The Four Treasures in the Presence of the Emperor

This film (drama)Also known as御前四宝，is aMainland ChinaProducerbeauty live，At2004Released in year 。The dialogue language isMandarin Chinese，Current Douban rating8.4(For reference only)。

During the Kangxi era, Emperor Kangxi made a bet with a monk named Xueyin (actually appointed by Kangxi's father). The monk promised to train two beggars from the streets; the son of the current prime minister Mingzhu, Nalan Rongruo; and the son of a naval commander, Shi Shilun, into the pillars of the nation and important ministers of the court. Sure enough, a few years later, one of the beggars, nicknamed "Stutterer," became a witty court jester, while the other, the frail one, transformed into a renowned general feared across the nation. Later on, the two, along with Nalan Rongruo and Shi Shilun, held high positions in the court and wielded significant power, becoming the "Four Treasures in the Presence of the Emperor." Though they became brothers, their distinct personalities led to constant conflicts, sometimes cooperating, sometimes undermining each other. However, when facing the "Three Great Treacherous Officials," they united against a common enemy, advocating for the people. In times of peace and prosperity, they discovered that wherever they went, corrupt officials set up various traps, and local bullies created widespread grievances. Each time the Four Treasures accompanied the emperor, they showcased their talents—either demonstrating keen insight, exhibiting loyalty and bravery, joking and scolding, or pretending to be foolish—eliminating corruption and bullying along the way, turning dangers into opportunities and achieving great feats for the people. The Four Treasures maneuvered through the complexities of officialdom and the ever-changing world of martial arts, performing a series of hilarious and poignant court comedies. Shi Shilun, who had a disability, was granted the name "Shi 'Incomplete'" by Kangxi. He served as the county magistrate of Jiangdu, governor of Shuntian Prefecture, and overseer of the granaries, finally attaining the title of Grand Guardian of the Crown Prince. He was known for his integrity and fairness, skilled in adjudicating cases without seeking personal gain. Both civil and military officials feared him greatly, and he was called "Shi Qing Tian." Corrupt officials and bullies often attempted to end his life, but he consistently saw through their schemes and brought the villains to justice. Nalan Rongruo, a first-class imperial guard, was accomplished in both civil and military affairs, particularly noted for his literary prowess, being called the reincarnation of Li Houzhu. With the aura of a scholar, he appeared pedantic but was sharp-minded, possessing both literary and martial talents that struck fear into treacherous factions. He loathed evil and would not tolerate petty schemers, eagerly exposing Lin Tianbao's deceit. Lin Tianbao was eloquent and adept at flattery, ascending rapidly due to his silver tongue and enjoyed the emperor's favor. Though he appeared untrustworthy, he possessed a sense of justice and often thought outside the box, achieving surprising victories. This man was seen as crafty yet often undermined his own scheming, falling into dangerous situations, and due to his fear of his wife, became the subject of numerous anecdotes. Xie Fang, born from a bandit background, gained rank as a general after being pacified. He remained loyal to Kangxi, was righteous, highly skilled in combat, and commanded respect among the knights, making formidable criminals shiver in fear. Having a dull yet honest personality, he often fell victim to the manipulations of people like Lin Tianbao, but each time seemingly received divine assistance, turning defeats into victories, earning the title of a lucky general. Women across the land revered him as an idol, leading him into various romantic entanglements. This drama strings together various small stories through the unique talents and aspirations of the Four Treasures, exposing the vile acts of treacherous officials amidst the feudal society and the unruliness of local bullies, while praising the noble virtues of upright officials who united to advocate for the people and alleviate the country’s worries, especially celebrating the spirit of the lower class laborers who resisted dark oppression and pursued a better life. This drama travels a unique path in historical-themed television dramas, showcasing not only the tragic scenes of the good oppressed by the villains but also the uplifting scenes of justice prevailing and the eradication of evil. Moreover, there are numerous clashes of differing personalities and unexpected comedic twists that elicit laughter, blending throughout the drama's story some shocking tragedy and refreshing righteousness.