The Longest Day in Chang'an Episode 30 Recap
> The Longest Day in Chang'an Recap
In July of the second year of the Tian Bao era, Li Bi was observed cultivating on Mount Taibai with Tan Qi. Yao Runeng arrived, sent by the Crown Prince to invite Li Bi back to Chang'an to lead a newly established bureau as the Chief of the Peacekeeper Corps. Yao Runeng criticized Tan Qi's simple attire and Li Bi's continued spiritual retreat, arguing that the prestigious position offered significant rank, salary, and status.
Li Bi, however, insisted his mission was incomplete and stated his intention to remain on the mountain for another decade, even suggesting Yao Runeng stay to "open his eyes." Frustrated, Yao Runeng threatened to dismantle their straw hut and insulted Li Bi as a spoiled, impatient noble seeking credit without effort, and looking down on everyone. Enraged, Li Bi ordered Yao Runeng to leave.
Later that night, amid a heavy downpour, Yao Runeng returned, fulfilling his earlier sarcastic promise to come back as a "mutt." He then revealed the true urgency: the Crown Prince was in dire trouble and had explicitly stated that "only Li Bi can save him."
Yao Runeng spoke of his own family's history of sacrifice—his great-grandfather made enemies with the imperial court, his grandfather was sent to prison, and his father was beheaded—and his desire to help the Crown Prince, but acknowledged his limitations. A flashback sequence depicted the Crown Prince's fear of failure, emphasizing that Li Bi was the sole individual capable of leading the Peacekeeper Corps to resolve a critical situation.
Li Bi, vowing not to disappoint the Crown Prince, agreed to return to Chang'an with Tan Qi. Gan Shoucheng then escorted He Zhizheng and Li Bi to the Right Counselor Lin Jiulang's manor. He Zhizheng was visibly distraught upon seeing his son, He Fu, whose eyes had been gouged out. He Fu, to admit his mistake, knelt before his distraught father, who tearfully urged him to find joy in celebrating the Lantern Festival upon returning home.
Li Bi, asserting his authority as the Emperor-appointed Chief of the Peacekeeper Corps, demanded to question He Fu regarding his involvement in the Crouching Fire attack. Li Bi confronted He Fu, stating his belief that He Fu was not someone who would disregard innocent lives, and pressed him to reveal Long Bo's true target. However, He Fu confessed that Healer Wang in their manor was a secret messenger from the Crown Prince, who allegedly ordered him to assassinate Counselor Lin.
He repeatedly declared his father's innocence. Li Bi, realizing He Fu was lying, tried to stop Minister Pei from recording this false confession, but it was too late. As Li Bi desperately tried to elicit the truth about Long Bo and the Crouching Fire, He Fu suddenly committed suicide. Li Bi publicly condemned Lin Jiulang for unlawfully trying He Fu and attempting to frame the Crown Prince. He Zhizheng insisted on remaining to demand justice.
Lin Jiulang, however, declared the case closed and ordered Gan Shoucheng to escort both He Zhizheng and Li Bi away. Tan Qi was also arrested for her prior actions of extracting a prisoner. Li Bi protested, arguing that without a formal trial by the three major courts—the Ministry of Justice, the Censorate, and the Court of Judicature—the confession was void, citing Tang law.
Lin Jiulang, unfazed, produced the official seals of all three courts and stamped them onto He Fu's confession, ordering Minister Pei to immediately present these "charges" to the Emperor. Li Bi, shocked by Lin Jiulang's blatant abuse of power, accused him of disregarding the Emperor and the citizens. Despite feeling isolated, Li Bi persisted, offering himself as a witness and insisting the case could not be closed until Long Bo, the true mastermind he had personally encountered, was apprehended.
Minister Pei advised Li Bi to be pragmatic and avoid entanglement, suggesting his efforts might be unappreciated by the Crown Prince. He Zhizheng, meanwhile, was taken to a comfortable but secure room, where he was advised to prepare his statement for the imperial prison to minimize suffering, but he defiantly stated he would meet Lin Jiulang again. Tan Qi, now imprisoned, bravely pleaded for Li Bi's innocence.
Zhang Xiaojing, having evaded authorities in Xu Hezi's flower carriage, received a mysterious note from Xu Bin, instructing him to meet at a paper mill on Huaiyuan Street. Surprised and relieved, as he had believed Xu Bin to be dead, Zhang Xiaojing eagerly directed Xu Hezi to take him there.
Meanwhile, in the Peacekeeper Corps prison, Cheng Shen complained bitterly of starvation until Ji Wen, the Chief of the Peacekeeper Corps, arrived with food and wine for Yao Runeng, remarking that "Once a lamb is raised and fattened, it's meant to be eaten." Yao Runeng, offering some food to Cheng Shen, advised him to seek a new life in the Western Region, warning that Chang'an was no longer safe.
Back at the Right Counselor's manor, Li Bi reiterated to Lin Jiulang that he personally witnessed Long Bo's actions and could prove He Fu was manipulated, asserting that Long Bo, as a wandering swordsman, could not possibly be connected to the Crown Prince.
Lin Jiulang cryptically replied that He Zhizheng was confused and revealed his knowledge of the Crown Prince's dire situation, including the 16-hour deadline Li Bi had secretly considered to resolve the situation before a decree was to be announced at the lantern banquet at 2:00 AM. Realizing a spy was close to him, Li Bi questioned who it was, to which Lin Jiulang boasted about his spy's "great insight."
Yuan Zai was then tasked with escorting Yao Runeng to the Right Counselor's manor. Wang Yunxiu, Yuan Zai's companion, questioned if he was trying to curry favor with Lin Jiulang, but Yuan Zai clarified his intention to understand and ultimately manipulate Lin Jiulang for his own father's benefit.
Inside, Minister Pei presented a false confession, purportedly from Li Bi, accusing the Crown Prince and He Zhizheng of conspiring to assassinate Lin Jiulang, with the Peacekeeper Corps covering up the truth and destroying evidence. Li Bi steadfastly refused to sign, arguing that without his signature, the document was meaningless as the Emperor recognized his handwriting.
Lin Jiulang, through Li Sifang, ordered Li Bi taken outside to "cool his mind" and then threatened Tan Qi's life, forcing Li Bi to choose between her and the Crown Prince. Tan Qi bravely declared her willingness to sacrifice her life for Great Tang and encouraged Li Bi to act for the sake of its people, not out of blind loyalty to any single individual. Exhausted, Zhang Xiaojing fell asleep in Xu Hezi's carriage.
He dreamed of his time on death row after killing Tan Tongshou, remembering Xu Bin, who risked his life to secretly bring him food and water. In the dream, Xu Bin informed Zhang Xiaojing of his new position in the Peacekeeper Corps and promised to use his "Great Archives Technique" expertise to ensure Zhang Xiaojing was selected for cases, though he warned him not to trust any promises of a pardon.
Xu Bin emphasized Zhang Xiaojing's role as a good person who shouldn't have such an ending, and assured him he could hide their connection. Waking up, Zhang Xiaojing instructed Xu Hezi to drive to the paper mill on Huaiyuan Street to meet a friend. Xu Hezi, sensing the depth of his feelings, asked about this friend.
Zhang Xiaojing explained Xu Bin was the only one who visited him during his six months in prison and fondly described him as a "fool" who believed making paper could restore Great Tang to its golden age, a belief Zhang Xiaojing shared. Moved, Xu Hezi offered to accompany him to the ends of the earth, but Zhang Xiaojing gently declined, revealing that his heart already belonged to someone else. Just then, Yuan Zai arrived with Yao Runeng at the manor.
Li Sifang praised Yao Runeng's "service for the past six months," leading Li Bi to a chilling realization that Yao Runeng was, in fact, Lin Jiulang's informant, code-named "San Nü." Minister Pei then pressed Li Bi to sign the false confession again, threatening Tan Qi's life. Li Bi continued to refuse. Minister Pei then turned to Yao Runeng, implying he could gain favor, including the chance to enter the Phoenix Hall, by cooperating.
Li Bi reminded Yao Runeng of the public nature of his arrival and warned him that "there is no turning back" from his chosen path. Yao Runeng then revealed a secret chamber in Jinglong Temple, where, under the guise of prayer, the Crown Prince had met with prominent officials like Li Shizhi, Wei Jian, Pei Kuan, and Huangfu Weiming on three occasions since January.
Yao Runeng further exposed that they were discussing "the overthrow of Right Counselor and gaining control over the finance and defense of the imperial court." Minister Pei immediately declared this "treason," punishable by execution. Li Bi, disgusted, reminded Yao Runeng of his family's past disgrace and the Crown Prince's benevolence in giving him a chance.
Yao Runeng, however, dismissed Li Bi's pleas, urging him to "just accept your fate" and not "give up on yourself and Tan Qi," asserting that they were both "useful to Great Tang." He then claimed that Long Bo was a figment of imagination and that He Fu was an assassin planted by the Crown Prince. Yao Runeng presented the ready-made statement for Li Bi to sign. Li Bi asked for the time, and upon learning it was 11:00, realized that midnight, and the Crown Prince's impending doom, was fast approaching.
