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 in the Ming Dynasty, not about the confrontation between the police and the gangsters, but about the competition between the Jinyiwei (Embroidered Uniform Guard) and the conspiratorial prince. In martial arts films, Jinyiwei are never absent; they are always the ruthless enforcers of the court, notorious alongside the Eastern and Western Factions, sharing the same sinister reputation. In fact, Jinyiwei are the elite forces of the royal guard, composed of noble men, featuring both strong commoners and descendants of distinguished officials. Unlike the Eastern and Western Factions that are typically commanded by eunuchs and follow treacherous paths, many past commanders of the Jinyiwei were extraordinary individuals who valued loyalty and righteousness, some were even willing to fight bravely and uphold their principles. There exists a special camaraderie among Jinyiwei members and their commanders. If there is a young Jinyiwei who takes pride in his duty and is ordered to become a rebel, what would his feelings be? We often say "walking in the night in brocade," and he will be a brocade walking in the night. He might die from the enemy's detection, die in pointless street brawls, or even die from friendly fire within his own camp. He will constantly ask himself how long he must lie low and how deep he must hide. Similarly, the young spy who is working undercover in the Jinyiwei faces his own internal struggles. He must wholeheartedly betray the trust of his superiors, the protection of his comrades, and his own emerging conscience every day. However, this drama does not present a fateful story like "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 agents must face not only endless tests and temptations from their opponents but also the challenge of love. Both undercover agents have their beloved women, yet they remain tight-lipped about their true identities, allowing guilt to gnaw at their souls daily. The women lay bare their hearts, but they, in return, will never reveal their real names. They do not share the luxury of vows nor the fortune of a hopeful future; they can only bear the burden of their affection. Behind the two undercover agents, there are some familiar historical figures, such as the indulgent Emperor Zhengde from "The World Without Doubt." Here, he is still a mischievous monarch, yet possesses a certain undeniable charm, treating the realm as a play and his subordinates as brothers. In reality, he is a person born in the wrong era, and holds an incorrect identity; if he lived among the common folk rather than in the palace, he would be someone who brings joy to all. If he lived today instead of in the Ming Dynasty, he would at least be someone who brings joy to himself. Another example is the ambitious Prince Ning from "Tang Bohu Spots Autumn Fragrance,” who here becomes even more cunning and threatening. He can cultivate a conspiratorial accomplice over a lifetime but forsake them in an instant, believing that the highest state for a chess player is to be indifferent to all pieces. He is the most inscrutable character in the drama but ultimately falls to a playful emperor. We intentionally portray the scholar Wang Yangming as a staunch supporter of the court, one who allows the rebels to lose to the emperor, helping the nation overcome crises. He understands all the ailments of this dynasty but does not retreat into hermitism; rather, he actively seeks to save this unlovable dynasty because he loves the vast rivers and mountains of his country and pities the many homes with smoke rising from them. He embodies the inherent spiritual vitality of the Chinese nation, and his presence in this era is both his personal fortune and a stroke of luck for the age. "To see through one person is to save one person; to see through the mundane is to amend the mundane!" Wang Yangming allows this story to reflect insights into destiny and cherished human sentiments. This is an ancient costume police-and-thief drama, telling a story of officials and soldiers capturing bandits. However, our treasure is not solely invested in the suspense of who is good and who is bad; we hope that after this basic suspense is revealed, the audience will continue to watch attentively, focusing on the fates of the two main characters. Because the brocade walking in the night and the remorseful undercover agent will ultimately meet at dawn. The creative team of this drama consists of individuals excelling in their respective fields. Director Yan Jiangang, a graduate of the directing department of the Central Academy of Drama, has forged a deep and somber style in major productions like "Warring States," "Qin Shihuang," and "Dust Settles," creating a unique dramatic tension and atmospheric imagery for this drama. Meanwhile, director Fan Dongyu, a disciple of the renowned director Zhang Che, has consistently pursued a masculine style that is crisp and clear, amidst the whimsical trends of martial arts films. Screenwriter Xiang Sui has sourced this poignant narrative structure from the vast sea of historical facts, while four graduates of the Central Academy of Drama—Shi Hang, Liu Hua, Li Meng, and Duan Rong—have interpreted the Jinyiwei and the Zhengde era through their own sentiments, outlining both sacrifice and redemption within the grand framework of historical destiny. Hong Kong idol star Chen Haomin portrays the undercover Jinyiwei Murong Zhen at the Prince Ning's palace, while mainland actor Wang Ban plays the undercover spy Xu He within the Jinyiwei. The characters clash, and their acting styles collide, promising even more tumult between hidden dragons and crouching tigers. Wei Zi, who successfully portrayed the hypocrite Yue Buqun in "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer," takes on the role of the prince Zhu Chenhao, demonstrating the most benevolent antagonist and the most righteous rebel. Gao Lanchun, known for his excellent performances in "The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom" and "Kangxi Dynasty," plays the Jinyiwei commander Yu Haocheng, while both undercover agents regard these two elders as spiritual fathers, though their determined efforts in suppressing rebellion will only be understood in the end. Liu Zifeng, who often plays somewhat petty characters in film and television dramas, this time gets to shine as the insightful and wise scholar Wang Yangming. Yang Ruoxi, known for her roles as the lead actress, plays a rebellious little princess who, although still trapped in a lawless role, breaks the conventions of past costume idol dramas by unreservedly choosing family over love, willingly accompanying her rebel father through thick and thin. Newcomer Zhang Beibei faces the challenge of playing a tragic character, starting as Ha Qinglian, who resorts to any means necessary for vengeance but later reveals boundless affection, willing to tread the road to perdition to save her beloved Xu He's tormented soul. Each undercover agent is a double-edged sword, eternally unsheathed, navigating the passions and disillusionments of life.