- Title: A League of Nobleman
- Also Known As: 君子盟, Jun Zi Meng, The Society of Four Leaves , The Case of Mr.
- Zhang , Case of Judge Zhang
- Director: Yang Fan, Jia Xiao Xiong
- Casts: Jing Bo Ran, Song Wei Long, Hong Yao, Guo Cheng, Wang Duo, Shawn Zhang
- Screenwriter: Li Lin, Li Qiong, Su Ming, Pei Li, Hua Qian Ci
- Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Historical
- Country: China
- Type: Drama
- Episodes: 29
- Year: 2023
- Original Network: Tencent Video
- Where to Watch: WeTV, Tencent Video
- Adapted from the novel The Mystery of Zhang Guo by Da Feng Gua Guo.
Dear readers… How are you today? I hope you all are fine. I kind of stumbled on this A League of Nobleman on WeTV. And this Chinese mystery drama was beyond my expectation. I could not wait to share my opinion about it with all of you.
By the way, I have wrote about the ending explained on A League of Nobleman Ending Explained post. You can check on it if you want to know this beloved drama ended.
So, what are you waiting for? Happy reading!
A League of Nobleman Synopsis
Lan Jue with the courtesy name Pei Zhi was a promising young official in the Ministry of Rites. His career would have advanced if only his family background was not a stumbling block. His father was accused of treason. Everything turned upside down when his father and 85 people in Lan’s household were beheaded. Lan Jue was branded as the son of a criminal. As the only descendant of the Lan family in the capital, he refused to resign to fate.
Lan Jue believed that his father was a good man because Lan Lin had raised him to be a righteous gentleman. And a man who could raise his son as a righteous gentleman, could not be a criminal. Lan Jue decided that he would find a way to clear his father’s name and reputation. He survived and worked his way up until he became a promising official.
Zhang Ping was a smart and talented person. He was cold and detached. Yet, he was sharp and observant and possessed good reasoning skills. However, Zhang Ping was very stubborn and rigid. In his eyes, there were only right and wrong. When he found something was not right, he would chase the truth without care.
Zhang Ping was a fan of a series of a novel detective called, The Strange Night Talk. The writer, Mu Yesheng, could write the case in a very detailed manner as if it were a true case. After he read almost fifty books, Zhang Ping believed that Mu Yesheng was a real person who worked at the Court of Judicial Review.
Therefore, Zhang Ping went to the capital to enter the Imperial Examination so he could work at the Court of Judicial Review to follow his path. But the capital was harsh and he was poor. Zhang Ping used most of his time selling noodles instead of studying. Accompanied by a fellow poor scholar, Chen Chou.
Lan Jue and Zhang Ping met when Lan Jue orchestrated a scheme to steal a hidden letter from Hong Luo, a merchant of Yueliang Kingdom. Lan Jue used Zhang Ping as a distraction when his people stole the letter. Yet, Lan Jue did not know Zhang Ping’s talent could destroy his plan.
Zhang Ping felt that he was deceived by Lan Jue and he was determined to find the truth behind the secret letter. He was so stubborn that he did not care if he would offend many important people. However, for Zhang Ping, the truth was more important than those people.
Lan Jue and Zhang Ping’s relationship grew close. Soon after they could be seen working together to solve many cases. The case of the secret letter led Lan Jue and Zhang Ping to another case. From the stolen secret letter to death of a dancer, continued with the death of quadruplet sage, and the kidnapping of an official granddaughter.
Those cases were not stopping and they led them to their past and Lan Jue’s father’s conviction. Yet, Lan Jue and Zhang Ping did not know that their past was entangled with a bigger secret that could shake the world.
A League of Nobleman Review
When I saw the title, it reminded me of an old Hollywood movie titled the League of Extraordinary Gentleman. I like the movie, so I clicked on this drama. I don’t have much expectation of this drama but then I was baffled.
The opening scene was different from any other drama. Lately, many dramas that I watched used many kinds of animation for their opening and closing scene. But A League of Nobleman drama uses a different approach. The black and white pictures caught me off, guard. Even the way they wrote the credits was different from other dramas and more like a movie instead.
This drama was packed with mysteries. It was 29 episodes long, but it feels like only 15 episodes. The story was at a good pace and was detailed that you could not miss an episode. I had to rewatch several episodes because the story was very complicated and I did not want to miss a single fact.
However, I was not satisfied with the duration. For the first episode, it was 51 minutes and the second was 46 minutes long. But then after the third episode, the duration was shortened to 30-something minutes. But although it somehow disappointed me, I’m still enjoying the drama.
It took much effort to make this intense drama. I did not have much information about the director Yang Fang and Jia Xiao Xiong. But since they made this captivating drama, I would surely wait for their next work of art. And kudos to the Screenwriters, Li Lin, Li Qiong, Su Ming, Pei Li, and Hua Qian Ci. The drama was very well written and the dialogues were quick-witted.
I enjoyed the character development of this drama. We could see that Lan Jue was a reserved person, gentle, and righteous. But in reality, he held a grudge and was not afraid to take extreme measures for his gain. He started to question his action after he met Zhang Ping. And in several occasions, he would think about “what would Zhang Ping do if he met this kind of situation” thought.
Meanwhile, Zhang Ping seemed cold and detached from the world. Yet when he met the harsh reality, he could feel helplessness growing inside him. The rigid Zhang Ping started to adapt to the world and no longer acted like a stubborn bull.
I definitely would search for the novel. The author wrote an interesting character and I wanted to know the details that did not appear in the drama version.
The characters were perfectly portrayed by the ensemble of cast. Jing Bo Ran, Song Wei Long, and Wang Duo’s acting was superb. They could portray their characters very well. You could feel and see when they were embroiled in their internal conflicts. The chemistry between the cast also needed to be complimented. Kudos to those actors involved in this drama. They have done a very good job!!👏
The Cinematography
The visual of A League of Nobleman was enchanting. I used to be captivated by colorful visuals such as Love Between Fairy and Devil and The Blue Whispers. A League of Nobleman exuded dark color and a gloomy mood to build an atmosphere full of mystery. Yet, I could not keep my eyes off it. One of the scenes that kept playing in my mind was Chu Qi’er’s smoke dance in episode 5. The mist that followed her movement was beautiful. It perfectly described the imagination of the painter when he watches the dance.
I could consider the costumes a perfection. It seemed ordinary since most of the characters were male. However, there was something different with the costumes’ movements. Usually, in other dramas, the male costume was a little bit stiff. Especially the wide-arm robes. So when they flick their robe (usually in the court scenes), it stays in perfect shape.
Yet in this drama, the fabric movement was flowy and it stunned me. One scene that I remember vividly was when Lan Jue drew a sword and pointed it to Zhang Ping. It was raining and the wind was strong that blew his robe beautifully.
In this drama, most of the characters were male. The only female in many scenes was Empress Dowager and Zhang Ping’s mother. The rests were the dancers and singers on stage. There weren’t many costumes for them. Lan Jue’s most seen costumes were the blue robe, the red robe, and the white robe. While Zhang Ping seemed to always wear the same grayish robe all the time. It might have changed several times, but I could not remember at all because the costume was so ordinary…😆
Yet, the most fashionable person in this drama was the one and only Wang Yang or Mowen. He was a carefree man and knew how to have fun. His costumes were better than anyone else, including the Emperor…😅
Oh, don’t forget to enjoy Lan Jue’s flowy long hair. It made him look ethereal and unearthly…😍
The sets were very well-designed and detailed. Although there was something amiss with the lighting. It was okay to have many lanterns on the street at night. They were living in the capital after all. But how come Zhang Ping and Chen Chou’s home was well-lit? There were many candles everywhere. Weren’t candles supposed to be expensive? And based on my understanding of Zhang Ping’s way of selling noodles, he did not make much money.
However, this candle thing was my only speculation. Whatever the reason was, I like that Zhang Ping’s home was well-lit. It set up a homey atmosphere.
When we talk about lighting, we might as well talk about the atmosphere. And I could not stop praising it. It worked well with the shoot angles. The director had made an enormous effort to take the best angle in every scene. You could feel that Lan Jue was a lonely person when he took a shot of him from behind. The long hair and the desolate surrounding depicted his loneliness.
There was a thing that I found interesting but later it become annoying. The blurred shots in the courtroom. At first, it was okay because I could also focus on the person who was talking, but after so many episodes later, I lost it…😣
The Story
A League of Nobleman’s mystery was well written. The flow was smooth, and the pace was good. I thought that it would only be like an ancient Chinese version of Sherlock Holmes since Zhang Ping also used science and deduction to solve a case. But later the bigger mystery emerged and the mysterious character who had been lurking in the dark showed up. Only then, A League of Nobleman showed the complexity of Chinese drama.
It started with a case of the missing bead. The bead contained secret letters that could jeopardize Lan Jue’s career and even ended his life. Lan Jue did everything to save his life and career. He took premeditated measures and tried to snatch the letter before it landed on Guo Yun’s hand.
The case gave me a clear description of Lan Jue. He might look like a refined and innocent official, but in reality, he was a cunning person. His innocent face was a perfect façade so people would believe in him. The only person who did not buy it was Zhang Ping. He realized that he was deceived by Lan Jue twice in a row.
Although Zhang Ping had a resentment growing within him. But in the end, Lan Jue and Zhang Ping felt some connection between them. They acted as confidants for each other and both admired the other’s train of thought.
Several cases were not explained in detail and only mentioned. The death of Doctor Sun, the quadruplet sage, and the fabric shop owner. I was dissatisfied because those cases should be interesting.
Lan Jue and Zhang Ping thought that everything was over after the serial killer was dead. Lan Jue returned to his job and Zhang Ping was called to work at the Court of Judicial Review and was tasked with tidying up the archive room. Zhang Ping was ecstatic because he always wanted to work there even as a small helper. He wore a solemn expression when he entered the archive room.
Zhang Ping was a fan of The Strange Night talk and he had guessed that the real Mu Yesheng worked for the Court of Judicial Review. His admiration towards Mu Yesheng helped Tao Zhou Feng bravely faced his fear and unravelled the truth before he died.
Things escalated quickly after the appearance of Gu Qing Zhang. Lan Jue refused to believe Zhang Ping’s accusation that Gu Qing Zhang was Mr. Jinghu. However, in a blink of an eye, Zhang Ping had to run away from the capital because he was a fugitive. He went to the mountain to find the Moluo Village because it was the only way to find the truth.
It was a pure coincidence that Lan Jue, Zhang Ping, and Gu Qing Zhang were entangled in a huge conspiracy. If Lan Jue never made use of Zhang Ping as a distraction in the first case, they might never find out the truth behind their past.
I love the relationship between Lan Jue and Mowen. Their story started long before they entered officialdom. Therefore their bond was strong. There was one time when Mowen was angry towards Lan Jue. At the moment, Lan Jue was involved in the case of the missing Phoenix head. Mowen was angry because Lan Jue put his head on the line to help Zhang Ping. Yet he still helped Lan Jue to search Yunxiao Mountain. He also tried to put some sense inside Zhang Ping’s head to make him realize that the world was not as simple as he always thought.
I thought there was going to be an ambiguous relationship between Lan Jue and Gu Qing Zhang since they were so intimate in their relationship. It was not as clear as in Untamed or Word of Honor. But the subtle admiring gaze exchange between them was enough to make me suspicious about the relationship. Yet, there was not a single romance in this drama. Even the relationship between Lan Jue and Mowen was pure friendship. And Zhang Ping’s jealousy of Lan Jue’s relationship with Gu Qing Zhang was like a stone dropped into the ocean. It sinks immediately.
The Characters
Zhang Ping
Zhang Ping was righteous but rigid. He was sharp, extremely perceptive, and had good reasoning skills. Zhang Ping was interested in science and often used it to solve the case. He made a clear distinction between good and evil, right and wrong.
If everyone cares for the truth then there would be no place for evil. However, his naivety would make you grit your teeth when you see him. He was so stubborn and thought that there was only one way to deal with others. Just like a bull who would strike the target only from one direction. A very different type of person from Lan Jue.
Zhang Ping did not remember his childhood. He always thought he was alone because his mother did not want him anymore. His childhood trauma erased his memory and made him isolate himself from the world. The only person who was close to him was his master and Zhang Ping acknowledge him as his elder.
When he was occupied with a case, Zhang Ping would often forget his surroundings. He was immersed in his world and nobody could disturb him. He was an avid reader. I have no idea where he got all the money to buy so many books that piled up in his Master’s mountain dwelling.
Since Zhang Ping was a keen observer, he also had a strong memory and was able to remember everything he saw in detail. He would recall it and analyze it again. Often he found new clues after a brief contemplating.
Zhang Ping was devoid of any emotions. But when Gu Qing Zhang appeared, I could feel Zhang Ping was distracted not only because of his suspicion about Gu Qing Zhang but he was also jealous of Lan Jue’s relationship with him. Something that he never felt when he saw Lan Jue and Mowen together.
Another trait of Zhang Ping that needed to be praised was his talent for cooking. His soft-boiled egg and noodle always looked delicious…🤤
Lan Jue
Lan Jue with the courtesy name Pei Zhi was a bureaucrat through and through. He was a young and promising official in the Yong Kingdom. He was handsome, refined, gentle, and intelligent. Everything on him exuded a literary aura. Yet, he was a hardworking person and strived hard to clear his father’s name.
Lan Jue always read his enemy and situation well. He would consider every action and knew how to deceive others. As a court official, he was very careful, yet he seemed to always fall into trouble and Mowen was constantly worried about him. However, Lan Jue was not immune to failure. His intention to clear his father’s name and reputation had become an obsession that drove him to insanity when the last person who could be the witness was dead.
He wrote a fake confession letter despite Mowen’s advice not to. He also lashed his anger at Zhang Ping and almost convict him of the crime of being the last descendant of the Moulu clan. But then his conscience woke him up and he started to miss his interaction with Zhang Ping.
Wang Yan or Mowen
He was my favorite character. Everything about him felt fresh. His vigorous action and unrestrained smile were intoxicating. He was also the most well-dressed character in this drama and it gave him several points higher than the rest of the cast.
Mowen was Lan Jue’s good friend. They shared a strong bond and were ready to help and support each other’s back.
Mowen came from a military family. His father was a general that was well respected in court. His background was printed in his character. Mowen was a straightforward and resolute person. Very suitable traits for his position as the vice minister of the Ministry of Justice. He never hesitated on something and was bent to follow the Emperor onto the battlefield. When he returned to the capital, Mowen was riding a horse behind him. It showed that the Emperor trusted him and Mowen’s position was high.
Chen Chou
Chen Chou held a blind admiration towards Zhang Ping. Although Zhang Ping was hard to deal with, he was still loyal to him.
Chen Chou was willing to follow Zhang Ping even in the most dangerous situation and places. Their relationship was more like brothers that even Chen Chou regarded Zhang Ping’s master as his own.
Gu Qing Zhang
Gu Qing Zhang was introduced pretty late in this drama. He exuded the elegance and arrogance of a noble family in his every move, yet he pretended to be a humble person. His background was a mystery. But Zhang Ping was very suspicious of him.
Although Gu Qing Zhang made use of Lan Jue and he had an ulterior motive towards him, Gu Qing Zhang’s admiration and affection for Lan Jue was real. Yet a grudge has blinded him and led him astray.
The Emperor
The Emperor was an interesting character. He seemed like an idle emperor who indulged himself in hunting activities. In reality, he could not do anything although he wanted to be involved in governing the country because his mother, The Empress Dowager, was not willing to step aside. The court officials knew the exact situation but they were hopeless too.
The Emperor met Zhang Ping on a casual outing day. He was there to observe the capital situation and the people. Only accompanied by four people, the Emperor went to Zhang Ping’s noodle stall out of curiosity. Zhang Ping refused to make his noodle, but The Emperor did not want to lose and started to make his own noodle. The noodle looked awful. But he finished the bowl and smiled triumphantly. He condemned his noodle but praised the soft-boiled egg from the stall.
The Emperor was a good person. He always thought about the people and wanted to help them. He was not an arrogant person and was quite friendly. It’s too bad that Empress Dowager restricted him from governing. If he had taken the power earlier, the Yong Kingdom’s people would have less worry in their minds.
The Empress Dowager
The Empress Dowager was the mother of the Emperor. She gave birth to the only son of the late Emperor. When the late Emperor passed away, the prince was still young and she took the power on behalf of her son. Yet, the power was tempting and made her refuse to return it to the young Emperor. The Empress Dowager was arrogant and ruthless. She did not like when the Emperor made his own decision without her consent.
The Empress Dowager had a habit of watching a play. She could be seen several times enjoying the play on the capital’s famous Banyue Pavillion.
The Conclusion
I’m having a good time with this drama. It feels like you had a good book and you could not stop reading until the last page. The story was THAT good it made me forget to admire the pretty faces on the screen.
This drama was a must-see drama if you like mystery drama. The ancient setting added to the charm and you’ll be baffled by how creative the crime was. If you ask me whether I would rewatch it? Absolutely.
Don’t forget to cook some noodles after you watch this drama because Zhang Ping’s soft-boiled egg on a bowl of noodles was going to make you drool. Happy watching!
