Nirvana in Fire 2: The Wind Blows in Chang Lin Episode 40 Recap
> Nirvana in Fire 2: The Wind Blows in Chang Lin Recap
The plaque of Laiyang Manor was solemnly hung on Xiao Yuanqi's gate. Xun Anru personally placed the crown of kingship on Xiao Yuanqi's head. Xiao Yuanqi apologized to her, saying he had not informed her of this matter in advance. Xun Anru, however, said she understood Xiao Yuanqi's cautious approach. Seeing her temperament, Xiao Yuanqi's affection for her grew stronger than ever.
However, Xiao Yuanqi ambitiously wanted to emulate Mo Zihou, who went from being an idle prince to becoming the ruler of Donghai, thus controlling Daliang. His ultimate goal was the throne of Daliang. It was just that the young Emperor Xiao Yuanshi was growing older, and Xiao Yuanqi felt that his time was running out.
Therefore, he used a series of methods to place his subordinates in the position of commander of the patrol camp, but it was not easy to enter the imperial army. Langya Pavilion also received news of Xiao Yuanqi's grand wedding and his promotion to prince. Xun Feizhan was greatly surprised to learn that Xiao Yuanqi had married his sister. Xiao Pingjing was currently engrossed in studying the archives of the Donghai War.
He admitted that he could understand the first half of the Donghai War's progress. Donghai's military strength was limited, so although they had invaded ten prefectures of Daliang, they primarily focused on burning, killing, and looting along the way, without truly intending to occupy the land. In fact, the seven prefectures recovered by Daliang were all places Donghai did not want. During the first half of the war, a border general named Yue Yinchuan caught his attention.
This fifth-rank military officer was not only brave and skilled in battle but also, after the death of his commanding officer in the camp, gathered the remaining troops and launched a successful counterattack, breaking through one of Donghai's main camps. Moreover, he shrewdly discovered Daliang's border defense map in the Donghai camp, which then alerted the Daliang court that their border defenses had been leaked.
He could be said to possess both wisdom and courage, and thus, he was ranked first on the Daliang court's reward list. After the young Emperor learned of his deeds, he was extremely excited and intended to grant him a private audience when he came to the capital to receive his reward. At this time, Yue Yinchuan was not excited about becoming the top meritorious official. Instead, he wore a troubled and thoughtful expression.
His subordinates didn't understand why he was still unhappy despite receiving the imperial reward. Yue Yinchuan confessed that he just felt something was amiss. Since his successful counterattack with his troops, Xiao Yuanqi had arrived with reinforcements, and he had followed Xiao Yuanqi to recover three cities. However, the Donghai army often collapsed at the slightest touch, making no effective resistance whatsoever.
His subordinates said that although Donghai had a grand presence, its military strength was insufficient, making it impossible to hold ten prefectures, so they could only flee when facing the imperial army. What Yue Yinchuan couldn't understand was precisely this: since they knew they couldn't win, why did the Donghai army engage in direct contact battles with every Daliang city instead of fleeing immediately? His suspicion coincided with Xiao Pingjing's.
What Xiao Pingjing couldn't comprehend about the latter half of the Donghai War was precisely why Mo Zihou didn't directly flee. He pondered for a long time, then suddenly understood something. He muttered Xiao Yuanqi's name, his expression shocked, repeatedly exclaiming "Impossible." Back then, in order to contend with the Changlin Manor, Xun Baishui abolished several old camps and established the new Donghu Yulin camp.
However, he didn't expect that the chief officer of Donghu Yulin was implicated as the younger brother of the Minister of War, who was identified by the court as the main culprit in the Donghai collusion case. Therefore, the position of commander of Donghu Yulin became vacant, and it was decided that a selection would be made from the meritorious officials of the Donghai War.
Xiao Yuanqi was currently struggling to expand his influence, as he couldn't move the imperial army. His biggest target was precisely Donghu Yulin, so for the military position of Donghu Yulin Commander, he strongly recommended General Di Ming. This person was also favored by Xun Baishui. With both of them recommending him simultaneously, the young Emperor readily agreed. Di Ming had already arrived in Jinling City.
His old residence had fallen into disrepair over the years, and he was preparing to stay at the post station. However, Xun Baishui, after reviewing his information, had already ordered people to rush the renovation of Di Ming's old residence. Seeing Xun Baishui's meticulous arrangements for him, Di Ming immediately expressed immense gratitude. At the same time, Xiao Yuanqi also wished to win over Di Ming, so he ordered Xun Anru to prepare a suitable gift for him.
However, these were just small tricks for show. Xiao Yuanqi knew Di Ming's weakness, so he had already secretly sent him a secret letter claiming there was another hidden truth behind the Jinling plague years ago. As expected, Di Ming urgently visited Laiyang Manor that night. It turned out that General Di Ming used to live in Jinling, and when the Jinling plague struck back then, all seventeen members of his family perished in the epidemic.
Bearing such a deep-seated hatred, he was naturally greatly moved by Xiao Yuanqi's claim that the Jinling plague was not a natural disaster but a man-made calamity. He eagerly wanted to know who the mastermind behind it was. After whetting his appetite sufficiently, Xiao Yuanqi finally produced the Empress Dowager's decree that Pu Yangying had handed over back then. Di Ming, seeing the terrifying reality behind the Empress Dowager's decree, trembled in shock, unable to speak.
Xiao Yuanqi seized the opportunity to guide Di Ming's hatred towards the imperial family. He also admitted that Xun Baishui had concealed the truth back then to protect the Empress Dowager's reputation.
Seeing that his inducement had taken effect, he struck while the iron was hot and roared at Di Ming, saying that Xun Baishui, after reviewing the information about his wife and children's deaths from illness in Di Ming's file, showed no connection at all to the plague of that year. This indicated that in Xun Baishui's eyes, the plague had passed, and the deceased common people were not worth their concern at all.
Influenced by Xiao Yuanqi, Di Ming was filled with fury and immediately drew his sword, intending to seek revenge on those he considered traitorous officials. Xiao Yuanqi quickly restrained the temporarily crazed Di Ming, reminding him that doing so now would be an act of rebellion. Di Ming calmed down slightly, then immediately knelt, leaning on his sword, admitting that even if he knew the truth, he would be helpless.
Seeing that the time was ripe, Xiao Yuanqi straightforwardly told Di Ming that the reason he had invited him in the dead of night was to ask for Di Ming's help in achieving his goal: helping him seize the throne from Xiao Yuanshi. Upon hearing his ambition, Di Ming was utterly shocked and hesitated.
Xiao Yuanqi, however, declared that with the young Emperor in the hands of incompetent officials like Xun Baishui and women like the Empress Dowager, he would certainly not be able to inherit the glory of his ancestors, but the destiny of Daliang was surely not meant to be like this!
