The Longest Day in Chang'an Episode 12 Recap
> The Longest Day in Chang'an Recap
Li Bi confronted Xu Bin, accusing him of intentionally concealing information by tearing out pages from the "History of Buhe." He specifically highlighted how the missing pages detailed the origins of the Wolven Squad's hair-cutting custom. Frustrated by Xu Bin's silence, Li Bi confiscated his key to the archive. Meanwhile, Cui Qi bought meat for Tiny, the Xian Hound, which Zhang Xiaojing fed to the dog. Zhang Xiaojing asked Cui Qi why he had chosen to stay in Chang'an.
Cui Qi recounted how his brother had introduced him to the city's ordinary citizens, making him feel a deep connection. He explained that as a mere captain in the Royal Escort, he could only protect the Crown Prince, but by climbing the ranks to the Right Cavalry, he could protect all of Chang'an. Zhang Xiaojing warned him not to be consumed by the city's allure.
When Zhang Xiaojing then revealed he was actually searching for his family, not Wang Yunxiu, Cui Qi was furious, having gone to great lengths to acquire Tiny. Despite his anger, Cui Qi had no choice but to continue following Zhang Xiaojing. Wen Ran informed Long Bo that she had met her benefactor, Zhang Xiaojing, but he remained steadfast in protecting Chang'an and would not be persuaded. She expressed her hope for the mission's success.
Their conversation was interrupted by a knock at the door. Long Bo directed Wen Ran to hide while Yu Chang answered, finding Lu Da and Rui Ge from the Wolven Squad, sent by You Cha to claim the remaining ransom. Cao Poyan was overjoyed, recognizing Lu Da as their "God of War," whom he believed to be dead.
Long Bo restrained Cao Poyan, and Yu Chang swiftly subdued Lu Da and Rui Ge, who immediately knelt and begged for their lives. Cao Poyan was dismayed, believing Chang'an harbored witchery that had turned their valiant God of War into a groveling dog. Long Bo instructed his men to leave three carriages of goods as decoys for the Tang soldiers, then prepared to depart with his main team.
He challenged Lu Da, telling him that a warrior should die on the battlefield, not live a nameless existence in Chang'an. Lu Da, along with Rui Ge, declared their resolve to fulfill You Cha's mission. Wen Ran then suggested that someone needed to stay behind to destroy the secrets of their hideout, a task that would likely lead to their death. Cao Poyan and his men volunteered to stay.
Feng Dalun met with Prince Yong, mistakenly believing the woman captured by Qin Jue was Wen Ran, Zhang Xiaojing's woman. He proposed using her as bait to apprehend Zhang Xiaojing, then forcing Zhang Xiaojing to expose a conspiracy between Jing'an Si and the Crown Prince, which could pave the way for Prince Yong to seize imperial power.
However, Prince Yong, recalling a vow made before his mother's spirit tablet to never harm Zhang Xiaojing's family or friends, ordered Wen Ran's release. Nevertheless, he deemed "Zhang the King of Hell" too dangerous to be left at large. He instructed Feng Dalun to find a trustworthy official in the Court of Judicature, like Appraiser Yuan Zai, to issue a formal letter demanding Zhang Xiaojing's return to prison for further interrogation under the pretense of unresolved legal matters.
At the Court of Judicature, Appraiser Yuan Zai, a man of meager means, was seen being warmed by several young women, as he lacked the funds for coal and even rice for his family. He was an ambitious man, constantly inquiring about eligible daughters of high-ranking officials to advance his own career.
He listened intently to a maid describing Counselor Lin Jiulang's fondness for Li Bai's "Crow of the Night," a poem Yuan Zai interpreted as a lament from a capable man ignored by the court, much like himself. Despite his poverty, he harbored grand dreams of acquiring a manor in Chang'an, believing the current turmoil presented a golden opportunity for him to rise in ranks.
Soon after, Feng Dalun's envoy arrived with a carriage to summon Yuan Zai, much to his delight. Zhang Xiaojing continued his search for Wen Ran with Tiny, while Cui Qi followed. Zhang Xiaojing sent Cui Qi to Xuanyi Street to summon the Royal Escort, reminding him to be cautious. As the afternoon wore on, Long Bo urged Cao Poyan and his group to depart promptly in their wide-back carriages, warning them about navigating narrow street gates.
Wen Ran expressed concern for Zhang Xiaojing's safety if he pursued them. Long Bo then gave Cao Poyan a special task, handing him a military flask. Yu Chang, claiming Wen Ran was too conspicuous, insisted Wen Ran ride with her in a separate carriage. Cao Poyan made his way to a sick ward, a place frequented by the sick and beggars.
He found a man named Jia Shiqi and offered him the military flask as payment for assistance, needing some men. Jia Shiqi readily agreed and departed with two companions. Zhang Xiaojing and Tiny tracked their way to Changming Street. There, Jia Shiqi and his men confronted Zhang Xiaojing, threatening to kill him on the orders of an unknown party. Zhang Xiaojing swiftly incapacitated Jia Shiqi with a single blow.
Back at Jing'an Si, Li Bi, suspecting a mole within the department, confessed his doubts to Yao Runeng. He clarified that while Xu Bin was arrested to set an example, he didn't necessarily believe Xu Bin was the mole, as destroying a book entrusted to oneself would be too obvious. He asked Yao Runeng to secretly check the Chamber Guards' records for anyone else who had access to the ancient books besides Xu Bin.
Just then, a martial officer reported that Zhang Xiaojing, accompanied by Tiny, was tracking the Wolven Squad on Changming Street. Yao Runeng described Changming Street as an area of abandoned manors, with few residents and no watchtower, but noted it was a hub for imitation goods, including military items, where he sometimes shopped. Li Bi concluded that the Wolven Squad must be hiding the Flaming Demon there.
He immediately ordered his men to investigate the main gate of Changming Street and conduct a thorough search for any flammable materials. Meanwhile, Long Bo oversaw the departure of his cargo. Ma Ge Er, while tending to his horse, taunted Yu Chang, implying she was a woman trying to act like a man and questioning her devotion to Long Bo. Enraged, Yu Chang attacked Ma Ge Er.
Wen Ran intervened, reminding them of the importance of their mission and how Long Bo's success would secure Zhang Xiaojing's freedom. Yu Chang, unconvinced by Wen Ran's reasoning, ordered Ma Ge Er to kill her. Despite Cao Poyan's attempt to intervene, Ma Ge Er grabbed Wen Ran and forced her to jump into a nearby well. Wen Ran, resigned to her fate, uttered a final thought about her father before leaping into the well.
Zhang Xiaojing, still on Changming Street, heard a woman's cry but Jia Shiqi, having been awakened, dismissed it as merely women admiring Zhang Xiaojing. Zhang Xiaojing did not press further, and they continued towards the person who had given Jia Shiqi the military flask. Yu Chang peered into the well, seemingly to confirm Wen Ran's death.
Cao Poyan, disgusted by her ruthlessness, cursed her, saying no one would ever love her, and she would live a life of loneliness and evil. Infuriated, Yu Chang struck Cao Poyan repeatedly, demanding to know Long Bo's specific instructions. Cao Poyan admitted Long Bo had told him to gather beggars to lure Zhang Xiaojing. Still distrustful of the plan, Yu Chang decided to stay behind and ensure their escape, instructing Cao Poyan and the others to proceed as scheduled.
