The Longest Day in Chang'an Episode 5 Recap
> The Longest Day in Chang'an Recap
Long Bo and Yu Chang had relocated their hideout to the Li family shop on Changming Street. Yu Chang, a lethal assassin in Long Bo’s employ, had retrieved a map from Tugelu during the chaos of her retreat from Huaiyuan Street, where Zhang Xiaojing was pursuing Tugelu. Upon her return, Long Bo criticized her for interfering, worried she might have left a trail. Yu Chang assured him she had thoroughly cleaned their previous residence, leaving no clues.
Long Bo remained wary, fearing betrayal from You Sha, the leader of the Wolven Squad, and instructed Yu Chang to be vigilant while preparing for an imminent shipment from Yanzhou, their most urgent matter. He also chastised Yu Chang for wearing women’s clothing, claiming she had been doing so for too long and had nearly forgotten her true identity. He ordered her to change immediately, a request Yu Chang reluctantly complied with.
Meanwhile, the Jing'an Si authorities, led by Li Bi, had discovered a "Token of Gratitude" at Long Bo's former residence in Huaiyuan Street. Xu Bin identified it as a token issued by a Pingkang Street brothel to its regular patrons, granting them direct access to courtesans' rooms or even allowing them to take a courtesan out for the night.
Li Bi deduced that if Long Bo was indeed the Wolven Squad spy, he must be a regular at such an establishment, likely having other hideouts with the woman he was seen with. He tasked his officers with finding the courtesan who issued the token and tracking down Long Bo.
Zhang Xiaojing, however, warned against simply checking brothel registers, calling them "as good as junk" because they contained no truth and the establishments were rife with corruption, their courtesans protected by powerful figures. He insisted that only one person could truly help them in Pingkang Street, implying that information from this source would come at a cost.
Despite the long journey across the city to Pingkang Street, Li Bi provided Zhang Xiaojing with a fast horse, urging him to find the spy within the rapidly dwindling time. Before his departure, Zhang Xiaojing attempted to ask Tan Qi to deliver a message to a lady. Tan Qi, however, rebuffed him, calling him a "pervert" and refusing the request outright. Zhang Xiaojing then departed for his mission.
Shortly after, Tan Qi reported to Li Bi on her investigation into the mysterious scent found on Ying’s body. She revealed it was "Holy Rue Incense," a unique fragrance lasting seven days, symbolizing a high spirit for battle. Only one shop in Chang'an, owned by a woman in her early twenties named Wen Ran, could produce it, and Wen Ran exclusively used it for herself, never selling it.
Tan Qi learned that Wen Ran had been taken by Wang Yunxiu, General Wang Zongsi's daughter, to attend the Lantern Festival. As General Wang was close to the crown prince, Tan Qi sought Li Bi's permission to proceed, which he granted, ordering her to continue her investigation. Li Bi then went to report to Prince Li Yu. There, he encountered Longyou Provincial Governor Huangfu Weiming and Shan Jun Governor Wei Jian, who vehemently criticized him.
They explained that Li Bi's aggressive pursuit of the Wolven Squad had undermined their crucial financial and military plans for the nation, which He Zhizheng was meant to present to the Emperor that very evening. They accused Li Bi of alienating too many people and preventing He Zhizheng from attending the feast. Li Bi defended his actions, stating his priority was the city's safety and supporting the Prince.
Prince Li Yu expressed sorrow for He Zhizheng, who had served the nation for decades and was now discharged without reason. Li Bi pledged to ensure He Zhizheng's presence at the feast, intending to proceed with his own plan. The Prince warned him against crossing Lin Jiulang, the Right Counselor, who controlled the guestlist and possessed immense power. Undeterred, Li Bi made a solemn military pledge to protect both the Prince and the common people.
Meanwhile, Wang Yunxiu, along with Wen Ran, had embarked on a mission of her own. She had falsely informed her household that they were going on a hunting trip outside the city, bringing only three trusted servants. Her true intention, fueled by Wen Ran's lead, was to seek revenge on the Blaze Gang, who had killed Wen Ran's father and caused her mentor to be on death row.
Wen Ran, whose house was secretly rented by Blaze Gang members, had discovered burning pieces of General Wang’s Sanggan River map there, indicating their involvement in leaking military intelligence. Wang Yunxiu saw this as an opportunity to capture a villain for the Tang Dynasty and present him as a birthday gift to her father.
Feng Dalun, a Ministry of Works official and a confidant of Prince Yong, had learned Zhang Xiaojing was sent to Pingkang Street, and sent Qin Yu with the Blaze Gang to ambush him midway. As Zhang Xiaojing rode toward Pingkang Street, Qin Yu and other members of the Blaze Gang ambushed him, demanding retribution for the thirty-four men Zhang Xiaojing had killed in the past.
Zhang Xiaojing, focused on his urgent mission, avoided direct confrontation, fighting and retreating into the bustling crowds. At the same time, Wen Ran, guided by her knowledge of the Blaze Gang's activities, led Wang Yunxiu to what she believed was their hideout. They found it empty and cautiously entered a room, only for Cao Poyan and his Wolven Squad to emerge from hiding, trapping the two women.
Yao Runeng arrived with his men and created a diversion, allowing Zhang Xiaojing to escape the Blaze Gang's pursuit. Yao Runeng, impressed by Zhang Xiaojing's reputation in Wannian County, began probing him about the incident where he single-handedly killed thirty-four Blaze Gang members. Zhang Xiaojing was suspicious, but Yao Runeng claimed he was merely gathering material for a detective novel he was writing, hoping to earn money by chronicling Zhang Xiaojing's exploits.
Zhang Xiaojing then led Yao Runeng to a brothel in Pingkang Street to see Li Xiangxiang. He presented her with the "Token of Gratitude" that had been found at Long Bo's former residence. Li Xiangxiang, unable to identify the giver, advised them to consult Ge Lao. Meanwhile, after changing into men's clothing and cutting her long hair short, Yu Chang was asked by Long Bo about the "Token of Gratitude" (which Jing'an Si had found).
Yu Chang lied, claiming she didn't bring it out. Long Bo then reiterated that he needed the true Yu Chang, a lethal assassin, not an ordinary girl, stating her usefulness to him depended on her being Yu Chang. Zhang Xiaojing pressed Li Xiangxiang for the key to the back courtyard. Li Xiangxiang initially resisted, warning him about the numerous spies and informants in Pingkang Street, particularly those connected to Lin Jiulang's nearby Chancellery. Zhang Xiaojing, impatient, insisted on the key.
Li Xiangxiang relented and called Xiao Yi, one of Ge Lao's subordinates, to escort them to the back. Li Bi, determined to secure He Zhizheng's presence at the feast, then made his way to Lin Jiulang's manor, finding a long line of officials waiting. He walked straight in and was met by Li Sifang, Lin Jiulang's butler. Li Sifang explained that his Lord, a believer in legalism, was already planning to hold the Jing'an Si accountable for its recent failures.
He offered Li Bi a choice: leave now, and the investigation would be postponed until tomorrow, or proceed with the visit, and Lin Jiulang would immediately initiate an investigation into Li Bi and the Jing'an Si. Li Bi remained resolute and stayed. Xiao Yi then led Zhang Xiaojing and Yao Runeng to meet Ge Lao, warning them that Ge Lao was in a foul mood and they shouldn't have come.
