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The Underrated Gem
I love this one. It’s an under-the-radar gem. It has a great plot with unusual and interesting crime cases filled with supernatural phenomena, magic, and man-made mysteries. Each case is different with unpredictable outcomes. The main characters are smart and likable. The pacing is good, the storytelling is excellent and logical. All of this is built on true history that is authentic and compelling, despite the violence and storms. Most of all, it’s a page-turner and very addictive.
Set in the Tang Dynasty during the turbulent second reign of Emperor Ruizong (r. 684-690, 710-712) (uncredited), the son of the famous Empress Wu Zetian, the era saw the dynasty as the center of the world, with a rich culture. Constantly behind the scenes is a power struggle, documented in history, between the emperor's younger sister, Princess Taiping (Wu Zetian's youngest daughter) and Prince Li Longji. It is said that the princess is the real power behind the throne. Many court officials and military personnel have courted her to join her camp, and her power far exceeds that of the emperor. In this story, we see a fierce political conflict and a display of conspiracy between the prince and the eldest princess. And our two main characters are involved in a conflict related to the case they have to solve.
Yang Xuwen as Lu Lingfeng is believed to be a proud general who is not very flexible but is skilled in martial arts, especially with his long spear. He stands up for himself and will do anything to uphold justice. He is loyal to the prince, but is warned to resign from his investigation into the Chang'an Tea mystery, which he is deeply involved in and cannot pull out of. So after the mystery was solved, Lu Lingfeng was removed from his position and ordered to leave the capital. Behind his background, he had a secret that he was unaware of. Yang Xuwen has a strong appearance, and his portrayal of Lu Lingfeng is very convincing.
Su Wuming (Yang Zhigang) is a student of the great inquisitor Di Renjie. He is humble and resourceful, and is admired by the princess. Su Wuming does not want to be involved in the palace conflicts and is sent out of the capital to the regional office. He is meticulous and observes the smallest details, and he is wise, but is often underestimated by his enemies. Yang Zhigang's performance is very realistic with his gentle demeanor, which brings the character to life and is loved by the audience.
On their way out of Chang'an, Lu Lingfeng and Su Wuming meet again. Lu Lingfeng is initially angry with Su Wuming over some personal issues. After solving the first case together, they fall in love and the two become good partners, and from then on, they work together to solve subsequent cases. The two characters have contrasting personalities and strengths, complimenting each other in their investigative work. The love between the two is funny and endearing. Their wonderful team later includes a talented artist who loves Lu Lingfeng, a brilliant doctor who disguises himself as a beggar who loves to eat chicken, and a boy who is talented in martial arts and later becomes Lu Lingfeng's student. I really enjoyed watching them all work together, fending off enemies and solving cases.