Route of heroic endeavor

Despite suffering torture in prison, Zou refused to reveal any information and was taken outside to be killed near a local middle school. The cruel enemies even poured kerosene to burn his corpse. This traumatic end left his two teenage daughters struggling with trauma for decades.

A lot of inspirational tales about the revolutionary martyrs are featured in the TV series, making it sort of a documentary-like work to help modern audiences learn more about the history that has been sealed for many years.

Encouraged by the martyrs' devotion and loyalty, producer Zhang Min says the crew of around 400 people-with the number sometimes exceeding 700 for large-scale scenes-had overcome a number of difficulties, varying from unsettled weather to unexpected incidents and harsh environment.

"Around 90 percent of the scenes were shot in the wild or outdoors. From revolutionary relics to historical streets and old ports, we have tried to revisit all the major stations on the route, providing audience a vivid and panoramic view of the arduous line which went through seas, railways, rivers and mountains," says Zhang Min.

"The new drama doesn't focus on renowned figures or great leaders but has turned the lens to some ordinary people who turned heroes for the liberation of their country, which we hope resonates with young audiences," she adds.

Li Zhun, a renowned critic and former vice-chairman of China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, says the new TV series has convincingly demonstrated early CPC members' noble spirit and their firm faith against the Kuomintang's cruel purge, hailing it as a breakthrough in depicting grassroots CPC members in the country's TV history.