Resumen del episodio 34 de The Longest Day in Chang'an
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Zhang Luo, an official from the Ministry of Forestry, was on his way to the Grand Auditorium when he noticed an anomaly in the builder list. He attempted to push through the lively crowd, which was celebrating the Lantern Festival and scrambling for coins being scattered by performers and craftsmen. Amidst the joyful chaos, two men disguised as laborers attacked Zhang Luo, pushing him into the river.
Meanwhile, the renowned craftsman Mao Shun, accompanied by Long Bo, proceeded in a carriage to Xingqing Palace, smoothly passing an initial inspection and entering. At a different location, Chao Fen meticulously examined the bamboo shards Zhang Xiaojing provided. He observed that they had been crafted by twelve different artisans, each using techniques specific to the northern regions, characterized by slim and subtle cuts.
Chao Fen also noted distinct double ridges and burn marks, indicating a blend of methods from the Fang family of Lingnan and the Lin family of Chuanzhong. He concluded that these shards were remnants of a Qilin Column, a sophisticated device for pillars and machinery, and identified Mao Shun as the only craftsman in Chang'an capable of such intricate designs.
Chao Fen then surmised that these columns were vital components of the Great Lantern Tower, Mao Shun's masterpiece at Xingqing Palace, a structure over 40 meters tall and 24 rooms wide, designed to rotate with light visible for miles. Zhang Xiaojing, realizing the hollow nature of the bamboo, deduced they were meant to contain "Flaming Demon," or stone grease.
He gravely concluded that the Great Lantern Tower would become a massive "Crouching Fire," a bomb over 40 meters tall, capable of burning miles of the city to the ground and causing countless deaths among the thousands gathered below. At the same time, Li Bi arrived at the Great Lantern Tower, deeply impressed by its grandeur.
Zhang Xiaojing had just prepared to take Is to disrupt Long Bo's plan when Yuan Zai and the Right Cavalry stormed in to apprehend them. Is quickly toppled a bundle of bamboo, obstructing Yuan Zai and his men, thereby allowing Zhang Xiaojing to make his escape. Long Bo and Mao Shun, having passed the initial gate, approached another Dragon Tiger Army checkpoint. The guards, noting the absence of Zhang Luo, insisted on inspecting their carriage.
Long Bo falsely claimed that Zhang Luo had been pushed into the river by the festive crowd while watching lanterns and was still missing. He then pressed the guards, reminding them of the emperor's impending arrival and the potential delay to the grand ceremony. When asked about the carriage's contents, Long Bo stated they were carrying new Qilin Columns for replacement, a claim Mao Shun affirmed.
Satisfied, the guards waved them through, urging them to hurry and not delay the ceremony. Meanwhile, Yuan Zai and the Right Cavalry surrounded Chao Fen's residence, where Zhang Xiaojing and Is were. Yuan Zai demanded Zhang Xiaojing's surrender, threatening Is. Zhang Xiaojing, in turn, urged Yuan Zai to go to Xingqing Palace to stop the conspirators from slaughtering the people, but Yuan Zai dismissed it as nonsense and accused Zhang Xiaojing of being the true mastermind.
To coerce Zhang Xiaojing, Yuan Zai brutally attacked Is, who cried out in pain. Despite his injury, Is implored Zhang Xiaojing to flee and leave him behind. Simultaneously, Yu Chang and Wen Ran, leading the remaining Pifu, navigated through underground waterways toward Xingqing Palace. Wen Ran confessed to Yu Chang that she harbored no interest in Long Bo, revealing her nine-year-long love for Zhang Xiaojing, who had always treated her as a younger sister and feigned ignorance of her feelings.
She vowed to save him, describing him as a compassionate man who had endured immense suffering. Lin Jiulang and other officials began their strenuous ascent of the Great Lantern Tower. Lin Jiulang, despite his exhaustion, dared not pause, fearing the emperor's displeasure. He Zhizheng also arrived, commanded by imperial order to view the lanterns, appearing to be in a state of inebriation and speaking about loyalty to the Crown Prince.
Meanwhile, Tan Qi, using a drum bag to blend with the musicians, successfully entered the Grand Auditorium. She quickly spotted Yan Yuhuan, Lady Taizhen, who also recognized her. Yan Yuhuan questioned Tan Qi's purpose there. Tan Qi declared she was working for herself and earnestly pleaded with Yan Yuhuan to intercede for Zhang Xiaojing before the emperor, recalling a past incident where she saved Yan Yuhuan's life from an attack during a hunt.
Yan Yuhuan acknowledged the debt but stated she was currently awaiting a crucial announcement and could not attend to Tan Qi's request, urging her to leave before the emperor's arrival. Long Bo and Mao Shun soon reached the base of the Great Lantern Tower. Mao Shun lamented the impending destruction of his masterpiece, whose blueprints he had already burned, and expressed sorrow that its marvel would never be witnessed again.
Long Bo assured him that his creation would be remembered for generations, becoming a legend spoken of a thousand years hence. He then urged Mao Shun to begin installing the devices. Li Bi, while investigating, uncovered Long Bo's plot. He witnessed Pifu filling the Qilin Columns with stone grease. Long Bo captured Li Bi and took him to observe the preparations within the Great Lantern Tower. Li Bi, sensing the "Flaming Demon," swore to prevent Long Bo from destroying Chang'an.
Long Bo, scoffing at Li Bi, asserted that no one could stop him. Meanwhile, Master Ji, disregarding Cao Poyan's warnings, brought his daughter Ji Jiang to the streets to enjoy the lantern festival. At midnight, the emperor arrived at the Grand Auditorium and took his place on the dragon throne, receiving salutations from the imperial princes and officials. With his command, the Lantern Festival celebrations officially commenced, uniting the emperor and his people in merriment.
Witnessing Is's agonizing cries under Yuan Zai's torture and recalling the many lives that had been implicated and lost because of him, Zhang Xiaojing could no longer remain hidden. He bravely emerged, wielding a pole to hurl burning iron flowers at Yuan Zai and the surrounding Right Cavalry. The sparks scattered, causing the Right Cavalry to flee in chaos as Zhang Xiaojing fiercely engaged them.
Simultaneously, Long Bo led Li Bi to the apex of the Great Lantern Tower, forcing him to witness the impending catastrophe that would engulf Chang'an, while the city below remained oblivious, lost in the joyful festivities.
