Legend of the Female General Episode 5 Recap
> Legend of the Female General Recap
Yezhou Magistrate Sun Xiangfu stalled the delivery of military provisions, citing a poor harvest, outstanding payments to farmers, and critically low grain reserves. Xiao Jue's subordinates confirmed their investigation into He Yan's past yielded no suspicious details, matching her military records perfectly and suggesting that those covering for her were exceptionally capable.
Xiao Jue deduced that Xu Jingfu, after engineering his transfer to Yezhou to remove him from the capital, was now trying to destabilize the new recruits by tampering with provisions and spreading rumors of embezzlement. Xiao Jue determined that the remaining provisions would last for some time, and after the Flag Contest concluded, he would personally confront Sun Xiangfu to uncover the nature of Xu Jingfu's pawn in Yezhou. By the river, many people released lanterns.
He Yan released a lantern for her past self, reflecting that having been reborn with a new identity, her life was now hers to control, leaving her old self behind. Cheng Lisu arrived with a massive lantern, explaining it was for both his ancestors and Xiao Jue's, so it had to be large to accommodate both families and prevent loneliness.
He shared a poignant story: after Xiao Jue's grand-uncle died, his grief-stricken grand-aunt took her own life, leaving Xiao Jue even more solitary. Cheng Lisu also revealed that family and friends preferred Xiao Jue's scholarly elder brother, Xiao Jing. Unlike his brother, Xiao Jue volunteered for the army to fulfill the family's military tradition, which led him to become aloof and distant, to the point that even his own mother struggled to connect with him.
He Yan noticed Xiao Jue also present, seemingly in mourning. She approached him, and they had a philosophical exchange about the living fulfilling the wishes of the deceased. When she offered to teach him how to fold a lantern as repayment for saving her, Xiao Jue refused. He Yan playfully provoked him, calling him picky and squeamish for not making one himself, which surprisingly led him to sit down and fold one.
Their hands accidentally brushed, and Xiao Jue quickly withdrew his, while He Yan remained unbothered, again remarking on his squeamishness. Aware of her female identity, Xiao Jue found her lack of concern for propriety between genders unusual. Later, as He Yan prepared to light her finished lantern, Xiao Jue subtly extended his hand to shield the flame from the wind.
On the day of the Flag Contest, Commander Xiao Jue announced that the most outstanding new recruit would be selected to join the Nine Banners Battalion, sparking Lei Hou's determination. He Yan, having meticulously mapped Mount Baiyue during a previous patrol, chose a strategic approach. Understanding the instructors' tactics, she recognized that obvious flag locations were traps. Instead, she guided her team toward a flag hidden in dense woods behind a steep cliff—a challenging but likely uncontested path.
Her foresight proved correct, and her team secured the first red flag without a fight. Back at the camp, Xiao Jue and Shen Han discussed the contest. Xiao Jue expressed confidence in He Yan's strategic prowess, while Shen Han favored Lei Hou's team for their individual martial arts skills. Soon, news arrived that He Yan's team was ambushing other teams, outsmarting them with tactics and seizing their flags.
As the contest neared its climax, both Lei Hou's and He Yan's teams had secured seven flags. With the final flag in a treacherous valley set to determine the winner, He Yan proposed a duel instead of a chaotic scramble: the victor would claim all of the loser's flags. Despite her teammates' concerns, He Yan reassured them. During the duel, Lei Hou's teammates attempted a sneak attack from behind, but He Yan's vigilant teammates swiftly defended her.
He Yan ultimately prevailed, and Lei Hou, acknowledging her superior combat skills, honorably conceded defeat, allowing He Yan's team to claim all fifteen flags. He Yan's team returned to the camp victorious, but Commander Xiao Jue decided to postpone the commendations until the Mid-Autumn Festival five days later. Confident she would be chosen for the Nine Banners Battalion, He Yan crafted a small flower pot bearing the words "Great Master and Talented Disciple" as a gift for Xiao Jue.
When she tried to present it, Xiao Jue subtly avoided a direct conversation, offering her pastries before excusing himself for a meeting. Meanwhile, the scholar Chu Zhao approached General He Rufei, requesting that the skilled guard Ding Yi accompany him to Yezhou to mediate the tense situation between Xiao Jue and Magistrate Sun Xiangfu, hoping to impress the Chancellor.
He Rufei agreed but secretly instructed Ding Yi to use the opportunity to obtain certain items from Sun Xiangfu and stir up trouble, ensuring any fallout would be blamed on Sun Xiangfu or Chu Zhao. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, He Yan was disappointed by Xiao Jue's absence, still expecting him to announce the Nine Banners Battalion selection. Shen Han arrived with a large jar of wine as a special reward for He Yan's team.
After congratulating them on their first-place victory, he stunned them by announcing he was on his way to congratulate Lei Hou. He Yan and her teammates were shocked to learn that Lei Hou, not He Yan, was the chosen candidate. Shen Han explained that the Commander's decision was based on a comprehensive evaluation, not solely on the Flag Contest results, and encouraged He Yan, assuring her that she was a talented individual with many more opportunities ahead.
