The Longest Day in Chang'an Episode 29 Recap
> The Longest Day in Chang'an Recap
Zhang Xiaojing reminisced about his deceased brother, Ding Laosan, and their time fighting at Fengsuibao. He recalled how, during a period of extreme hunger, Xiao Gui hunted wolf cubs, and Ding Laosan shared wolf meat skewers, a dish Ding Laosan had learned from his wife. In a moment of grief, he saw Ding Laosan's spirit, who blamed Zhang Xiaojing's relentless pursuit of the case for his death.
Ding Laosan warned him that He Fu was working with Long Bo, suggesting they were playing a dangerous power game of "thief crying stop thief" and that the "Crouching Fire" was used to target the wealthy and powerful. He questioned why Zhang Xiaojing, a death row convict, was chosen by the powerful Peacekeeper Corps to investigate, advising him not to overestimate his own importance and to stop investigating to avoid getting himself and others into deeper trouble.
Zhang Xiaojing then visited Liu's Bookstore to locate the acting Flame Master and inquire about the mastermind behind You Shaz's death. Presenting Ge Lao's token, as Shouzhua Lang's intelligence was all provided by Ge Lao and they obeyed him, Zhang Xiaojing demanded the employer's details. The Flame Master, without hesitation, gave Zhang Xiaojing a key to box 223, claiming the contract was stored there, then attempted to flee.
Zhang Xiaojing quickly discovered the box was empty and apprehended the Flame Master, who adamantly accused Zhang Xiaojing of killing Ding Laosan, swearing his brothers would avenge him. Zhang Xiaojing vehemently denied the accusation, asserting his loyalty as a brother from the Eighth Division. Zhang Xiaojing narrated a harrowing memory from Fengsuibao, where he and Ding Laosan gathered arrows at night, only to be ambushed by barbarian soldiers. Ding Laosan bravely drew the enemy away, saving Zhang Xiaojing's life.
He passionately asserted to the Flame Master that he would never harm the man who saved him. He then revealed the true circumstances of Ding Laosan's death: Ding Laosan was trying to convey information when a dying mercenary fatally stabbed him. Zhang Xiaojing pressed the Flame Master for the contract, hoping to clear Ding Laosan's name and expose the mercenary conspiracy. The Flame Master, realizing the danger, admitted that Yu Chang had arrived half an hour before Zhang Xiaojing.
Yu Chang had demanded the contract related to Elder Pu Zhe's assassination, destroyed it by burning it into pieces, and left a bamboo shard with stone grease for Zhang Xiaojing. Is examined the remnants of the burned contract but found them illegible.
Evading pursuit, Li Bi encountered Imperial Guards and, despite having lost his Peacekeeper Corps access token, convinced them to take him to Guo Lishi by revealing his identity as Chief Li Bi and detailing the wolf pack's assassination attempt on Right Counselor Lin Jiulang. Once with Guo Lishi, Li Bi requested help in locating Mao Shun, believing Mao Shun built the manor with the Raining Pavilion and knew the true mastermind.
Li Bi insisted that He Fu, being emotional and temperamental, could not have planned such a grand scheme alone and urged Guo Lishi to help find the real culprit to save the Crown Prince before tonight's banquet. Guo Lishi, however, warned Li Bi against continuing the investigation, hinting that the true culprit might be someone Li Bi deeply trusts. A eunuch then informed Guo Lishi of He Zhizheng's location, but Guo Lishi dismissed Li Bi, advising him not to follow.
Meanwhile, Lin Jiulang, also aware of He Zhizheng's whereabouts, dispatched Li Sifang to intercept him and bring him to meet He Fu, father and son. He Zhizheng, seemingly oblivious to the unfolding drama, wandered the streets with his white donkey, calling out for his son, He Fu. Guo Lishi found him and attempted to take him directly to the Emperor to explain the situation, fearing implications for the Crown Prince.
However, Gan Shoucheng and the Right Cavalry arrived to arrest He Zhizheng as a suspect. Guo Lishi fiercely defended He Zhizheng, condemning Gan Shoucheng and Lin Jiulang for their premature accusations and "foolish" handling of the case. Gan Shoucheng countered, reminding Guo Lishi of his duty and the Emperor's prior discharge of He Zhizheng, warning against using the Emperor's protection to evade the law or getting involved in others' affairs.
Despite Guo Lishi's plea to He Zhizheng not to let He Fu's actions endanger the Crown Prince, He Zhizheng expressed a profound doubt, wondering if the Emperor lost trust in him long ago. Amidst this, Gan Shoucheng commanded his soldiers to arrest He Zhizheng. Just as Gan Shoucheng ordered the arrest, Tan Qi arrived with a group of Hanlin Academy scholars, all disciples of He Zhizheng, including Prince Ning's grandson, who was favored by the Emperor.
Li Bi, impressed by Tan Qi's resourcefulness in gathering these influential but reclusive individuals, noted their independent spirit. Prince Ning's grandson confronted Gan Shoucheng, questioning the arrest of his teacher, He Zhizheng. He instructed his fellow scholars, renowned for their critiques, to document Gan Shoucheng's unlawful accusation of He Zhizheng without a trial, threatening to publish it widely the next morning to expose the injustice. Gan Shoucheng insisted He Zhizheng was suspected of planning Lin Jiulang's assassination.
Prince Ning's grandson pointed out that He Fu, not He Zhizheng, was implicated, and He Fu was too foolish to plan such an elaborate crime. Gan Shoucheng then attempted to shift the blame to the scholars, warning that their involvement could lead to imperial punishment for their entire families. He asserted that if Lin Jiulang was the target, He Zhizheng should be handed over to the Right Counselor for interrogation.
Li Bi intervened, declaring that as the Chief of the Peacekeeper Corps, it was his rightful duty to interrogate He Zhizheng since the investigation originated with his bureau. Gan Shoucheng, acknowledging the impasse, offered He Zhizheng a choice. After a moment of reflection, He Zhizheng decided to go with Gan Shoucheng to see Lin Jiulang, proclaiming that all his actions were for the future prosperity of the Great Tang.
Li Bi insisted on accompanying He Zhizheng, expressing his steadfast belief in He Zhizheng's innocence, despite He Zhizheng's subtle warning about the dangers of knowing too much for a young man with a future. Is, the Persian Prince, speculated about the meaning of the bamboo shard and its connection to the "Crouching Fire" explosion, noting its oily residue.
Zhang Xiaojing, recognizing it as a declaration of war from Long Bo via Yu Chang, heard Is's cynical view that Li Bi would prioritize protecting his patrons over tracking Long Bo. Zhang Xiaojing quickly shoveled down a bowl of rice, told Is to wait, and then rushed to a nearby watchtower, where he quickly subdued the guards.
He learned that Ji Wen had taken over as Chief of the Peacekeeper Corps, Cui Qi died in battle, the archives were incinerated by Long Bo, and Xu Bin was dead. As Zhang Xiaojing exited, he was immediately pursued by the Bad Company. In a desperate escape, he dove into Xu Hezi's carriage. Xu Hezi, aware of his fugitive status, told him she sought him out after hearing about the manhunt.
She assured him that her carriage, having just won the flower parade and heading to perform for the Emperor, would not be searched. Despite her offer to take him anywhere, Zhang Xiaojing humbly declined, asking only that she find a prominent spot to hang a lantern with Xu Bin's name written on it, so his friend could continue to "guard" the Chang'an he loved, even in death.
Gan Shoucheng escorted He Zhizheng and Li Bi to Lin Jiulang's manor, where they were made to wait outside while He Fu was interrogated. He Zhizheng expressed deep concern for his son. Inside, Lin Jiulang attempted to manipulate He Fu, demanding he falsely accuse the Crown Prince of orchestrating the assassination plot.
He suggested He Fu claim that the Eastern Palace Pharmacy officer, planted in He Manor, acted as a secret messenger from the Crown Prince, directly relaying the order to kill Lin Jiulang. Lin Jiulang tried to persuade He Fu by promising to spare He Zhizheng and allow him a peaceful retirement if He Fu cooperated, appealing to He Fu's duty to his adoptive father.
He also warned He Fu that the Emperor intended to remove the Crown Prince at tonight's banquet, implying that He Fu's denial would not save him or the Crown Prince. He Fu, however, initially resisted, proclaiming his belief in loyalty and vengeance. Li Bi, waiting outside, attempted to join the interrogation, but was told to wait for the public trial.
