General and I Episode 29 Recap, Plot

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Weapons and edged tools, once sharp and gleaming, now show their age, mottled with rust. He Xia reflected on this, wondering if they, like some people, were bound by fate. Princess Yao Tian, however, disagreed, believing that even the most common individuals could alter their destiny through effort, and as a ruler, she had an even greater ability to change the fates of others. Demonstrating this, they had already prepared funds, derived from the confiscation of He Dapao's gold.

In Huarong, Princess Yao Tian and He Xia visited a newly established academy, housed in an abandoned weapon storage, and a food relief center. Yao Tian expressed satisfaction with how quickly the local government had implemented her orders. He Xia noted that ordinary people, unable to afford private schools, would be grateful for the free education and martial arts training offered, acknowledging that this would also earn the princess their gratitude.

Yao Tian affirmed her duty as Bailan's princess to think about her people, expressing hope that many more such academies would be built so all children in Bailan could receive an education. Later, as they prepared to visit the market, He Xia suggested they travel incognito for a more authentic experience. The people of Huarong, appreciative of the academy and food relief, gathered to express their profound thanks, wishing the Princess and Prince Consort health and good fortune.

Meanwhile, in the Prime Minister's Manor, Gui Yan faced his father, Prime Minister Gui Changqing. The Prime Minister was furious that He Dapao's death meant their secret dealings with Great Yan were now untraceable and all their efforts had been wasted. Gui Yan tried to explain, but his father berated him, calling him a "loser" for failing to secure proof of their financial transactions with the King of Yan.

Prime Minister Gui lamented his son's incompetence, feeling as though he was dying of anger. Back at the imperial court, Princess Yao Tian addressed her officials. She expressed regret at not visiting Great Jin but was pleased with Bailan's thriving populace, abundant resources, and well-managed agriculture, crediting her officials, especially the Prime Minister, for their dedication. Yao Tian then revealed that her intended visit to Great Jin was to apologize for Bailan's army getting lost and delaying reinforcements.

She noted that unforeseen events in Great Jin's court, particularly Yan State's interference, had shifted Jin's focus towards Yan, deploying more troops to their border. Yao Tian declared this a rare opportunity for Bailan. She highlighted Prince Consort He Xia's earlier warnings about Murong Su, the King of Yan, being untrustworthy, citing Yan's betrayal of their five-year truce with Jin. Consequently, Yao Tian announced her decision to immediately sever all ties with Yan State, halting all communications and merchant activities.

Additionally, she ordered the deployment of an extra 30,000 troops to the Bailan-Yan border for defense. He Xia stepped forward, but Prime Minister Gui Changqing promptly tried to stop him, reminding him that, having been removed from his position as Generalissimo of the Flying Cavalry, He Xia was merely a commoner without the right to speak in court.

However, Gui Yan, who was being blackmailed by the Princess and Prince Consort, spoke in favor of He Xia, declaring his admiration for his ideas and willingness to listen. Yao Tian permitted He Xia to speak. He Xia reiterated his earlier plea for army expansion, arguing that Bailan's mere 100,000 troops, many of whom were inexperienced, made them vulnerable compared to Yan and Liang's 500,000 and Jin's 800,000.

He warned that Bailan risked becoming "fat meat" for other states and urged the Princess to order immediate expansion and military drills to prevent invasion. Prime Minister Gui Changqing vehemently opposed, citing the late king's policy of recuperation that had brought Bailan peace for a decade. He accused He Xia of trying to bring war to the country for his own selfish desires. He Xia countered that his proposal was for self-strengthening to deter enemies, not for initiating war.

Yao Tian then sought the opinions of the other ministers. To Prime Minister Gui Changqing's dismay, most ministers, acknowledging the changing times, sided with He Xia, supporting the army expansion. Faced with broad support for He Xia, Yao Tian reinstated him to his former position, decreed immediate army expansion, and appointed Prime Minister Gui Changqing as Military Overseer to supervise the affairs. Later, He Xia and Yao Tian sought a private moment away from the court's noise.

He Xia encouraged her not to dwell on court matters, preferring to discuss "romantic things." Yao Tian confessed that only when they were alone did her heart feel calm and secure. However, Prime Minister Gui Changqing later sought out Yao Tian, questioning whether the army expansion was truly her idea or He Xia's. He acknowledged her growth and capabilities but, citing his forty years of service, boldly warned her about He Xia.

He stated that He Xia, despite his talent, would never be content remaining merely a Prince Consort. He urged her to be cautious in how she utilized him and not to "lose her head over love." The Prime Minister also brought up He Xia's past engagement to Bai Pingting, whom he described as "world-famous" for her intelligence and manipulative skills.

He suggested a secret collusion between He Xia and Bai Pingting: Bai Pingting controlling Chu Beijie in Great Jin while He Xia seized power in Bailan, using army expansion as a pretext to revive the prestige of the Jing'an Manor. He concluded by insisting that Bailan must never fall into the hands of others. Yao Tian dismissed his claims as unproven rumors, advising him against spreading baseless accusations.

She humbly apologized if her past impulsiveness had offended him but assured him she was not blind and knew how to handle He Xia, who was, after all, "just an outsider." Prime Minister Gui Changqing, sensing her resolve, did not press further and took his leave. In Great Jin, a different crisis unfolded. Farmers from East Mountain frantically sought help from Chu Beijie and Bai Pingting, who were residing in a separate manor there.

Their silkworms had mysteriously stopped eating and moving overnight, with over half already dead. Hearing that Chu Beijie and Bai Pingting were once government officials and knowledgeable, the farmers pleaded for their assistance. The couple, accompanied by Zui Ju, visited a farmer's home. They discovered that the problem arose after the silkworms consumed mulberry leaves purchased from the market.

Zui Ju noted an unusual smell from the purchased leaves, and the farmers mentioned they remained fresh for an unusually long time. Suspecting the market leaves, Chu Beijie advised the farmers to feed their silkworms only with leaves they grew themselves, and the couple decided to investigate the silkworm market. At the market, many farmers expressed despair over their dying silkworms, fearing they would have no silk harvest.

Some mentioned their sons leaving to seek work in Bailan, which was reportedly offering good wages for city wall construction. Bai Pingting questioned a vendor selling mulberry leaves, who stated his leaves, like all others at the market, came from a mulberry forest ten miles away. The silkworm crisis escalated, reaching the Jin imperial court. Officials reported that the widespread death of silkworms jeopardized Great Jin's silk orders from beyond the Great Wall, threatening the kingdom's credibility.

They warned that 200,000 silkworm farmers faced ruin, leading to an empty treasury and potential unrest across the land. The Jin King, enraged by the lack of solutions, furiously demanded his officials find a remedy within three days, threatening to banish them if they failed. Overwhelmed by stress, the King suddenly collapsed. Examining the suspicious mulberry leaves, Bai Pingting confirmed that all surrounding mulberry forests had been poisoned, suggesting an attempt to destroy Great Jin's foundation.

Chu Beijie suspected Bailan, reasoning that the resulting chaos would force many Jin citizens, especially the ruined farmers, to seek livelihoods by enlisting in Bailan's expanding army, which offered good wages. Zui Ju questioned if Bailan intended to use this opportunity to attack Great Jin. Bai Pingting and Chu Beijie discussed their initial plans to leave Great Jin.

Bai Pingting was still troubled by worries, as evidenced by her constant study of formations, setting traps, stockpiling provisions, and keeping packed luggage ready. Chu Beijie reassured her, telling her not to be so strong and to leave her burdens to him. He reiterated his long-held plan to take her to his mother's distant hometown beyond the Hengduan Mountain Range after the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.

There, he promised, they would escape the conflicts of the four states and build their own peaceful paradise, free from any past traces. Bai Pingting expressed her anticipation for this new life. Meanwhile, Zhang Guifei seduced Imperial Doctor Li, who had come to examine her, to help her ensure the successful birth of her "dragon fetus."

After their encounter, Zhang Guifei, feeling defiled, scrubbed herself clean in a bath, viewing her actions as merely a transaction using her beauty, devoid of any genuine affection for either the King or any commoner.

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