Luoyang Episode 35 Recap
> Luoyang Recap
Wu Youjue expressed his gratitude to the empress for her trust but respectfully declined her offer to take over the Intelligence Services. Citing his frail health and the principle that the Intelligence Services, as the empress's "ears and eyes," and the Interior Guard Services, as her "arms," should not be controlled by a single individual, he implored her to select another virtuous member from the royal family for the crucial role.
The empress revealed that Wu Shenxing had recommended him, but Wu Youjue remained firm in his refusal, leaving the empress no choice but to accede to his wishes. Meanwhile, the capital city was plunged into chaos after Hanjia Granary was destroyed, and over three hundred rice shops sold out of their entire stock within three days. Riots erupted, and shops were being smashed and robbed, with thirteen alone in the south market.
The King of East River felt uneasy upon learning that the empress had summoned her officials to discuss the granary incident without inviting him, an unprecedented omission given his long tenure as Lord Chu of the Intelligence Services. Gao Bingzhu worried that malicious rumors might lead the empress to dismiss the King of East River, which would perfectly align with the Four Season Clan's objectives.
Concerned about the gravity of the situation, the King of East River decided to seek an audience with the empress, entrusting Gao Bingzhu with the care of the Intelligence Services. Grand Court officials arrived at the scene, urging the public to remain calm and assuring them that the empress had arranged for new grain to be transported via canals and would arrive within ten days. They warned that any unlawful acts would be severely punished.
Baitan confided in Gao Bingzhu, expressing his concern that the Intelligence Services could face punishment for their supervisory failure, possibly leading to the King of East River's replacement as Lord Chu, a scenario the Four Season Clan desired. Baili Hongyi confronted Wu Youjue, revealing that his brother, Baili Kuanren, was alive and had become the Lord of Spring of the Four Season Clan.
Wu Youjue, deeply shaken, was shocked by the revelation, feeling personally responsible for the ensuing chaos in the capital city. He then confessed to Baili Hongyi the full truth of past events, showing him a letter written by Baili Yan. Years ago, the empress had ordered Baili Kuanren's exile, a sentence akin to death. Baili Yan had written to Wu Youjue, pleading with him to save his son.
Wu Youjue, who considered Baili Kuanren like a brother, conspired with Baili Yan to fake Baili Kuanren's death to deceive the empress. Baili Kuanren then fled to Chang'an, changed his name, and swore never to return to the capital city. Wu Youjue was bewildered by his unexpected return and ascension to the role of Lord of Spring.
He vowed to capture Baili Kuanren and uncover the truth behind his transformation, asserting that since he had saved Baili Kuanren's life, he bore responsibility for his subsequent actions. He sternly warned Baili Hongyi that the truth of Baili Kuanren's survival and leadership in the Four Season Clan must remain a secret, as its revelation would lead to the execution of the entire Baili family, including Liu Ran and hundreds of others.
Meanwhile, Wu Siyue inspected the ruins of Hanjia Granary, discovering that the burned grains were old and rotten, not fresh stock. She reported her findings to Wu Youjue and informed him that Chen Zhuo, the granary director, had hanged himself that morning. A search of Chen Zhuo’s home revealed a large amount of illicit wealth, and his family admitted he had met with Li Beiqi before the explosion.
Wu Siyue deduced that Chen Zhuo had also been corrupted by the Four Season Clan and suspected the clan had swapped the good grain for rotten ones before the explosion, meaning the real grain was now in their possession. Realizing the gravity of this, Wu Youjue immediately set off to report to the empress. As the King of East River and Baitan were on their way to the palace, their carriage was intercepted by Yuwen Peipei.
She tearfully informed the King of East River that she was leaving the capital city due to the chaos and, expressing concern for his safety, presented him with a safety charm, hoping he would remember her. Suddenly, assassins emerged and attacked. Baitan swiftly defended the King of East River, killing all the assailants. However, Yuwen Peipei then seized the opportunity to stab the King of East River with a dagger before escaping.
Wu Youjue promptly informed the empress that the grain in Hanjia Granary had not been destroyed but had been swapped and was now in the hands of the Four Season Clan, admitting his own negligence regarding Chen Zhuo and Li Beiqi’s involvement. At that moment, a palace official reported the attack on the King of East River.
The empress was enraged and, to Wu Youjue’s astonishment, revealed that the King of East River was her grandson, the Crown Prince’s nephew, and none other than Lord Chu of the Intelligence Services. Criticizing the Intelligence Services as "weak and susceptible" for failing to prevent such an attack on its leader, the empress immediately issued an edict.
She commanded Wu Youjue to assume control of the Intelligence Services, retain his leadership of the Interior Guard Services, and command all militia in the capital city. His immediate mission was to eradicate the Four Season Clan and recover the stolen grain from Hanjia Granary. Wu Youjue accepted the critical assignment and formally announced the empress’s decree at the Intelligence Services.
Gao Bingzhu initially refused to accept the order, challenging the validity of the claim that the Hanjia Granary grain had been swapped. Wu Youjue asserted that his appointment was the only evidence needed. At that moment, Baitan arrived, supporting the severely injured King of East River.
The King of East River, revealing his identity as Lord Chu, confirmed his exposed position and the attack were due to his own failings and ordered Gao Bingzhu and all Intelligence Services members to fully cooperate with Wu Youjue in investigating the Four Season Clan’s conspiracy. The stunned members of the Intelligence Services, realizing the King of East River was Lord Chu, watched as Gao Bingzhu finally accepted the order.
Wu Youjue then declared that the Intelligence Services and Interior Guard Services would jointly operate to eradicate the Four Season Clan and recover the stolen grain. He officially appointed Gao Bingzhu as the Lord of Intelligence Services, emphasizing the urgency of their mission. After Hanjia Granary’s destruction, fear gripped the capital city’s residents, and rumors of a complete grain shortage spread rapidly.
The empress ordered the palace guards to raid the Four Season Clan’s suspected hideout, but it was found to be abandoned, leaving no trace. Over ten days later, the famine intensified, plunging the entire city into widespread panic. People took to the streets, forcibly seizing grain, which frequently led to violent riots, engulfing the capital in a deepening crisis. The Lord of Spring, accompanied by a follower, brazenly arrived in the capital city, observing the ensuing chaos.
He mused on how his use of internal spies in the court had allowed him to effortlessly destroy Hanjia Granary without detection. He declared that he sought to conquer hearts, believing the power of human nature to be vastly superior to any explosive force, a lesson he felt Lady of Autumn had failed to grasp even in death.
He noted that the capital city’s long period of peace had caused its inhabitants to forget the sensation of fear, and he intended to exploit their current state of panic. He then instructed Qingye to distribute branches of the Chinese Toon tree to the citizens, and he delighted in seeing people surreptitiously placing these branches outside their homes, a sign that the seeds of his plan were taking root.
Baili Hongyi agonized over the implications of the letter from Baili Yan to Wu Youjue, which stated that Baili Kuanren was in grave trouble and only Wu Youjue could save him, and that the Baili family would be eternally grateful. He recalled his father’s past warnings about the family’s fragile status and the catastrophic consequences if the empress ever discovered the truth about Baili Kuanren.
Faced with an agonizing choice that could endanger Liu Ran and the entire Baili family, Baili Hongyi decided to explain the truth to the Empress but, not wanting to implicate Liu Ran, also asked her to leave the capital city. However, Liu Ran steadfastly declared her unwavering commitment to him, insisting that she would face any hardship by his side.
Wu Siyue approached Gao Bingzhu to discuss the search for the stolen grain, hoping he would assist her brother, Wu Youjue, in his new role. Gao Bingzhu deduced that the Four Season Clan intended to use the Hanjia Granary’s grain to buy the loyalty of the populace, particularly targeting the poorest areas of the capital city, including the Unwelcome Well, which had been most severely affected by the famine.
Intelligence Services agents soon reported a surge of refugees and beggars in the north and south markets, some of whom were found carrying branches of the Chinese Toon tree. Gao Bingzhu recognized this as a clear sign that the Four Season Clan’s plan had begun. The clan had spread a message: any civilian who hung a Chinese Toon tree branch on their door would receive three days' worth of food at night.
The desperate citizens, witnessing others receiving provisions, began placing branches on their doors and, upon receiving grain, expressed profound gratitude to the almighty Clan. Gao Bingzhu and Wu Siyue observed homes throughout the capital city displaying the Chinese Toon tree branches, confirming that the Four Season Clan was indeed using the stolen Hanjia Granary grain to win over the populace. Wu Siyue soon received news of widespread riots across seventeen markets.
These conflicts arose when local authorities, having received reports of civilians colluding with the Four Season Clan, attempted to confiscate the distributed grain, leading to clashes that resulted in numerous civilian injuries and three deaths. Wu Siyue immediately ordered her departments to refrain from rash actions and to report any new information to the Intelligence Services without delay. Gao Bingzhu recognized that the Four Season Clan had successfully ignited the people’s anger and now needed only a small push to fully unleash their fury.
