Legend of the Magnate Episode 35 Recap
> Legend of the Magnate Recap
Rui Lin issued a strict ten-day deadline to Li Qin and Gu Pingyuan to transform the Lianghuai salt fields into a government-supervised and merchant-managed operation, threatening severe punishment if they failed. Meanwhile, Li Wantang had fallen gravely ill after a reunion with his long-lost wife. Feeling insignificant, Li Qin struggled to persuade the salt field owners to cooperate. Determined to secure exclusive rights to the Lianghuai salt fields, he resorted to a fierce price war.
Gu Pingyuan, lacking the financial resources to compete with Li Qin directly, decided to venture to Sichuan to procure cheaper well salt. His associates, Chang Si and Liao, cautioned him that transporting salt without authorization was illegal and punishable by death. They urged him to reconsider, but Gu Pingyuan, unable to conceive of a better solution and unwilling to concede defeat to Li Qin, resolved to take the dangerous route.
Instead of engaging in a price war, Gu Pingyuan pursued a different strategy. He not only maintained his salt prices but also enhanced the quality of his product. He re-filtered his existing salt and, for every customer, provided a sturdy salt bag containing a small complimentary packet of refined salt. This initiative aimed to encourage customers to spread word-of-mouth about the superior quality of his salt.
Rui Lin, closely monitoring both Li Qin and Gu Pingyuan, sought to leverage their competition to stabilize salt prices. Concerned about potential unrest among the populace after recent disasters, Rui Lin first focused on ensuring stable rice prices, believing that affordable and high-quality salt would help pacify the people.
During a personal inspection of the salt fields, Rui Lin deflected Li Qin's attempts to propose acquiring the Lianghuai salt fields, continuously finding excuses to avoid formal discussions, leaving Li Qin frustrated but powerless. Separately, Gu Pingyuan successfully secured sixteen merchant ships from Wu Caishen to transport well salt from Sichuan. Soon after, Rui Lin demanded a 400,000 tael salt tax payment from both men. Gu Pingyuan promptly paid his share.
However, Li Qin, having exhausted his funds and with Li Wantang still in a coma, considered selling off the Li family’s shops to cover the tax. His manager vehemently protested, arguing that these businesses were the fruit of Li Wantang’s arduous labor over many years and should not be squandered. Li Wantang eventually regained consciousness, though he remained too weak to move. His manager immediately informed him of Li Qin's financial losses in the salt business.
Around the same time, Gu Pingyuan’s sixteen ships laden with Sichuan well salt arrived. Chang Yu'er, worried about potential repercussions from the imperial court for trafficking illegal salt, urged Gu Pingyuan to cease such activities in the future. Gu Pingyuan, not wanting to implicate his family, advised her not to get involved.
Upon learning of Gu Pingyuan's illegal salt operation, Li Qin's manager pressed him to report it to the authorities, certain that such a large-scale smuggling operation would lead to Gu Pingyuan’s execution. However, Li Qin, unwilling to condemn Gu Pingyuan to death, instructed his manager to instead use the Canal Gang to intercept and confiscate all of Gu Pingyuan’s salt. Soon, the sixteen salt-laden ships were stopped mid-route by large Canal Gang vessels.
Chang Yu'er diligently remained by Gu Pingyuan's mother's side. After fifteen days of unconsciousness, Gu's mother finally awoke, imparting wisdom to Chang Yu'er: a man's worth isn't solely defined by fame or fortune, but by ambition and a kind heart, and true happiness lies in a couple simply being together. Meanwhile, Li Wantang, having also recovered, received Li Qin's report about seizing Gu Pingyuan's salt. Unexpectedly, Li Wantang's demeanor had drastically changed.
He urged Li Qin not to push Gu Pingyuan to ruin and to retrieve the salt from the Canal Gang. Li Qin was bewildered by his father's sudden compassion but dared not defy his orders. The manager also observed Li Wantang's profound shift in character post-illness, noting a complete absence of his former aggressive spirit. Li Wantang explained that his near-death experience had illuminated life's true meaning, and he no longer desired endless conflict.
Informed of his impounded salt ships, Gu Pingyuan immediately headed to negotiate with the Canal Gang chief, accompanied by Heizi. The chief denied Heizi entry, leaving Gu Pingyuan to face him alone. The chief presented Gu Pingyuan with two options: either pay 20 million taels of silver to secure his freedom, or agree to a 30% profit share on all future illegal salt shipments. Gu Pingyuan staunchly refused both demands. Enraged, the chief threatened to drown him.
Outside, after a long wait, Heizi grew concerned for Gu Pingyuan's safety and attempted to force his way in, only to be beaten and injured. Heizi rushed back to inform Chang Yu'er of the situation. Chang Yu'er immediately intended to confront the Canal Gang, but Chang Si desperately tried to prevent her from putting herself in harm's way, suggesting they find someone to mediate.
Heizi then revealed Gu Pingyuan's instruction to seek assistance from Su Zixuan, a woman associated with Marshal Jiu. Chang Si dispatched Heizi to find Su Zixuan and, with Chang Yu'er, proceeded to the Canal Gang's headquarters. Chang Si, renowned in the martial arts world for decades, was recognized by a Canal Gang henchman as a respected elder of the "Tong" generation and was promptly escorted to the chief. Chang Si explained their purpose, pleading for Gu Pingyuan's release.
However, the chief remained unmoved, threatening to report Gu Pingyuan to the authorities for illegal salt trafficking, a capital offense. Chang Si's eloquent arguments proved fruitless. In a desperate act, Chang Yu'er removed her priceless hairpin, offering it as collateral, begging only to see Gu Pingyuan and ensure his well-being. After some deliberation, the chief grudgingly assented. Upon seeing Chang Yu'er, Gu Pingyuan erupted in anger, reproaching her for coming to the dangerous Canal Gang. Seizing an opportune moment, Chang Yu'er feigned an explanation of the hairpin's origins to the chief, and then swiftly took him hostage.
