{year}=2025{episode}=36.END{type}=TV{completed}
Plot Summary
The Tang Code was a great achievement of the Tang Dynasty and a model for all future dynasties' legal codes in China and East Asia. Di Renjie was a Tang judge, renowned for his fair and impartial judgments, and a hero of ancient China. He rose to the rank of chancellor twice during the reign of Wu Tzetian. The popularity of zhiguai xiaoshuo and this rich historical background make this period rich fodder for the great Di Renjie to inspire such ancient detective stories. This is set during the second reign of Wu Tzetian's son Ruizong. Ruizong was a useless emperor, and his sister, Princess Taiping, was the real power behind the throne. Ambitious to become another Wu Tzetian, Princess Taiping became involved in a power struggle with Prince Li Longji (Xuanzong). In terms of recent Tang stories, this takes place after Luoyang and before The Longest Day at Changan and The Imperial Coroner. The play is well-researched, largely historical, and true to the social norms, institutions, and laws of the time.
The sheriff of the capital city of Chang'an is found dead under mysterious circumstances. Su Wuming, a respected disciple of Di Renjie, is hastily summoned to Changan to take up the position. His paths cross with Lu Lingfeng, a proud and ambitious young general of the jinyiwei, or imperial guard. Their relationship begins as adversarial, as Lu Lingfeng is clearly resentful that Di Renjie once rejected him as a disciple, while not being his match in rank, resources, or martial arts. The skilled Su Wuming races around Lu Lingfeng and recruits him (and his resources) to assist in his investigation. As they race to solve their intertwined cases, they encounter witchcraft, shapeshifting, and battle enemies with unearthly powers. Inevitably, mutual respect and friendship form between the men. While Su Wuming is clearly a brilliant detective, Lu Lingfeng is also intelligent and has great instincts, but is hampered by a rush to conclusions and a lack of experience. This is not another stale, static brain versus a combination of brilliant detectives, where the brains (Holmes, Poirot) are raised by their stupidity and naivety (Watson, Hastings). This is as much Lu Lingfeng’s story as it is Su Wuming’s. Under Su Wuming’s wise teachings and almost unbelievable hilarious tricks, we see the creation of a Di teaching tool out of Lu Lingfeng.
Lu Lingfeng’s pride and arrogance would have come out if it weren’t for the charming Yang Xuwen, with her self-awareness and irony. Although the Tang rulers made the imperial examination a prerequisite, noble families like Lu Lingfeng were able to obtain the coveted positions and advance on the fast track as a result of their patronage. This explains why he is so young, he is the fourth general in the elite guard. I think most people are not happy with Lu Lingfeng accepting a subordinate position to a district-level official like Su Wuming. He rolls with the punches and learns from his mistakes to discover more achievements, earning his way back to the top. After a long absence, it is good to see Yang Xuwen return with a multi-faceted, well-interpreted character, who is arrogant and quick-tempered on the outside, but efficient and even on the inside. He has a great rapport with veteran actor Yang Zhigang, who portrays a skilled, seasoned detective with a survival instinct and a bit of a sense of humor.
