Episode 1 recap: "Di Renjie solves the Night Pearl Case with his intelligence.
Di Renjie (played by Zhou Yiwei) obtained a cultural relic during his travels in the Western Regions. After many years, he finally returned to Chang'an but chose not to go back home. Instead, he stayed at the Juxing Inn. Hong Liang (played by You Yongzhi), eager for Di Renjie to participate in the imperial examination, secretly visited Wei Wujie (played by Zhang Jiayi). Di Renjie deduced from the locust flowers on Hong Liang's head that he had been to the Guozijian Academy. Hong Liang reluctantly admitted that he had indeed been to Wubenfang and hoped that Di Renjie would take part in the examination. However, Di Renjie's aspirations lay elsewhere.
Hong Liang reminded Di Renjie that he had accumulated a considerable debt in order to obtain the cultural relic. Nevertheless, Di Renjie continued to indulge in food and drink. When he saw the innkeeper scolding a young man who was starving and resorting to drinking water to satisfy his hunger, Di Renjie had a bun delivered to the young man, advising the innkeeper not to be too harsh even when demanding payment for rooms. He attributed all the expenses to Hong Liang's account. Suddenly, unexpected guests arrived at the Juxing Inn. They were government officials who had received a tip about a transaction taking place at the inn. They came to arrest the thief who had stolen the Night Pearl. Di Renjie continued to eat while the officials asked him to stand up. He voluntarily offered them a bun, which made the officials turn a blind eye to his actions and allowed him to continue enjoying his meal.
The officials called everyone out, but no one admitted to the theft. They planned to take everyone away. However, Hong Liang quickly spoke up, stating that the imperial examination was scheduled for the next day and could not be delayed. This prompted all the examinees who were preparing for the examination in the inn to voice their opposition. The officials were at a loss for what to do. At that moment, someone on the second floor of the inn attempted to quietly leave. The officials immediately stopped him, but he continued to flee. The officials tried to apprehend him but failed as he displayed exceptional martial skills. Di Renjie intervened and saved the officials from harm. After injuring the fugitive and leaving him behind, Di Renjie concluded that he was not the thief but rather a Tang soldier who had been stationed in the Western Regions for many years and had deserted because he had not obtained the cultural relic.
The deserter, upon having his identity exposed, sorrowfully revealed that his mother was critically ill and he only wanted to see her one last time. Di Renjie analyzed each person based on the inn's registration list and concluded that none of them could have committed the theft. Ultimately, he focused on the new accountant, who was not on the list, as well as the innkeeper. The accountant vehemently protested his innocence, but Di Renjie was not deceived. The officials apprehended the accountant and also took the innkeeper, who was suspected of involvement.
Reflecting on the subtle movements he had observed from the accountant, Di Renjie deduced that the Night Pearl was hidden in the abacus. He ordered someone to smash the accountant's abacus but did not find the Night Pearl. Di Renjie soon realized that it was the innkeeper's abacus. After wiping it clean, the Night Pearl was revealed. The innkeeper protested vehemently, sweating profusely. Di Renjie then conducted a water test on the abacus, proving that the fake accountant's abacus belonged to the innkeeper. The presence of a layer of oil on the water's surface indicated that it was the innkeeper's daily work residue. The fake accountant, who had been stealing for over a decade, had unexpectedly failed in Chang'an and had no choice but to admit his guilt.
Seeing the officials taking the deserter away, Di Renjie pleaded with them to show mercy and give the deserter a chance."
He Dajing (played by Wang Ziquan) is a childhood friend of Di Renjie. After many years of not seeing each other, they coincidentally meet on the street. He Dajing is being chased by the son of the Minister of the Ministry of War. Di Renjie intervenes and saves He Dajing, offending the son of the Minister of the Ministry of War and getting arrested by the authorities. Fortunately, they encounter Wei Wujie, who quickly comes to their aid and helps them get released.
Wei Wujie has high hopes for Di Renjie and He Dajing, urging them to participate in the imperial examination. Both of them respectfully agree. Although Hong Liang has some disagreements with Ma Rong (played by Ling Zi) and Qiao Tai (played by Ji Ta), he manages to manipulate the situation and get them released. While listening to the conversation between Ma Rong and Qiao Tai, Di Renjie warns them to be careful with their words, as they inadvertently reveal that they have killed and stolen in the past. If he were an official, he would have arrested them for questioning.
Ma Rong and Qiao Tai gathered for gambling on the street this time because they knew that Di Renjie owed a considerable amount of money for the cultural relic and wanted to help him repay the debt. They quickly admit their mistakes and promise not to repeat them when they realize that Di Renjie values principles. In the end, Hong Liang collects the money, which amuses Di Renjie. After He Dajing finishes the examination, he takes Di Renjie out for a drink. Di Renjie notices a horse that looks distinctive, the same one he saw at the examination venue earlier, and becomes intrigued. He Dajing is unaware of this and, seeing Di Renjie's interest in the song from Juzhong, insists on going to Jushui Tower, even though it is closed for the day. The innkeeper reluctantly accommodates them, but unexpectedly, both of them get drunk. In a hazy state, Di Renjie notices a hidden door in Jushui Tower and later that night, the tower catches fire.
I would prefer if TV dramas didn't use filming techniques commonly seen in movies. It's difficult for me to stay engaged for a long time, although it could be my personal issue.
It gives me the impression that there are various filming techniques and the equipment used is probably good. The filters also appear to be high-quality. However, it's hard to be immersed in the storyline.
On one hand, it could be due to the dubbing, and on the other hand, there are too many techniques that don't feel realistic.
Just finished watching the first episode, and that scene at the inn was so exhilarating. There should be more TV dramas like this that can evoke our national pride. I don't like watching those dramas where everyone calls themselves slaves.
It's too demeaning and lowly. The officials of the Ming Dynasty referred to themselves as subjects, not slaves, in front of the emperor. The Tang Dynasty was the pinnacle of the Chinese nation, and during that time, the grandeur of envoys from all over the world coming to pay tribute was truly spectacular.
It's really enjoyable to watch. It's not the kind of show that keeps you up all night to binge-watch, but it gives you a comfortable feeling while watching. It's not the type of plot that forces you to stay up late to find out what happens next, nor is it the kind of storyline that you lose interest in after watching a few episodes.
It's the kind of show that you can watch during your free time and feel relaxed. And after watching it, you feel more engaged in your usual tasks because watching a relaxing show during leisure time puts you in a comfortable state of mind.