The series topped ratings chart and had over 6 billion views online during its domestic broadcast, but received mixed critical reviews. It was later aired via GetTV in the United States.[4]
Synopsis
During the early days of New China, Country X (a euphemism for the United States) sends out a special operations team to infiltrate China; using the "code purple" to communicate with each other. A top-secret Chinese intelligence agency named Unit 701 was formed, whose sole purpose is devoted to cryptography. Rong Jinzhen, an autistic math genius was recruited into Unit 701. There, he cracks the code purple, without knowing it was invented by his former teacher and best friend, who is actually a military intelligence analyst for Country X. However, this is only the first of many betrayals that follow, and slowly Jinzhen unravels the secrets behind his mysterious past.
A girl with photographic memory, who is a revolutionary activist since young. She joined 701 for the sake of her long-time crush An Neng. She was initially jealous of An Neng's care toward Rong Jinzhen, but later falls in love with him.
Having been born and raised in difficult circumstances, Qirong is resilient. Because of his outstanding performance in fitness, he was recruited into 701. He is good friends with Rong Jinzhen.
Guo Jingfei as Zheng Dang
Chief of the Encryption Team. He becomes crippled after getting injured during a war. A wise man who leads his juniors in completing their tasks.
Yin Xiaotian as An Neng
Vice-Chief of the Operations Team who helps train new recruits. He sees Rong Jinzhen's strengths and goes the extra mile to take care of him.
Bai Qinglin as Lei Ting
Leader of the Operations Team and the Head Instructor of the Training Camp. A highly capable and skilled agent. She initially looks down on Rong Jinzhen but grew to admire him. She has a crush on Zheng Dang.
Yu Heng as Meng Xiaoyun
Possessing extraordinary hearing abilities, he was brought into 701 by Lei Ting. He hides his low self esteem behind a glib tongue. He is suspected of being a traitor/spy due to his father's job as a foreign investor.
Yang Yi as Yan Shi
Daughter of a famous opera singer. Like Rong Jinzhen, she is a mathematical genius and works alongside him to break the code. She likes Pan Shen.
Wang Yanyang as Pan Shen
A guy who possesses extraordinary investigative abilities. Pan Shen later comes under the control of the enemies, and develops schizophrenia. He likes Yan Shi.
Wang Tonghui as Liu Yiping
A hero who broke WWII Japanese ciphers, but now turned into a helpless, chess-playing lunatic.
A genius encrypter who turned to the enemies' side due to his desire for power. As he used to be Rong Jinzhen's teacher, he understands him well and tries to prevent him from breaking the code.
Li Nan as Chen Jiangnian
Boss of Rui Xiang Hostel. He was the murderer who killed Han Bing's mother.
