"The Shadow of Mountains and Rivers" is a 2023 costume martial arts drama, directed by Li Yi and Cao Hua, starring Zhang Yunlong, Chen Ruoxuan, Sun Yi, Ma Yujie, This Sha, etc., adapted from the series of movies of the same name "Embroidered Spring Knife". The play tells the story of two teenagers who fell into the whirlpool of the current situation because of their passionate hearts, and worked together to break through the difficulties of life with their innocence.
The story of the play takes place in the third year of Jianwen, and Li Wu, a thief in Chicken Goose Lane played by Zhang Yunlong, is forced to get involved in a firearms dispute between the former dynasty and the former dynasty over the fish lock. The fish lock is a mysterious artifact capable of detonating gunpowder, which was once used by Zhu Yuanzhang, the Taizu of the Ming Dynasty, to pacify the world, and was later hidden by his second son, Zhu Yunwen (Ming Huizong), in case it was seized by his younger brother Zhu Di (Ming Chengzu). Li Wu inadvertently obtained a part of the fish lock, which attracted covetousness and pursuit from all sides. In this chaos, he met Lu Zheng, a brocade guard played by Chen Ruoxuan, and Shu Tang, an assassin who does not accept the night played by Sun Yi. Three people who had been bonded in childhood met again, and everything was wrong.
Lu Zheng is the general banner of Jinyiwei, formerly known as Song Zhen, and is the son of Song Heming of Jinyiwei. His father had sacrificed himself to save him and Li Wu, and he had mixed feelings for Li Wu. He was a man who was loyal to the court and abided by his duties, but he also had his own justice and conscience. In the process of tracking down the fish locks, he discovered corruption and conspiracy within the imperial court, and was also excluded and framed by his superiors. He finally chose to fight side by side with Li Wu, in order to protect the fish lock, but also to protect his faith and friendship.
Shu Tang is an assassin who does not collect at night, his original name is Mu Jinggao, and he is the young master of the Mu family. His family was once confiscated by Lu Yulin (Lu Zheng's father), and he and his sister were forced to separate. He has a deep hatred for Lu Zheng, but he also has a love for Li Wu. He is a ruthless and murderous man, but he also has loyalty to his family and misses his sister. In the process of carrying out the mission, he discovered the secrets and interests behind the night and was also betrayed and hunted down by his companions. He finally chose to cooperate with Li Wu and Lu Zheng, in order to expose the truth of the night and to redeem his sins and soul.
The Shadow of Mountains and Rivers is a work of pleasure, showing the multifaceted and complex nature of human nature, as well as the spirit and feelings of martial arts. It not only has thrilling fight scenes, but also touching emotional dramas, as well as thoughts on good and evil, right and wrong, cause and effect. It's a series to watch again and again, and it's a story to remember.