PeachBlossomGoddess

I don't see a problem with them rushing to drop episodes. We don't have to rush to watch. I am taking my own sweet time. Of course the production wants to get it all out before everyone takes off for Chinese New Year holidays, which begins on the 15th and goes on till the 23rd. I will take off until March 1 and if I hadn't hurt my knees I'd be skiing and not watch a thing.

He is the Deep State of Wuyue.

He was barely a teenager when he ascended the throne, overwhelmed and unequal to the task. He made so many mistakes initially unable to sidestep the scheming of the older ministers. Finally through blood, sweat and tears became a good ruler by literally working himself to death. Wu Haochen was terrific in this role but I think the sheer enormity of the task in front of him may have been better conveyed by a young actor in the beginning.

Poor Qian Hongzuo

At the moment there real life is worst than pulp fiction omg.

He had a very high profile main role in NIF2 but unfortunately he didn't pull it off that well and has been in support roles since.

I think you hit the nail on the head. They are good actors but far from the level of the veterans. Don't worry, this comment section is a safe space for constructive criticism.

They are clearly written like that to be relatable to younger audiences that may not be familiar with or otherwise enjoy this genre. While I understand some of the investors in this project are not that return sensitive, it’s still too expensive a project that it can’t afford not to try to reach as wide an audience as possible. I don’t love it but it’s mild enough that it doesn’t bother me that much.

Hahaha - maybe you have heard one of their top diplomats scold America for trying to tell them what to do - we were here before you and we will be here long after you. Persia/Iran has also said the similar things. History really puts things in perspective.

Yes they do bring a super modern vibe to the show.

What is even more clear to me is that since time memorial it is the evil old men with too much power who have lived so long they forgot how to be human who do the most harm to the world.

According to Grokipedia (yeah I know, may be a dubious source), he accompanied Qian Yuanguan (Hongchu's father) while he was a hostage prince:
https://grokipedia.com/page/hu_jinsi

He's kind of a funny character - he always looks as if he fears his head will soon be separated from his neck bc of his father.

He is more likely history's evidence that heroes die young and cowards live to a ripe old age. Although I came across an online post today that argued that actually he wasn't that cowardly. Song dynasty was founded in 960 and although Wuyue was nominally a vassal state, they did not get formally absorbed into Song until 978. So his surrender may not have been as willing as it looks at surface. Interestingly, Song Taizu/Zhao Kuangyin's reign ended in 976. So it was his brother Taizong that forced Hongchu to submit. Maybe the friendship/bond between Kuangyin and Hongchu that the drama kind of bends history to make happen really did exist between the men.

He is a fascinating character. I mean first of all his age - in those times short life expectancy 90 is 1.5-2.0 lifetimes for most normal people. How can someone like that be so greedy and power hungry? Maybe he was demented and they didn't know how to deal with that brand of crazy way back then. But yeah, in some sad kind of way it makes sense - in war time the generals are powerful bc the kings/emperors need people to protect them. I guess the Qian kings should be grateful the guy was already old and his heir apparent was dumb and weak or else Hu would have seize the throne for sure.

Hopefully yes. Let's see how they deal with the more "controversial" history.

To be honest, after reading a bit of the history over the weekend, all the Qian kings were scared of Hu Jinsi. Even Hongchu did not dare stand up to him. He only stood up for his brother's life, he pretty much let him kill everyone else. Dare I say it - the real Hongchu struck me as rather cowardly and certainly not the kind of guy who would dare try stab Zhang Yanze in the back as the drama made him out to be.

Wuyue did not strictly practice primogeniture (eldest son of the legitimate wife succeeds). Like many of the 5 Dynasties, in times of chaos, they favored stability over father-to-son inheritance. They were not unique in this matter - as we just saw Later Jin also passed the throne from emperor to nephew despite Shi Jingtang's desire to name his child son. Qian No 6 was only around 20 when he died - it is doubtful he left any sons who were not infants or toddlers.

The drama portrays him as sort of ailing or in poor health but that is not really what was recorded, which is why historians are suspicious. I guess it is something we will never know.

And happy to share - I think we are all trying to read and figure it out. No point all of us duplicating work. 😅

I think its doing fairly well with history buffs. But the confusing beginning and some of the more opaque political intrigue did lose some viewers, esp those who don't know the history. And even in China, not many are that familiar with this period.