The Longest Day in Chang'an Episode 35 Recap
> The Longest Day in Chang'an Recap
On the night of the Lantern Festival, an imperial decree from His Majesty proclaimed blessings upon all citizens of Chang'an, inviting them to celebrate the auspicious occasion. The jubilant crowds cheered, thanking the Great Sage and Emperor Xuanyuan for the benevolence. A young girl, Ji Jiang, innocently asked her master, Ji Shifu, who the Great Sage, Emperor Xuanyuan, was, to which he replied, "Laozi."
Meanwhile, Long Bo, speaking to Li Bi, elaborated on his meticulously crafted plan to assassinate His Majesty. He declared that killing the Emperor simply wouldn't suffice; the weapon must be "bright and dazzling so that his death will shock the world," ensuring he would be "pinned in the history of mankind. . . and be the laughing stock of future generations."
Li Bi pressed him to reveal his target, and Long Bo explicitly stated his aim was to kill "Your Great Sage. Your emperor." Li Bi urged Long Bo to stop his plan, warning that Zhang Xiaojing would prevent him. Long Bo, undeterred, scoffed at the idea of Zhang Xiaojing arriving.
He chillingly stated that when the lantern tower was fully lit, it would "explode," showing no concern for the people in the square, claiming "They deserve it for liking to have fun so much." Annoyed by Li Bi's persistence, Long Bo then knocked him unconscious. Tan Qi sought help from Yan Taizhen, hoping she would intercede with His Majesty to pardon Zhang Xiaojing's death sentence.
Yan Taizhen, however, had stringent rules for those seeking her aid, explicitly stating she would show "no mercy to a killer" or "a person with a ranking of five and below," and that "too many people are asking me to plead for mercy for them." Tan Qi, desperate, revealed that Zhang Xiaojing was her lover. Intrigued, Yan Taizhen asked what Tan Qi was "willing to sacrifice" to save him, stating, "I won't save someone for nothing."
A maid then reported that Xu Hezi from Yongxin County had won the festooned carriage this year and would perform before His Majesty. The maid also mentioned rumors that the people of Yongxin County "starved themselves to death" to bribe officials to ensure Xu Hezi's victory, hoping she could "get close to His Majesty." Displeased by this, Yan Taizhen subtly instructed Tan Qi to disrupt Xu Hezi's performance, promising to plead for Zhang Xiaojing in return.
Outside Chao Fen's house, Yuan Zai and his remaining Right Xiao Wei forces hesitated, unwilling to approach. Yuan Zai loudly demanded Zhang Xiaojing's surrender, taunting him as a "coward." Zhang Xiaojing ignored him, first rescuing the injured Yi Si. Suddenly, Chao Fen appeared, observing Zhang Xiaojing's sword and proclaiming it "too short to suit you" before smashing it in half. Inside the palace, Yan Taizhen met with His Majesty, who was inquiring about the newly constructed Lesser Patola Sahi Embassy.
Guo Lishi reported that the ambassador was "very satisfied" and would advise King Su Shili of Lesser Patola Sahi to resume yearly tributes to the Tang Dynasty. He added that this could lead to the twenty countries in the northwest breaking away from Tubo and returning to Tang's allegiance. His Majesty expressed his satisfaction. Right Counselor Lin Jiulang and Prince Yong eagerly took credit for the embassy's construction.
His Majesty then turned to the Crown Prince, criticizing the Peacekeeper Corps for failing to apprehend the "criminals who brought trouble to the city." He Zhizheng stepped forward, boldly questioning His Majesty if he knew how the land for the Lesser Patola Sahi Embassy was acquired, hinting at foul play. Chao Fen admired Zhang Xiaojing's earlier display of flying iron sparks, calling it "perfection, purity, and the ultimate stubbornness," a beauty he had long sought.
Zhang Xiaojing, however, retorted that as a craftsman, Chao Fen could not understand the "massacre" which "has nothing to do with beauty." He then recounted the tragic events of August in the second year of the Tianbao Era. Upon returning to Chang'an, Zhang Xiaojing immediately visited Wen Wuji and his daughter, Wen Ran. Wen Ran informed him that due to the construction of the embassy, the Blaze Gang was coercing local shop owners to sell their properties at reduced prices.
Wen Wuji had gone to negotiate with the Blaze Gang for justice. He returned gravely wounded and, after entrusting Wen Ran to Zhang Xiaojing, died in his arms. In a fit of rage, Zhang Xiaojing killed thirty-four members of the Blaze Gang. Tan Tongshou, a county lieutenant, then ordered Zhang Xiaojing's arrest. Surrounded and outnumbered by the Sleuth-hounds, Zhang Xiaojing surrendered, but when Tan Tongshou threatened him, Zhang Xiaojing killed him before surrendering to the authorities.
Chao Fen surmised that Zhang Xiaojing had a reason for not fleeing Chang'an, and Zhang Xiaojing admitted he wanted to stay and protect Wen Ran. Back in court, His Majesty, having heard He Zhizheng's report, chastised Lin Jiulang and Prince Yong. Prince Yong quickly knelt, claiming the thirty-four deaths were solely Zhang Xiaojing's actions, unrelated to the embassy, and noted that Zhang Xiaojing was now serving the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince defended Zhang Xiaojing, explaining he had been entrusted to investigate the Wolven Squad to save Chang'an. Prince Yong disagreed, recounting Zhang Xiaojing's alleged crimes and falsely claiming Zhang Xiaojing intended to kill him. Prince Yong boasted that he had used "great righteousness" to persuade Zhang Xiaojing to confess, omitting that Zhang Xiaojing had forced him to swear on his mother's memorial tablet to protect Wen Ran for life. He Zhizheng demanded witnesses to corroborate Prince Yong's story.
Prince Yong insisted Zhang Xiaojing was merely persuaded and accused him of harboring resentment against the imperial court, questioning the Peacekeeper Corps' decision to employ him. The Crown Prince, unable to fully guarantee Zhang Xiaojing's innocence, offered to accept punishment for negligence. Lin Jiulang vehemently argued, accusing the Crown Prince of minimizing the issue. Their arguments grew heated. Zhang Xiaojing told Chao Fen he needed to reach the Grand Lantern Tower in Xingqing Palace to thwart Long Bo's plan.
Chao Fen, claiming to know a way, described a secret underground passage between the palace and Chunming Gate, passing Xingqing Palace and connecting to a water conduit leading directly to the lantern tower. He also pinpointed a dry well in the southwest of Xingqing Palace square as the passage entrance. Zhang Xiaojing meticulously memorized the route. Seeing the escalating tension in court, Tan Qi, not wishing to implicate Yan Taizhen, decided to plead to His Majesty herself.
She asked Yan Taizhen to order her arrest afterward to distance her from any repercussions. His Majesty then intervened, silencing the argument between Lin Jiulang and the Crown Prince. Yan Taizhen seized the moment, stepping forward to announce a "great thing" that had happened during the Lantern Festival, prompting all officials to withdraw. Zhang Xiaojing then asked Chao Fen to find a physician for Yi Si.
Resolving to force his way out, Zhang Xiaojing confirmed his non-aversion to water, and Chao Fen instructed him to enter Xingqing Palace via the water conduit. Meanwhile, Yu Chang had already made arrangements, ordering the sluice gate opened to flood the incoming passage, thereby blocking the route. Following Yan Taizhen's intervention with His Majesty, a joint emergency order, or "three-feather document," was issued by the Right Counselor and the Crown Prince.
It suspended Zhang Xiaojing's arrest warrant and prioritized the capture of the "Ant." Yan Taizhen also arranged for Tan Qi to disguise herself as a maid and stay by her side until after the royal feast, after which Tan Qi could leave the palace safely. Yuan Zai received the joint order from the secretariat, finding it perplexing that Lin Jiulang and the Crown Prince would sign it together. He deduced that a major incident was imminent.
Zhang Xiaojing urged Yuan Zai to rush to Xingqing Palace to warn people and prevent Long Bo from destroying Chang'an. Yuan Zai, realizing the gravity of the situation, swiftly provided Zhang Xiaojing with a fast horse and personally escorted him towards Xingqing Palace. Inside the lantern tower, Yu Chang updated Long Bo on the progress, and Long Bo instructed her to have the "Ant" members set up the Qilin Arm. Li Bi overheard Long Bo mentioning Mao Shun.
Long Bo revealed that Mao Shun's family had been killed by him, making Mao Shun a crucial figure for controlling the lantern tower's activation and propelling the Qilin Arm towards His Majesty. Long Bo outlined multiple backup plans: a secondary device at the top of the tower, the Emperor's own golden arrow triggering the mechanism during the lighting ceremony, and ultimately, Long Bo himself ensuring His Majesty's death that day.
Despite the grim prospects, Li Bi firmly believed that Zhang Xiaojing would come to save the people of Chang'an. Wang Yunxiu urged Yuan Zai to report Zhang Xiaojing's warnings to higher authorities. However, Yuan Zai, wary of being implicated if Zhang Xiaojing failed, chose instead to seek evidence himself, hoping to claim credit for a significant achievement. Outside Xingqing Palace, the crowd roared as Xu Hezi emerged from her festooned carriage.
Zhang Xiaojing approached her, requesting her help to enter the square, which she readily agreed to. Soon after, Xu Hezi gracefully danced and sang on her carriage, captivating the excited populace with her performance.
