Carol of Zhenguan (贞观长歌) is a Chinese historical television series based on the events of the Zhenguan era (627–649) of the reign of Emperor Taizong of the Tang dynasty. Directed by Wu Ziniu, the 82-episode series starred Tang Guoqiang as Li Shimin (Emperor Taizong) and was first aired on CCTV-1 in mainland China in 2007.
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Synopsis
The series is set in seventh-century China during the early Tang dynasty. Li Shimin, the Prince of Qin, has assassinated his brothers Li Jiancheng, the Crown Prince, and Li Yuanji, the Prince of Qi, during the Xuanwu Gate Incident in 626, becoming the heir apparent to the throne. Two months later, following his father's death, he becomes emperor in Chang'an and changes the era name to "Zhenguan" to mark the start of his reign.
Shortly after his enthronement, Li Shimin has to deal with the aggressive Tujue under Jieli Khan in the north, while simultaneously facing the threat of rebellion from the general Luo Yi. Under Li Shimin's rule, China enters an unprecedented period of prosperity and stability. The Zhenguan era is also considered one of the golden ages in Chinese history.
Critical reception
On 28 January 2007, one day after Carol of Zhenguan premiered on CCTV-1, it received many negative criticisms online about issues ranging from the inaccuracies with the costumes and filming locations to inconsistencies with historical sources. On the same day, director Wu Ziniu responded in an interview that he believed that the negative criticisms were unfounded and intentionally created to reduce ratings because Carol of Zhenguan was competing for viewership with other similar television series such as The Rise of the Tang Empire. Wu said, "(This is) an 82-episode series. I suggest audiences finish watching it first before commenting."
Some of the criticisms were:
The costumes do not resemble any Chinese historical style of dress, and the palace architecture is closer to the Han dynasty than the Tang dynasty. Wu Ziniu replied that he had consulted experts on the Tang dynasty for the costumes and props, and his consultants included the president of the Chinese Tang Dynasty History Research Association and seven history professors from Peking, Renmin, and Beijing Normal universities.
Tang Guoqiang (then 53) was too old to portray Li Shimin because historically the emperor was 29 when he ascended the throne. Others pointed out that Zhang Tielin's Luo Yi was too overbearing and too similar to Zhang's better-known portrayal of the Qianlong Emperor in My Fair Princess. Wu Ziniu responded that the age problem had been automatically "corrected" when Li Shimin's eldest son Li Chengqian (who historically was a child when his father became emperor) was portrayed by Wan Hongjie as a young adult. Wu Ziniu also replied that since Luo Yi was a rebel general, it would not be unexpected of him to behave arrogantly.
Even though Carol of Zhenguan was marketed as a historical television series, it was very similar to other gongting dramas focusing on themes of political intrigues and power struggles. Wu Ziniu felt that this criticism was ridiculous because only two episodes of Carol of Zhenguan had been aired at the time, so viewers would not have seen the "palace politics" parts yet. Wu admitted that Carol of Zhenguan has themes of war, action, conspiracy, romance, etc. found in many other gongting series, but the ones in Carol of Zhenguan are "artistic recreations" based on history, so this makes the series worth watching.
Only one line about Princess Ankang (portrayed by Zhang Lanlan) was recorded in the New Book of Tang, yet the princess plays a significant role in the series. Wu Ziniu mentioned that he chose her from Li Shimin's many children because she was representative of princesses of the Zhenguan era. He also stated that he did not pick Princess Gaoyang, a better-known daughter of Li Shimin, because audiences are already quite familiar with her due to her illicit affair with the monk Bianji.
Empress Zhangsun (portrayed by Han Zaifen) was described in historical texts as a virtuous and wise woman who was supportive of her husband. However, in the series, she is depicted as a jealous and petty wife, and a mother who overindulges her son Li Chengqian. Audiences find it hard to accept. Screenwriter Zhou Zhifang replied that he wanted Empress Zhangsun to be more realistic since it is natural for a wife to feel jealous when her husband loves another woman, and for a mother to unknowingly spoil her son when she showers too much care on him.