Jun Jiu Ling Episode 28 Recap
> Jun Jiu Ling Recap
When the Imperial Academy of Medicine learned of reported deaths related to vaccination, Imperial Doctor Jiang Youshu saw an opportunity to bring down Jun Jiuling. He attempted to persuade Lu Yunqi to report Jun Jiuling to the authorities. However, Lu Yunqi, harboring his own agenda, orchestrated a plan. He arranged for Jiang Youshu to be lured into the Arm Moral Department, where he was subjected to the tortures of Ghost Hand.
Lu Yunqi instructed his subordinates to spread the lie that Imperial Doctor Jiang, in his dedication, contracted a deadly disease while treating a seriously ill prisoner and subsequently died from it, effectively silencing Jiang Youshu. Meanwhile, Zhu Zan, acutely aware of the perilous situation in the North, earnestly requested Emperor Chu Rang to permit him to accompany his father, Lord Cheng, to battle.
However, Emperor Chu Rang sternly reprimanded Zhu Zan, presenting him with numerous memorials that accused his father of delaying military plans, cheating, disloyalty, and both of them of embezzling military funds to expand their mansion. Chu Rang also highlighted rumors that suggested Lord Cheng's influence rivaled his own, hinting that he kept Zhu Zan in the capital to control Lord Cheng.
Zhu Zan vehemently denied the accusations, proclaiming his father's unwavering loyalty and volunteering to redeem himself by fighting alongside his father. Yet, Chu Rang dismissed his plea, ordering him to feed horses in the Pasturage Department. Concurrently, Lu Yunqi dispatched Your Excellency Jin to follow Jun Jiuling, instructing him to observe her and only bring her back to the capital after she had resolved the vaccine issue in the North.
Jun Jiuling's group, escorted by Mr. Lei, continued their journey north, aware of the ever-present Arm Moral Department personnel trailing them, but they had not yet faced any direct hostility. Jun Jiuling decided to let them follow for the time being, prioritizing her mission to investigate the vaccine situation. Fang Jinxiu received a letter from Jun Jiuling, confirming that the problem with the vaccine had been resolved.
The letter explained that certain doctors, blinded by greed, had attempted to extract vaccine from vaccinated individuals using incorrect methods, resulting in a highly toxic and ultimately fatal substance. Fang Jinxiu and her staff were relieved that the issue was resolved. Elsewhere, Zhu Zan was advised against returning to the North due to the increased danger, but he remained resolute.
News reached Zhu Zan's subordinates that Jun Jiuling had indeed resolved the vaccine issue in Southwestern Hebei but had since disappeared, presumably to evade Lu Yunqi's men. They vowed to inform Zhu Zan immediately if any news of her surfaced. In the capital, Princess Chu Jiuli suffered from a cold, leaving her weak. Imperial doctors assured Lu Yunqi that she was stable after treatment.
Lu Yunqi, visibly relieved, urged Princess Chu Jiuli to take good care of her health, emphasizing that Prince Huai had already lost one sister, Chu Jiuling, and could not bear to lose another. Princess Chu Jiuli inquired if Chu Jiuling had entrusted him with their care, to which Lu Yunqi replied negatively.
Later, Lu Yunqi pondered to himself, acknowledging that everything he did for the siblings was for Chu Jiuling, driven by his deep affection for her, vowing to hold onto anyone who even remotely resembled her. In the dead of night, Prime Minister Huang met with His Excellency Yu, an envoy from Beiqi, to discuss their next move. Prime Minister Huang expressed his frustration that Lord Cheng had not only survived but also decisively defeated Beiqi, even recovering Hejian Prefecture.
Despite the envoy's attempt to discuss peace, Prime Minister Huang remained steadfast in his desire for revenge for his son's death at Zhu Zan's hands. He adamantly refused any peace overtures, asserting that if Beiqi sought peace now, it would only bolster Lord Cheng's prestige. He demanded Beiqi demonstrate true sincerity by launching a full-scale attack, using their soldiers' lives to avenge his son. He urged the envoy to act swiftly, warning against delay.
The Beiqi ruler heeded Prime Minister Huang's demand, officially declaring war. Upon learning of the declaration, Jun Jiuling resolved to continue her journey north. Her objective was not only to ensure the proper implementation of vaccination for the populace but also to minimize any potential accidents, thus alleviating Lord Cheng's concerns and allowing him to focus solely on repelling the foreign invaders.
Liu'er and Chen Qi diligently assisted her, while Mr. Lei meticulously undertook the crucial task of sorting medicinal herbs. Prime Minister Huang, recognizing the unfavorable turn of the war for Beiqi, sought a decisive maneuver. He proposed a surprise attack on Kaide Prefecture, a vital strategic location. He knew that the fall of Kaide Prefecture would be a devastating blow to the dynasty, compelling Emperor Chu Rang to recall Lord Cheng from the front lines to defend it.
In court, Prime Minister Huang pressed the Emperor to issue the recall order. Minister Ning, however, vehemently opposed this, arguing that recalling Lord Cheng, who was deeply embroiled in battle in the North, would leave the region vulnerable to Beiqi's aggression. Despite Minister Ning's earnest pleas for the safety of the northern populace, most court officials, fearing Prime Minister Huang's influence, echoed his call to recall Lord Cheng.
After much deliberation, Emperor Chu Rang yielded and issued an edict ordering Lord Cheng to return to defend Kaide Prefecture. Prime Minister Huang, aiming to ensure Lord Cheng's demise, further suggested that the Emperor issue multiple edicts, emphasizing the court's grave concern, thereby pressuring Lord Cheng to hasten his return and fall into their trap. Concurrently, Zhu Zan instructed Li Sanbing and Zhang Baotang to gather the members of Sky Pavilion in Southwestern Hebei, where they would rendezvous.
He then orchestrated a chaotic escape from the Pasturage Department by unfastening the reins of all the horses, using whistles to guide them and himself to freedom amidst the stampede. The news of Zhu Zan's escape swiftly reached the imperial palace, prompting Emperor Chu Rang to issue an arrest warrant and Lu Yunqi to order an all-out pursuit. Jun Jiuling's team continued their journey north, diligently administering vaccinations to the people in various prefectures.
During a brief stop, they discovered Madame Yu, Lord Cheng's wife, under attack by what appeared to be bandits. Recognizing the Arm Moral Department's presence behind them, Jun Jiuling swiftly devised a plan and ordered her team to assist Madame Yu. As expected, the disguised Beiqi soldiers, who were posing as robbers, fled upon seeing Your Excellency Jin and the Arm Moral Department forces approaching from all directions.
After rescuing Madame Yu, Jun Jiuling treated her injured ankle and confirmed that the attackers were indeed Beiqi soldiers in disguise. She immediately altered their route to Daming Prefecture. Although Your Excellency Jin had not directly engaged in the fight, his presence had served as a powerful deterrent. Jun Jiuling, aware that Your Excellency Jin was eventually tasked by Lu Yunqi to bring her back to the capital, nonetheless expressed her gratitude for his indirect assistance.
Zhu Zan successfully evaded his pursuers from the capital and proceeded to Southwestern Hebei. There, he encountered scattered Beiqi troops harming civilians and abducting young women. Under the cover of night, he launched a surprise attack. Fortunately, Li Sanbing arrived to provide support, and together, they efficiently neutralized the remaining Beiqi soldiers. Zhu Zan learned that Zhang Baotang was gathering his allies in the northwest to head directly to Kaide Prefecture.
With no news of Jun Jiuling, Zhu Zan decided to proceed to Kaide Prefecture himself. Back in the capital, Emperor Chu Rang received ten successive letters of refusal from Lord Cheng, rebuffing all ten of the Emperor's edicts. Enraged officials called for Lord Cheng to be charged with treason and insolence, especially given Zhu Zan's recent escape. However, Lu Yunqi stepped forward to defend Lord Cheng.
He pointed out that Zhu Zan, as the son of Lord Cheng, was now a fugitive facing widespread wanted orders, placing him in extreme danger. Lu Yunqi argued that the easiest choice for Lord Cheng as a father would have been to obey the Emperor's command, return to the capital, and rescue his son.
Yet, Lord Cheng chose not to, demonstrating that he prioritized the North, its people, and the preservation of the nation above his own son's safety, rejecting a father's natural instinct. Emperor Chu Rang, feeling his authority challenged, angrily accused Lu Yunqi of implying he was inferior to Lord Cheng. Despite Lu Yunqi's denial, the Emperor silenced him, declaring his absolute sovereignty over the country.
When Lu Yunqi urged the Emperor to reconsider, Chu Rang, deeming his words arrogant, suspended him from his position and ordered him to reflect on his mistakes in solitude for three months.
