Yexin Sha

Set in the 1930s, “Fortress Besieged” follows the misadventures of Fang Hung-chien, a bumbling everyman who wastes his time studying abroad, and secures a fake degree when learning he has run out of money and must return home to China. Fang was the son of a country gentleman. A marriage had been arranged for him while at university, but the intended wife died before he could see her.

Set in the early stage after liberation of Shanghai, Chen Yi is delegated to be mayor and deals with a lot of economic and social issues.