The way Huai’an ‘corrupts’ people is quite remarkable. He not only makes it obvious he is not altruistic, he also plainly declares his goals. He never portrays himself as a good person but actually shows his evilness. Despite this a hint of softness, goodness and trustworthiness emits out of him and his ‘enemies’ or strangers agree to fight his battles. The visceral pain Huai’an feels is clear for all to see. And he strives to make his enemies feel a fraction of it.
Huai’an is an embodiment of a vast array of emotions and the way he corrupts others is astounding. In him you can find love, hate, more hate, anger, lots of anger, desperation (to not die too early), patriotism, loyalty, friendship, sadness, longing to both live and to die. His ability to love his family and friends despite the hate he abhors shows how deeply he cares. Not dead, yet not alive!
Huai’an started by corrupting Uncle Pu. The ‘uncle’ who gave him his first drink, but then joined others in murdering his father. Only to be saved by Huai'an when his gang turned on him. From their relations close to his death, it was obvious he wasn’t just repaying the debt of Huai'an saving his life but offering his life as an apology for his father’s death. Huai’an had sat with me, jested with him and even poured him a drink to send him off. Huai'an did not veil up his missed feelings of hatred and likeness. Never accepting a drink from him when they reconnected was proof enough that he was never forgiven. But he still chose to die fighting, knowing very well he could have stayed dishonourable or fled like the other god-awful uncle suggested.
His impact on the deposed emperor, or fake Zhang Mo as I like to call him is even more profound. Huai’an broke him one minute and made him cry for him the next. He even gave his one wish to Huai’an for his safe return from the lion’s den and getting his revenge. How noble of him, a coward emperor. Cowardly enough to kill a defenseless and kind, ‘real’ Zhang Mo. But now he is literally either fighting Huai’an’s battles or risking his life to ensure Huai’an’s safety. Imagine a deposed emperor pitying you and sympathising on your behalf. As if he does not have it bad.
Han Ziling was the simplest to corrupt. I remember reading the synopsis again after episode one and thinking, “I thought Han Ziling is dead”. Well, here goes. Huai’an knows HZ is good, so he didn’t bother arguing his point when he lost the first game. He just patiently explained his point of view and asked him for a second bet which he won. Huai’an smiling at HZ when he said “you’re not a good person” was bone-chilling. Equally was Huai’an’s response - “You do not need a good man”. Seemed that was all HZ needed to go undercover for a man he barely knew but who had saved his life by showing him how the ‘game’ is being played. Sad he ended up dying quite early in the series.
Aunt Xin became his next ‘corruptee’. Huai’an played her vulnerabilities very plainly. He plainly said, I know what you fear and I will make you be afraid.
Then came Uncle Yang. He basically told him - I double dare you to tattle me out to General Yan. Let us see who he kills first - you or me! And then he turns around and tells him, I am exploiting the guilt you feel for standing by many years ago, and I will continue to do that as you are really a good man!!
General Yan was the supposed enigma. Using Wang Pu to kill him was the ultimate act of corruption. Despite belittling Huai’an insanity and trivialising his own killing of Bai wan, a baby to whom he handmade a first gift to, he became emotional himself about Wang Pu’s death and desired desperately to see him again.
Uncle Long, Uncle Long!! You’d kill two boys you’ve practically raised for the past 20 years for two babies that didn’t even live up to the age of 1. The logic is not adding up. A relentless commitment to a belief can be scary. I cannot wait to see how the tables turn on you.
The Tiemo King is almost as good a corrupter as Huai’an. Rather than being direct though and relay his relentless ambitions, he preys on his subjects’ sorrows and play them beautifully to his tunes. I cannot wait to see his subjects disappointed. A man will bottomless greed will never be satisfied regardless of what he gains, and he will continue to take even from him own people. A sign of this is the fear his people display when they talk to him, from Uncle Long to Old Sha (the noodle store owner).
I am sure psychologists will put this better but it is very astonishing to see Cheng Yi portray the role with an abundant yet subtle representation. I really can’t get enough of it. In Huai’an’s translated words, “I will leave no enemy alive. But I still have some humanity left.“
P.S: More ‘corruptees’ coming along.
