Profrac Books: 4 books

In the late summer of 1630, 23-year old Li Bing writes the provincial level imperial examinations, the first step towards entering the Chinese civil service. He is tormented by a dream of 18 red-crowned cranes, and as he awaits his exam results he seeks out insights from those around him to help him understand his dream. In the end, he learns more than he imagined.

Political intrique between two officials has the potential to upset the plans of two young people to get married, before the young scholar has to set out for the imperial capital. In the process, he learns more about his heritage from his grandfather, and a dark secret comes to light.

Bing travels from Hangzhou to Beijing along the Grand Canal to sit the metropolitan level civil service examinations. He plans to stop at Kaifeng to learn more about his heritage. The voyage is full of surprises.

In Beijing, Li Bing continues his quest to enter the imperial civil service.