City Patrol Official: The Hard to Deal with Ghost

This film (drama)Also known as巡城御史鬼难缠，is aMainland ChinaProducerbeauty live，At2004Released in year 。The dialogue language isMandarin，Current Douban rating8.7(For reference only)。

Gui Lanshan is the city patrol official in Nancheng. He is witty and humorous, exceptionally intelligent, and although he holds a minor official position, he has solved many major and unusual cases, which has offended many and made him a serious figure in court, thus earning him the nickname "The Hard to Deal with Ghost." The storyline cleverly combines suspense and legend, intricately woven to captivate the audience. The characters in the story are distinct and vivid, depicted with profound and delicate strokes, creating a portrait of diverse individuals from the Qing dynasty. The story of "City Patrol Official" mainly revolves around Gui Lanshan solving case after case of significant importance. In the case of falsely accusing Liang of theft, Inspector Zhao from Jiangxi offended court officials while investigating the case of Hunan Governor Zou Chengren. During the trial, the plaintiff unexpectedly retracted their statements, and a prostitute emerged to accuse him of accepting bribes and soliciting. Zhao, suffering from injustice, was dismissed from his position. Gui Lanshan firmly believes in Zhao's innocence and begins to investigate. He discovers that this case is related to the acceptance of silver bills, and based on their origins, he eventually finds out that the Jiangxi government had previously transmitted a huge sum, which has now been completely emptied into the pockets of individuals related to the case. Gui Lanshan uses his cunning and, under the guise of interrogating the watchdog, detains the Third Prince, drawing the princes and the Duke of State to attend the hearing. Gui Lanshan seizes the opportunity to present evidence and witnesses in court, leaving the princes and the officials trembling. In order to protect their positions, they finally agree to legally punish Zou Chengren and others. In the case of embezzling huge sums, Enfu, who was exiled to Heilongjiang, suddenly returns to the capital, and the order for this was issued by Baron Ba. The princes suspect Baron Ba of bribery but cannot find any evidence. On the surface, Baron Ba appears clean, but privately, he uses his antique store to engage in bribery and make illicit profits. Gui Lanshan discovers Baron Ba's secrets and cuts off his source of funds by ordering the thief Yan Wu to steal large amounts of silver bills from Ba's residence, leaving Baron Ba's life's accumulation to vanish into thin air, making him desperate. Upon learning of this, the prince sees an opportunity and wants to marry Ba's daughter off to the Third Prince; Baron Ba, in a bid to avoid being killed, has no choice but to agree. The silver bills are submitted to the court, and Baron Ba loses everything, leaving him in a state of both laughter and tears. The emperor bestows a plaque for "Upright Family Traditions" on him. Baron Ba, in turn, marries off his beloved daughter to the prince's family. In the love reunion case, the poor girl Lan had a childhood sweetheart, Shuangxi, and they had even established a marriage contract. Shuangxi went to war with General Hu and has been missing for many years. Lan's father, discouraged due to his family's low status, made a marriage contract with the current Duke of State. With one daughter promised to two families and the wedding date approaching, Lan is heartbroken and flees the capital overnight. The Duke of State orders people to chase her down and captures Lan. Just then, Shuangxi returns with General Hu. They finally reunite after a long separation. General Hu, wanting to facilitate Shuangxi's marriage, finds himself at odds with the Duke of State over the wedding. The emperor, unable to decide, orders the Ministry of Justice to clarify things, knowing full well that either side cannot be offended; ultimately, the case is handed over to Gui Lanshan. The "Hard to Deal with Ghost" exhausts all brilliant yet hard-to-find solutions that align with human sentiments, helping the lovers unite. In the murder framing case, a band of robbers from Anhui robbed the family of Inspector Zhao and killed him. The main culprit, Hu You'an, is a local tyrant and leader of the constables. Before the imperial edict to arrest Hu You'an is issued, the Third Prince has already sent people to report the case, but Hu You'an has fled. The officers such as Xing Heng and Sa take bribes and intend to cover up the case. However, the emperor insists on getting to the bottom of it. A false Hu You'an is brought to the capital, and Gui Lanshan, seeing his weak appearance, doubts he is the real culprit. Gui Lanshan begins a meticulous investigation, and the truth gradually unfolds. At the execution ground, just at the critical moment, Gui Lanshan suddenly arrives. After some inducement, Wang Zhu'er, impersonating "Hu You'an," reveals the truth in front of the gathered crowd. The townsfolk are in an uproar. The emperor, furious, orders a royal examination of the "Hard to Deal with Ghost." This aligns perfectly with Gui Lanshan’s intentions, and he immediately goes to the throne to reveal the truth... No matter how convoluted, complex, or challenging a case may be, as long as Gui Lanshan navigates through it with wit and turns danger into safety, he upholds justice. His methods in solving cases are extraordinary and leave people astonished. Those seemingly righteous nobles do not dare to casually underestimate him. To achieve his goals, Gui Lanshan disregards personal honor and disgrace, bowing and bending to powerful figures, regardless of public condemnation; he also doesn’t mind how he goes about things, disguising himself, investigating overtly and covertly, leading thieves into his home, and engaging in deceptive schemes; more importantly, he does not concern himself with fame and fortune. Once a case is solved, he often goes into hiding, living freely. Yet, his personal romantic life is filled with twists and turns; matters of family, the nation, and the world are hardly ever satisfactory. The "Hard to Deal with Ghost" can crack major cases in the court yet struggles to find a wife to bring home. His romantic entanglement with the courtesan Xiao Jinhua is another highlight of this drama. Even the greatest heroes find it futile when it comes to matters of affection. Although this drama subverts the conventional techniques employed by playwrights, it delves deeper into how small individuals can maintain justice and dignity amidst tumultuous times, suggesting that they might be just a drop in the vast ocean in the flow of history, yet it signifies a legendary ultimate challenge between the individual and society, as well as fate.