The Patriotic Knights

The Patriotic Knights
DVD cover art
Also known as	'Xiagu Danxin'
Genre	Wuxia
Written by	Liang Yusheng (original story) 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(s)	Ju Wenpei
Country of origin	China
Original language(s)	Mandarin
No. of episodes	45
Production
Executive producer(s)	Wang Yong
Producer(s)	Chen Jinhai
Location(s)	Hengdian World Studios Yinchuan, Ningxia
Cinematography	Ma Youtai Shao Jinghui
Editor(s)	Wang Weiting
Running time	45 minutes per episode
Production company(s)	Zhejiang HG Entertainment Co., Ltd. Jiangsu Broadcast & Television Group
Release
Original network	Guizhou TV
Original 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.

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

External links

• (Chinese) The Patriotic Knights on Sina.com