, piecing together the truth as clues unfold. For readers who love historical suspense and are interested in early Northern Song history, this is an immersive reading experience.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers who enjoy historical suspense and detective elements and relish the thrill of clues unfolding layer by layer
History enthusiasts curious about the Chenqiao Mutiny and other early Northern Song events
Readers who prefer narratives from the perspective of ordinary people and care about individual fate amid great eras
Readers who want to feel father-son and brotherly emotional conflict and human struggle in the story

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking light, sweet romance or pure comedy—this book has a heavier tone
Readers with no interest in historical settings who want only modern urban themes
Readers expecting fast-paced action scenes or extensive war descriptions

Reading tips

First follow Constable Wang's investigative clues, then clarify the character relationships before entering the historical flashback section
When reading about the secret of the Chenqiao Mutiny, slow down and pay attention to the emotional logic behind the choices of ordinary people
Reading continuously is recommended, as multiple clues intertwine and key details are easily forgotten if too much time passes between sessions
After finishing, briefly map out the timeline to distinguish the present case from the events of a century ago as two narrative layers

版权信息
序章
第一章黄雀
一
二
三
四
五
六
七
八
九
十
十一
十二
第二章棋局
一
二
三
四
五
六
七
八
九
十
十一
第三章逐鹿
一
二
三
四
五
六
七
八
九
十
十一
十二
十三
第四章定州
一
二
三
四
五
六
七
八
九
十
十一
十二
十三
第五章天下
一
二
三
四
五
六
七
八
九
十
十一
十二
十三
十四
十五
尾声
番外篇往日繁花
一
二
三
四
五
六
七
八

FAQ

Do I need prior knowledge of Northern Song history to understand this book?

No. The core case and character relationships unfold gradually, and the author naturally establishes the background through dialogue and plot. For historical events like the Chenqiao Mutiny, simply following the narrative is enough; readers with basic historical knowledge can read smoothly.

Are the dragon robe and hidden casket real historical artifacts?

The dragon robe and casket are fictional elements the author created to drive the plot, not real historical relics. However, the historical background and figures such as the Chenqiao Mutiny and Emperor Zhezong, Zhao Xu, have a real basis, and the novel offers literary imagination and interpretation within a framework of historical fact.

Is the mystery and deduction element strong in this book?

It has a strong suspense flavor, with clues gradually revealed from the assassination case, the appearance of the dragon robe, to the contents of the casket. But the deduction is not strictly honkaku-style; it serves more to unfold historical secrets and character emotions, suited to readers who enjoy story-driven suspense.

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About the author

Zhao Xinyao Author · Chinese · 1984

Zhao Xinyao, whose real name is Zhao Weinan, was born in 1984 in Hailun, Heilongjiang, and is a member of the Heilongjiang Writers Association. He also writes under the pen name Zhao Jiasanlang. A writer of both history and suspense, he has published works that range widely in subject and genre. These include the biography Inner Sageliness and Outer Kingliness: Wang Yangming, which centers on Wang Yangming's life and thought, as well as time-travel and historical narratives such as Assassinating Song, and suspense and mystery works such as White Bone Fragrance and Ghost Sniper. His output also extends to social fiction and youth literature, such as Raise Your Left Foot, showing a varied body of work that tends toward accessible, readable storytelling. He previously served as executive deputy editor of the magazine Bukè and as a screenwriter for the television drama The Eternal Sage Wang Yangming. Nine of his works are held in this collection.