Chinese Drama Titles

Legend of the Magnate (大生意人 / Da Sheng Yi Ren)

Michelle Topham November 15, 2025

Chinese Title: 大生意人 (Da Sheng Yi Ren)
English Title: Legend of the Magnate
Also Known As: The Tycoon
Genre: Historical
Episodes: 40
Director: Zhang Ting
Screenwriters: Zhang Ting (also director)
Original Work: Adapted from the novel “Da Sheng Yi Ren” (大生意人) by Zhao Zhi Yu (赵之羽)

Plot Synopsis

Born in a chaotic world, Gu Pingyuan (played by Chen Xiao) is exiled to Ningguta due to a wrongful conviction. He survives in the cracks of society, but turns the tide towards himself and against the odds.

From a weak scholar to a tea merchant, he makes his fortune in salt and then unites merchants from all over the country to save the country and the people. He then completes his transformation from a convict to a business tycoon.

In the process of becoming the “King of Merchants”, Gu Pingyuan (played by Chen Xiao) meets Chang Yu’er (played by Sun Qian) , Li Qin (played by Luo Yizhou ) , Chang Si (played by Cheng Taishen), Li Wantang (played by Huang Zhizhong) , Su Zixuan (played by Li Chun) , Li Cheng (played by Zhu Yawen) , Bai Yimei (played by Xiang Hanzhi) , Wang Tiangui (played by Wu Yue) and others.

Together they create a complex, three-dimensional, flesh-and-blood legendary group of people in the late Qing Dynasty.

Main Cast & Characters

Lead Cast

Chen Xiao as Gu Ping Yuan
Sun Qian as Chang Yu Er

Supporting Cast

Luo Yi Zhou as Li Qin
Cheng Tai Shen as Fourth Aster Chang
Huang Zhi Zhong as Li Wan Tang
Li Chun as Su Zi Xuan
Zhu Ya Wen as Li Cheng
Julia Xiang as Bai Yi Mei
Wu Yue as Wang Tian Gui
Ke Lan as Grandma Jin
Zhu Yin as Mrs. Gu
Liang Guan Hua as Rui Lin
Wang Zi Xuan as Miss Liao
Liu Pei Qi as Master Liao
Yang Zi Hua as Old Master Hu
Wang Yong Quan as Mr. Bai

Production Details

Original Work: Adapted from the novel “Da Sheng Yi Ren” (大生意人) by Zhao Zhi Yu (赵之羽)
Production Company: iQIYI and Haitangguo Pictures
Filming: Filming started on April 15th, 2024 and ended on August 16th.