Resumen del episodio 42 de The Longest Day in Chang'an
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Yuan Zai, accompanied by Wang Yunxiu, was among the spectators eager to join the Emperor for the lantern show. A sudden explosion from a fire-breathing performance startled Yuan Zai, causing him to instinctively kneel in fear and tremble, a reaction Wang Yunxiu mockingly pointed out.
Yuan Zai quickly brushed it off as mere reflexes and instructed Wang Yunxiu to return to the Jing'an Si headquarters to bring the Right Cavalry, specifically ordering them not to wear armor, who were to regroup in front of Xingqing Palace. He envisioned claiming credit for the night's events, believing his name would be celebrated for generations.
The Emperor, recognizing He Zhizheng's profound love and loyalty for Great Tang beyond just the Crown Prince, chose not to pursue his previous offenses. Deeply shamed by the Emperor's newfound understanding and resolve, He Zhizheng knelt, declaring that his age had clouded his judgment and he deserved execution, with his head displayed for three days as a warning to others. The Emperor, however, helped him to his feet, stating that he still needed He Zhizheng's aid in his reign.
Overwhelmed, He Zhizheng felt unworthy of such an honor. The Emperor then personally offered him a bowl of rice and urged him to go home and rest, acknowledging his age and weariness. As it approached 2:00 AM, Guo Lishi asked if the Emperor would proceed with lighting the lantern tower, to which the Emperor readily agreed. The ignition ceremony began, and the grand lantern rose, ultimately revealing the head of Laozi.
The jubilant crowds in Chang'an cheered, invoking blessings for the nation and long life for the Emperor and Great Tang. Meanwhile, Zhang Xiaojing attempted to climb a Qilin column, intending to cut it open and release the stone grease to prevent an explosion. However, a reawakened Yu Chang fiercely resisted him, leading to a struggle where Zhang Xiaojing eventually overpowered and pinned her, but she desperately tried to break free.
Guo Lishi presented a golden arrow to Xu Hezi, who then brought it before the Emperor. Up on the Qilin column, Zhang Xiaojing began cutting an opening to allow the stone grease to drain. Yu Chang pursued him, despite her injuries. Zhang Xiaojing tried to reason with her, explaining that if he succeeded in cutting the columns, the explosion would be prevented, and both she and Xiao Gui could survive.
However, Yu Chang, intent on her self-sacrificial mission, attempted to stop him, only to fall due to her severe injuries. Zhang Xiaojing, despite their conflict, heroically caught her arm, saving her from falling, even as she yelled at him to let go. The commotion on the Qilin column caught the attention of the crowd below, prompting Chen Xuanli to dispatch guards to inform the Ministry of Defense and gather reinforcements, recognizing the Emperor's immediate danger.
The Emperor, meanwhile, asked Xu Hezi for her name, which she humbly acknowledged was lengthy, before instructing her to accompany him to the rooftop of Huage Xianghui Lou. The Emperor and Xu Hezi proceeded to the rooftop of Huage Xianghui Lou, where a sudden scream signaled trouble. Xiao Gui, leading his Ants, had fought their way through the guards and stormed into the hall.
Guo Lishi immediately called for protection as Yong Wang tried to intervene but was quickly knocked down by Xiao Gui. Xiao Gui declared himself as Xiao Gui, the flag holder of the Eighth Division of Anxi Armor Troop, stating he was there on behalf of his fallen brothers to speak with the Emperor. He instructed the foreign ambassadors to remain calm and assured them he would let them go after delivering his message.
As Lin Jiulang discreetly slipped away, Xiao Gui demanded the Emperor reveal himself. The Emperor, introducing himself as Li Silang, stepped forward, offering to listen to whatever Xiao Gui had to say. Guo Lishi cautioned the Emperor to remain vigilant. Xiao Gui then pointed to a dish, asking for its name. Upon being told it was "The Country," he tasted it and declared it reeked of blood and was rotten.
In the lantern room, Zhang Xiaojing quickly punctured all the Fuhuolei barrels, causing black stone grease to gush out. He tried to convince Yu Chang that truly changing Xiao Gui wouldn't happen through force, but by allowing him to realize his mistakes, perhaps by taking the Emperor out of Chang'an to see the people's suffering firsthand. He argued that if the Emperor didn't fire the golden arrow, it would prove his method right.
Meanwhile, Chen Xuanli led the Dragon Tiger Army towards Huage Xianghui Lou, but a group of Ants, brandishing torches and threatening to ignite the stone grease at the entrance, warned them not to advance further, effectively blocking their entry. Inside, the Emperor questioned Xiao Gui why he chose this particular night, after so many years, to seek vengeance for the Eighth Division.
Xiao Gui responded that ten years was not too long to avenge a wrong that occurred on the first month of that year. The Emperor then, to Xiao Gui's astonishment, began reciting the names and roles of all 200 members of the Eighth Division, down to the archers and infantry, affirming that he remembered them because they were heroes who shed their blood for Great Tang and would never be forgotten.
He revealed that he had secretly sought justice for them by discharging Gai Jiayun, their general, whose name would be erased from history, attributing his downfall to arrogance. The Emperor urged Xiao Gui to stop the violence, offering a full pardon if he would simply apologize for disrupting the festive night, emphasizing it was the proper conduct for a man of Great Tang.
Deeply moved and in tears, Xiao Gui knelt before the Emperor, expressing his hope that the Emperor would protect the people of the land. The Emperor assured him that he would, viewing them all as his own sons. The drum of the Grand Lantern Tower sounded again, marking the propitious time for the start of spring and a year of harvest.
The Emperor, taking the golden arrow and crossbow from Xu Hezi, declared himself not merely a match for Emperor Shun, but a deity beyond human rulers. This boast jolted Xiao Gui, who suddenly realized that despite the Emperor's earlier words, he still viewed the common people, including the Eighth Division, as mere "ants." Xiao Gui deliberately made no move to stop the Emperor, who then drew his bow and shot the golden arrow.
Simultaneously, Yu Chang, with a whispered "Forgive me," pushed Zhang Xiaojing off the Qilin column before activating the central system. The golden arrow accurately struck the lantern room, which immediately exploded and caught fire. As countless fireballs rolled along their tracks, the Grand Lantern was engulfed, and the majestic head of Laozi was instantly obliterated.
The Ants positioned at the base of the tower ignited the stone grease, causing the flames to rapidly spread upwards, transforming the entire lantern tower into a raging inferno. Amidst the chaos, the parts of the Qilin column that Zhang Xiaojing had previously cut did not explode, a fact that baffled the Ants guarding the entrance.
Terrified, the citizens scattered in a desperate scramble for safety, while Yu Chang, who had initiated the final detonation, whispered "See you on the other side," implying her death in the explosion. Hearing that the Grand Lantern Tower had exploded and the Emperor was trapped in Huage Xianghui Lou, the Crown Prince urgently sent his men to ascertain the Emperor's safety amidst the chaos and charred bodies falling from the building.
Inside Huage Xianghui Lou, the Dragon Tiger Army, protecting the Emperor, demanded Xiao Gui lay down his weapons and surrender, promising him a swift death. Xiao Gui, however, scornfully mocked them, calling them "fools standing for show" despite being the "best of the best" soldiers. This enraged the Dragon Tiger Army, who wanted to charge, but Guo Lishi intervened, urging them not to get themselves killed and to wait for reinforcements.
Xiao Gui sarcastically agreed to wait, saying "the more the merrier." A crossbow team leader named Wu Guiyi, who had served since the 26th year of the old calendar, angrily declared his intention to kill the Emperor. Xu Hezi bravely stepped in front of the Emperor to shield him, proclaiming her duty to save His Majesty and ensure he remembered her sacrifice, despite the Emperor's order for her to stand aside.
Meanwhile, Tan Qi physically restrained Yan Yuhuan from rushing to the Emperor's aid, telling her to save herself first and assuring her that the Emperor would be made aware of Yan Yuhuan's heroic intentions. Wu Guiyi then fired an arrow, which grazed Xu Hezi, and warned that the next shot would be fatal for anyone trying to win the Emperor's favor.
The Emperor, still attempting to reason, told Xiao Gui that if he truly wanted him dead, it would have already happened, and offered to listen to his grievances, but first asked for the wounded to be moved to safety. However, the Ants vehemently urged Xiao Gui to kill the Emperor, seeing it as a necessary sacrifice for their cause and to validate Yu Chang's death in the lantern tower.
Xiao Gui then publicly condemned the Emperor for trusting "villainous counselors," which he claimed caused the suffering that led his "Ants brothers" to willingly sacrifice their lives. With a command, the Ants attacked the Dragon Tiger Army. In the ensuing melee, Guo Lishi and Yong Wang bravely tried to shield the Emperor but were quickly overwhelmed and knocked down. Xiao Gui then seized the Emperor, holding him hostage.
Just as the situation escalated, Zhang Xiaojing arrived at Huage Xianghui Lou, witnessing the fierce battle. He quickly took Tan Qi, who was disguised as Yan Taizhen, hostage, threatening her life to force Xiao Gui to release the Emperor and leave Chang'an with his remaining brothers. Xiao Gui, distrusting Zhang Xiaojing's intentions, demanded he first kill Prince Yong to avenge Old Wen and his daughter.
Despite the Emperor's desperate pleas to spare his son, Zhang Xiaojing, to prove his resolve, struck Prince Yong with his blade, wounding him. Xiao Gui, still holding the Emperor, began to retreat. Yan Yuhuan, witnessing the Emperor being taken, tried to rush forward but was restrained by Guo Lishi, who warned her to remember the day's events if the Emperor ever asked for her life in the future, hinting at the Emperor's true colors.
Meanwhile, Chen Xuanli pleaded with the Emperor for the other half of the Command Seal to call in reinforcements from the Dragon Tiger Army. The Emperor refused, stating the Seal's immense power over sixteen military divisions, two commanders-in-chief, and eight Fanzhen Divisions was too great to entrust, effectively revealing his lack of trust despite Chen Xuanli's forty years of loyal service.
