The Long River

If you like historic dramas with a good dose of humour that just fits naturally and unforced, then The Litchi Rd & The Long River fits the bill. The Long River is a very high production drama, and you will see this in scenery and costume, but The Litchi Rd has more punch and is more fast paced.

Both dramas are starring Luo Jin and Huang Zhizhong and the plot mainly revolves around their relationship.

In Royal Nirvana Huang Zhizhong plays the Emperor and Luo Jin plays the Crown Prince.
In the Long River their roles are reversed: Luo Jin takes on a role of a real emperor of Qing Dynasty - Kangxi, while Huang Zhizhong plays a righteous governor.

It's quite funny to see the same actors in very different roles, the both dramas highlight their acting range.
The plot is very different, RN is extremely depressing but the LR also has its share of sad moments.

History buffs will enjoy the attention to details in the Long River.

This drama has a smart lead. Wits are used as opposed to fists. Drama does not focus on romance. Features a paranoid king.

Intelligent political drama, also set in late imperial China, with a similar focus on the relationship between an emperor and his officials.