Explanation of Bazong the bandit's code of conduct, according to him "Since ancient times the Government is the Government. The Jianghu is the Jianghu. "
Jianghu is the name of the brotherhood of outsiders that existed in old China. It is the counterculture society of workers who made their living with the skill of their own two hands: craftsmen, beggars, thieves, street performers, fortune tellers, wandering healers, and many martial artists. Mainstream society belonged to the Confucian scholar-officials. Its underbelly was the jianghu.
Those living in the Jianghu followed their own moral code, which they viewed as superior to laws mandated by the government, which many saw as corrupt and incompetent.
The Jianghu leader was an unofficial rank, a person treated with respect for their high level of skill, not a government representative
Thank you for the case outline of this series. After watching and enjoying "Yin-yang Town Strange Talk," I didn't…
Glad that you liked it.. If you enjoy such kind of mysteries, do check out the currently airing "Judge Dee's Mystery", it has similar structure and features.
Ep 4 plot twist was well-set up, it’s two man’s hate on woman in power.
That was quite interesting revelation, the reason one hated the reforms was because they were implemented by a woman and the other hated it because of he couldn't retain his position if allocation was done based on merit.
Info about Empress Wu Zetian, she was a great ruler and reformist but also cruel and ruthless, outside and inside her family to maintain her authority.
Wu Zetian was the first and only female emperor in Chinese history, and de facto ruler of the Tang dynasty from 665 to 705, ruling first through others and then (from 690) in her own right. From 665 to 690, she was first empress consort of the Tang dynasty (as wife of the Emperor Gaozong) and then, after his death, empress dowager (ruling through her sons Emperors Zhongzong and Ruizong). Unprecedented in Chinese history, she subsequently founded and ruled as female emperor of the Wu Zhou dynasty of China from 690 to 705. She was the only female sovereign in the history of China widely regarded as legitimate. Under her 40-year reign, China grew larger, becoming one of the great powers of the world, its culture and economy were revitalized, and corruption in the court was reduced. She was removed from power in a coup and died a few months later. Empress Wu is one of the most controversial leaders in Chinese history for her method of rule and the means she likely used to rise to power.
Quite gripping series, I will post the summaries of all cases in the discussion thread for future reference. ..…
At the beginning Di Renjie is reluctant to appear in the Imperial Examination for the Classicists. Hong Lian, has obtained an examination ticket for him. Empress Wu had reformed the examination that year. Irrespective of a person's background or place of residence everyone could appear for the exams to get selected on their merit.
During the course of the first case Di Renjie ends up solving a case of a missing pearl as well. This quickly solved case is used to showcase the deduction ability, observational power, lightning reflexes and compassion of Di Renjie.
Unbeknownst to the commers the court is in a upheaval, the Phoenix Seal of the Empress has been stolen and has been used on fake decrees. On top of that many Strange unnatural fires are occurring, Empress favorite Wutong Tree outside the palace suddenly caught fire and burnt down. Was it a man-made or a natural disaster?
Di Renjie encounters his old friend, He Dajing who is currently working as an assistant for Grand Secretariat Wei. He Dajing is helping write the documents on new policies introduced by Empress Wu especially the Tax policy. After the examination Di Renjie ans He Dajing visit Jushui Entertainment house that catches fire and burns down killing He Dajing and many others, only Di Renjie survives. Another task that He Dajing was entrusted by Grand Secretariat Wei before his death was to compile records of great families based on their merit. People like Old Grand Commandant Zhangsun will lose their position as it was not obtained on merit. Di Renjie demands 10 days from the magistrate to investigate the Jushui Entertainment House fire. General Kang Zhiyi identifies one dead body from Jushui Entertainment house as that of a palace maid, Yaxin.
The courtiers including Zhangsun are taking this opportunity of Seal loss to demand that Empress Wu should be punished. Loss of imperial Phoenix Seal means the imperial authority is at stake. It was misused by villains. The strange fires are attributed to Heaven's warning and Wrath.
Di Renjie believes the fires are caused by an enemy of the empress. Mr. Wei believes Empress' reforms have offended too many people. Di Renjie is of the opinion that reforms are beneficial, the new policy of the imperial examination that allows commers an opportunity, the agricultural reforms no longer penalizes displaced migrants, allowing them to settle nearby and giving them farmland. Mr. Wei states that all the people who support and oppose the Empress are fighting.
In the meantime there is a third fire in a farmhouse, all four dead bodies are male have calluses on their palm and purlicues. Di Renjie deducts they were burnt after their death.
Clues that Di Renjie finds during the course of his investigation were uncovered by him coincidentally or deliberately left by someone? Someone made a perfect plan to frame Empress Wu but Heaven's plan supersede our own, or does it? Di Renjie recites Confucius' belief said "only women and small minded men are hard to deal with", Should women not be given authority? Is his majesty's acceptance of women considered cowardice by many courtiers? What is the grand scheme, who is to be trusted? Who was the mysterious lady singing Bingzhou Ditty in Jushui Entertainment house that attracted Di Renjie's attention? Should one support lesser evil to achieve greater good?
Quite gripping series, I will post the summaries of all cases in the discussion thread for future reference. .. Only the introduction of each case, not the resolution. Case 2 - Screen case from episode 5.
Case 1..The Phoenix Seal Case (episode 1 to 4)
"A Wise man must remember not to join the wrong side"
There was an underlying theme of fate and coincidence. Di Renjie (courtesy name Huaiying) almost starts to believe that all the decisions that he has taken were coincidence, probably fate dictated his actions. However at the end of the case Di Renjie throws away the dice in the river where his father committed suicide, before Di Renjie leaves Chang'an. That indicates that he now realises nothing is happenstance, everything is planned. This eye opening will serve him well to be a good judge in future where he will use deduction to unravel the mystery without believing in chance or supernatural forces.
There is unrest in Chang'an because The Emperor has given lots of power to the Empress Wu Zetian. Many courtiers are of the thought that a mere woman should not have so much governing authority. Empress Wu has introduced many reforms in various fields that Di Renjie agrees and appreciates but there is a large faction of courtiers who oppose them. The first case establishes the characters and gives a glimpse into their background.
We also have two bandits, Ma Rong and Qiao Tai whom Di Renjie has brought from western region to Chang'an. They become his well trusted side kicks, both have diverse and fascinating traits. At the beginning Di Renjie is reluctant to appear in the Imperial Examination due to his father's suicide many years ago but later he passes the exam and is appointed and stationed as a judge/magistrate of Penglai county, a remote frontier. Di Renjie: "My fate must be in my own hands. " At the end of the 4th episode Di Renjie appoints Hong Liang as his inspector, Ma Rong and Qiao Tai as his attendants.
Below in the spoiler tag Summary of episode 1 to 4 (excluding too many spoilers)
Finished watching the drama.. I have uploaded my review. Read Snippet from my review below.
Oftentimes I have read authors' interviews in which they stated that sometimes they have a different story in mind but once they start writing, some characters refuse to behave in the way the author intended and take on a life of their own.
This series is also meant to two fold satire, firstly it satirizes the current trend where the audience is more vocal about their preferences and expect the writers, actors and other public figures to be 'perfect versions of their vision', behave and present their work as per the majority voice, frowning on each imperfection of these people. Tolerance and acceptance for different thoughts and tastes is getting lesser day by day. Secondly, it satirizes the authors who write the characters superficially without giving much thought to their actions and motivation. Sometimes the audience rightly feels that they are cheated of a good story merely because the writer is sloppy, writing the story devoid of logic, giving one dimensional trait to the characters.
Snippet from my review posted in the review section
The drama Sword and Fairy 4 is adapted from a Role Playing Game 'The legend of sword and fairy-4". Hence the storyline followed the game with few variation. Each series of the game is based on a theme. The theme of this one is 'Pilgrimage' which I feel is quite appropriate because the four main playable characters in the game and their counterparts in the series are on a QUEST.
Yun Tianhe (Chen Zhe Yuan) is searching for his Parents' background who died while Tianhe was quite young, leaving him an orphan at a tender age. He resided and grew up in Qingluan Peak that was a safe haven for demons and humans to cohabit peacefully. Han Lingsha (Ju Jingyi) is trying to find a miracle for 'longevity' as she comes from a family of Tomb raiders that are cursed to die young. Liu Mengli (Mao Xiao Hui) a beautiful adopted daughter of Liu family is looking for her 'origin'. Murong Ziying (Mao Zi Jun) is seeking absolution from his guilt of feeling responsible for his younger sister's untimely death due to his perceived negligence.
These four characters seemingly having different temperament and purpose come together and form a strong bond of friendship. It seems the series is geared towards young adults hence the romance between the characters of Tianhe and Lingsha though quite prominent takes the back seat to the friendship and bond between the four of them. Like many viewers, I too felt that the series could have been better if Ziying and Mengli were not shown to have unrequited love for Lingsha and Tianhe respectively. If the writers did not want to pair Mengli and Ziying, in my opinion they could have just shown their characters' growth and progress without making them pine for people who were deeply in love with each other.
If anyone is interested in reading more about this universe, information on the four characters and some of the fascinating objects/artifacts/ creations in the series, do check out the thread started by me in the discussion section. Other members of MDL have also generously contributed information and interesting posts in the thread.
Use the link below to the discussion section of this drama to read "Introduction to the drama and some basic explanation" started by me.
If anyone is interested in reading more about this universe, information on the four characters and some of the fascinating objects/artifacts/ creations in the series, do check out the thread started by me in the discussion section. Other members of MDL have also generously contributed information and written interesting posts in the thread.
Use the link below to the discussion section of this drama to read "Introduction to the drama and some basic explanation" started by me.
The original book was written in Eighteenth Century in Chinese language. The author of original Judge Dee's novel was anonymous but was likely a retired statesman familiar with the system and the legal code. While a representative of the gong’an, or Chinese crime-case, genre.
Translator Robert Van Gulik had translated the first part of that novel "Dee Goong An", (celebrated cases of Judge Dee) featuring Judge Dee and after that he himself wrote many novels where the fictitious character, Judge Dee solves crimes.
Long before Western writers had even conceived the idea of writing detective stories, the Chinese had developed a long tradition of literary works that chronicled the cases of important district magistrates. These judges held a unique position. As "fathers to the people" they were at once judge and detective, responsible for all aspects of keeping the peace and for discovering, capturing, and punishing criminals.
Judge Dee(also known as Ti Jen-chieh or Di Renjie), the hero of Robert van Gulik’s 'Judge Dee' mystery series, is purportedly based on the historical Di Renjie (630–700), chancellor of Empress Wu Zetian during the Tang Dynasty, who earlier in his career served as a district magistrate. The fictitious Judge Dee also assumed the role of a district magistrate in most of these novels. Throughout imperial Chinese history, the district magistrate was the link between the emperor and his people and was responsible for maintaining harmony among those under his charge.
Youku's series is Adapted from Robert Van Gulik's "Judge Dee's mystery" There are nine cases in this series as per trailer 2 of youku
Read the names of the 9 cases in the spoiler tag below.
1 
3 
Explanation of Bazong the bandit's code of conduct, according to him "Since ancient times the Government is the Government. The Jianghu is the Jianghu. "
Jianghu is the name of the brotherhood of outsiders that existed in old China. It is the counterculture society of workers who made their living with the skill of their own two hands: craftsmen, beggars, thieves, street performers, fortune tellers, wandering healers, and many martial artists. Mainstream society belonged to the Confucian scholar-officials. Its underbelly was the jianghu.
Those living in the Jianghu followed their own moral code, which they viewed as superior to laws mandated by the government, which many saw as corrupt and incompetent.
The Jianghu leader was an unofficial rank, a person treated with respect for their high level of skill, not a government representative
Wu Zetian was the first and only female emperor in Chinese history, and de facto ruler of the Tang dynasty from 665 to 705, ruling first through others and then (from 690) in her own right. From 665 to 690, she was first empress consort of the Tang dynasty (as wife of the Emperor Gaozong) and then, after his death, empress dowager (ruling through her sons Emperors Zhongzong and Ruizong). Unprecedented in Chinese history, she subsequently founded and ruled as female emperor of the Wu Zhou dynasty of China from 690 to 705. She was the only female sovereign in the history of China widely regarded as legitimate. Under her 40-year reign, China grew larger, becoming one of the great powers of the world, its culture and economy were revitalized, and corruption in the court was reduced. She was removed from power in a coup and died a few months later. Empress Wu is one of the most controversial leaders in Chinese history for her method of rule and the means she likely used to rise to power.
During the course of the first case Di Renjie ends up solving a case of a missing pearl as well. This quickly solved case is used to showcase the deduction ability, observational power, lightning reflexes and compassion of Di Renjie.
Unbeknownst to the commers the court is in a upheaval, the Phoenix Seal of the Empress has been stolen and has been used on fake decrees. On top of that many Strange unnatural fires are occurring, Empress favorite Wutong Tree outside the palace suddenly caught fire and burnt down. Was it a man-made or a natural disaster?
Di Renjie encounters his old friend, He Dajing who is currently working as an assistant for Grand Secretariat Wei. He Dajing is helping write the documents on new policies introduced by Empress Wu especially the Tax policy. After the examination Di Renjie ans He Dajing visit Jushui Entertainment house that catches fire and burns down killing He Dajing and many others, only Di Renjie survives. Another task that He Dajing was entrusted by Grand Secretariat Wei before his death was to compile records of great families based on their merit. People like Old Grand Commandant Zhangsun will lose their position as it was not obtained on merit. Di Renjie demands 10 days from the magistrate to investigate the Jushui Entertainment House fire. General Kang Zhiyi identifies one dead body from Jushui Entertainment house as that of a palace maid, Yaxin.
The courtiers including Zhangsun are taking this opportunity of Seal loss to demand that Empress Wu should be punished. Loss of imperial Phoenix Seal means the imperial authority is at stake. It was misused by villains. The strange fires are attributed to Heaven's warning and Wrath.
Di Renjie believes the fires are caused by an enemy of the empress. Mr. Wei believes Empress' reforms have offended too many people. Di Renjie is of the opinion that reforms are beneficial, the new policy of the imperial examination that allows commers an opportunity, the agricultural reforms no longer penalizes displaced migrants, allowing them to settle nearby and giving them farmland. Mr. Wei states that all the people who support and oppose the Empress are fighting.
In the meantime there is a third fire in a farmhouse, all four dead bodies are male have calluses on their palm and purlicues. Di Renjie deducts they were burnt after their death.
Clues that Di Renjie finds during the course of his investigation were uncovered by him coincidentally or deliberately left by someone? Someone made a perfect plan to frame Empress Wu but Heaven's plan supersede our own, or does it? Di Renjie recites Confucius' belief said "only women and small minded men are hard to deal with", Should women not be given authority? Is his majesty's acceptance of women considered cowardice by many courtiers? What is the grand scheme, who is to be trusted? Who was the mysterious lady singing Bingzhou Ditty in Jushui Entertainment house that attracted Di Renjie's attention? Should one support lesser evil to achieve greater good?
Case 1..The Phoenix Seal Case (episode 1 to 4)
"A Wise man must remember not to join the wrong side"
There was an underlying theme of fate and coincidence. Di Renjie (courtesy name Huaiying) almost starts to believe that all the decisions that he has taken were coincidence, probably fate dictated his actions. However at the end of the case Di Renjie throws away the dice in the river where his father committed suicide, before Di Renjie leaves Chang'an. That indicates that he now realises nothing is happenstance, everything is planned. This eye opening will serve him well to be a good judge in future where he will use deduction to unravel the mystery without believing in chance or supernatural forces.
There is unrest in Chang'an because The Emperor has given lots of power to the Empress Wu Zetian. Many courtiers are of the thought that a mere woman should not have so much governing authority. Empress Wu has introduced many reforms in various fields that Di Renjie agrees and appreciates but there is a large faction of courtiers who oppose them. The first case establishes the characters and gives a glimpse into their background.
We also have two bandits, Ma Rong and Qiao Tai whom Di Renjie has brought from western region to Chang'an. They become his well trusted side kicks, both have diverse and fascinating traits. At the beginning Di Renjie is reluctant to appear in the Imperial Examination due to his father's suicide many years ago but later he passes the exam and is appointed and stationed as a judge/magistrate of Penglai county, a remote frontier. Di Renjie: "My fate must be in my own hands. " At the end of the 4th episode Di Renjie appoints Hong Liang as his inspector, Ma Rong and Qiao Tai as his attendants.
Below in the spoiler tag Summary of episode 1 to 4 (excluding too many spoilers)
Oftentimes I have read authors' interviews in which they stated that sometimes they have a different story in mind but once they start writing, some characters refuse to behave in the way the author intended and take on a life of their own.
This series is also meant to two fold satire, firstly it satirizes the current trend where the audience is more vocal about their preferences and expect the writers, actors and other public figures to be 'perfect versions of their vision', behave and present their work as per the majority voice, frowning on each imperfection of these people. Tolerance and acceptance for different thoughts and tastes is getting lesser day by day. Secondly, it satirizes the authors who write the characters superficially without giving much thought to their actions and motivation. Sometimes the audience rightly feels that they are cheated of a good story merely because the writer is sloppy, writing the story devoid of logic, giving one dimensional trait to the characters.
To read the full review, click the link below
https://kisskh.at/profile/MsDarkqueen/reviews/337133
Click the link below to see the final trailer, uploaded on YouTube of Youku.
https://youtu.be/rtvqTeJyzCc?si=YvUyBPaYC9psVViu
Click the link below to see the airing schedule uploaded in the photo section by a member of MDL.
https://kisskh.at/photos/jQ8DLd_3
In the new trailer uploaded on youku twitter it mentions Youku| Netflix
Click below for link to the latest trailer on youku Twitter.
https://x.com/YoukuOfficial/status/1754332712926945543?s=20
Snippet from my review posted in the review section
The drama Sword and Fairy 4 is adapted from a Role Playing Game 'The legend of sword and fairy-4". Hence the storyline followed the game with few variation. Each series of the game is based on a theme. The theme of this one is 'Pilgrimage' which I feel is quite appropriate because the four main playable characters in the game and their counterparts in the series are on a QUEST.
Yun Tianhe (Chen Zhe Yuan) is searching for his Parents' background who died while Tianhe was quite young, leaving him an orphan at a tender age. He resided and grew up in Qingluan Peak that was a safe haven for demons and humans to cohabit peacefully. Han Lingsha (Ju Jingyi) is trying to find a miracle for 'longevity' as she comes from a family of Tomb raiders that are cursed to die young. Liu Mengli (Mao Xiao Hui) a beautiful adopted daughter of Liu family is looking for her 'origin'. Murong Ziying (Mao Zi Jun) is seeking absolution from his guilt of feeling responsible for his younger sister's untimely death due to his perceived negligence.
These four characters seemingly having different temperament and purpose come together and form a strong bond of friendship. It seems the series is geared towards young adults hence the romance between the characters of Tianhe and Lingsha though quite prominent takes the back seat to the friendship and bond between the four of them. Like many viewers, I too felt that the series could have been better if Ziying and Mengli were not shown to have unrequited love for Lingsha and Tianhe respectively. If the writers did not want to pair Mengli and Ziying, in my opinion they could have just shown their characters' growth and progress without making them pine for people who were deeply in love with each other.
To read the full review click the link below
https://kisskh.at/profile/MsDarkqueen/reviews/336509
If anyone is interested in reading more about this universe, information on the four characters and some of the fascinating objects/artifacts/ creations in the series, do check out the thread started by me in the discussion section. Other members of MDL have also generously contributed information and interesting posts in the thread.
Use the link below to the discussion section of this drama to read "Introduction to the drama and some basic explanation" started by me.
https://kisskh.at/discussions/chinese-paladin-4/122607-introduction-to-the-drama-and-some-basic-explanation-of-the-beginning-of-the
Use the link below to the discussion section of this drama to read "Introduction to the drama and some basic explanation" started by me.
https://kisskh.at/discussions/chinese-paladin-4/122607-introduction-to-the-drama-and-some-basic-explanation-of-the-beginning-of-the-series
https://youtu.be/3fafg6QOqm0?si=2Yk5N6wRKXQ7bMhX
Click the link below to watch episodes with English sub on Tencent youtube channel.
All episodes playlist
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyLbHF3-UFDC56JngnnMSdYJqMhbzn_Vv&si=7-ERQmeBr58PuQR7
Episode 1
https://youtu.be/3fafg6QOqm0?si=2Yk5N6wRKXQ7bMhX
2.Screen Wind Case
3.Golden Mystery Case
4.Rain Master Legend
5.Red Pavilion
6.Desert Pursuit
7.Hollow Gourd
8. Skylark Chirping
9.Zhao Yun Library
Translator Robert Van Gulik had translated the first part of that novel "Dee Goong An", (celebrated cases of Judge Dee) featuring Judge Dee and after that he himself wrote many novels where the fictitious character, Judge Dee solves crimes.
Long before Western writers had even conceived the idea of writing detective stories, the Chinese had developed a long tradition of literary works that chronicled the cases of important district magistrates. These judges held a unique position. As "fathers to the people" they were at once judge and detective, responsible for all aspects of keeping the peace and for discovering, capturing, and punishing criminals.
Judge Dee(also known as Ti Jen-chieh or Di Renjie), the hero of Robert van Gulik’s 'Judge Dee' mystery series, is purportedly based on the historical Di Renjie (630–700), chancellor of Empress Wu Zetian during the Tang Dynasty, who earlier in his career served as a district magistrate. The fictitious Judge Dee also assumed the role of a district magistrate in most of these novels. Throughout imperial Chinese history, the district magistrate was the link between the emperor and his people and was responsible for maintaining harmony among those under his charge.
Youku's series is Adapted from Robert Van Gulik's "Judge Dee's mystery"
There are nine cases in this series as per trailer 2 of youku
Read the names of the 9 cases in the spoiler tag below.