Jane: So hello and welcome back to That Chinese show. Today I’m really excited to have a special guest straight from Beijing, my good friend Li Chen Hao (李辰昊). So I’m going to ask Chen Hao to introduce himself and tell us a little bit about what he does.
Chen Hao: Sure. Thanks Jane, for having me here. I was Jane’s student at Tsinghua university on her debating class. And after I graduated from Tsinghua, I studied in NYU for two years. And now I’m back in Beijing and working as a cash bond trader in a security company.
Jane: Okay. Well, I do have to add that you’re being very modest. You were one of my very best students. Well, I did not know you’d been at New York university. Well, last week we looked at an urban family drama Xin Ju and today we’re going to go change gears pretty radically. And we’re going to look at a series that’s in a genre, if you’re interested in Chinese TV or in Chinese culture, it’s very hard to ignore, and that is [00:01:00] the historical drama. Chen Hao will correct me if I get this wrong, but today we’re gonna look at Fengqi Longxi
Chen Hao: Yes. Feng qi Longxi.
Jane: Ah good thank you could you say that again for our listeners?
Chen Hao: Fengqi longxi so translated as Wind Blows from Long Xi, right?
Jane: That’s right. And is that an accurate translation?
Chen Hao: yes. Very accurate. I should say.
Jane: And it’s a very exciting show. And one thing I have to say about this show, it is absolutely packed with really well-known Chinese movie stars. I think there’s even Angelababy, you’ve got Chen Kun, who’s kind of a classic, there are others. But this is not an easy access TV series. It covers a very particular period in history called the Three Kingdoms. So could you tell us a little bit about that period in history in China, and also tell us what an average Chinese person just know about these events?
Chen Hao: Sure. First I have to admit that I’m [00:02:00] not an expert in history, but I’ve done some research that turns out that the Three Kingdom’s period started from 220 AD. and ended at 280 AD. So it has merely 60 years of history, which is very short comparing to other Chinese history of like 5,000 years. But it’s so well known I think the main reason behind that is because that we’ve all read a book called the Romance of the Three Kingdoms,
Jane: And when was this novel written, The Romance of the Three Kingdoms? Is it a modern novel, or is this something that’s historical?
Chen Hao: When I say the big four China’s classic novels is all ancient.
Jane: Right. And I think one of the really famous, some famous historical figures, like Cao Cao comes out of that period. Correct.
Chen Hao: Cao Cao right. Yeah. And you could say there are many games that generated from that period of time like San guo wu shuang (三国无双). I’m not sure the English version of it. Dynasty Warriors?
Jane: [00:03:00] Okay in that sense, it really corresponds like for an American viewer, much more recent, but like the period of the wild west was a very sort of short time in our history, but it’s a bit mythologized. So there are a lot of TV shows about this period. Some of them I’ve seen before. What is different about this particular series for you?
Chen Hao: I think there are two main reasons. One is that this series is actually a alternative history series. So it’s somehow deviated from the novel itself so that you don’t know where the plot, will go, and that remains more attraction for the audience. And the second is that it focused on the spy part and I am a big fan of spy things myself.
Jane: That is a major part of the show. I agree with you. I think the whole spy angle became really fascinating. And that brings me to another question. One of the themes for me anyway, that starts to come up in this series is the theme of loyalty. I just wonder [00:04:00] if you could tell us a little bit about that, how is loyalty presented? Cause I think the show sort of asks the question, but it doesn’t really answer that question. You know, what does loyalty really mean?
Chen Hao: But that’s a very deep question. What, what does loyalty really means? I mean, you know in China’s history I’ll say is shi chu you ming (师出有名） which means if you’re going to start a battle, there has to be some right reasons for that. And one big reason for that is the loyalty. As we often see that three kingdoms, one of of which is Shu Han (蜀汉） the starter called Liu Bei was actually called himself the successor of the former dynasty, which somehow represents his view of loyalty to the old dynasty and there is a very famous advisor or minister of Shu Han (蜀汉） and his sole loyalty to his master. Liu Bei, and even after Liu Bei died, Liu Bei’s son, Liu Shan continues, his father’s work
Jane: yeah, I’m glad you mentioned that because I [00:05:00] feel like that is a real constant theme in so many Chinese literary works or in TV series is this loyalty through time to a dynasty, even when it falls, even when a new emperor has been put in place. I’ve seen this time and again, and you do see this in this series that people are very loyal to these entities that seem really abstract to the viewer, because you know, when the show opens, the Han dynasty is gone, right? There is no Han dynasty. The other thing I thought was interesting in the show is that family loyalty seems to have a very special place because Chen Gong, Xu Xun..
Chen Hao: Xun Xu, Yes
Jane: they’re bound by family. Right? They are brother-in-laws and they do decide to go out on their own. So would you say family loyalty is a really important part of this series?
Chen Hao: It’s definitely a really important part. I think in this series, [00:06:00] you can see a lot in the betrayal among different entities. And you can also see love and brotherhood, which is loyalty on a perspective of the individuals. And as you just said, Chen Gong and Xun Xu their brotherhood is so solid that they could trust each other for no reasons and achieve their goal. So it’s definitely worth watching..
Jane: Cause in the part of this series where I am now, it looks pretty dark for them. So I hope it’s going to get better for them. One of the other themes of the show, I think are technological advances. Because the entire premise of the show is based on, the Wei state wants to steal some military plans.
Chen Hao: I thought this, uh no spoilers
Jane: Yeah, you’re right. You shouldn’t. Well, I won’t reveal what happens, but there is a, uh, these, these technological inventions of the crossbow that both sides are fighting over, but there’s also there’s [00:07:00] actually a flying machine in the show. Did you find that to be realistic?
Chen Hao: You know that flying machine is called a zhu que 竹鹊）in the show and which could be translated into a bamboo magpie and I did some research that turns out that the bamboo magpie was first invented in the chun chu period and it could be, could be seen as an early version of kite. I think so I’m not so sure if there is such a flying machine to carry people a hundred meters away, but I think we can just take it as an expression of art.
Jane: I ,you’re, right. It’s sort of artistic license, but I have to say the contraption actually does look like it could be something from that period. Right. It doesn’t look too modern. And it is a bit scary when they get the things on their backs, you know, you’re like, Ooh, I don’t think that’s going to, I think they really need to watch out before they go over that cliff. Did you see any other deeper themes in the show that you might ever a Chinese person [00:08:00] might pick up on that perhaps is a little bit more difficult for Western audiences to see ?
Chen Hao: I just think that one fascinating thing about this show is that not only this show, but also, all type of three kingdoms period shows there are so many stratagems that could be shown to an audience. And I think that the especially Western audience may have a little bit difficulty to understand them. And for this show in particular you know, it’s a spy show and there are so many, not only stratagems, but also schemes in this show that might be difficult for the audience to understand, but this is very fascinating, I promise..
Jane: I wanted to ask you, would you recommend this show to a Western audience or anyone who wants to know more about China?
Chen Hao: if you want to know more about China, I think they are other shows that could be a more realistic perspective of China but this show many focus on the story between[00:09:00] Chen Gong Xun Xu and they are part of entity. And I think the fascinating part of them is you don’t know who is from whose side and that spy part is the most attractive to me.
Jane: Right. I think that’s a universal appeal. There are some surprises in the show, you know, you think, you know, people and then you realize..
Chen Hao: Turns out you don’t
Jane: oh really? I had no idea. You know, you, it turns out there are things that the show chooses to reveal to you, and then you find out later. I also think, I, I completely agree with you if you’re interested in Chinese culture, this perhaps is not the best show to begin with. Do you have a historical drama you can think of that might be good for somebody who’s just trying to, discover Chinese ancient history or Chinese culture during that time.
Chen Hao: For Chinese history, I think there’s no such a drama because they’re all generated from the real history but not a hundred percent real history, but I believe this show and [00:10:00] other historical shows could help any Western audience to have a taste of Chinese culture, because, you know, as it was just that, as we just discussed, there’s a loyalty, there’s brotherhood, which is true and remains in the history of Chinese culture.
Jane: That’s true. I think you’re absolutely right. There are some facets of Chinese culture of the way that families are perceived loyalty, those kinds of issues, which are more or less universal. And I also have to put in a little note I love historical, drama genre and I have watched quite a few and I do have to mention I The Longest Day in Chang’an which is a 2019 historical drama. That’s something I absolutely loved that show. And you’ve seen it too as well.
Chen Hao: I’ve sent it except for the last episode. I forgot to seen it for some reason. Yeah.
Jane: Well, no spoilers but one of the things I just wanted to ask you quickly about that show is that you have a very [00:11:00] international cast. You have Western actors who speak Chinese flawlessly. And I just wonder if you thought that would be a little bit more appealing to a Western audience or not?
Chen Hao: I think that would definitely be one big reason for the producer or director choose them because they want this show to appear appealing to the Western audience. I’m not so sure about the history period of that show but my guess is that might be at the Tang dynasty because it was a very strong dynasty and we very open to other countries and they all wanted to come to China to do business, but maybe I’m wrong.
Jane: Very good, you’re good with your history because that one actually does take place during the Tang dynasty. So very good guess, I think another appeal for Western audiences for that show is the fact that one of the main characters is the former leader of a boys band. He’s a really good actor, but that’s not our [00:12:00] show. That’s a different show and we will be looking at that in our podcast, but not today. I want to thank you so much Chen Hao for giving us some of these insights. Do you have any last comments for our listeners about Chinese TV or any recommendations for us?
Chen Hao: I would like to recommend this show to all the audience. Personally, I would say that I am not such a fan for TV shows especially nowadays, because I think this industry’s somehow distorted. The producers and directors, they hire those data traffic stars, but instead of for really good at acting. But this show, , most actors are really good at acting and keeps audience to stay curious about the plot and it’s only 24 episodes. So it won’t be too long for you to watch. And you can see many strategems and schemes, love stories, and brotherhood, and loyalty and betrayal. So I would definitely recommend this show..
Jane: [00:13:00] And that was our review of The Wind Blows from Long Xi. I want to thank Li Chen Hao again for that excellent review of the series for taking the time out of a busy schedule there in Beijing, not only to give us a great review, but also to take the time to watch the series. If you’re interested in watching the series, you can pick it up on Viki Rakuten. You have all 24 episodes with subtitles, or you can also watch it on YouTube. You have to jump around a little more to find the shows in sequence, but they are there. Otherwise you can also go on one of my personal favorite streaming sites Drama Cool. You don’t always have subtitles but you can find almost anything you’re looking for that’s put out in Asia
And I hope you’ll join us next week for the very final episode of our first season. For the last episode, we’re going to be reviewing a science fiction thriller called kai duan (开端). It’s really popular in China right now. And the English translation of that is [00:14:00] Reset. Now as the title suggests, our two main characters do get stuck in a time loop. But if you watch this series, you will find it as anything but repetitive. So it’s a short, intense series, only 16 episodes. And i’m really excited to review it with you and a special guest next week!
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