As war engulfs the nation, the city of Shanghai remains an unusual safe zone. While bloodshed spreads across the land, Shanghai’s strategic location as a major port keeps it essential for supply transport, maintaining a delicate balance during what is known as the “Isolated Island” period.

 

By 1938, the city’s former power players had scattered. Huang Jinrong retreated to Suzhou and Hangzhou, Du Yuesheng fled to Hong Kong, and the Ning family had fallen into decline. Among the Four Great Families: Huang, Du, Meng, and Ning, only the Meng family retained its influence. At the center is Meng Yuan, a highly respected physician whose medical skills have earned widespread admiration. Even the powerful Mei Bureau, the city’s intelligence agency, addresses him respectfully as Master Meng.  

 

The reason for this reverence is simple. Master Meng possesses the rare knowledge to extract Sulfadiazine, a revolutionary medicine known for saving lives on the battlefield.  As Master Meng’s 50th birthday approaches, his four sons are still away, engaged in delicate negotiations with various political forces. But what truly captures the city’s attention is an announcement from the Meng family’s steward: Master Meng will present a gift of sulfonamides during the banquet, marking his official retirement from medicine.  

 

To Shanghai’s elite, this birthday banquet is more than a social event. It is a rare opportunity to gain favor with a legendary figure—and to possibly secure access to one of the most valuable medical resources of the time.

​