Forward Forever Episode 1 Recap, Plot

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In the early days of the Qing Dynasty, a mysterious imperial guard unit known as the Yan Shi Fan was formed. Composed of elite members from the Eight Banners noble families, they secretly served the Emperor, safeguarding imperial authority through generations. Thirteen years ago, A Yi's village was tragically massacred, his home burned to ashes, and his mother abducted. Now an orphan, A Yi, along with his companion Big silly, has journeyed from beyond the pass to the capital.

Haunted by memories of his mother and the massacre, A Yi is determined to find his lost mother and seek revenge on those responsible for the destruction of his village. He also muses on the vast disparities between the rich and poor, while Big silly attempts to comfort him. Big silly suggests they continue searching for A Yi's mother with the only clue they have: a rouge box.

A Yi, however, expresses despair over finding her in the vast capital and reveals his true mission: to avenge the slaughter of his village, brandishing a Shenji camp handgun grip as a symbol of his determination. Big silly, remembering the power of their attackers, tries to dissuade him from revenge, but A Yi adamantly states he will find them, knowing the Shenji camp is in the capital.

It is 1908, a time when old and new cultures clash, and Western influence is on the rise. Erji Chong Liming, a sophisticated and influential hereditary Beile from the Manchu Plain White Banner, has just returned from military school in Japan after studying in Europe. He embodies modernity, driving a foreign car, wearing Western clothes, and sporting a Western haircut.

Fang'er, a renowned courtesan, sends him Dragon and Phoenix wedding cakes from the South, a playful gesture implying a desire to marry him. Chong Liming accepts the gift and gives her a jade pendant, acknowledging her bold spirit. Later, playboy Jia Chang'an, known for his unruly behavior, harasses Qing'er at Old Horse's mutton soup shop. A Yi, unable to tolerate the injustice, intervenes and beats Jia Chang'an, driving him away.

Chong Liming, passing by, is intrigued by the commotion and enters the shop. He observes A Yi eating ravenously and praises his courage for not fleeing after the altercation. Qing'er, tearful, confirms Jia Chang'an's harassment and A Yi's intervention. Chong Liming reassures her of his protection. Suddenly, officers from the Infantry Commandant's Yamen storm in to arrest A Yi, accusing him of being a rebel. Chong Liming attempts to intercede, but the officers, asserting their authority, ignore him.

A Yi easily fends off the attackers. When the lead officer points a gun at A Yi, accusing him of being a rebel, Chong Liming swiftly disarms him, reveals his identity as a Manchu Plain White Banner hereditary Duoluo Zhemin Beile, and orders the terrified officers to leave. Impressed by A Yi's fighting prowess, Chong Liming offers him a place by his side, but A Yi, initially reserved, only asks for leftover mutton and pancakes to take with him.

Qing'er, grateful, insists he take extra food. A Yi eventually thanks Chong Liming, who then gives him a waist token from his princely mansion, instructing him to use it if he ever needs help. Meanwhile, Chong Liming solidifies his promise to Old Horse Head, reassuring him that Jia Chang'an will no longer trouble them.

He also informs them that he has secured a spot for Qing'er at a girls' school, dismissing Old Horse Head's traditional belief that "woman has no talent but virtue." Chong Liming also urges Old Horse Head to expand and modernize his mutton soup business, offering financial support, but the old man, proud of his family's century-old establishment, refuses to move or change, fearing it would alter its traditional "taste."

In the palace, the Empress Dowager, suffering from a chronic illness, rejects medicine, lamenting her age and the passage of time. Her eunuch, Dong Lianhai, attends to her. She expresses concern over the Emperor's growing independence, fearing his desire for reform. Chong Liming is seen teaching his father international chess.

His father, worried about the Empress Dowager's secret investigation into the imperial party members, cautions Chong Liming against associating with Shuer Tai, who was dismissed from his post for supporting the Emperor. Chong Liming argues that the Empress Dowager's declining health presents an opportunity for the Emperor to lead reforms, which he believes is the only way to save the Qing dynasty. Chong Liming proceeds to visit Shuer Tai, who is under house arrest in Tingyu Xuan.

A eunuch attempts to block him, citing the Empress Dowager's orders. Chong Liming slaps the eunuch and orders Dong Lianhai to control his staff. Inside, Chong Liming finds Shuer Tai and shows him the medical pulse records of both the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. Shuer Tai, analyzing the records, concludes that the Empress Dowager's condition is severe and she may die before the Emperor.

This revelation sparks hope for Shuer Tai, who believes the Emperor could then be freed from Yingtai and resume the reforms. Chong Liming assures him of unwavering support for the Emperor. When Shuer Tai questions Chong Liming's Western hairstyle, Chong Liming explains it was for military training in Japan and highlights that cutting queues has become a widespread trend, even among the imperial army, symbolizing an unstoppable wave of reform.

He contrasts Japan's successful modernization with China's struggles, attributing the latter to the conflict between the Emperor's progressive vision and the Empress Dowager's resistance to change. Concurrently, A Yi and Big silly visit an antique shop to inquire about the rouge box. The shop owner identifies it as a valuable Western tribute from Great Britain, part of a set of twelve pairs, each engraved with a love story.

As they learn this, Jia Chang'an and a contingent of imperial guards burst in. Jia Chang'an, still harboring resentment from their earlier encounter, accuses A Yi and Big silly of being rebels and possessing stolen imperial tribute. Despite their protests, the rouge box is confiscated, and A Yi and Big silly are forcibly taken to the penalty room, where Jia Chang'an intends to torment them.

At a Yan Shi Fan gathering, a reward of 10,000 taels of silver from the Empress Dowager was announced. Commander Rui Zhen, after inquiring about the Empress Dowager's health, warns Chong Liming to maintain distance from Shuer Tai, who is considered a major offender, to avoid implication. Chong Liming firmly asserts that Shuer Tai, despite his dismissal from Shenji camp, remains the rightful chief of the Yan Shi Fan.

Rui Zhen then outlines a plan with Mu Yi to eradicate members of the Alliance Headquarters in Beijing, stressing the need for ruthless action to "cut the grass and eliminate the root" and "rather kill one thousand by mistake than miss one." Rui Zhen then confronts Chong Liming, hinting at his brothers in the Shenji camp being involved in illegal arms trafficking, a claim Chong Liming denies.

Separately, in a clandestine meeting, Wen Gou and Wagner engage in an arms deal with foreigners. The foreigners attempt to double-cross Wen Gou by demanding more money and trying to seize both the funds and the weapons. However, Wen Gou, having anticipated this, had Si San ambush them. Wen Gou and Wagner eliminate the foreigners, securing all the arms, with Wen Gou sarcastically suggesting the foreigners hire more "professional" personnel in the future.

Back in the palace, Dong Lianhai reports to the Empress Dowager that the Emperor is deeply absorbed in Montesquieu's writings, even reciting "lofty ambition." The Empress Dowager, while confined, understands she cannot suppress his reformist aspirations. Later, in a private conversation, Chong Liming reveals to an associate the rumor that the Empress Dowager might not survive the winter, implying a potential shift in power that could empower the Emperor and his reform agenda. Chong Liming advises caution, indicating that any premature declaration of allegiance from the Shenji camp could lead to trouble amidst the capital's volatile political climate.

Episode 2 Recap