Actors of the TV drama Zhang Jian. [Photo/ourjiangsu.com]

The historical TV drama Zhang Jian wrapped up filming in Nantong, Jiangsu province, on Dec 28, local media reported.

The drama portrays the story of Zhang Jian (1853-1926), a top scholar in the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), who, faced with the country's rise and fall, decisively resigned from his official position to start businesses and establish the Dasheng Cotton Mills in Nantong. The drama aims to inspire viewers with Zhang's patriotic, nation-saving, and nation-repaying spirit.

Zhang was a renowned Chinese industrialist, politician, educator, and social activist who made significant contributions to the rise of China's modern national industry, education, and social welfare undertakings.

Produced by Omnijoi Media Corp, the drama was filmed across five cities, including Nantong, Wuxi, and Suzhou. The production team strived to authentically recreate historical scenes, illustrating Zhang's patriotic ethos of "bearing the responsibility of the nation", his commitment to a people-centered philosophy of "benefiting the world and its people", and his innovative spirit characterized by "pioneering new paths".

Director Wang Weimin of the TV drama stated, "I want more audiences across the country to know who Zhang Jian is because as one of the first patriotic industrialists in the late Qing Dynasty, their broad-mindedness and sentiments are something worth learning from forever."

Wu Di, producer of the TV drama, remarked, "Zhang is a pioneer and role model for national entrepreneurs. The purpose of creating this drama is to inspire audiences, especially young viewers, to understand Zhang's life and his entrepreneurial spirit."