Sword Out of Jiangnan

This film (drama)Also known as剑出江南，is aMainland ChinaProducerbeauty live，At2003Released in year 。The dialogue language isMandarin Chinese，Current Douban rating7.4(For reference only)。

This is a "Infernal Affairs" story set during the Ming Dynasty, not a confrontation between the police and the gangsters, but a competition between the Jinyiwei and the plotting vassal prince. In martial arts films, Jinyiwei are never lacking; they are always the court’s watchdogs that assist the tyranny, infamous alongside the Eastern and Western Depot, embodying the same sinister malice. However, the Jinyiwei are actually the elite of the royal guards, upright men, comprising both strong men from the streets and descendants of nobles, unlike the Eastern and Western Depots which were commanded by eunuchs focused on treacherous routes. Throughout the various commanding officials, there are many laudable figures who protect the loyal and cherish the virtuous, some are even willing to contest their lives for this, upholding principles comparable to the censors and advisors. The relationship between the members of the Jinyiwei and their commanding officials also has a special bond akin to brotherhood. If there were a young Jinyiwei who takes pride in his duties, who, at this moment, receives an order to act as a rebel, what would his feelings be? We often say the Jinyiwei walk at night, and he would be a Jinyi walking in the night. He might die due to the enemy's detection, die from aimless skirmishes, or even be mistakenly killed by his own faction. He would constantly question himself, how long must he lie low to be considered over? How deep must he go to hit the bottom? Also asking himself this troubling question is the young spy sent to infiltrate the Jinyiwei. He must wholeheartedly betray the trust from his superiors, the assistance from his comrades, and the conscience that blossoms within him daily. However, this drama does not depict a fate-driven story in the vein of "Infernal Affairs." Through the life-and-death choices of Murong Zhen and Xu He, it emphasizes the necessity of sacrifice and the possibility of redemption. The undercover agent must not only combat endless trials and temptations from his adversaries but also confront love. Both spies have their beloved women, yet they keep their silence about their true identities, allowing guilt to gnaw at their souls day by day. While their women lay their hearts bare to them, they will never even reveal their real names. They do not possess the luxury of oaths or the blessing of future prospects; all they can do is bear the burden of their beloved. Behind the two undercover agents, there are some familiar historical figures, such as the indulgent Emperor Zhengde from "The Last Duel," who here appears as a wayward king but possesses a unique charm, treating the world as a stage and his subordinates as brothers. In fact, he is a person born in the wrong era, in the wrong identity; if he lived among the commoners rather than in the palace, he would be a person who brings joy to everyone. If he lived today instead of in the Ming Dynasty, he would at least be someone who brings happiness to himself. Likewise, the ambitious Prince Ning from "The Emperor and I," here becomes more cunning and threatening; he can form alliances with conspirators throughout his life and discard them in an instant, believing the highest realm of a chess player is to not become attached to any single piece. He is the most inscrutable character in the drama, who ultimately defeats himself at the hands of a mischievous youth emperor. Letting the rebels lose to the court and allowing the country to survive calamities is what we purposefully portray through the great Confucian Wang Yangming. He perceives all the ailments of this dynasty but does not retreat from the world to seek fame. Instead, he actively works to save this not-so-lovable dynasty because he loves its vast mountains and rivers, and pities the countless household fires. He embodies the inherent spiritual vitality of the Chinese nation; his presence in this era is his good fortune and that of this era. “Seeing through one to save one, and breaking through the mundane to mend the mundane!” Wang Yangming allows this story to reflect insights into destiny and the importance of cherishing the human heart. This is a historical costume crime drama, a tale of officials and soldiers capturing bandits. However, our treasure is not entirely reliant on the basic suspense of who is good and who is bad; we hope that after this suspense reveals itself, the audience will persist in keeping watch and care about the fates of the two protagonists. Because the night-walking Jinyiwei and the penitent undercover agent will finally meet at dawn. The creative team of this drama each excels in their areas. Director Yan Jiankang, a graduate of the directing department at the Central Academy of Drama, has shaped a somber style through annual productions like "Warring States," "Qin Shi Huang," and "Dust Settling," creating unique dramatic tension and visual atmosphere for this drama. Meanwhile, director Fan Dongyu, who once studied under renowned director Zhang Che, has persistently pursued a rugged, clear, and grounded masculinity in the trend of martial arts films. Screenwriter Xiang Sui takes this gripping and moving plot from the vast ocean of historical facts, while four graduates from the Central Academy of Drama—Shi Hang, Liu Hua, Li Meng, Duan Rong, and Tian Mei—have reinterpreted the Jinyiwei and the era of Zhengde through their sentiments, sketching a dual trajectory of sacrifice and redemption within the grand narrative of history. Hong Kong idol star Chen Haomin plays the undercover Jinyiwei Murong Zhen, while mainland powerhouse young actor Wang Ban stars as the undercover spy Xu He within the Prince Ning’s mansion. The characters clash, and their performance styles collide, promising more shifts and changes between hidden dragons and crouching tigers. Weizi, who successfully portrayed the hypocritical Yue Buqun in "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer," this time plays Prince Ning Zhu Chenhao, showcasing both the most benevolent villain and the most righteous rebel, while Gao Lanzhuang, with fine performances in "Taiping Heavenly Kingdom" and "The Kangxi Dynasty," portrays the Commander of the Jinyiwei Yu Haocheng. Both undercover agents regard these two elders as spiritual fathers, yet his painstaking efforts to quell the rebellion will ultimately only be understood by all in the end. Liu Zifeng, who has always played quirky minor characters in film and television dramas, now gloriously portrays the insightful and astute Confucian Wang Yangming. Playing the leading lady, Yang Ruoxi, still takes on the role of a lawless princess, but this time she will break the conventions of past costume idol dramas. In between familial love and romantic love, she will unhesitatingly choose family, preferring to rise and fall with her rebellious father. Newcomer Zhang Beibei will face the challenge of a tragic role, portraying Ha Qinglian, who initially resorts to extreme measures to avenge her father but, after being moved, reveals boundless affection, willing to embark on the irreversible path to save the soul of her beloved Xu He. Every undercover agent is a double-edged sword that returns to its sheath indefinitely, living through passion and disillusionment.