'Pursuit of Jade': Interesting facts every fan must know

Since its March premiere, Pursuit of Jade has quickly risen to global attention, winning over viewers with its striking visuals, compelling performances, and the powerful story at its core. Behind the drama lies a mix of real-life inspiration, demanding preparation, and standout creative talent. Here are some fun facts every fan must know. 

1. The real-life female general who inspired Fan Chang Yu

One thing fans of the C-drama can't stop swooning over is its heroine Fan Chang Yu — an orphaned young woman who steps up to support her remaining family by earning a living as a pig butcher. Needless to say, Tian Xi Wei brought the role to life flawlessly. But there’s more to this female warrior's story: it turns out the character was inspired by a real-life woman general.

In an interview, Tuan Zi Lai Xi, real name Zhang Fu Rong, the writer of the novel that inspired the drama, stated that the inspiration behind the heroine is Qin Liang Yu, the female general of Shizhu from the late Ming dynasty.

According to available historical information, Qin Liang Yu was born in Zhong County, Chongqing (ancient Zhongzhou). She married Ma Qiancheng, who was then the tusi and xuanfushi (Announcing and Pacifying Commissioner) of Shizhu County, and settled in what is now Shizhu County. Tuan Zi Lai Xi herself was born in Shizhu and, from a young age, has had a fascination with stories about the female general. She has said that before writing the novel, she referred to a great deal of folklore, documentary sources, and historical materials. To make the "female general/warrior" character feel more relatable to readers, she gave the heroine of Pursuit of Jade an ordinary background — that of a butcher's daughter.

"Qin Liang Yu, a late Ming dynasty female general born in Chongqing, is the only female general in Chinese history to be recorded in the biographical section of the official [dynastic] histories. She inherited her husband's post and led troops into battle and is a famous heroine whose many legendary deeds have been deeply admired by later generations," said Luo Yong, a writer with the China Writers Association and a creator and expert in Chongqing local culture, in an interview.

Talking about the story of this female general, Peng Guang Wen, director of the Literature and History Committee of the Shizhu County CPPCC, lecturer with the expert advisory group of the "Liangyu Lecture Hall", and a leading scholar in Qin Liangyu studies, who has spent more than 40 years researching Qin Liang Yu's life, deeds, and cultural legacy, said, "In dynastic histories throughout the ages, notable women were generally recorded in biographies of exemplary women. Qin Liang Yu, however, is the only heroine in history to be recorded in the official histories' biographies of famous generals and ministers as a celebrated general of a dynasty."

It is reported that she was by no means merely the kind of fierce heroine suggested by conventional impressions but rather an extraordinary woman accomplished in both literary and martial pursuits: exceptionally courageous and intelligent, highly skilled in horsemanship and archery, yet also refined in literary learning, with a composed and elegant bearing. Even rarer still, she enforced strict military discipline, and the "White Pole Army" she commanded was known for its orderliness and formidable combat strength, becoming an iron force renowned far and near in the late Ming dynasty. "We summarize her life in three sets of 'threes': she captured enemy leaders three times, quelled rebellions three times, and defended against the forces three times."

Also giving insights into Qin Liang Yu's love life, Peng Guang Wen pointed out a telling detail: Qin Liang Yu's views on love and marriage can still offer food for thought to young people today.

"From the age of 16, many matchmakers came to propose marriage to Qin Liang Yu, but she chose to hold a martial contest to select her husband," Peng explained. Both historical research and local folklore note that Qin Liang Yu was strikingly beautiful, and from a young age, matchmakers crowded her doorstep. Yet she chose her partner through a martial contest, seeking someone like-minded who could pursue a greater cause alongside her. She married Ma Qian Cheng. The two were not only deeply compatible but also went on to build the "White Pole Army" together, integrating their ideals into a broader duty to family and country.

2. Tian Xi Wei trained hard enough to pull off carrying Zhang Ling He 

Whether it's loads or co-stars, Tian Xi Wei is doing the heavy lifting in the drama — literally. The actress, who stands at 5 ft 6 in, caught viewers' attention for repeatedly carrying people, especially 6-foot-3 Zhang Ling He, showcasing a level of physicality that's as impressive as it is unexpected.

Talking about it, Zhang Ling He shared in an interview, "It's the first time a girl has been able to carry me on her back. She's really very strong. At first, I thought she wouldn't be able to carry me. But not only did she manage to carry me, she could also even scuttle while carrying me. Effortlessly."

The feats aren't just limited to co-stars. According to the production team, a prop pig weighing up to 40 jin (around 20 kilograms) was used for filming. It turns out this strength is no coincidence, as Tian Xi Wei is something of a fitness enthusiast, and to convincingly embody the tough, robust physique of a butcher, she reportedly underwent high-intensity strength training ahead of filming to better align with the character's physicality.

The result? Tian Xi Wei isn't just carrying loads and her co-stars — she's carrying the entire drama, and fans are loving every bit of it.

3. Pursuit of Jade said to be the first mainland Chinese drama on Netflix Weekly Non-English Top 10

According to Netflix Top 10, Pursuit of Jade ranked no. 6 on the platform's Global Top 10 for Non-English TV for the week of March 9–15, amassing 1.9 million views and 34.2 million hours viewed. The series was in the Top 10 in nine Asian regions — Hong Kong, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Weibo TV Series states that Pursuit of Jade has become the first mainland Chinese drama to land a spot on Netflix's weekly chart.

4. Zhang Ling He and Tian Xi Wei struggled filming in heavy armor

One of the drama's spectacles is its battle scenes, with actors clad in magnificent armor. And as stunning as they look, performing in them was no easy feat for our hero, heroine, and their co-stars. Behind the visual spectacle lies a physically demanding experience, with Zhang Ling He and Tian Xi Wei opening up about the sheer weight and exhaustion that came with bringing those battle scenes to life.

Talking about his experience in an interview, Zhang Ling He said, "It's quite heavy. I estimate it's around twenty to thirty kilograms, around forty to fifty jin (20–25 kilograms)." "But you get used to it. The first couple of times putting it on, it really feels unfamiliar. It's just too heavy. But after wearing it for a while, you gradually get used to the weight, and it becomes a bit easier. It also gave me a sense of how tough it must have been for those ancient generals fighting on the battlefield."

Tian Xi Wei also shared, "When we put on armor to go into battle, it's extremely heavy. Once you've worn that armor, you really never want to put it on again."

5. The significance of Zhang Ling He's iconic headpiece

One of the most iconic scenes from Pursuit of Jade is Zhang Ling He making his entrance as the Marquis of Wu'an. Clad in armor, he commands attention with an imposing presence and aura. One of the most striking elements of this look is his headpiece, adorned with long pheasant feathers.

According to Huang Qiang, a historian and specially appointed professor at the School of Arts of Jiangsu Open University, Zhang Ling He's look in Pursuit of Jade, with its exceptionally long feathers, belongs to a type of theatrical costume. This style is more commonly used in portrayals of characters such as Lü Bu and Mu Gui Ying, while in adaptations of "Journey to the West", it is primarily used for Sun Wu Kong.

In illustrated editions of "Journey to the West" created during the Qing dynasty, several depictions of Sun Wu Kong wearing a purple-gold headpiece were also found, which are quite consistent with Zhang Ling He's styling. 

Huang Qiang explained that pheasant-feather headpieces in theatrical costumes are not purely imaginative creations of ancient people but have a historical inspiration. According to his research, ancient military headpieces did feature pheasant feathers inserted into them to highlight bravery. However, the feathers used were typically about seven to eight cun (approximately 9–10.5 inches) or around one chi in length, and did not reach lengths of one meter.

"Records of the Grand Historian" (Shiji) notes that King Wuling of Zhao once bestowed "junyi" (鵔鸃, pronounced similarly to "jun yi") tail feathers upon brave warriors. This raptor is described as "slightly dark in color and inherently courageous and combative, fighting until death," a type of fierce mountain pheasant. Its tail feathers were said to "shine and reflect light across the sky," and those who wore them were considered valiant battlefield warriors. 

King Wuling of Zhao granted these bird tail feathers to strong warriors to display their valor. By the Han dynasty, military officials' headpieces had already become standardized. From the Sui and Tang dynasties through the Song dynasty, such a style was still preserved in imperial guard and ceremonial contexts. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, the practice of inserting tail feathers into headpieces continued to exist in certain forms, and according to research, pheasant feathers had already begun to be used in Ming dynasty zaju performances as a type of theatrical costume accessory.

As director Zeng Qing Jie put it: "Pursuit of Jade does not pursue strict archaeological reconstruction but rather a xieyi-style [a technique that captures the spirit] Eastern aesthetic expression. Through Xie Zheng's pheasant plume, we sought to break the barrier between the stylized theatricality of traditional opera and the sense of realism in film and television. This plume is an extension of Xie Zheng's soul, the spine [strength, courage and assertiveness] that refuses to bow in turbulent times."

6. 'Blossom' director and 'Love Like the Galaxy' writer work their magic 

The drama's aesthetic visuals and distinctive screenplay are undoubtedly among its highlights. If you found yourself mesmerized and marvelling at the visuals or laughing at the dialogue, it's thanks to director Zeng Qing Jie, praised for his phenomenal work on the hit drama Blossom, and writer Zou Yue, who penned the widely acclaimed hit Love Like the Galaxy, and also Coroner's Diary. 

When prospective viewers learned that Blossom’s director would be at the helm, expectations for the visuals were high. And to say the least, he did not disappoint. 

Director Zeng is known for making the most of limited resources and budgets, elevating his dramas with refined visuals that can rival, and often surpass, larger-scale productions. Fans claim his shots feel like paintings, frame by frame, as he employs light, shadow, and elements like snow and fire to create a beautiful composition that captures the most flattering angles of actors.

Zeng's strength lies in the fact that he doesn't rely on heavy filters to airbrush everything and instead uses lighting, composition, and camera angles to amplify the actors' natural beauty to the absolute fullest.

Zhang Ying Ying, Blossom producer, also praised the director, saying, "Director Zeng is a very smart director. Even with the limited budgets of short dramas, he cleverly uses camera techniques to compensate, skillfully avoiding areas where insufficient funding might otherwise show. He excels at capturing the subtleties and tension in relationships, particularly between men and women."

Pursuit of Jade tells the story of butcher's daughter Fan Chang Yu (Tian Xi Wei) and Xie Zheng (Zhang Ling He), a fallen noble, who meet by destiny on a snowy day. 

Chang Yu, having lost both of her parents, strives to support her remaining family, while Zheng hides his identity, digging deep into a blood feud from 17 years ago. With each harboring their own motives, the two concoct a marriage of convenience. Though they initially joined hands to use one another for their own purposes, their alliance gradually blossoms into genuine emotions.

Stream Pursuit of Jade on Netflix, WeTV, iQIYI, and iflix.  

Source: Cover News, WeTV, Weibo, Yangtze Evening Post, Yangtze Evening Post, Cover News