The long-awaited historical drama The Vendetta of An (长安二十四计) has premiered, plunging viewers directly into a world of political decay and personal vendetta. At its heart is Xie Huaian (谢淮安), portrayed by Cheng Yi, a man whose life was shattered fifteen years ago when the ruthless commander of the Huben Army (虎贲军), Yan Fengshan (言凤山), slaughtered his entire family. Now, a summons from the turbulent capital, Chang'an (长安), drags him back from a hard-won life of exile. The empire is in crisis. After the emperor's death, Yan Fengshan seized power, installed a puppet child emperor, and purged the nobility.
The rightful heir, Xiao Wuyang (萧武阳), has marched his army to the gates of Chang'an to reclaim the throne, only to find the city a nest of spies loyal to the vanished tyrant. Xie Huaian, carrying the weight of a blood feud, is recommended as a tool to navigate this deadly labyrinth. But his return ignites a chain of betrayals, forcing him to confront the true cost of revenge and loyalty in a city where every ally could be a hidden enemy.
A Debt of Blood
Xie Huaian's quest begins not with a triumphant return, but with a devastating personal sacrifice. His closest friend and brother for years, Zhou Mo (周墨), reveals himself to be an agent of the very army Xie Huaian swore to destroy. Trapped by his allegiance, Zhou Mo cannot follow Xie Huaian to certain death in Chang'an, yet cannot bear to harm him. Their farewell over a bowl of "severance wine" is a poignant moment of fractured brotherhood.
In a shocking twist, Xie Huaian himself resolves the impossible standoff. He attacks Zhou Mo, driving a blade into his chest. This act, seemingly born of vengeful fury, is later revealed as a grim mercy. Xie Huaian understood that as a member of the Huben, Zhou Mo was a prisoner for life. Death was his only escape and the sole gift his friend could give him—freedom through a fatal wound. This brutal calculus sets the tone for Xie Huaian's mission: in the shadows of Chang'an, mercy and cruelty are inextricably linked, and survival demands unbearable choices.
Carrying this burden, Xie Huaian enters the capital. The city is a gilded cage under siege. He is escorted into the palace, where the casual reaction to cries of "assassins" reveals a state of perpetual terror. Xiao Wuyang, having occupied the throne for barely a month, has already survived twelve assassination attempts. Xie Huaian's first audience is with a king whose sword, the Dingtang Blade (定唐刀), is still wet with the blood of his would-be killers.
The Monarch's Test
Xiao Wuyang is a ruler forged in war, and trust is not lightly given. Despite the recommendation of Chancellor Gao, he subjects Xie Huaian to an immediate test of wit. He presents eleven imperial examination essays, one secretly written by himself in his youth, challenging Xie Huaian to identify it. The task seems designed for lengthy deliberation.
Yet, in under half the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Xie Huaian presents the correct scroll. His method is a masterclass in deduction. He notes that the young Xiao Wuyang studied under a southern scholar, leaving subtle linguistic traces. More crucially, he recognizes a specific phrase he had seen before in an old memorial, connecting the anonymous text directly to the prince's unique experience. This display of acute observation and vast memory is impressive.
However, the battle-hardened king is not fully convinced. He concedes only "eight-tenths cleverness," deeming it insufficient for the delicate, lethal task of rooting out the hidden Huben network. True capability, he implies, requires more than intellect; it demands a profound understanding of the game being played. It is at this moment that Xie Huaian shifts from examinee to strategist. He proceeds to outline not just his method, but his understanding of the enemy's psychology and the capital's corrupt anatomy. His words transcend the test, revealing a strategic mind that matches the depth of his pain. It is this synthesis of sharp intelligence and unwavering purpose that finally wins Xiao Wuyang's cautious trust, setting the stage for a dangerous alliance against an invisible foe.
