The Longest Day in Chang'an Episode 41 Recap
> The Longest Day in Chang'an Recap
The Emperor addressed the Crown Prince, declaring that the country would belong to him sooner or later, and invited him to partake of the special dish, "Country," at his leisure. Everyone present understood the perilous situation: if the Crown Prince ate, it would be an admission of treason, aspiring to share the throne; if he refused, it would be an act of defiance. Foreign envoys exchanged worried glances, recognizing the Emperor's intent to depose the Crown Prince during the feast.
Trapped, the Crown Prince quickly knelt, feigning illness, and requested to leave, to which the Emperor silently assented. Lin Jiulang immediately seized the opportunity to denounce the Crown Prince's departure as highly inappropriate. He claimed that if other officials were to follow such an example, managing the court would become impossible. As the Emperor was about to order General Guo to recall the Crown Prince, He Zhizheng stepped forward.
He grabbed one of the bowls from the "Country" dish and declared, "This country belongs to me, too!" before eating it. The Emperor, touched by He Zhizheng's loyal defense of his lord, seemed to let the matter drop. However, He Zhizheng pressed on, confronting the Emperor for repeatedly humiliating the Crown Prince in public. He argued that having grandchildren and successors was a gift from God, and such treatment would only harm the Great Tang.
He Zhizheng recounted how, since the age of ten, the Crown Prince had resided in the Royal Academy with other princes, yet still possessed no home of his own. He criticized the Emperor for strictly forbidding the Crown Prince from associating with officials or participating in court affairs, fearing he might become another Li Ying, the previous crown prince.
He Zhizheng argued that the Crown Prince had diligently upheld imperial power, preventing the decline of Chang'an, separatist regimes, and eunuch monopolization of power. The Emperor dismissed his words, but He Zhizheng persisted, reminding him of his early frugal reign when he dismantled harem extravagance, recalled over 800,000 fugitives, and increased tax income, leading to an unprecedented prosperous era. The Emperor countered that his current era, Tian Bao, would surpass the past.
He Zhizheng laughed bitterly, pointing at the Emperor and accusing him of being the cause of Great Tang's impending decline. In a sudden move, He Zhizheng drew a dagger and attempted to stab Lin Jiulang. To his surprise, Lin Jiulang was wearing the soft body armor the Emperor had previously gifted him, which deflected the blade. He Zhizheng was immediately apprehended.
Lin Jiulang, seizing the moment, accused He Zhizheng of being utterly loyal to the Crown Prince, attempting to eliminate rivals on his behalf. He Zhizheng vehemently denied any involvement of the Crown Prince, accepting full responsibility for his actions. He denounced Lin Jiulang for gathering hundreds of officials daily at his manor, effectively creating a small imperial court, and for filling the palace with his informers, isolating the Emperor from the truth for ten years.
He Zhizheng condemned Lin Jiulang as a hazard to the country and its people, pleading with the Emperor to execute him. The Emperor, however, dismissed Lin Jiulang as "the person I trust the most," questioning if He Zhizheng was trying to kill Lin Jiulang or himself. He Zhizheng lamented the Emperor's apparent blindness, warning him about the numerous informants from various Fanzhen gathering military secrets about Chang'an's defenses, while the Emperor only guarded against his own son.
He Zhizheng passionately called for the return of the 25-year-old Emperor, urging him to fulfill his duty, to strive forward, and not to be content or seek pleasure, or else he did not deserve to sit on the throne. The Emperor, deeply provoked, seethed with anger, silently wondering if all his courtiers shared the same thoughts.
Long Bo shared with Zhang Xiaojing how, after their unit's tragic incident, he returned to the Defense Beacon to find the bodies of their brothers still unburied in the wilderness. He gathered their remains, bones and all, and bought land in Lingwu to build a graveyard for over 200 fallen comrades, erecting a gravestone for each. Every year, from the New Year until the Lantern Festival, he would visit to keep them company and drink with them.
Long Bo acknowledged hearing about the misfortunes that befell Zhang Xiaojing and Wen Wuji. He then directly urged Zhang Xiaojing to join him in his mission to assassinate the Emperor, reminding Zhang Xiaojing that he too was a soldier of the Eighth Division. Zhang Xiaojing confirmed he had not forgotten his allegiance. As Chou Shi San Ke, or 1:45 AM, arrived, the Scorpions precisely opened half of the sluice gates.
The powerful gush of water activated the central mechanism, and the "Kirin Arms" began to extend the twelve lantern rooms one by one. The Grand Lantern was illuminated, dazzling the throngs of people in the square, who erupted in cheers, unaware of the lurking danger within the tower. Meanwhile, Li Bi, regaining consciousness, realized Zhang Xiaojing had intentionally spared his life, allowing him to escape.
Zhang Xiaojing pressed Long Bo to reveal the mastermind behind his actions, arguing that the people needed to understand his motives and ensure the Eighth Division was not made a scapegoat. Long Bo, however, evaded the question, stating that Wen Ran would convey their story, their mission, and the legacy of the Eighth Division to the world. Zhang Xiaojing then confessed his failure to protect Wen Ran.
At that moment, Yu Chang arrived, confirming Wen Ran's death and stating she was beyond saving. Long Bo was utterly heartbroken. Li Bi, disoriented, stumbled through the Grand Lantern Tower's lower levels. He overheard the Scorpions discussing their plan: once Long Bo gave the signal, they would fully open the sluice, allowing the Dragon Spillway's rapid waters to power the wheel, fully extending the lantern rooms to where the Emperor stood.
Their intention was to "reincarnate together with His Majesty" and confront him about their dissatisfaction. Li Bi, realizing the magnitude of their plan, attempted to close the sluice but narrowly avoided detection by the Scorpions. Suddenly, a signal from above instructed the Scorpions to halt the machine's operation, which they reluctantly obeyed. Li Bi seized the opportunity to escape through the waterways.
Below in the square, Ji Jiang, who had been captivated by the Grand Lantern, was disappointed when its lights suddenly extinguished. Her father, Ji Shifu, casually remarked that it was likely just some elaborate show. Li Bi eventually made his way to the Floral Bathing Palace. He was stopped by Dragon's Army guards but was quickly intervened by the Crown Prince, who was leaving in a huff.
Li Bi urgently tried to convey the gravity of the situation to the Emperor, but the Crown Prince, still smarting from the public humiliation, led him aside to talk privately, expressing his reluctance to face his father again. Overcome by grief and despair over Wen Ran's death, Long Bo decided to personally confront the Emperor. Before leaving the tower, he carefully folded and took the Eighth Division's banner with him.
Long Bo then instructed Yu Chang to ignite the "Flaming Demon" in fifteen minutes, promising they would either leave together or walk the path to hell together. Zhang Xiaojing expressed concern about the tight security at the Floral Bathing Palace, doubting Long Bo could enter. Long Bo scoffed, claiming the security was riddled with holes in his eyes. Zhang Xiaojing then offered to stay behind and guard the lantern tower.
Yu Chang was suspicious, accusing him of plotting to send them away, especially since the mechanism at the bottom was damaged during the explosion that killed Mao Shun. Long Bo asked Zhang Xiaojing if he could be trusted. Zhang Xiaojing swore on the lives of the Eighth Division brothers, explaining that since he failed to protect Wen Ran, he needed to face Wen Wuji in order to apologize to him.
Trusting him, Long Bo gave Zhang Xiaojing instructions on how to operate the mechanism before departing. Li Bi informed the Crown Prince about the plan to assassinate the Emperor using the lantern tower. The Crown Prince, still reeling from the day's indignities, hesitated and instead suggested Li Bi get his wounds treated. Li Bi, knowing the urgency, had no time for treatment.
In desperation, he grabbed the Crown Prince by his collar, demanding he save both the Emperor and Zhang Xiaojing, who was trapped in the tower, reminding him of the Eighth Division's motto to "never retreat." The Crown Prince, internalizing his duty, acknowledged that the Emperor was his father and he would save him. He then reluctantly agreed and ordered Li Bi to immediately summon General Chen Xuanli of the Dragon's Army for assistance.
Li Bi declined the offer of credit, stating that he did not care about the merits. However, as Li Bi rushed to the Dragon's Army barracks, the Crown Prince's eunuch, Li Jingzhong, had already arrived and was poisoning General Chen's ears. Li Jingzhong falsely claimed that Li Bi had clashed with the Crown Prince and was attempting to manipulate General Chen into storming the lantern tower, thereby incriminating him. Witnessing this treachery, Li Bi quietly withdrew.
Long Bo, leading the remaining Scorpions, prepared to go to the Grand Auditorium to confront the Emperor. He announced that one person needed to stay behind to reopen the sluice and activate the "Flaming Demon," a task that would ensure no chance of survival due to the rapid influx of water. Several Scorpions eagerly volunteered, but Yu Chang stepped forward, insisting she stay.
Long Bo and Yu Chang exchanged a poignant farewell, promising to meet in the next life, with Yu Chang vowing to find him by wearing a red string with a coin tied to it. With a mix of emotions, Long Bo led the Scorpions out of the Grand Lantern Tower. Once they were gone, Yu Chang turned and opened the sluice, witnessing the Grand Lantern reignite.
Meanwhile, the Emperor, now addressing his officials, explained that his seemingly harsh treatment of the Crown Prince was not born of dislike, but from a deeper concern for the fate of Great Tang. He questioned whether imperial descendants, living a life of luxury, shielded from the common world and never leaving Chang'an, could truly govern. He emphasized that the nation's power lay not in a single surname or individual, but in all of them, the officials.
He then proceeded to raise each kneeling official, stating that with their unwavering support, he could rest assured. He Zhizheng was among them, and the Emperor gently reproached him for not understanding his true intentions. He then surprised everyone by instructing General Guo to remove his imperial yellow robe, declaring that from this night onward, he would no longer govern and would relinquish all political affairs, entrusting the responsibility of safeguarding Great Tang to his ministers.
The officials knelt again, proclaiming "Long live the Emperor!" At that very moment, Long Bo and his Scorpions, having breached the Dragon's Army's defenses, stormed into the Floral Bathing Palace. Back in the Grand Lantern Tower, Zhang Xiaojing attempted to disable the central mechanism. Yu Chang, however, intercepted him, accusing him of betraying Long Bo and lying.
She urged him to stop, claiming she could save them all and ensure Long Bo lived by his side, if Zhang Xiaojing would only trust her. The two engaged in a fierce struggle amidst the gears of the mechanism. Zhang Xiaojing desperately subdued Yu Chang.
