By Felicia LI
After watching a Chinese movie, The Litchi Road (《長安的荔枝》), I found myself deeply moved and contemplative. What begins as a historical tale of transporting fresh lychees across thousands of miles quickly reveals itself to be a layered reflection of power, sacrifice, and the condition of the common people. Though set in the grandeur of Tang Dynasty China, its resonance with modern-day society—particularly in Hong Kong—is both timely and sobering.
A Single Lychee, A Thousand Miles—But for Whom?
The protagonist, Li Shande, is a humble minor official in the imperial capital of Chang'an. After years of honest work, he finally buys a modest home for his family—his first taste of stability. But his quiet life is disrupted when he is assigned a seemingly glorious yet impossible task: to deliver fresh lychees from the southern region of Lingnan to Chang'an in time for the Emperor's favorite consort's birthday.
This "lychee mission" spans over 3,000 kilometers. Given that lychees spoil quickly—"If taken from the branch, it changes color in one day, loses its smell in two, and its taste in three. After four or five days, it's all gone," as the film quotes from the Tang poet Bai Juyi—the mission is nothing short of absurd. And yet, it must be done.
On the surface, it's a story about loyalty and ambition, but beneath it lies a biting critique: when the desires of the powerful override reason, it is always the people who pay the price. Li Shande takes the gamble—not out of blind loyalty, but for his family, his dignity, and perhaps a last shot at changing his fate. His journey becomes symbolic of countless "little people" throughout history—those who bear the weight of decisions made far above their heads.
Some viewers questioned: "Why didn't the consort just travel to Lingnan to eat lychees herself?"—a question that, while naïve, points directly to the absurdity of the situation. Why must entire communities suffer for a fleeting indulgence of one individual?
The Litchi Road reminds us that a glittering surface often hides deeper costs. A true "golden age" must be measured not by the luxury of the few, but by the well-being of the many.
Growing the Economic "Cake" – But Who Gets a Slice?
One of the film's most powerful lines is:
"Even if I fail, I want to know how far I was from the finish line."
This line speaks not only to Li Shande's struggle but also to the spirit of perseverance among everyday people. We are not afraid of hardship—we are afraid of having no chance at all.
In Hong Kong, we are seeing signs of recovery, from increased consumer spending to a rebound in tourism. The government is proactively promoting mega events and attracting international talent and capital. These initiatives are vital—but they must be inclusive.
Economic development is not an end in itself. It is a means to improve lives. Like the lychees in the film, if prosperity is only accessible to those at the top, then the entire system is skewed. Policymakers must ensure that growth is shared, that opportunity is not a privilege but a right.
From Lychee Road to a Road of Hope
The Litchi Road may be set in ancient China, but its themes are strikingly global and modern. It reminds us that the legitimacy of any "great era" lies not in monuments or markets, but in how it treats its people.
Today's Hong Kong stands at a crossroads. With the unique advantages of "One Country, Two Systems," and strategic opportunities like the Belt and Road Initiative and the Greater Bay Area, we have the tools to thrive. But we must ensure that the benefits of development reach all levels of society, especially youth and grassroots communities.
Hong Kong's future—as the report rightly emphasizes—will not be determined by pessimists or critics, but by doers, believers, and builders.
The Litchi Road is more than a historical drama. It's a mirror—reflecting our systems, our values, and our future.
Let our "lychees" be sweeter, not because they arrived on time for the powerful, but because they are grown, shared, and enjoyed by all.
Who are you carrying lychees for?
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