“War of Faith” continues to ferment in reputation and heat, breaking theratings record on the eve of the grand finale. The series has put great effort into character development, from the meticulous portrayal of characters like Arwen, who pulls a cart in Qibao Street, to the profound and restrained senior consultant Shen Tunan. The multi-dimensional conflicts make the characters full of tension, well-rounded in their portrayal, logically sound, and build a rich and diverse ensemble of characters.
Recently, “War of Faith” reached its grand finale, where we witness Wei Ruolai (played by Wang Yibo) transforming from a naive newcomer in the workplace to a resolute revolutionary, after realizing the Nationalist Party's pursuit of interests disregarding the suffering of the people. Wei Ruolai undergoes a long process of reshaping after a collapse of faith, which proves to be an exceptionally challenging journey. Fortunately, after the agony, Wei Ruolai is reborn.
Two pivotal figures in Wei Ruolai's life are his mentor who introduced him to this world, and a comrade who helped reshape his beliefs. Essentially guided by his mentor Shen Tunan to form his initial understanding of society, Shen Tunan provides him a glimmer of hope in his darkest moments, disregarding his family background and opposition from those around him to take him as his disciple. In a time when a young man with aspirations has nowhere to fulfill them, he is fortunate to encounter a mentor. The mentor imparts professional knowledge in finance to him and integrates him into his life, fostering a mutual respect between them.
At this moment, Wei Ruolai almost follows in the footsteps of his mentor, always considering his well-being. He knows that Shen Jinzhen is a member of the Communist Party, and despite helping her conceal the truth, he still warns her not to jeopardize the safety of their mentor. It is only when the truth of the upper leadership's rampant greed gradually becomes clear to the mentor and disciple, and they are passively drawn into the whirlpool of party corruption, that Wei Ruolai begins to sense the danger. Unable to bear seeing millions of people suffer due to the government's greed, Wei Ruolai confronts his mentor with reason, demanding to expose the truth and reveal their ugly faces, only to receive a dismissive response from his mentor, “You don't want to do this anymore.”
Their repeated compromises only serve as a catalyst for the devil. While Wei Ruolai chooses to speak out, Shen Tunan, under pressure from superiors and for the greater good, opts for silence. The counterfeit case, the treasury bond scandal, these incidents mark the erosion of trust in his mentor and the political party. Neighbors in Qibao Street are used as scapegoats in the counterfeit case; the government manipulates the treasury bonds, resulting in heavy financial losses, leading to the suicide of his best friend Arwen in front of him, and the once witty and clever Aunt Zhou losing her mind and fortune for a lifetime.
After Wei Ruolai exposes the truth and becomes a wanted man, underground party member Lao Xu (played by Wang Xueqi) sacrifices his tailor shop to buy them time to escape Shanghai. This immense reality shock impacts not only physically but also profoundly on a spiritual level. From his brother dying in his arms upon returning to the attic, to witnessing familiar acquaintances die one by one, the harsh realities make him realize that this is a party that only feeds on blood and flesh.
Returning to his hometown in Jiangxi with Shen Jinzhen and Niu Chunmiao, Wei Ruolai and his mentor stand on opposite sides, initiating a true confrontation. Shen Tunan gradually aligns with the role of an antagonist in the latter part of the plot, yet remains a character difficult to despise. As a senior consultant, he enjoys prestige and wields significant power, able to influence events. As the head of a harmonious family, he is content and loving with his wife, leading a fulfilling domestic life. Beyond these facades, Shen Tunan himself is lonely, occupying a high position where his dealings with the central bank involve party politics, power, and money.
Despite leading the investigation into a large quantity of counterfeit currency circulating among the public, he eventually discovers that his superiors are scheming behind his back. They deceive him by claiming to raise wartime funds, fully aware that his inaction is perpetuating corruption. Driven by patriotism, he devotes himself to the construction of the central bank, implementing bold reforms and reporting to the chairman with hope, despite facing immense resistance.
His conflicts with Mr. Kang and Mr. Yu, who prioritize immediate gains and repeatedly oppose him, leave him hoping to eliminate these obstacles. However, he fails to realize that the rot begins at the top and cannot be remedied simply by cutting a few branches. Unlike Wei Ruolai, who can leave freely, Shen Tunan has harbored a sense of patriotism since his student days, climbing to his current position through countless hardships. Believing that persevering a little longer can turn the tide, he cannot bring himself to give up.
Even though he sees through the true nature of the Nationalist Party, he hesitates to shatter his half-century-old beliefs. He can openly share his patriotic aspirations with his wife but finds himself trapped in the confines of his faith. Seeing his sister and disciple standing against him, he may have struggled as well, torn between family ties and beliefs in a chaotic era. Unable to balance family affection and faith, he finds himself pulled in two directions. Even knowing his sister's identity, he is willing to risk everything to protect her, heightening their bond with a silent farewell on the train.
As one of the few female characters in the series, Shen Jinzhen (played by Li Qin) also shines brightly. Despite the tumultuous times, she could have led a comfortable life as a wealthy heiress in Shanghai, proficient in playing the piano and manufacturing weapons. Yet, her immense empathy and pure heart, nurtured by education and progressive ideals, lead her to take the lead among the masses, carrying the flag for women of the new era. She repeatedly puts herself in dangerous situations to obtain classified information and relay messages to the organization. Even when her identity is exposed, she remains composed while maneuvering between Lin Qiaosong, Kang Shaojie, and others.
In Wei Ruolai's moment of despair, she becomes his beacon, guiding him towards the light. Her courage, daring, and vigilance forge a flesh-and-blood character in Shen Jinzhen. Her sacrifice to protect a child ultimately reveals that in times of war, there are no heroes, as she was prepared for the brief but impactful sacrifice. Shen Jinzhen's role is destined to be tinged with tragedy amidst the currents of history, yet as she said: “The path to faith may be bitter, but the outcome will surely be sweet.”
The story of “War of Faith” concludes with Wei Ruolai successfully completing the Long March, following the organization's arrangements to return to Shanghai incognito and resume his career in the financial industry as a foothold. The master and disciple once again appear at the Shanghai Stock Exchange, exchanging a meaningful smile. Shanghai may once again witness a collaboration between master and disciple in the financial world. “War of Faith” has briefly come to an end, but its spirit continues to endure.
It must be said that “War of Faith” is worth watching. It does not solely rely on grand scenes of war to set the atmosphere. By contrasting the pre-war bustling Seven Treasures Street with the chaotic post-war scene, it depicts the turmoil of that era. To portray the corruption of the Kuomintang, it only needs a few words from high-ranking figures in silhouette, showcasing the modern city's extravagance, the cheers of the crowd when stocks rise, and the desperate cries when stocks fall.
In terms of character development, “War of Faith” does not rush. It starts with Wei Ruolai entering society, apprenticing under Shen Tunan, and the two parting ways due to conflicting beliefs. Wei Ruolai only joins the Party after 36 episodes, allowing the audience to experience his struggles, confusion, and determination as he evolves from a spirited young man to a resolute revolutionary. This gradual transformation makes the character of Wei Ruolai more authentic and profound. Shen Tunan, with his deep and restrained demeanor, sees his patriotic fervor reduced to a tool in the power struggles at the top, his beliefs shattered. Shen Jinzhen transitions from a glamorous heiress to a fearless warrior willing to sacrifice, torn between conflicting beliefs and familial ties. The depiction of the main characters is comprehensive.
The portrayal of the lower-class characters is equally meticulous, with each character vividly depicted: A Wen (played by Li Weilong), who steadfastly believes in Wei Ruolai, a rickshaw puller who roams the streets borrowing money to buy stocks in hopes of owning a new cart before his death; Landlady Zhou (played by Yang Kun), who manages her finances shrewdly, almost appearing mercenary, always loudly demanding rent from tenants and pestering Wei Ruolai for stock market updates, even scaring him with her voice when stocks plummet. Yet, this commoner, during Wei Ruolai's interview, helps him put on a decent coat and looks after the neighborhood when stocks soar. She invests all she has in stocks, simply to secure her future.
Xu Nuo, disguised as a tailor shop owner, is not just a cold, instrumental character. As an elder figure, he cares for Shen Jinzhen as if she were his daughter, sharing meals and warmth. As a comrade, he sacrifices himself by detonating explosives at a critical moment, leaving no evidence of his comradeship for the enemy. Niu Chunmiao (played by Lan Xiya), appearing as Wei Ruolai's fiancée, also plays a role in pushing Wei Ruolai towards joining the Party. She is clever, astute, seemingly unreliable yet repeatedly helps Wei Ruolai out of danger: climbing walls to abduct Lin Qiaosong, running and shooting to rescue Wei Ruolai. Walking among the marching troops, she exudes vitality, liveliness, and a hint of fierceness, truly rare qualities.
Huang Congyun (played by Song Shuai), who sacrifices himself to protect his master. Whether in Shanghai or Jiangxi, Huang Congyun always stands by Shen Tunan, Wei Ruolai's faith is in the nation, while Huang Congyun's faith is in his master, unconditionally supporting him, a kind of warmth indeed.
Even the despicable antagonist Lin Qiaosong (played by Zhang Tianyang) can be understood in full. Lin Qiaosong loves his country but misplaces his loyalty. His thoughts are cunning, his methods ruthless, and despite his background at the Huangpu Military Academy, he is treated as a lackey, leading him to seize any opportunity to prove his worth, even at the cost of slaughtering his compatriots, blinded by his own self-interest.
In the tumultuous era, the struggles of ordinary people are depicted, with characters from different classes facing drastically different fates, bringing history to life in flesh and blood. Amidst the chaos, their faith and resilience touch the heart, each character shining with their unique brilliance.
Wei Ruolai's hope for a peaceful and prosperous era will eventually come to pass, through hardships and perseverance, success will be achieved. The synergy between talented actors and a skilled production team ensures that the success of “War of Faith” is inevitable, making it a vivid stroke in the landscape of cdramas.
