8,000 Li Road, Clouds and Moon: Finding Poetry in the Ordinary
- The production Eight Thousand Li of Cloud and Moon continues to be recognized for its poetic approach to historical storytelling, focusing on the life and legacy of the...
- The title of the work is derived from a line in Man Jiang Hong, a patriotic poem commonly attributed to Yue Fei.
- The narrative centers on Yue Fei, a figure widely regarded as a patriot and national hero within Chinese culture.
The production Eight Thousand Li of Cloud and Moon
continues to be recognized for its poetic approach to historical storytelling, focusing on the life and legacy of the Song dynasty general Yue Fei.
The title of the work is derived from a line in Man Jiang Hong
, a patriotic poem commonly attributed to Yue Fei. This connection underscores the series’ commitment to blending historical narrative with the literary traditions of the era.
Historical Context and Narrative Focus
The narrative centers on Yue Fei, a figure widely regarded as a patriot and national hero within Chinese culture. The story highlights his pivotal role in the Jurchen campaigns against the Song dynasty.
The setting is the southern Song Dynasty, a period characterized by significant instability. The era was marked by internal corruption, the presence of thieves in the south, and the threat of invaders from the north.
Within this volatile environment, the plot involves military marshal Zhao Gou recruiting young talent to address the crises facing the empire.
Production Details and Cast
The 1988 Taiwanese television series, produced by CTS, consists of 40 episodes with a running time of 45 minutes per episode. It originally aired from November 21, 1988, to January 13, 1989.
The production featured a comprehensive cast to bring the historical period to life:
- Kenny Ho starred as Yue Fei.
- Ivy Ling Po portrayed Lady Yao, the mother of Yue Fei.
- Hsu Pei-jung played Li Wa, the wife of Yue Fei.
- Jin Chao-chun took on the role of Qin Hui.
- Fan Hung-hsuan portrayed Emperor Gaozong of Song.
- Lu Fung appeared as Zhou Tong.
Other notable cast members included Lu Yih-lung as Niu Gao, Chang Chen-huan as Wang Gui, and Wen Hsing as Zhang Xian. The production also featured Li Ya-min as Yue Yun and various actors portraying Yue Fei’s brothers, including Tu Yung-hsien as Yue Lin and Tu Yung-hsun as Yue Lei.
Cultural and Artistic Significance
The series is categorized as a historical drama, utilizing the life of Yue Fei to explore themes of patriotism and sacrifice. By grounding the story in the imagery of cloud and moon
, the production emphasizes a poetic quality even when dealing with the harsh realities of war and political betrayal.
The inclusion of figures such as Qin Hui and Emperor Gaozong allows the series to examine the tension between military heroism and the political machinations of the Song court.