Synopsis
Overview
"The Longest Day in Chang'an" is a Chinese historical suspense costume drama that aired in 2019, adapted from the novel of the same name by author Ma Boyong. Its English title is "The Longest Day in Chang'an". The series was directed by Cao Dun...
Overview
"The Longest Day in Chang'an" is a Chinese historical suspense costume drama that aired in 2019, adapted from the novel of the same name by writer Ma Boyong. Its English title is "The Longest Day in Chang'an". Directed by Cao Dun, the series stars Lei Jiayin, Yi Yangqianxi, Zhou Yiwei, among others, and consists of 48 episodes. Set against the backdrop of the Lantern Festival in the third year of the Tianbao era (744 AD) during the High Tang period, the story follows death row prisoner Zhang Xiaojing (played by Lei Jiayin) and Li Bi (played by Yi Yangqianxi), the Chief of the Jing'an Department, as they join forces within twelve shichen (24 hours) to prevent a massive conspiracy targeting Chang'an City. Praised for its exquisite production, highly authentic historical details, and tight narrative pacing, the series received widespread acclaim, earning a rating of 8.1 on Douban.
Plot
The story takes place during the Lantern Festival in the third year of the Tianbao era of the Tang Dynasty. The curfew in Chang'an City is lifted, the entire city is decorated with lanterns, and the people celebrate the festival. However, a mysterious force of Turkic Wolf Guards has infiltrated the city, intending to create earth-shattering chaos and destruction during the Lantern Festival celebrations. The Jing'an Department, responsible for the capital's security, identifies a key figure through the "Great Archive Technique" (an analytical method based on massive data archives)—former Chang'an "Buliang Commander" (a peacekeeping officer) and current death row prisoner Zhang Xiaojing.
Li Bi, the young genius Chief of the Jing'an Department, overrides objections and extracts Zhang Xiaojing from death row, entrusting him with the critical task of capturing the Wolf Guards and unraveling the conspiracy within twelve shichen. To protect the people of Chang'an, Zhang Xiaojing races against time, leveraging his deep understanding of the city's underworld and complex interpersonal networks, investigating through streets, markets, and official circles. Meanwhile, Li Bi strategizes within the court and the Jing'an Department, while also contending with pressure and obstruction from various political factions, including the Crown Prince and Chancellor Lin Jiulang. As the tense countdown proceeds, the truth behind the conspiracy is gradually revealed, and the trust and cooperation between Zhang Xiaojing and Li Bi face severe tests.
Cast
| Actor | Role | Role Introduction |
|---|---|---|
| Lei Jiayin | Zhang Xiaojing | Former Chang'an Buliang Commander, ten-year veteran of the Western Regions army, nine-year Buliang Commander, imprisoned on death row for killing his superior. Pardoned by Li Bi and tasked with hunting the Wolf Guards within twelve shichen on the Lantern Festival. |
| Yi Yangqianxi | Li Bi (Li Mi) | Chief of the Jing'an Department, a young genius and study companion to the Crown Prince. Daoist name "Changyuan", dedicated to protecting Chang'an and the Crown Prince, he is the key figure who enlists Zhang Xiaojing. |
| Zhou Yiwei | Long Bo | A mysterious discharged soldier from the Western Regions, who shares a past friendship with Zhang Xiaojing. He is actually one of the masterminds behind the plot to attack Chang'an, with a complex identity. |
| Reyizha | Tan Qi | Li Bi's personal maidservant, intelligent, decisive, and highly skilled in martial arts. Develops a deep bond with Zhang Xiaojing during the investigation. |
| Han Tongsheng | He Zhizheng (He Zhizhang) | Director of the Jing'an Department, based on the Tang Dynasty poet He Zhizhang. Li Bi's teacher and superior, later embroiled in political struggles. |
| Lu Fangsheng | Yao Runeng | Chief Clerk of the Jing'an Department, Right Guard Commander of the Eastern Palace. Navigates between various factions, possessing a contradictory and complex personality. |
| Djimon Hounsou | Ge Lao | Leader of Chang'an's underground city, controls vast intelligence and resources, shares a nuanced relationship with Zhang Xiaojing. |
Cultural Impact
After its broadcast, "The Longest Day in Chang'an" had a significant cultural impact on multiple levels.
Firstly, in terms of film and television production, the series is renowned for its cinematic-level production quality. The production team meticulously researched and highly restored the grandeur of the High Tang period, striving to recreate the cultural essence of the Tang Dynasty in costumes, makeup, props, street market scenes, and ritual systems. Particularly notable are the sand table reconstruction of Chang'an's 108 wards and the use of long takes, which create an immersive picture of the prosperous era and a tense atmosphere, raising the industrial standard for domestic historical dramas.
Secondly, the series sparked widespread public interest in Tang Dynasty history and culture. Viewers learned about Lantern Festival customs, the socially blended风貌 of Han and Hu peoples, Tang official systems (such as the Jing'an Department), and the "Great Archive Technique"—an ancient system imagined with modern data-thinking. Foods featured in the series, such as fire crystal persimmons and water盆羊肉 (lamb in a basin), also became hot topics online.
Furthermore, its innovative "time-locked suspense" narrative structure gained recognition. Condensing a vast conspiracy and multi-party struggles within twenty-four hours created a tight pace and relentless suspense, offering new creative approaches for historical题材. Characters like Zhang Xiaojing, with his belief in "protecting the common people," and the precociously responsible Li Bi, resonated emotionally with audiences.
The success of the series also boosted readership of the original novel. As a high-quality cultural export, it aired in multiple countries and regions, becoming an important window for showcasing the charm of China's ancient capital culture and historical narratives to the world.
References
- Douban Movie - "The Longest Day in Chang'an" homepage: https://movie.douban.com/subject/26849758/
- Baidu Baike - "The Longest Day in Chang'an" entry: https://baike.baidu.com/item/长安十二时辰/22462820
- Wikipedia - "The Longest Day in Chang'an" entry: https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/长安十二时辰
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