Set during the Ming Dynasty, the series follows Shuai Jiamo, a mathematical genius with a singular obsession for numbers and land records. While researching archives in Huizhou, he discovers a long-standing historical error regarding a 'silk tax' that has been unfairly burdening the local populace for over a century. His attempt to rectify this mathematical discrepancy triggers a massive political upheaval, pitting him against corrupt local officials and powerful gentry who benefit from the status quo. As Shuai Jiamo digs deeper, he is forced to navigate a treacherous web of bureaucracy, greed, and historical secrets. With the help of his loyal friend Feng Baoyu and the sharp-witted Chen Xiaozhi, he must use his analytical mind to survive the dangerous power struggles of the Ming court. The series serves as a gripping historical mystery that highlights how a small, seemingly insignificant detail can threaten the foundations of a corrupt administration.