The Affaire in the Swing Age

The Affaire in the Swing Age, also known as The Dynasty or Love Against Kingship, is a 2003 Chinese television series based on the novel Jiangshan Fengyu Qing by Zhu Sujin, who was also the screenwriter for the series. The series depicts the events in the transition of the Ming dynasty to the Qing dynasty in China, focusing on the lives of historical figures such as Li Zicheng, Wu Sangui, Chen Yuanyuan, the Chongzhen Emperor and Huangtaiji.

The Affaire in the Swing Age
DVD cover art
Also known asThe Dynasty
Love Against Kingship
Traditional江山風雨情
Simplified江山风雨情
MandarinJiāngshān Fēngyǔ Qíng
GenreHistorical drama, romance
Screenplay byZhu Sujin
Directed byChen Jialin
He Xianda
Presented byLi Kangsheng
Luo Shan
Yang Buting
StarringWang Gang
Tang Guoqiang
Chen Daoming
Li Qiang
Zhang Lanlan
Ding Haifeng
Liu Wei
Chen Baoguo
Opening themePing'an Meng (平安梦) performed by Han Lei
Ending themeBianshui Liu (汴水流) performed by Han Lei and Liu Jin
Country of originChina
Original language(s)Mandarin
No. of episodes45
Production
Executive producer(s)Jiang Xiaoqun
Producer(s)Han Sanping
Zhu Cheng
Production location(s)China
CinematographySu Li
Running time45 minutes per episode
Release
Original networkCCTV
First shown in2003

Plot

In 1627, the young Chongzhen Emperor succeeds his brother, the Tianqi Emperor, as the sovereign of the Ming dynasty, with help from the eunuch Wang Cheng'en. The hardworking Chongzhen Emperor strives to save his dwindling empire from collapse and seeks to restore it to its former glory. However, it seems impossible for him to achieve these goals because the Ming government has been plagued by corruption since his predecessors' time, and the people have also rebelled against him under the leadership of Li Zicheng. Besides, on the northern frontier, Huangtaiji, the ambitious ruler of the Manchu-led Qing dynasty, is actively preparing his army for an invasion of the Ming Empire.

Yuan Chonghuan and Hong Chengchou are both capable military commanders appointed by the Chongzhen Emperor to counter the Manchu invaders, but they meet different fates – the emperor orders Yuan to be executed by slow slicing after believing false accusations that Yuan is plotting against him; Hong is forced to surrender to the Manchus after his defeat at the Battle of Songjin, and he aids the Qing forces on their campaign against the Southern Ming dynasty later.

In 1644, Li Zicheng's rebel forces capture the Ming capital, Beijing. The Chongzhen Emperor commits suicide by hanging himself on a tree. Shortly after, Wu Sangui, a Ming general defending the border, defects to the Qing dynasty and opens Shanhai Pass, allowing the Qing forces to enter and overrun the rest of China. The reason behind Wu's defection is the loss of his beloved concubine, Chen Yuanyuan. Chen was initially kept as a hostage in Beijing to prevent Wu from betraying the Ming Empire. However, after the fall of Beijing, she was taken by Liu Zongmin, a rebel general under Li Zicheng. Wu is angered and he decides to ally with the Qing forces against the rebels.

Cast
  • Ping'an Meng (平安梦; Dream of Peace) performed by Han Lei
  • Bianshui Liu (汴水流; The Bian River Flows) performed by Han Lei and Liu Jin
  • Dian Jiangchun Guiqing (点绛唇·闺情; Red Lips, Woman's Love) performed by Liu Jin
  • Biyuntian (碧云天; Jade Cloud Sky) performed by Liu Jin
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