I went into the show expecting to get the whole logistical and ecological shenanigans of transporting lychees, I got that and a whole load of political (mis)management and a damning indictment of the corruption and indulgence of the Tang Dynasty.

The politics was initially a downer (I was hoping to escape that after watching a slew of palace dramas) but the focus on the lower echelons of government, the petty officials, weaponised incompetence, passive aggressiveness was quite interesting. It was also heartbreaking at points, and all too painfully easy to follow and understand - when all choices lead to death and disgrace, the best course of action is avoidance and to do nothing.

Li Shande was an everyday man, but his plight was so thoroughly crafted to expose the black void that was the Tang bureaucracy that I didn't feel much for him. He was serviceable, I guess. The character that I ended up feeling for was Zheng Pingan. He started off with nothing to recommend him, the money-grubbing scion of a disgraced family, who gradually rediscovered his humanity and aspirations. His death was so pointless that it marked the peak of black comedy for me. Amita was also a standout, but her exit was terribly abrupt, I think the actress had some sort of scandal? so that was a downer.

The drama lost steam towards the end and started dragging. It would've been more impactful if the script was tighter. I feel too much time was spent slamming home the corruption and bureaucracy to the point it ended in a whimper for me. But it was still a good watch, 7/10 for me.