LayarHijau – The Chinese costume drama Pursuit of Jade (逐玉), starring Tian Xiwei and Zhang Linghe, has captured viewers’ attention with its mix of romance and struggle centered on its two main characters. However, some viewers have been wondering whether the characters they portray are based on real historical figures or purely fictional creations.
In fact, the story of Pursuit of Jade is set in the Dayin Dynasty, a completely fictional kingdom. Because of this, the main characters, Fan Changyu and Xie Zheng, are also fictional figures created specifically for the novel and its drama adaptation. The novelist of *Pursuit of Jade* revealed that although Fan Changyu is a fictional character, she was inspired by a female general from the Ming Dynasty.
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Fan Changyu, played by Tian Xiwei, is portrayed as the daughter of a butcher who runs the “Fan Ji” meat shop in Xigu Alley. After losing both of her parents, she must support the family and raise her younger sister on her own. Life in the marketplace shapes her into a strong and resilient woman. She is even described as being able to carry a pig with one hand and chop bones effortlessly with a butcher’s knife.
Meanwhile, Zhang Linghe plays Xie Zheng, a nobleman who holds the title of Marquis of Wu’an in the fictional Dayin Dynasty. At one point, he hides his true identity and lives under the alias Yan Zheng, disguising himself as a seemingly weak and sickly man among ordinary people. Behind his gentle and frail appearance, however, Xie Zheng is actually calculating, decisive, and a formidable military figure.
Interestingly, there was indeed a historical figure named Xie Zheng in Chinese history. He lived during the Southern Liang Dynasty from around 500 to 536. Known by the courtesy name Xuandu, this historical Xie Zheng was an official and literary figure from Chenjun Yangxia. During his career, he served as Zhongshu Sheren, Zhongshu Shilang, and later as the governor of Nanlanling. He was also known for his literary talent and was once asked by Emperor Wu of Liang to compose poetry within a limited time, producing work praised for its elegant language. Despite sharing the same name, this historical figure has no connection to the character Xie Zheng in Pursuit of Jade.
In the story of Pursuit of Jade, Fan Changyu and Xie Zheng meet through a marriage that initially lacks love. Over time, their relationship gradually deepens and grows into a genuine emotional bond.
However, Fan Changyu’s true identity turns out to be more complicated than it first appears. In the novel version of the story, once the truth about her family background is revealed, their relationship faces a major test, as her past places them on opposing sides.
Fan Changyu’s life journey also changes dramatically. From being a butcher’s daughter in the marketplace, she eventually steps onto the battlefield. The knife she once used to cut meat becomes a symbol of her courage in facing the chaos of the era, as she grows into a woman who fights to protect her country.
