Cast & Character List
Nie Yuan as Zheng Hao
Zheng Hao is a dedicated and sharp tax official, initially serving as the Director of the Risk Control Bureau of the Lingshui District Taxation Bureau in Xindong City. Known for his keen eye for detail and his ability to unravel complex financial schemes using big data, Zheng Hao is a staunch defender of the law. His impressive track record leads to his transfer to the Inspection Bureau, where he takes on the role of Head of the Second Inspection Section.
Zheng Hao is a man of unwavering principle in his professional life, relentlessly pursuing those who attempt to defraud the system. He dives deep into the intricacies of tax evasion, meticulously uncovering the truth and bringing criminals to justice.
However, Zheng Hao's personal life is more complicated. He is a man with deep emotions and a strong sense of loyalty. He grapples with a complex relationship with his former girlfriend, Liang Jinqiu, and their past continues to influence his present. Balancing his career ambitions with his personal feelings is a constant challenge. His college friend group was known as the "high IQ iron triangle."
Yang Rong as Liang Jinqiu
In The Source of River, Liang Jinqiu is a driven, career-focused tax expert who has returned to China after working overseas. She's known for her resilience and sharp intellect, tackling challenges head-on and using her expertise to unravel complex financial mysteries.
As she joins forces with Zheng Hao to investigate a major case, Liang Jinqiu's professionalism and calm judgment make her the perfect complement to her colleague. Throughout the series, she experiences significant personal and professional growth, evolving from navigating complicated feelings for a former love to ultimately dedicating herself to the pursuit of justice. Liang Jinqiu is a career-oriented, showing resilience.
Zhang Duo as Zhao Mingda
Zhao Mingda is a professor at a prestigious finance university. He was once part of a "High-IQ Trio" with Zheng Hao and Liang Jinqiu during their university days. Ideally, Zhao should be a man of strong ethics and academic integrity. However, life has dealt him a series of blows. His daughter's illness and a failed investment have pushed him to the edge, he was ensnared by Feng Dakai, the head of a tax crime syndicate.
Zhao is a man consumed by internal conflict. When confronted by his friends, his eyes betray guilt and helplessness. As he spirals deeper into the criminal underworld, he exhibits a mix of confusion and fear, highlighting the tragic consequences of his compromised principles. He becomes a complex character, torn between his past ideals and his present desperate circumstances.
Xu Ya Jun as Feng Dakai
Feng Dakai is the primary antagonist of the series. He's a complex character who rose from poverty, initially benefiting from the generosity of Zhao Mingda's father. However, his ambition for wealth and status led him down a dark path. He establishes an organization that specializes in creating fraudulent invoices, marking his entry into a life of crime.
Feng Dakai is a master manipulator. He preys on Zhao Mingda's vulnerabilities, drawing him into his criminal enterprise. He represents the corrupting influence of unchecked ambition. Ultimately, his illegal activities are exposed by the protagonists, Zheng Hao and Liang Jinqiu, leading to his arrest and imprisonment. He serves as a cautionary example.
Yang Boxiao as Xiong Yi
Xiong Yi is a key member of the tax bureau's risk control center, serving as the tech lead. A brilliant but headstrong individual, he's the protégé of Zheng Hao. Xiong Yi is known for his fiery temper and exceptional skills in information technology. He is fiercely loyal to his mentor and dedicated to his work.
However, Xiong Yi's world is shaken when he becomes the prime suspect in an internal investigation. Someone used his credentials to lift a risk alert on Donghuan Electronics, leading to accusations of him being a mole. Although eventually cleared of all charges, the incident deeply impacts him. The stress and suspicion take a toll, and he later gets into a physical altercation with colleagues over gossip related to Zhao Qi. This incident underscores his volatile nature and the lingering effects of the false accusation.
Wang Ruixin as Li Xinxin
Li Xinxin is a brilliant and driven young woman. A top graduate of Xindong University, she consistently achieved the highest scores, both during her university years and in the civil service examinations, solidifying her reputation as a true academic star.
Xinxin is a high-achiever. She's deeply involved in professional competitions related to her work in the system and approaches all of her duties with dedication and seriousness. For instance, Xinxin takes a very active role in the investigation of Zhang Shaocheng's case. She partners with Li Dongjie, going undercover as a customer to keep a close watch on Zhang Shaocheng, all in an effort to gather crucial evidence related to tax matters.
Huang Meng as Li Dongjie
Li Dongjie is the former head of the Inspection Department of the Tax Bureau. A complex character, he initially has a strained relationship with Zheng Hao. He holds a deep-seated resentment towards Zheng Hao, stemming from the death of Chen Dajun. This resentment is further fueled by professional jealousy when his department is restructured, and he sees Zheng Hao as a rival. Manipulated by Xiao Yilin, Li Dongjie is drawn into schemes against Zheng Hao.
However, as the story unfolds, Li Dongjie experiences a transformation. Through a series of events, he begins to understand his own mistakes and the error of his ways, ultimately leading to a reconciliation and friendship with Zheng Hao. He is a former section chief of the inspection department.
Zeng Kelang as Gao Peng
Gao Peng is a principled and upright staff member at the Tax Bureau. He's the kind of guy who stands up for what's right, even when it's unpopular. When he overhears colleagues gossiping negatively about Zhao Qi, he can't hold his tongue and confronts them, sparking a conflict. Fortunately, Xiong Yi steps in to support Gao Peng, showing that he's not alone in his commitment to fairness and integrity. He is portrayed as an honest individual.
Shi Jingming as Zheng Tianchou
Zheng Tianchou is a key figure in The Source of River, and the father of Zheng Hao. He is a man haunted by his past. He was personally responsible for the arrest of Liang Jinqiu's father, an act that casts a long shadow and creates significant tension and obstacles in the relationship between Zheng Hao and Liang Jinqiu. Later, tragedy strikes when Zheng Tianchou is murdered in a mysterious attack, while he was protecting Chen Xiaoxing.
