I am Wen Ran.
Someone had asked me to bring her to you.
Who is it?
Your leader is called You Cha, right?
He wants to threaten General Wang Zong Shi to take back your land.
You don't understand Wang Zong Si at all.
If any of you dare touch a hair on Wang Yun Xiu,
with General Wang Zong Si's temper,
he'll bring an army to trample over your homeland...
and slaughter your brothers, children or worse.
You are from Chang'an?
Yes, I am.
I was born and raised in Chang'an.
Why are you helping us?
Because, just like you,
I dislike Chang'an.
No.
Not only I dislike Chang'an,
I hate it.
Nobody will hate their own homeland.
Chang'an...
has killed my father.
Wen Ran has approached Ming Ying before.
She is related to Ming Ying's death.
And today, she had kidnapped Wang Yun Xiu.
She had planned to leave Chang'an...
during the royal feast at 2 o'clock sharp.
What is Wen Ran...
trying to do?
What is her background?
Have you found out about it?
According to the census register from Chamberlain Xu,
all four generations of Wen Ran had made a living with perfume business.
She lived with her mother since young.
But her mother passed away nine years ago.
She was just 11 years old at that time.
How did she survive?
Who is her father?
When she was one,
her father's name was removed from the merchant register.
Either he was dead just like the neighbours said...
or he had left home.
It was the 13th year of the old calendar.
His Majesty had gone up to Mount Tai to pay homage to the Heaven and Earth.
In order to be prepared for enemy incoming,
the prime minister at that time...
had increased the number of soldiers to guard the borders.
So, they frequently recruited soldiers with very generous yearly pay.
At that time, merchants and lower class people cannot become soldiers.
So, many had paid to change their status in order to be enlisted.
Find out everything about Wen Ran's father now.
Start from register of enlisted soldiers back then.
Yes, Master.
When was Zhang Xiao Jing enlisted?
I remember.
13th year of the old calendar.
" The Longest Day in Chang'an "
Episode 8
Enough already.
You had already taken eight hours to do your make-up.
Of course I need to doll myself up.
We will meet His Majesty during the lantern festival in Xingqing Palace.
I don't even know if we will be able to find a spot now.
Go back to you owner.
Lanterns for sale. Come, have a look.
Beautiful lanterns.
Lanterns for sale.
Chief Li, an emergency report from Wannian County.
Zhang Xiao Jing killed a long-term Wannian County spy in Pingkang Street.
It's his doings?
According to the other spies there, It's truly his doings.
Based on the report,
the leader of the underworld in Pingkang Street is called Ge Lao.
He had been running amuck in the east of Chang'an for more than 10 years.
He uses the prostitutes in Pingkang Street to get close to the officials.
He trades secrets, toys with others' weaknesses and sets up connections.
He is involved in human trafficking, fake registry,
drugs trafficking, armament steal and sell and other illegal business.
He is the number one master criminal wanted by the court.
But no one dare touch him because he has many backers.
Wannian County had spent many years of efforts...
to plant some spies into his organisation.
Zhang Xiao Jing broke the Great Tang Law when he killed our spy.
If we find out that he made a deal with Ge Lao,
then, he would have committed a traitorous crime.
You'll be dragged into it.
Zhang Xiao Jing knows that he can't escape death.
If he gets out from this city,
it'll be hard to find him.
Chief Li. The Royal Escort is at your command.
We can bring him back anytime.
Captain Cui.
Commander Zhang has found a clue.
-Bring your team to back him up now. -Why do you trust him so much?
Will you betray your own comrades?
As a soldier, this is a major crime.
And those who did it will be a cast-away.
There is only one person who can help us.
But he never gives out free information.
Where is Commandant Yao? Is he with Commander Zhang?
According to the watchtower,
Zhang Xiao Jing is alone.
There were too many people when...
Commandant Yao came out from Pingkang Street.
And the watchtower...
has lost sight of him.
Send backups to Commander Zhang at once.
Don't make him face danger alone.
Yes, Chief Li.
Happy Lantern Festival. Free lantern.
-Happy Lantern Festival. Free lantern. -Who is it?
Not a dime. It's totally free.
-Thank you. -Thank you.
Happy Lantern Festival. Free lantern.
Gang Leader.
Is it fine to do it here?
He has ditched his horse. Looks like he's going to be here for a while.
All of our men are heading here. They'll be here soon.
Follow him.
-Find out his resting place. -Yes, Gang Leader.
Today, all the sleuth-hound in Chang'an is not going to back him up.
Do it without any worries.
Remember. Zhang Xiao Jing doesn't fear death.
You just need to let him understand...
how painful it is to live before he dies.
I'll wait for your good story here.
Yes, Gang Leader.
He betrayed a brother because of a case?
We better to stop doing it then...
because we might die in the hands of one of our own.
And others will take the merits from us.
-Commander Zhang... -Talk less...
and do more.
Yes, Captain.
Captain Cui, there is a shorter route to Xiuzheng Street.
It's too slow if we use this route.
Is that so?
Maybe it's because I'm not yet familiar with Chang'an.
There are too many people on the street today.
We can't provide backup in time because of it.
Move aside, quick.
Happy Lantern Festival. Free lantern.
Not a dime. It's totally free.
Somebody is here to check on the manors.
Happy Lantern Festival. Free lantern.
Not a dime.
Quick. Take aim.
Shoot him when there's nobody besides him.
Then, drag his body inside.
Not a dime.
It's totally free.
Stop. He is one of our own.
If you dare kill him, you'll face You Cha's wrath.
He's one of our own?
He is my husband, Zhang Xiao Jing.
He's here to bring me back.
Who else did you tell about this place?
I told everyone including my fellow neighbours,
more than twenty clients from the perfume shop,
Private Guard from Wang Yun Xiu's manor, gatekeepers of Anren Street.
If I don't go back today,
they'll come here to look for me.
Impossible that His Excellency will hire you to work for him.
I'm just joking with you.
We are talking about kidnapping Wang Yun Xiu.
If I tell anybody, I will be dead already.
But the person who sent me here today...
knows where I am.
If I don't go back,
you'll fail the mission that you have to...
complete today.
Who sent you?
Your Excellency knows him.
Enough. My work here is done.
I'll leave Wang Yun Xiu to you.
Remember. Don't hurt her.
I'll be leaving now.
Bring your husband here.
Or else, I'll shoot him to death right now.
Happy Lantern Festival. Free lantern.
Not a dime. It's totally free.
Zhang Xiao Jing.
Come here, quick.
Young lass.
Shoot the guy and get the girl.
This girl is suspicious.
She is sent by You Cha for sure.
You Cha has hid in Chang'an under false name.
Only the person he trusts will know his name.
-Ask your men to take them in. -No.
We'll observe first.
I haven't seen you for half a year.
Why are you here?
You escaped from prison?
I came out to work for a day. I'll go back after that.
-It's a death cell. Why go back? -I'm asking you. Why are you here?
Follow me. I'll tell you on the way.
We have to move forward our plan.
You Cha has no given his order yet. What are you doing?
You have grudge against You Cha.
I'm the one who brought all of you to Chang'an.
I won't let a member of us dies in vain again.
This place is already exposed. We can't wait for You Cha's order.
We have to act earlier.
Because of one man,
you want us to offend You Cha with you?
How did you know that he's alone?
The court is shameless.
They gave you capital punishment and ask you to work for them.
What are you doing here?
Someone told me in prison that...
you had worked very hard...
and managed to gain a stable life in Chang'an with your incense shop.
What trouble are you cooking up in here? Let me tell you.
If you risk your life, I'll beat you to death in your father's stead.
-You care about me? -Nonsense!
You are your father's only daughter.
-What is the task they gave you? -None of your business.
Did they ask you to investigate on the people inside the manor?
Don't do it anymore.
What do you know?
I'm just advising you to stop working for the government.
After tonight,
you'll be able to live a life in dignity.
If you don't survive this, I'll die with you.
I'll be able to meet my father then.
We'll do it like this.
Bring me something from the manor in Wannian County.
Bring me my flag.
Ask my brothers. They know where it is. Bring it to me.
-Where do I have to bring it to? -You want to live, right?
We'll leave this city together.
Many watchtowers in this city are keeping a close eye on me.
We can't go together.
After you take the flag,
wait for me in Ningyuang Teahouse outside of Qixia Gate.
Take this.
If you reach there first, put it outside.
If I reach there first, I'll put one outside too.
What are you doing?
There are many lanterns today. You can identify mine with the smell.
Quick.
You have to come. I'll wait for you.
You have to come.
Ask the Peacekeeper Corps to send Cui Qi as backup.
Commandant Yao, 15 minutes ago, the watchtower...
had ordered Captain Cui to do so.
The watchtower even asked for your location.
Did you miss something, Commandant Yao?
Prepare a fast horse for me now. Quick.
Yes, Commandant.
-Great. -Great.
Festooned vehicle is popular in Chang'an too?
It became popular since last year.
Someone learnt the Sogdian Whirl from An Lu Shan and created Nuo Dance.
Besides, His Majesty has an increasing love towards Jiegu Drum.
Since the end of last year until the beginning of this year,
the number of Nuo Dance dancer has increased.
Some did it to entertain others and some did it for self entertainment.
Everybody just wants to have fun.
How far are we from Xiuzheng Street?
At least five more streets.
Wolven Squad.
Don't touch my hair!
Wolven Squad.
-Yes. -How many of you in Chang'an?
50. All of us are here.
Why is that lady here just now?
She came in herself.
And she brought us the Great Tang general's daughter.
Tell me the truth.
-Why did you trick her here? -It's the other way around.
Chief Li.
Xu Bin.
Come with me.
Half past two!
Sunset is approaching.
It's late afternoon now.
Have you found anything on Wen Ran's father?
This man had disappeared from the registry and fallen off the grid.
-Name. -Wen Jin Xing.
Have you checked the soldier's registry...
-in the 13th year of old calendar? -Yes. There are none with this name.
How many of them have Wen as family name at that time?
-223 people. -Those with similar age?
Our recruitment assessment is very strict.
Armour and helmet at all times.
They have to march with 12 stones crossbows, 50 arrows,
halberd, swords, three days worth of food supplies...
and run 100 miles within half a day.
Only then can they pass the assessment.
Only the young and strong is able to do it.
So, all of them...
are approximately 20 to 25 years old young men.
It's very hard to identify him from age.
How many Wen had gone into Emperor Xin An's army?
What are you suggesting?
Tell me.
-I haven't check, I'll do it now. -Another thing.
Where was Zhang Xiao Jing's last battle before coming back to Chang'an?
Defence Beacon at Bohuan City in the...
Northwest of Anxi.
That was a very gruesome battle.
220 people...
against an army.
The battle there had gone on for many days and no relief troops were sent.
Majority of the 220 soldiers had died in the battle.
-How many is alive? -Nine.
-Including Zhang Xiao Jing? -Yes.
Find out the information about...
the other eight for me.
Chamberlain Xu. Do it quickly.
-I'll wait here. -Alright.
An army is outside. You are surrounded.
Put down your weapons.
Or else, Wang Zong Si's daughter will die.
I'll count to three.
If you don't throw your weapons away,
she'll bleed.
One.
Two.
-Three! -Wait!
Your sword.
Miss Wen Ran.
Long time no see.
Come one. Bring us to Zhang Xiao Jing. We want to greet him.
-Let's go. -Let's go.
There are 82 Wen in Emperor Xin An's army.
Among the 220 people in the Defence Beacon, there are five Wen.
Among the nine survivors, there is one Wen.
So, this man and Zhang Xiao Jing know each other.
But his name is different from Wen Ran's father.
What is his name?
Wen Wu Ji.
Master.
The sixth street, Anye Street that was pulled down by Ministry of Works...
involved 11 manors...
and six shops.
One of the shops is called Wen's Incense Shop.
Anye Street and Wen Ran's new shop in Anren Street...
are separated by Zhuque Main Street.
The old Wen's Incense Shop is registered under...
Wen Wu Ji.
Chamberlain Xu.
When you find Zhang Xiao Jing with the database,
you said Zhang Xiao Jing had killed the 34 people of the Blaze Gang...
in the name of justice.
And he did it to uphold justice for the innocent people.
Now, looks like...
it's not as simple as we think it is.
Tan Qi, ask Captain Cui to speed up.
We have to locate Zhang Xiao Jing at once.
Move aside.
Xiuzheng Street is just after Daye and Jinchang Street to the east.
Move aside. Why is everybody not moving?
We are caught up in a competition. Ministry of Rites has blocked the way.
-Move aside. -Move aside.
We are on duty. Move aside.
-Who are you? -Royal Escort.
We are under Chief Li of Peacekeeper Corps' order...
to head towards Xiuzheng Street.
Wait.
Captain Cui.
How do you find out that we are here?
Tell me now.
Or else, you'll suffer more.
Where is the lady that you have kidnapped?
I have questions for her.
I'm the one questioning you now.
How do you find out that we are here?
This is called coin flesh.
Because the flesh that was carved out from here...
is the size of a coin.
When my men come in later,
I'll let you have a taste of it as well.
We've checked. Nobody's outside.
Nobody will come and save you.
Chang'an will never save people who are useless to it.
Our homeland...
has taught us this theory since a long time ago.
People will only save you if you are useful.
If you are useless, you'll be cast away.
" 23rd year of the old calendar "
" Anxi Governor's Manor: Defence Beacon "
Take good care of our brothers.
Wan Shou.
Here, Wan Shou. Give some to Zhang Feng Er.
Xiao Gui, here.
Softer.
Xiao San.
It's done.
Softer, Old Man Wen.
You do it so hard until you can choke a bull to death.
You are worse than my daughter.
I have been helping her to stretch since young.
But she never makes a sound.
The government has given up on us.
Bohuan City is not more than 100 miles from here.
The relief troops can reach here in 10 hours' time.
But it has been three days and no one is here.
I'm not going to guess to motives of the government.
There were 200 of us.
And more than half of them are dead in just three days' time.
We've been giving out smoke signals for many days.
But none of Gaijia Army shows up.
Enough.
Our enemy is resting and nocking arrows. Use this time to stretch.
A draw of the long crossbow takes more than 200 pounds of force.
It'll be bad if we hurt our back.
Quick, stretch yourself.
Today is the 15th day of the month.
I'll cook you some meat tonight.
Old Man Wen. Why are you so optimistic always?
We don't even have enough dry food.
Where to find meat?
This morning, I found a wolf den...
at the south part of this Defence Beacon.
But only the cubs were there just now. It's not enough for us.
When the big wolves are back tonight,
I'll hunt them down and bring them here.
-You want to grill it or stew it? -Alright.
We'll do both grill and stew.
Brother. How about we use the bones to make stock?
Brothers. Any of you have salt?
We'll keep the oil from the wolves.
Slice the meat from the wolves' ribs...
and fry it on the pan to get some wolf oil.
Spread it on the flat bread,
layer it with the meat slice and sprinkle it with some salt.
You'll forget everything after you eat it. It's worth dying for.
-Now, you are happy. -You are quite the foodie.
Why did you go to the south part of the Defence Beacon?
You always think so much.
Are you checking to see whether the relief troop is here or not?
I don't make guesses about the higher-up's motives.
We just do our jobs here.
They asked us to spy on the enemy.
But we encountered an army suddenly.
We've already sent them the message.
Gaijia Army is Bohuan City has a Desert Troops of 12,000 men.
Why didn't they attack?
This Defence Beacon is on Tang's soil.
You just need to remember that...
our job is to hold the fort.
We won't retreat.
This Tang's flag will not fall.
They are here! 40 degree! Get down!
Get down!
-Get down! -Stay down!
Stay down!
Get down!
-Zong Qi, lower! -Quick.
Brothers, hold on.
Get down!
Kill them!
-Kill them! -Kill them!
The enemy has attack the Defence Beacon! Hold it!
-Hold it! -Quick!
-Pour the oil! -Pour the oil!
Get down!
Hold it!
The enemy is attacking from the back.
Switch to defense mode! Protect the flag!
Brothers, we'll eat wolf meat tonight!
The relief troops won't be coming to save us.
Kill him.
Tang's troops might be right behind him.
-We have to depart now. -Tell me now!
Who sent you?
Do you want to complete your mission...
and get out from Chang'an alive?
Give me 15 minutes.
I can make them spare your lives.
We came to Chang'an...
with the notion of dying in this place.
May we have lasting prosperity!
Begone with evil!
May the filth be gone and save the people from disaster!
May we have lasting prosperity!
Begone with evil!
This is commoners' competition. What's with all the rules here?
You are just here for half a year. You don't know Chang'an's love for rules.
The more rules, the more respectable you look.
Lantern Festival is when the public talents compete on festooned vehicle.
From Qixia Gate as starting point, a judge from Ministry of Rites...
is situated on every streets along the way.
Two festooned vehicle will compete. The more talented one can proceed...
to Xingqing Palace. The loser will have to go back...
and try again next year.
The last winner will be the Starlight this year.
And the winner can go into the Grand Auditorium to meet His Majesty.
And the winner can even light up the lantern with His Majesty.
-Great! -Great!
It will be such an honour.
The people of Great Tang assiduously compete for it.
Great!
The outside of the city is lined with frozen corpses.
But the inside of the city is so lively.
Forget it. I should make...
such a pointless comment.
It's not something that I can help with.
Have they always blocked the road during the Starlight Competition?
No.
Maybe the Ministry of Rites has gotten words about the Wolven Squad issue.
We have to go through this road to get to Xiuzheng Street?
Yes.
From Qixia Gate to Xingqing Palace, there are festooned vehicles...
all around the east city. We can't go around it.
You can only pass through here after the competition here is over.
How long will it take?
With Xu He Zi's vehicle here, I can't be sure about it.
Everybody in Chang'an wants to take a long look at her.
Xu He Zi!