Let’s face it, if I had $1 for every Chinese drama featuring a male lead that is a general, or soon-to-be general, I might not have to sit at my desk and write every day.
Case in point, Chen Du Ling and Zhou Yi Ran‘s Ashes to Crown, which is heading our way soon, and features, yep, yet another general wannabe.
This time in the form of Xie Yan Lai (played by Zhou Yi Ran), the illegitimate son of the Xie family, and a man who is, apparently, a low-level Imperial Guard soldier when the drama kicks off.
As you’d expect, though, in the course of the story, Xie Yan Lai is promoted more than anyone else in the entire military force, and becomes a formidable general.
Apparently, though, Chen Du Ling’s character, Chu Chao, is also the daughter of a general, and then becomes one herself.
Yep, Ashes to Crown is another general stacked drama many of us probably never asked for, but are getting anyway.
And sometimes I wonder, do Chinese actors get these scripts whose plots all meld into one and think “Ye Gods, could we find a screenwriter or a writing committee that has at least one original thought?”
Anyway, rant over long enough to let you know YOUKU has dropped a couple more Ashes to Crown posters of the leads, as well as a set of new stills, to promote its upcoming premiere. Although that date has not yet been announced.
They also confirmed several guest stars, with the stills featuring Chen Du Ling, Zhou Yi Ran, Tang Xiao Tian, Wang Rui Chang, Wu Shi Le, and Gao Mao Tong.
As for its general-themed plot, here’s what the full plot synopsis looks like:
Chu Chao (Chen Du Ling), the daughter of a general, discovers that taking the initiative is the only way to change her tragic fate of becoming a sacrifice in Xiao Xun’s power grab.
In her tumultuous struggle against fate, she meets Xie Yanlai (Zhou Yi Ran), the illegitimate son of the Xie family, and her actions illuminate his previously bleak life, helping him break free from the shackles of destiny. He rises from a lowly soldier in the imperial guards to become a great general, and together they successfully thwart Xiao Xun’s ambitions and plans.
On their way to escape the chaos of war, witnessing the suffering of the people, Chu Chao resolutely returns to the city to support the young grandson Xiao Yu in becoming emperor, until he assumes full power. However, Xiao Xun again invites foreign invaders, willing to plunge the people into misery for his lust for power.
Chu Chao and Xie Yanlai fight back fiercely, leading their troops in a bloody battle, finally resolving the internal and external threats to the Chu Kingdom. Thus, Chu not only changed its own destiny, but also freed millions of people from the turbulent fate of war and chaos
Ashes to Crown is adapted from the novel “Chu Hou” by writer Xi Xing, with its plot combining a mix of political intrigue, martial arts, and love elements.
According to various Chinese sources, in the drama, Chu Chao (played by Chen Du Ling) is supposedly a “female general who can turn the world upside down with her delicate hands and devise strategies to defy fate”, while Xie Yanlai (played by Zhou Yi Ran) is set as “wielding a sword to break through the formation and protect the mountains and rivers”.
Let’s see then if this one turns out different than the many other general-themed dramas I have been watching lately then, eh?
Although, I will add, Ashes to Crown does have one saving grace, no matter how the plot turns out. It’s only 24 episodes as oppose to the usual 35 to 40.
Meanwhile, enjoy the new Ashes to Crown poster and stills, and keep your eyes open for more information about the C-drama’s premiere.
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