In this adaptation of Qu Bo's novel Qiao Longbiao, Tong Yao co-stars in a key role as Xiao Bailong, the fiercely loyal adopted sister of the protagonist, Qiao Longbiao. The series charts Qiao Longbiao’s transformation from a charismatic bandit leader into a dedicated communist guerrilla fighter. Set against the turbulent backdrop of the Anti-Japanese War (1937–1945) and the subsequent Civil War, it’s a story of heroic struggle against foreign invaders and reactionary forces. It’s worth noting that this drama is a prime example of revolutionary romanticism, a genre where patriotic politics are central to the narrative. To fully appreciate the story, it helps to approach it on its own terms, with an understanding of this specific historical and cultural context.
I did a little digging online, and it appears Tong Yao’s character, Xiao Bailong (also known as Qiao Longhua), was created specifically for the drama series to add complexity to the male-centric novel. This makes her role all the more significant. Credited as the first female lead under Xing Jiadong, she has a respectable amount of screen time. This alone makes me keen to watch, but especially because her character looks incredibly cool. As the apparent third-in-command of the bandit army, the formidable Xiao Bailong isn't just a token female character or a simple love interest; she’s right in the thick of the action.
Here’s a fun connection for Tong Yao fans: this isn’t her first time in an adaptation of a Qu Bo novel. Qu Bo also wrote Tracks in the Snowy Forest, the very drama that marked Tong Yao’s professional debut. In a lovely nod to that earlier role, her character here is nicknamed Xiao Bailong (小白龙, "Little White Dragon"), while in Tracks, she played Bai Ru, also known as Xiao Baige (小白鸽, "Little White Dove").
The two roles showcase Tong Yao's versatility. In Tracks in the Snowy Forest, Bai Ru is the epitome of demure, gentle, and innocent. Xiao Bailong is her polar opposite: rescued from a brothel by the hero, she is bold, outspoken, fiercely loyal, and a capable fighter who never hesitates to jump into the fray.
This transformation was a deliberate choice. In an interview, Tong Yao revealed that the production team offered her a choice between two female characters: the gentle, educated Pei Yahan, or the brash Xiao Bailong. She chose the latter almost immediately, drawn to the character’s unruly spirit and fighting skills. What truly intrigued her, however, was the character's hidden depth. She described Xiao Bailong as someone whose tough, masculine demeanour was a shield for her deep-seated insecurities, stemming from a difficult past. In a world of men, she acts like one of the "bros" to hide her vulnerability and her feeling that she isn't worthy of love.
To bring this complex heroine to life, Tong Yao committed fully to the physical demands of the role. She insisted on doing her own stunts—riding horses, brandishing a long whip, and taking part in fight sequences. When asked about the difficulty, she simply said, "It's not easy to be a heroine; if you're going to be one, don't be a fake one." This resilience was forged early. She considers her debut in Tracks in the Snowy Forest, filmed in grueling -40°C conditions, to be the hardest job she's ever had. That tough experience, she said, made every challenge afterward feel more manageable.
Another detail that gives the series its distinctive feel is its surprising filming location. Interestingly, according to a production article on Sina, while the story is set in Northern China, much of the series was actually filmed in Lijiang, Yunnan. The team originally scouted locations in Shandong, Liaoning, and the outskirts of Beijing but struggled to find suitable, historically appropriate settings that hadn’t already been overused in other wartime dramas. It was the film’s art director, a Yunnan native, who recommended Lijiang. The ancient Han-style architecture there was remarkably well-preserved and rich in period atmosphere, and proved a perfect fit for the story’s rugged, war-torn backdrop. The decision gave the series a distinctive visual look that helps set it apart from other war dramas of its kind.
To give you a better feel for the character in action, I’ve edited the opening and closing credits into a single clip for your viewing pleasure. Both sequences feature Tong Yao as Xiao Bailong and should give you a good idea of whether you want to try and watch the series.
I hope to watch the series in full when I have more time, but my main priority right now is to continue filling out Tong Yao's filmography page. So if you happen to watch this series before I do, feel free to let me know what you thought of it in the comments below. 🙂
Curious about the rest of Tong Yao’s work?
I’m gradually putting together a filmography page with info, notes, short reviews, longer commentaries on her drama series and films. You’ll find write-ups, character descriptions, production trivia, and links to fuller write-ups like this one. It’s very much a work in progress, but feel free to take a look: Tong Yao Film & TV Guide for Fans.
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