Marking the 90th anniversary of the Red Army's Long March, the espionage micro-drama Tiexue Xinshi (Iron-Blooded Courier) premiered on Hongguo, a major micro-drama platform, on Oct 20.
Based on the real-life exploits of a legendary underground agent of the Communist Party of China, the series is set in late 1934, when Kuomintang leader Chiang Kai-shek convened a secret military conference at Lushan Mountain in Jiangxi province. His plan was to mobilize about 1.5 million troops to encircle Ruijin, the capital of the Central Soviet Area, and destroy the main forces of the Central Red Army.
Mo Xiong, a progressive Kuomintang officer, risked his life to pass on the military intelligence. He entrusted Xiang Yunian, a CPC underground agent, with the task of traveling more than 400 kilometers from De'an in Jiangxi to Ruijin through multiple Kuomintang blockades. To avoid detection, Xiang, who had initially posed as a teacher, disguised himself as a beggar.
The intelligence proved crucial to the survival of the Central Red Army. Its successful delivery to Ruijin helped prompt CPC leaders to order more than 86,000 Red Army soldiers to begin the Long March before Kuomintang forces could close in.
Directed by Li Zongfan, written by Cai Baoqing and starring Cai Xinyang and Sun Yiran, the drama aims to balance historical accuracy with artistic expression. According to the producers, the crew invested considerable effort in preparing the makeup and tailoring the costumes. The production also employs long takes and close-up shots to capture pivotal moments in the protagonist's journey while giving due attention to the wider ensemble.
The drama comprises 75 episodes, each running for about two minutes. It has already drawn attention on Hongguo, with viewers praising its production quality and historical authenticity. Some viewers said they were surprised that a micro-drama — a format often associated with limited budgets and exaggerated plots — to be so meticulously crafted while remaining faithful to history and honoring revolutionary heroes.
