Having ascended to the Imperial throne of Chu State at the age of just 18, Chu Yuan is hoping for a peaceful reign. But during his first year as Emperor, a bloody rebellion threatens to break out. Unrest begins to brew at the southwestern border between Chu lands and the neighboring Xinan Kingdom. Chu Yuan prepares to intervene. But before he can do anything, the rebellion is quashed by Duan Bai Yue, the young ruler of the Xinan. The two men form an uneasy alliance. Their relationship threatens to lurch from love to hate...to possible attraction. But as they grow more mature, some begin to worry that Duan Bai Yue could have designs on the Chu throne. When a key Chu ally is found dead, suspicion falls on Duan Bai Yue. But can the two men's bond and pure hearts help them quell the forces of aggression - and lead them down the path of reconciliation? This animated series was based on an illustrated novel of the same name from 2016. "The Emperor's Strategy" is a 2018 Chinese animated series that was directed by Gong Zhen Hua.