Chinese republican era dramas mainly focused on romance Eg Lady & lier , killer and healer (main focus bl). 

Somebody is working on the translation of Toward the Republic (2003). For the translator, it is really a time consuming  labor of love with accompanying annotations for people who want to dig more into the historical context. There are now 45 episodes of the 60 that have been translated. Once it is completed, it will be amazing, It is considered one of the best series ever produced on that period. 

For something on a lighter side, I recommend the Mystic Nine for people who prefer tomb raiding adventure over romance.