The Patriotic Knights

*The Patriotic Knights*
The Patriotic Knights
	DVD cover art
Genre	Wuxia
Based on	Xiagu Danxin; by Liang Yusheng
Screenplay by	Li Xiaowei; Fan Zhizhong; Chen Jinhai; Zhang Xian; Li Changfu
Directed by	Kuk Kwok-leung
Presented by	Xu Yong'an; Zhou Li; Chen Jinhai
Starring	Chen Long; Stephanie Hsiao; Wallace Chung; He Meitian
Opening theme	Jianghu (江湖) performed by Zhang Kefan
Ending theme	Ai Bu Xiangxin Yanlei (爱不相信眼泪) performed by Zhang Kefan and Wenwen
Composer	Ju Wenpei
Country of origin	China
Original language	Mandarin
No. of episodes	45
Production
Executive producer	Wang Yong
Producer	Chen Jinhai
Production locations	Hengdian World Studios; Yinchuan, Ningxia
Cinematography	Ma Youtai; Shao Jinghui
Editor	Wang Weiting
Running time	45 minutes per episode
Production companies	Zhejiang HG Entertainment; Jiangsu Broadcast & Television Group;
Original release
Network	Guizhou TV
Release	10 March 2010

The Patriotic Knights is a Chinese wuxia television series adapted from Liang Yusheng's novel Xiagu Danxin. It was directed by Kuk Kwok-leung, and starred Chen Long, Stephanie Hsiao, Wallace Chung and He Meitian. It was first shown in China in 2010 on Guizhou TV even though it already completed shooting in around 2006–2007. The Tai Seng DVD set was released in 2007.

Plot

The series is set in the late Ming dynasty during the reign of the Tianqi Emperor, when the government is very corrupt on all levels. The eunuch Wei Zhongxian dominates the political scene and plans to bring the wulin (martial artists' community) under his control and usurp the throne. He instigates Meng Shentong to kidnap Li Shengnan, the leader of the Heavenly Demonic Cult, and force her to hand over a highly coveted martial arts manual, the Baidu Zhenjing. The great hero Jin Shiyi interferes, rescues Li Shengnan, and combines forces with her to defeat Meng Shentong. However, Li Shengnan eventually dies from her injuries. Jin Shiyi feels deeply saddened by her death and decides to leave the mainland and settle on a remote island.

20 years later, Wei Zhongxian feels threatened by Jiang Haitian, Jin Shiyi's apprentice, who has garnered much support from the wulin and started a rebel movement against the Ming government. Shi Baidu, the chief of the Six Harmonies Sect, has secretly defected to Wei Zhongxian's side and promised to help Wei deal with the rebels. The opportunity arises when Jiang Haitian invites guests from throughout the wulin to attend his daughter's wedding during the Qixi Festival. Shi Baidu's younger sister, Shi Hongying, is a righteous and kind person, unlike her brother. She tries to advise her brother against helping Wei Zhongxian but he ignores her, so she sneaks out of the house and travels to Jiang Haitian's residence to warn him about the impending danger.

Around this time, Jin Shiyi's son, Jin Zhuliu, sets foot on the mainland and goes on a series of adventures. By chance, he encounters Li Nanxing, Li Shengnan's nephew, and becomes sworn brothers with him.

Cast

Chen Long as Jin Zhuliu
Stephanie Hsiao as Shi Hongying
Wallace Chung as Li Nanxing
He Meitian as Zhong Yanyan
Jing Gangshan as Jin Shiyi
He Jiayi as Gu Zhihua
Niu Mengmeng as Li Shengnan
Eddy Ko as Jiang Haitian
Shen Junyi as Shi Baidu
Jewel Lee as He Daniang
Norman Chu as Meng Shentong
Siqin Gaoli as Feng Miaochang
Akina Hong as Dong Shisanniang
Ji Chunhua as Shuai Mengxiong
Wang Deshun as Zhong Changtong
Li Donghan as Qin Yuanhao
Wang Jianxin as Yang Hao
Liu Weihua as Ouyang Jian
Li Guohua as Wei Zhongxian
Chen Zhihui as Yuanhai
Bai Zhicheng as Taoist Shushi
Tan Jianchang as Li Dun
Wang Li as Jiao Lei
Li Kelong as Qingfu
Wang Shuo as Ye Muhua
Han Zhenhua as Feng Zichao
Ma Ji as Wen Daozhuang
Cheng Wu as Wen Shengzhong
Li Hong as Gu Zhonglian
Xu Yena as Jiang Xiaofu
Yuan Wenqing as Yuwen Xiong
Wang Qun as Yuchi Jiong
He Sirong as Qi Shengyin
Xie Jiaqi as Sha Qianfeng
Tan Xinrou as Mudan
Zhang Ying as Shaoyao
Xu Xiangdong as Chen Tianyu
Feng Jing as Chen Guangzhao

External links

(in Chinese) The Patriotic Knights on Sina.com