Uncover mysteries, understand human nature.

No jokes this April Fool’s Day.
The joy of mystery enthusiasts is back.
8 p.m. tonight
The period detective drama “Chenghua Fourteenth Year,” with the Zhu brothers overseeing every stage of post-production and co-produced by iQIYI and Guanya Media, officially premieres tonight!

The series is adapted from the eponymous novel by Mengxi Shi, with Yang Bei and Li Mi serving as producers and Guo Shuang and Yang Huan as directors. P.S. This marks Jackie Chan’s first time executive-producing an online drama!

In “The Fourteenth Year of the Chenghua Era,” every stage of production—from costumes to post‑production sound design, color grading, visual effects, opening and closing titles, and even subtitles—was meticulously crafted by the Zhu brothers. With seamless collaboration across departments, the series delivers high‑octane storytelling, ensuring a smooth ride for the trio of sleuths. Now, let’s take a look at the everyday adventures of this Ming‑dynasty civil‑servant trio as they level up and tackle one mystery after another!

The dual-protagonist aesthetic is refreshingly unique.

Jia Jingwen makes a surprise appearance.

Guan Hong plays Tang Fan, a sixth-rank investigating magistrate in the Shuntian Prefecture—on the surface, an unremarkable young prodigy at solving mysteries, a Chenghua‑era Sherlock Holmes; in reality, he’s a seasoned foodie!

Fu Mengbo plays Sui Zhou, a chief banner officer in the Northern Imperial Guard’s Bureau of Military Affairs. A tough, outspoken martial‑arts master, he actually works as a chef at New Oriental—and has earned the nickname “the most miserable zookeeper.”

In addition to the Ming‑dynasty civil servant squad, Jia Jingwen makes a delightful cameo as Consort Wan, donning period costume once again after many years—raising anticipation even higher!

Unraveling the tangled mystery

Post-production support for high-energy plotlines

The series is set during the Chenghua era of the Ming Dynasty. Tang Fan, a sixth-rank investigating magistrate known for his wit and humor and renowned for churning out high‑quality IP over a century, suddenly finds himself embroiled in the mysterious murder of a marquis’s son. There, he meets Sui Zhou, an officer of the Jinyiwei, and the two join forces to solve the case.

However, no sooner had one wave subsided than another arose. A series of mysterious cases—such as the “Li Man Affair,” the “Tragic Death of the Minister and His Wife,” and the “Abduction of the Crown Prince”—broke one after another. The two detectives soon discovered that all these incidents shared a common mastermind behind the scenes. Determined to join forces, Tang Fan and Sui Zhou, aided by the formidable Western Factory Superintendent Wang Zhi, ultimately unraveled the truth, thwarted the conspiracy, and restored peace to the people. The story unfolds with intricate threads and dazzling twists, keeping readers spellbound from start to finish.

To better convey the story’s dramatic twists and turns, the sound team uses Foley, dialogue, and ambient effects to highlight the characters’ emotions and the suspense of the case—for example, by layering the urgent clip-clop of hooves echoing from deep within an alleyway to heighten the tension.

The color‑grading department adopted a warm color palette throughout, working in concert with the costume, makeup, and set design to evoke the grandeur of the Ming dynasty and the intricate power struggles within the imperial court. For instance, the palaces are rendered in vermilion gold and bright yellow, the Huan Yi Pavilion is awash in red, and the hues of the Fei Yu robes shift subtly—each choice, whether vintage or opulent, follows a deliberate, systematic logic.

Easy money-making

Late-night toxicity that just won’t stop.

This series steadfastly adheres to the principle that “nothing a good meal can’t fix,” so it naturally features plenty of culinary highlights. With an array of dishes—fried, grilled, simmered, and more—each one is sure to make your mouth water.

Here, we’d like to extend our thanks to the post‑production artists, whose masterful sound design elevates the sensory experience of food even further. The sizzle of grilling meat, the gentle bubbling of simmering dishes, and the crisp crunch of chewing all combine to deliver an instant wave of happiness, fully engaging your taste buds and delivering that quintessential “late‑night temptation” effect. (Fans are already looking forward to indulging in hot pot and barbecues once the pandemic is over.)

Jackie Chan’s first-ever web series as executive producer

The fight scenes are super thrilling.

“Chenghua Fourteenth Year” is the first web series produced under Jackie Chan’s supervision, and its signature “Cheng-style” humor is well worth looking forward to!

The action choreography is masterminded by the renowned Sammo Hung team, offering hands-on instruction. Experience the crisp, dynamic, and effortlessly graceful martial‑arts sequences.

“Are you all eager to watch the show?”

Before the Sui‑Tang Bistro opens, here’s a little appetizer: a sneak peek from Zhu’s edited character‑focused trailer, brought to you with both hands (the everyday banter among Ming‑dynasty civil servants is absolutely adorable, and every frame of this dual‑protagonist story is rich with meaning).

“A mind-bending plot, tantalizing cuisine, and a hilariously witty trio”
This Chenghua set of wares is really too lavish, isn’t it?
The editor has also quickly invested in the “Congee and Rice” duo.
Tapping my bowl and eagerly waiting for the Sui-Tang Bistro to open at 8 p.m. tonight.