Legend of the Magnate Episode 36 Recap
> Legend of the Magnate Recap
In the Cao Gang's Hall of Loyalty, Chang Yu'er stabbed the gang leader with a hairpin and held him hostage, refusing to release him. The leader, defiant despite being wounded, threatened her with the hundreds of thousands of Canal Gang members who would drown her with their spit.
Gu Pingyuan, concerned for Chang Yu'er's safety, tried to calm the situation, while Chang Si attempted to pacify the enraged Canal Gang members, explaining that Chang Yu'er was distressed from missing her husband and offering to take all blame. However, Chang Yu'er called the gang members "filthy thieves," further escalating tensions. She then confronted Gu Pingyuan, demanding to know about Ms. Su, whom he had previously claimed he would never see again.
Gu Pingyuan explained he had sought Su Zixuan's help out of concern for their safety. Chang Yu'er angrily questioned his belief in her ability to save him, threatening to behead the leader. Gu Pingyuan urged her not to discuss their personal issues in front of outsiders. Chang Si then reminded Gu Pingyuan that his mother had awakened after fifteen days and was asking for him.
Overwhelmed by the chaos, the Cao Gang leader offered to let them go if they would continue their argument elsewhere. Chang Yu'er scoffed at the offer and, not wanting to be outdone by Su Zixuan's later arrival, demonstrated her skill by shooting out a nearby candle with an arrow, astonishing everyone except a visibly nervous Gu Pingyuan. Just then, Su Zixuan arrived, accompanied by her entourage.
She instructed Chang Yu'er to put down her weapon, and then presented the Cao Gang leader with the Viceroy of Liangjiang's private seal, stating that Rui Lin had sent her to retrieve Gu Pingyuan. She emphasized that a common gang could not defy the authority of the Viceroy's Office. Recognizing the power of the seal, the Cao Gang leader apologized to Gu Pingyuan, Chang Si, and Boss Gui, and ordered their release.
Meanwhile, Li Qin met with his father, Li Wantang, who was recovering from an illness. Li Qin spoke of his plan to hold a grand Water and Land Dharma Assembly at Jinshan Temple, believing it would improve the Li family's reputation in Liangjiang. He acknowledged the high costs due to his ongoing price war with Gu Pingyuan but was confident of victory.
Li Wantang, however, warned him that even if he defeated Gu Pingyuan, he could not win against Liangjiang, let alone the imperial court. He pointed out that the Viceroy of Liangjiang was aware of Gu Pingyuan's salt smuggling and would never allow the Li family to monopolize all salt fields and become an "unofficial king of Jiangnan." Li Wantang stressed that with the Viceroy's backing, Gu Pingyuan would not fall.
After leaving the Cao Gang, Gu Pingyuan tried to appease Chang Yu'er, praising her "cool and valiant" demeanor and "unmatched knife skills." Chang Yu'er, though pleased, insisted he stop sweet-talking her. She reminded him that Su Zixuan's timely arrival had saved them. Gu Pingyuan maintained he could have handled it himself and asked if her earlier outburst was a pretense to buy time.
Chang Yu'er admitted she was indeed "acting jealous" and scoffed at the idea of her truly being jealous of Su Zixuan. She then playfully sent Gu Pingyuan alone to thank Su Zixuan in her cabin. Gu Pingyuan thanked Su Zixuan, who deflected the credit to Rui Lin, stating she was merely acting on his instructions and had been forced to bring the Viceroy's private seal. Gu Pingyuan expressed his reluctance to cause trouble for them.
Su Zixuan reminded him that he was helping them protect the Liangjiang salt fields from the Li family's monopoly, which was a significant contribution, and questioned why he was afraid. Gu Pingyuan admitted he feared not being able to return to his peaceful life in Huizhou. Su Zixuan, predicting Li Qin's defeat and Gu Pingyuan's future as the wealthiest man in Jiangnan, found his desire to return to "tiny Huizhou" puzzling.
Gu Pingyuan then shared his evolving perspective on business, explaining how his youthful idealism of "seeking truth" and "benefiting the world" had given way to a realization that while "small ambitions can help oneself, great ambitions can help the country." He affirmed that if he could truly serve the nation, he would disregard personal safety. Just then, a messenger arrived from Li Wantang, inviting Gu Pingyuan to a meeting.
Su Zixuan offered to accompany Gu Pingyuan, wary of the Cao Gang's treachery, but Gu Pingyuan assured her he would be fine. Gu Pingyuan then met with Li Wantang, who, still weak, remained seated. Li Wantang observed that Gu Pingyuan, unlike many who suffer exile to Ningguta, had emerged without losing his moral compass, demonstrating the value of kindness even amidst "demons."
Li Wantang warned Gu Pingyuan about the continued threat from the Cao Gang, despite Su Zixuan's intervention, as they could still report his salt smuggling along the waterways. He called Gu Pingyuan's current path a "dead end," and the price war a "lose-lose situation that doesn't end until someone's at a dead end."
Li Wantang offered to use his influence with the Cao Gang to settle the dispute and speak to the Viceroy of Liangjiang on Gu Pingyuan's behalf, provided Gu Pingyuan withdrew from the salt conflict. Gu Pingyuan, while respectful, declined the offer.
Li Wantang then revealed that Rui Lin viewed Gu Pingyuan as a mere pawn, a "wooden wedge" in his ambition to become Chief Grand Councilor, and would discard him and send him back to Ningguta once the salt fields were stabilized. He warned of the severe consequences of smuggling such large quantities of salt, including punishment for "three generations of your family."
Li Wantang then urged Gu Pingyuan to take his mother, brother, and wife back to their hometown in Anhui to live a peaceful life, promising that after his own death, Gu Pingyuan could "make a comeback," and "the world will be yours," even surpassing him, "Li owns half the city." Gu Pingyuan questioned Li Wantang's motives, listing their past conflicts and asking why he had not been harmed if Li Wantang truly wished him ill.
He rejected explanations of "appreciation" or "trust." Li Wantang responded that they were "birds of a feather," and he did not wish to destroy Gu Pingyuan, who was more like him than Li Qin. He reiterated his offer to take responsibility for Gu Pingyuan's troubles, urging him to return to Anhui and live a quiet life, only to "make a comeback" after Li Wantang was gone.
Gu Pingyuan, however, saw Li Wantang as "half-official, half-merchant," arguing that if the salt industry fell into his hands, it would be no different from before. He declared that as an "ordinary citizen," he fought for "equality for all salt merchants" and "freedom for salt farmers to trade," believing that monopolization harmed the common people. He affirmed his loyalty to Rui Lin's promise to return the Lianghuai salt industry to its people and the Lianghuai Salt Industry Guild's 175 merchants.
Gu Pingyuan then bid Li Wantang farewell. Li Wantang asked if he truly wished to return to Ningguta, reminding him of the multi-generational punishment and his mother's suffering. He left the decision to Gu Pingyuan. Later, Li Wantang instructed his manager to send a letter to the Cao Gang, ensuring all members involved in the salt raid swore an oath of secrecy and to resolve any further issues concerning Gu Pingyuan's illegal salt operation.
Gu Pingyuan rushed home to check on his mother, who was now awake and spinning cotton, explaining that Chang Yu'er had found the spinning wheel for her. He asked her about her prolonged sleep, but she had no explanation. Chang Si announced Li Qin's arrival. Li Qin presented premium lingzhi mushrooms for Gu Pingyuan's mother, claiming the powder was "best for calming one's mind."
Li Qin proposed a truce, offering to name a price to end their conflict, stating they were both "pawns that are crossing the river" with nowhere to retreat. Gu Pingyuan countered that Li Qin was fighting against the entire government and imperial court, a battle he could not win. Li Qin asserted that if he won, the Lianghuai salt industry would be under his control.
He suggested that their current price war was meaningless and asked Gu Pingyuan to simply let him "take it all." Gu Pingyuan called Li Qin "too greedy," to which Li Qin responded that greed was a merchant's trait, a principle he understood even as a child.
Li Qin then presented Gu Pingyuan with a ledger, demanding a donation for the upcoming Water and Land Dharma Assembly at Jinshan Temple, which aimed to pray for the deceased of the Seven Provinces of Jiangnan. Gu Pingyuan, noting Li Qin's rising temper, paid immediately.
Gu Pingyuan then suggested that he would abandon the salt business and return to Anhui to grow tea if Li Qin would hand over half of the salt fields to be split with the Viceroy of Liangjiang. Li Qin reacted with disbelief and anger, citing the profitable businesses he had sold and the people he had offended, asking if Gu Pingyuan was mocking him. Gu Pingyuan reiterated that he was not Li Qin's enemy.
Gu Pingyuan later met with Rui Lin, returning the Viceroy's private seal and expressing his gratitude. Rui Lin stated his intention was to show Li Qin that he should consult him before causing trouble in Liangjiang. Rui Lin suggested Gu Pingyuan stop the illegal salt business to avoid scandal linking the Viceroy's Office to it. Gu Pingyuan argued that losing the largest salt industry from his hands would be the greater disgrace.
Rui Lin offered to use government ships for future transportation of salt, but Gu Pingyuan declined, advocating for an end to the price war. He pointed out Li Qin's sacrifices, believing it was time to persuade him. Rui Lin asked if he had succeeded, to which Gu Pingyuan replied no, lamenting that "the hardest thing to eliminate in this world is greed."
At the Water and Land Dharma Assembly at Jinshan Temple, Li Qin questioned his father, Li Wantang, asking why he was so afraid and demanding a reason for yielding half the salt fields, offering to kowtow to the Viceroy's Office if his father was scared. Li Wantang warned him not to speak of greed in front of Buddha. Just then, Gu Pingyuan arrived with Chang Yu'er and his mother. Gu Mu immediately recognized Li Wantang, addressing him directly.
She accused him of returning only to torment their child and condemned his heartlessness in harming Gu Pingyuan. Li Qin was baffled, asking his father what was happening. Gu Mu then revealed that Li Wantang was Gu Pingyuan's biological father, the one who had "died" 20 years ago, whose surname was originally Gu. Li Qin, stunned, insisted his father's surname was Li and that his mother said he had married into their family due to financial hardship.
Gu Pingyuan, equally shocked, confronted Li Wantang, realizing he was the one who had sabotaged him at the imperial examination hall. Li Wantang admitted he feared Gu Pingyuan passing the exam would disrupt his new life. He confessed to changing his identity, being "reborn into a new life," and that cutting all ties with his past family was a requirement.
Gu Pingyuan, in tears, tried to calm his mother, denying that Li Wantang was his father, and led her away from the temple, assuring her of his presence and protection. Back at home, Gu Mu lay in bed, still distressed. Gu Pingyuan comforted her, explaining the brevity of life and urging her not to dwell on past troubles. Gu Mu revealed that when Gu Pingyuan denied Li Wantang was his father, "the weight in my heart was finally lifted."
She expressed contentment with her life with Gu Pingyuan, Chang Si, and Chang Yu'er, deciding she would no longer "fool myself anymore" and could finally "let it go" after decades of heartache. She then asked Gu Pingyuan to go to Li Wantang and convey that she had "moved on" and hoped he would "see to it himself." Gu Pingyuan went to find Li Wantang, who had shaved his head, seeking tonsure from the abbot.
Li Wantang declared his intention to spend his remaining years "vegetarian and chanting sutras, atoning for my sins," having let go of his past, including his son. Gu Pingyuan sarcastically remarked on Li Wantang's convenience, questioning if he believed the Bodhisattva would absolve him of all his past misdeeds without retribution. He then delivered his mother's message: she had "let this matter go" and hoped he would "live well" and "forgive yourself."
Gu Pingyuan added that even if all "gods and Buddhas" could forgive him, he wondered if Li Wantang could forgive himself. Li Wantang asked him to stay, explaining his past hardships: being robbed and falling ill with an epidemic on his way to the exams, leading him to despair over the "worthless as grass" lives of the poor.
He recounted meeting Li Qin's mother, an unmarried Li family lady with no male heir, with whom he made his first business deal. This led him to change his name, abandon his wife and children to "live like someone who was born wealthy," and start a "new life." He confessed that he "sold my soul and betrayed my ancestors" to achieve this.
He claimed the wealth he bestowed upon Gu Pingyuan was "traded with my own self," and therefore, Gu Pingyuan had no right to mock or curse him. He concluded that back then, he "thought even if I fell into hell forever, I couldn't stay poor anymore."
