The Longest Day in Chang'an Episode 39 Recap
> The Longest Day in Chang'an Recap
Wen Wuji handed over his last bag of provisions to Chen Xingfan, entrusting him to escort Liu Zongqi home and spend the festival with his parents. Liu Zongqi was deeply moved, and Wen Wuji asked him to witness the grand Lantern Festival in Chang'an on behalf of all their brothers.
Meanwhile, Xiao Gui finished assembling the final batch of Crouching Fire explosives, instructing Zhang Xiaojing to lure the enemy towards him so he could detonate the explosives and destroy them all. The very next day, three thousand enemy reinforcements arrived at Defense Beacon. The Eighth Division was reduced to a mere thirteen men. Ding Laosan rallied his comrades, declaring that despite the overwhelming odds, the Eighth Division would fight to the death with no regrets.
His brothers echoed his defiant cries, engaging the enemy in a fierce battle. As the fight raged, Xiao Gui ignited the Crouching Fire, causing massive explosions that decimated the enemy forces. Later, in the grand Lantern Tower, Zhang Xiaojing, disoriented from Wen Ran's hallucinogenic incense, suddenly remembered the terrifying explosions of the Crouching Fire from the battle at Defense Beacon. He jolted awake, fighting through his injuries to stumble along the corridor, determined to stop Long Bo.
Long Bo was proudly showing Li Bi his "masterpiece" within the tower. He explained that at a quarter to midnight, the water turbine below would activate, transforming the Lantern Tower into the image of the Taoist saint, Laozi himself, who would gaze down upon the Grand Auditorium with a merciful look.
Qilin columns, filled with Crouching Fire, would extend to support twelve light rooms, and the entire structure was designed to explode, killing the Emperor and engulfing the area in flames. Li Bi's attention was caught by the fluttering flag of the Eighth Division.
Long Bo stated that it was a flag that would never fall, and even if the Emperor proved too worthless to make their main plan work, that flag would still send him to the inferno of the Flaming Demon. He then pressed Li Bi to reveal a way to stop Zhang Xiaojing. Li Bi, understanding Zhang Xiaojing's unwavering commitment to protect Chang'an, admitted that neither he nor Long Bo could stop him.
Wen Ran intercepted Zhang Xiaojing, urging him to abandon his mission. She claimed he already knew the truth and should not interfere with Long Bo's plans. Zhang Xiaojing then recalled a time when he served as a Sleuth-hound in Wan'an County. Liu Zongqi had visited him, claiming to be a sixth-rank officer in the Ministry of Defense.
Zhang Xiaojing was initially happy for his old comrade, but Liu Zongqi soon revealed the devastating truth: General Gai Jiayun had six thousand troops ambushed nearby during the battle at Defense Beacon, waiting for the Eighth Division to be obliterated before engaging. He had used them as mere bait to lure the enemy's main force. Zhang Xiaojing initially refused to believe that General Gai would be so cruel, but Liu Zongqi's earnest words convinced him.
Enraged, Zhang Xiaojing put on his Eighth Division armor, intending to confront Gai Jiayun. However, Wen Wuji intervened, urging him not to embark on a futile quest and to live on for the sake of their fallen brothers. Back in the present, Wen Ran desperately tried to stop Zhang Xiaojing again. Frustrated, Zhang Xiaojing tied her up, chiding her for not adhering to rules and for associating with Long Bo's schemes.
Wen Ran retorted that her father's strict adherence to rules led to his tragic end. She reminded Zhang Xiaojing of his promise to take care of her. Zhang Xiaojing insisted on getting her out of the Lantern Tower safely. Wen Ran then handed him a pouch from Long Bo, which contained two military-grade whetstones: a rough grit stone and a fine grit water stone, typically used to sharpen a soldier's blade.
Wen Ran also repeatedly stated that Long Bo was not their enemy. Zhang Xiaojing started sharpening his own blade, remarking that the Tang blade, even when chipped, could still slay enemies, and its purpose was to remind one to believe in the blade even when it was blunt.
He then instructed Wen Ran to escape to a carriage in the square after he cleared a path through the Dragon's Army guards, tell the carter she was his daughter, and then return to her incense shop in the morning. He hoped she would marry well, raise a family, and thrive in Chang'an, fulfilling Wen Wuji's hopes. Wen Ran, however, expressed her disdain for Chang'an and her desire to leave, suggesting Zhang Xiaojing come with her.
Zhang Xiaojing then reminded her of Wen Wuji's words: that living in Chang'an meant living for their fallen brothers, and that her presence in Chang'an would ensure their stories were remembered through generations. He believed Chang'an was their shared faith, and without such belief, people were no better than beasts. Wen Ran countered that Chang'an had used them as expendables and that her father had given up on such beliefs.
She also believed Zhang Xiaojing was deceiving himself, stating that her father, who was good at storytelling, knew he couldn't keep lying to himself. Zhang Xiaojing reflected on the time after learning of Gai Jiayun's betrayal, when he had fallen into despair and drank heavily. It was then that he met Xu Bin, an impoverished man who worked in the National Treasury but still held grand visions.
Xu Bin spoke of Chang'an as a beautiful fantasy that needed someone like Zhang Xiaojing to protect it. This encounter rekindled Zhang Xiaojing's faith and determination to defend the city. Wen Ran, however, dismissed him as merely a Captain of Sleuth-hound, implying his low status. But Zhang Xiaojing asserted that as a soldier of the Eighth Division of the Anxi Armor Troops, his duty was to protect, and he would defend Chang'an until the very last citizen remained.
At that moment, Yuan Zai and Wang Yunxiu arrived at the base of the Lantern Tower in Xingqing Palace with Right Cavalry guards. They were stopped by the Dragon's Army guards because Yuan Zai lacked a Golden Fish Pendant, which was required for entry by anyone below the fifth rank.
Yuan Zai claimed outlaws were lurking inside the tower and, after threatening the Dragon's Army corporal with dire consequences if anything went wrong, managed to gain entry with an escort of Dragon's Army guards. Inside, Wen Ran reiterated her desire to leave Chang'an and travel the Western Regions to spread her family's incense-making knowledge, learn new methods, and foster goodwill between nations, ultimately promoting peace and honoring her father's memory.
She asked Zhang Xiaojing to accompany her and oversee her actions, suggesting they first meet Long Bo, who would then ensure their safe departure. Zhang Xiaojing steadfastly refused, insisting he would only send her out of the tower first before confronting Long Bo. As Zhang Xiaojing led Wen Ran towards the tower exit, they encountered Yuan Zai. Yuan Zai, feigning cordiality, flattered Zhang Xiaojing, apologizing for his past suspicions which he blamed on "Ji Wen's lies."
He presented official documents, including a joint request from the Crown Prince and Right Counselor, and an imperial pardoning order from the Emperor himself, offering to escort Zhang Xiaojing and Wen Ran out of the tower. Wen Ran was ecstatic, believing they could finally live honorably in Chang'an. Zhang Xiaojing, however, demanded that Yuan Zai immediately evacuate all citizens from the square to a distance of two miles.
As the evacuation began, Wang Yunxiu approached Wen Ran under the pretense of untying her, but swiftly seized her as a hostage. Yuan Zai then revealed his true colors, accusing Zhang Xiaojing and Wen Ran of being accomplices and ordering Zhang Xiaojing to surrender. To secure Wen Ran's safety and the evacuation of the people, Zhang Xiaojing knelt and surrendered.
But Wen Ran, unwilling to be a burden and knowing she was his "soft spot," grabbed Wang Yunxiu's blade and took her own life. Zhang Xiaojing, consumed by rage and grief, erupted in a fierce fight against Yuan Zai's Right Cavalry and Dragon's Army guards. Amidst the chaos, Long Bo's elite guards intervened, fighting off Yuan Zai's men and rescuing Zhang Xiaojing. Zhang Xiaojing clutched the dying Wen Ran, her tragic end reopening the wound of Wen Wuji's dying request to take good care of her, leaving him overwhelmed with sorrow.
