In the early years of the Republic of China, Shanghai was known as the "Oriental Adventure Paradise" and was a gathering place for heroes and heroes. At that time, the three Shanghai tycoons worked together to build a powerful gangster group. It was said that "Zhai Jintang (played by Tang Zhenye) was greedy, Gong Xiaoshan (played by Lai Yaoxiang) was good at fighting, and Qiao Aotian (played by Anthony Wong) was a good person." To achieve great things, one often has to do whatever it takes. And Aotian, Xiaoshan, and Jintang have also experienced the ups and downs of the great era, and the intrigues between enemies and friends. In this turbulent era, who can show the glory of human nature? Qiao Aotian, a new force in Shanghai with his scheming skills. The young Qiao Aotian (played by Ma Guoming) was born in a humble family. His parents died early. He was only an apprentice in a fruit shop in Shanghai Shiliupu. However, the evil forces were in power. In order to survive, Qiao Aotian decided to fight for his own future. He met Xiaoshan and they became acquainted. The two immediately became brothers. With one person's strategy and the other's fighting, they worked together to make a name for themselves in Shanghai Beach. Later, Qiao Aotian worked in a casino. With his cleverness, he helped the boss Yao Guisheng (played by Chen Wei) to resolve the crisis. Guisheng introduced him to her husband Jintang. Qiao Aotian then helped Jintang plan to seize the opium business of Shen Zhenyue (played by Huang Bowen). After the success, Aotian took advantage of the victory and persuaded Jintang to form an alliance with Xiaoshan to establish the "Sandian Company" to officially operate opium transportation insurance. The business grew bigger and bigger. Aotian jumped from an unknown fruit worker to a tycoon dominating Shanghai! Aotian was able to dominate the area, all thanks to Guisheng's kindness. The two worked closely together and got to know each other. They developed subtle feelings, but did not dare to cross the line. They accepted Guisheng's arrangement and married his close maid He Shuying (played by Wan Shipei). Aotian once met the Peking Opera apprentice Gu Xiaolou (played by Myolie Wu) at the Bafang Hall and fell in love with him at first sight, but Xiaolou kept his distance because of his gangster identity. Later, Aotian projects his feelings for Xiaolou onto her fellow senior sister Cao Yuelan (played by Su Yuhua) and marries her as his second wife. Gong Xiaoshan: Brave and aggressive, only fists are the truth Gong Xiaoshan is known as the "mad dog". He is hot-tempered and arrogant. In his life, he only cares about his wife Liu Meiqin (played by Leung Wing), his son Gong Xueyao (played by Yeung Ming) and Qiao Aotian. Xiaoshan was born in a poor family and was determined to join the army and politics, but his character was brave and aggressive and difficult to control. He was expelled from training. In the blink of an eye, Xiaoshan met Meiqin. Despite the opposition of Meiqin's parents, the two conceived a child and eloped to the beach in Shanghai. Xiaoshan decided to show his skills here and make a name for himself. He also became a brother with Aotian. Aotian accidentally offended the local evil forces and was in danger of being killed. Fortunately, Xiaoshan risked his life to save him, and the brotherhood between the two deepened. When Xiaoshan was getting famous, his increasingly reckless behavior accidentally offended the military leaders, who chased him and Xiaoshan had to flee Shanghai. However, Xiaoshan's ambition was not extinguished. He used the connections he made in the Military Academy and the military leaders to gradually build up his own armed forces. Later, Xiaoshan heard that Aotian became a subordinate of Jintang and Guisheng, and started a tobacco transportation business. Xiaoshan found that this was a good opportunity to return to Shanghai, so he took advantage of Aotian's transport of opium to intercept him on the way, and finally he and Aotian and Jintang jointly established the Sanxiao Company. In a few years, the "Sanxiao" became prosperous, dominated the opium market, and dominated the French Concession. The three of them even called each other brothers and were collectively known as the three tycoons of Shanghai! Zhai Jintang was originally a "troublemaker" in the police station. He used to use black-eating-black methods to solve strange cases. He was deeply trusted by the French colonial government and was promoted to Inspector General. Jintang also got the help of his virtuous wife Guisheng. The underworld power he established for him became more and more powerful. The casinos, brothels and other businesses under his name were all thriving, making Jintang the leader of both the black and white worlds in Shanghai Beach! Although Jintang has become a powerful figure, he still covets Shanghai's opium business. Unfortunately, the Eight-part Party headed by Zhenyue monopolizes the opium sales, so he cannot get a share of the spoils and has no plan. At this time, Aotian, who was introduced by Guisheng, is very brave. Jintang entrusts him with an important task, and finally defeats the Eight-part Party's opium business! With the help of Guisheng and Aotian, Jintang is in high spirits and covers half of Shanghai with one hand. Later, he cooperates with Xiaoshan and Aotian to establish Sanluo Company, which makes his status and position in Shanghai more prominent! Jintang hooks up with the famous singer Zhu Qihong (played by Shen Zhuoying), and enjoys the blessing of gold and silver money and the blessing of having a wife, which only adds a bit of arrogance. In the turbulent times, enemies and friends are hard to distinguish. Aotian, Xiaoshan and Jintang gradually become the leading tycoons in Shanghai, each occupying one side of the world, but the Sanfang Company is full of external and internal troubles... With the establishment of the "International Opium Convention", citizens complain about the legacy of opium. As the adjutant of the General Staff, Han Li (played by Guan Lijie) was assigned to investigate the three tycoons. However, with the help of Aotian, he made great contributions and was recognized by the chairman. The two have been dependent on each other since then, establishing a relationship of mutual benefit. Mao Guanchao (Ao Jianian), the feared leader of the Axe Gang, is destined to be the enemy of Aotian. However, Guanchao admires Aotian's Shanghai style. Due to their status, the two ultimately fail to become true comrades-in-arms... On the contrary, Li Zhaokuang (Wu Zhuoxi), as Aotian's favorite student, offers him advice and helps him out, but the shackles of reality make him see the true face of society and become a young man blinded by interests. He once wanted to push Aotian to the edge! The swordplay on the Shanghai beach, everyone pursues their own interests by any means, and the situation of three-way division of the world gradually splits. Then the Japanese army invaded China and Shanghai fell. The three brothers Qiao Aotian, Gong Xiaoshan and Zhai Jintang went their separate ways. In this chaotic world, who will be the final winner of Shanghai Beach?