Legend of the Magnate Episode 3 Recap
> Legend of the Magnate Recap
Gu Pingyuan, having been shot by Commander Xu and fallen from a cliff while helping Su Zixuan and her son escape Ningguta, was found and rescued by Chang Si's horse gang. He lay unconscious in a cart as they traversed the snowy landscape. Upon regaining consciousness, he found himself being cared for by Chang Si and his daughter, Chang Yu'er. Chang Yu'er informed him that she had just removed a barbed arrow from his injury.
Chang Si then expressed his deep gratitude, explaining that Chang Yu'er's insistence on searching for Gu Pingyuan at the foot of the mountain saved him from freezing to death, acknowledging the great risk Gu Pingyuan took to help them. Gu Pingyuan immediately expressed concern that Commander Xu would undoubtedly pursue them, and if he were discovered, Chang Si and his entire horse gang would be implicated.
Chang Si, however, dismissed these fears, declaring that he lived by a code of honor and would never abandon someone in need, especially not one who had helped him. He attempted to reassure Gu Pingyuan that their early departure would keep them ahead, but Gu Pingyuan pointed out that Commander Xu's elite cavalry could easily catch up, and their cart tracks were clearly visible in the snow.
Indeed, Commander Xu soon located the bloody arrow at the cliff's base and, noticing the cart tracks, ordered his troops to follow. Anticipating this, Gu Pingyuan declared to Chang Si that he had devised a plan for them to escape alive. Commander Xu soon caught up with the horse gang and interrogated Chang Si about the contents of his carts. Chang Si claimed they were carrying "big fish" and no salt. Skeptical, Commander Xu ordered a search, which yielded nothing.
Dissatisfied, he personally plunged his weapon into one of the carts, and water gushed out, confirming Chang Si’s story. Despite finding no evidence, Commander Xu threatened Chang Si about the severe consequences of harboring exiles before rushing off to meet his superiors in Jilin. Once Commander Xu departed, a cautious Chang Si sent Heizi ahead to scout for any return. He then opened a cart, revealing Gu Pingyuan who had been hidden inside.
Gu Pingyuan explained his ingenious plan: they had sent the actual salt-filled carts ahead, while he had hidden himself in a cart filled with river water and fish that the men had caught by luring them with oil-soaked flatbread. Gu Pingyuan then confirmed that the stolen ledger, detailing Commander Xu’s crimes, had been dispatched as a "life-saving letter" to the Military Governor of Jilin's residence.
Commander Xu arrived at the Military Governor of Jilin's residence, bearing extravagant gifts including high-grade fox pelts, tiger skins, and ginseng wine, hoping to appease his superior. However, he was too late. The Military Governor, visibly enraged, confronted Commander Xu with a ledger titled "Accounts of General's Mansion Made by Gu Pingyuan," which had already been delivered. Commander Xu attempted to deny the accusations, claiming they were fabricated by prisoners, and reiterated his loyalty.
But the Governor, holding an attached note, accused Commander Xu of rampant corruption, abusing his power, treating imperial prisoners as personal slaves, and flagrantly disregarding human life. He warned Commander Xu that if he didn't address these accusations, Gu Pingyuan intended to report them directly to the capital, which would implicate the Governor himself.
Furthermore, the note exposed Commander Xu's most heinous crime: supplying warhorses to southern rebels—a treasonous act punishable by the extermination of his entire clan, which would also implicate the Governor.
Overruling Commander Xu's desperate pleas and denials, the Military Governor, to protect his own position, immediately issued an order: Xu San, the fourth-rank battalion commander of Ningguta, was stripped of his rank, sentenced to 50 lashes, and condemned to penal labor at the military horse camp for his greed, collusion with rebels, and gross dereliction of duty. With Commander Xu dealt with, Chang Si's horse gang safely reached Songshan Inn.
A doctor was summoned, and Chang Yu'er tirelessly nursed Gu Pingyuan, who was suffering from severe injuries and a high fever. During his delirium, Gu Pingyuan vividly relived a traumatic memory from five years prior. He recalled being in the capital's examination hall when a man from Anhui frantically sought "Gu Pingyuan," falsely claiming his mother was on her deathbed and needed him to return home.
Heartbroken, Gu Pingyuan rushed out, declaring his identity and his intention to abandon the exam. For this, an official immediately condemned him, accusing the scholar Gu Pingyuan of Anhui of disturbing the examination hall, insulting his superiors, and gross insubordination. He was sentenced to 50 blows and 15 years of exile in Ningguta. Outside, people whispered that he had clearly been framed, lamenting such a harsh fate for a young man.
Meanwhile, Heizi repeatedly urged Chang Si to abandon Gu Pingyuan, fearing further trouble, but Chang Si firmly refused, citing Gu Pingyuan's past kindness and his own code of honor. Gu Pingyuan's fever finally broke, and he began to recover, with Chang Si acknowledging that "heaven lent a hand" and praising his resilience.
Gu Pingyuan expressed profound gratitude to Chang Si for saving his life and to Chang Yu'er for her tireless care, noting she was always by his side when he awoke. When asked about his future, Gu Pingyuan admitted he was unsure, fearing that returning home would alert the authorities since his stripping of rank and exile were well-known. Chang Si offered for him to return to Pingyao with the horse gang.
Gu Pingyuan, however, hesitated, revealing he had an elderly mother, a younger brother, and a fiancée—his teacher Mr. Bai’s daughter—to whom he was betrothed, with their marriage awaiting his return from the imperial exam. Chang Si, who had previously understood Gu Pingyuan to be unmarried, was surprised but then cautioned Chang Yu'er, who was still intent on caring for Gu Pingyuan.
He told her to stop her diligent care, reminding her of her unmarried status and his desire for her to settle down properly. Chang Yu'er, defiant, retorted that her care stemmed from Gu Pingyuan being a good man who had helped them, not from any desire for marriage, declaring she would save him even if he were a demon.
As Gu Pingyuan’s health steadily improved, he and Chang Yu'er found themselves engrossed in conversation during their journey, particularly as they approached the historic Yanmen Pass. Chang Yu'er vividly recounted tales of legendary heroes like "Lord Yang with his golden blade" defending the pass, lamenting how treacherous officials had brought about their tragic ends. She reflected on the transient nature of happiness, wondering if their current joyful moments would one day bring sadness upon reflection.
Gu Pingyuan appreciated her philosophical musings, expressing his admiration for her perspective and admitting that his past experiences had led him to reconsider his path. He confessed his desire to join the horse gang and learn the trade from Chang Si, acknowledging that his scholarly title had been stripped, rendering him unqualified for officialdom. Chang Yu'er encouraged him, even offering to teach him herself if her father wouldn’t.
Gu Pingyuan then confided the true reason for his escape: a deep-seated need to uncover the bizarre misfortunes that plagued his family. He recounted how his father had vanished years ago while traveling to the capital for an imperial examination, and how, during his own attempt to find him in the capital, he was inexplicably framed during his exam. He believed an "invisible hand" was orchestrating their downfall and vowed to find out why.
Feeling lost and without a clear path forward, he contemplated settling there to learn business, as Chang Yu'er suggested, until a more opportune time to pursue his quest for truth. Li Qin returned to the capital, believing he had successfully completed his mission. However, his father, Li Wantang, was already aware of everything, having received a detailed letter from Su Zixuan.
Li Wantang immediately reprimanded Li Qin for associating with Gu Pingyuan, a runaway exile, reminding him of the severe Qing law that equated harboring an exile with their crime, and warning that their prosperous family was under scrutiny. Li Qin defended his actions, stating that they wouldn't have made it back without Gu Pingyuan, whom he considered a righteous and responsible man worthy of friendship.
Li Wantang scoffed at the idea of befriending an exile, pointing out that Gu Pingyuan brought two additional people out, which could bring ruin to their family. He then redirected his anger towards Su Zixuan, accusing her of rebellion for buying warhorses and questioning Li Qin's involvement. Li Qin, frustrated, retorted that he was simply following his father's instructions to assist Ms. Su and questioned his father’s own moral standing if she was a rebel.
Li Wantang described Su Zixuan as a "beautiful, cold, venomous snake" whose ruthless methods instilled fear. He acknowledged her as the smartest businesswoman he had ever encountered and admitted he dared not refuse her help or provoke her, resigning himself to her being his "calamity." He explained that she enticed people with profit, exploiting the universal desires for wealth, fame, or power, making them willing to risk anything. The horse gang finally returned to Pingyao, a bustling ancient city.
Gu Pingyuan was captivated by the sight of a massive silver sculpture outside the Taiyufeng draft bank, remarking on its immense weight and calling it "Bandit's Bane." Chang Yu'er, however, harbored deep resentment for the bank’s proprietor, Wang Tiangui, whom she deemed the most "heartless bastard" in Pingyao. She revealed that Wang Tiangui was responsible for her father's forced return to the perilous horse gang life.
Two years prior, Chang Si had purchased a prime quadrangle in Pingyao and leased government salt fields, intending to retire. But Wang Tiangui, coveting Chang Si's strategically located property, had instigated Li Laizi to file a false complaint with the local magistrate. The bribed official then stalled the case and sealed Chang Si's salt fields, almost bankrupting his family and leaving him no choice but to resume his dangerous work.
From a hidden vantage point, Wang Tiangui observed Chang Si's return and, noticing the unfamiliar Gu Pingyuan, immediately dispatched Li Laizi to investigate his background. Back at his own impressive quadrangle, Chang Si showed Gu Pingyuan around and offered him traditional "Daughter's Red" wine. He then instructed Heizi to distribute New Year red envelopes to the men, adding an extra ten percent, as they were heading home for the holiday.
Heizi expressed concern that the earnings wouldn't be enough to repay Wang Tiangui's debt, but Chang Si prioritized his men, asserting that "where there are people, there is money." Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by the arrival of Li Laizi and Wang Tiangui's bank butler, who stormed in demanding payment for the salt fields. Heizi moved to confront them, but Chang Si, ever the pragmatist, ordered them to be politely invited inside, noting it was almost New Year.
