Overlord Episode 20 Recap
> Overlord Recap
After a reconciliation, Long Aoyi agrees to remain with Li Qingliu on the Qinglong vessel to combat corrupt merchants. On their journey to Jia'ermu, Li Qingliu and Long Aoyi realize a significant business opportunity lies in water transport, especially with new imperial decrees favoring it during times of disaster. They identify ten crucial points along the Yangtze River, primarily controlled by four water gangs, with Weng Dayou of the Hanshui Gang being the most influential.
Long Aoyi recounts having previously saved Weng Dayou, who had fallen ill after drinking "Dragon Tiger Vigor" medicinal wine, leading to elixir poisoning. This past favor provides them with leverage. Given that the round trip to Jia'ermu will take over a month, Li Qingliu decides they must execute their plan before returning to Silver City. He instructs Yan Bin and Xiaoqin to secretly head back to Silver City.
Yan Bin is tasked with securing funds, while Xiaoqin will handle warehouse rentals and maintain communication. Meanwhile, Li Qingliu and Long Aoyi proceed to meet Weng Dayou. Upon meeting Weng Dayou, Li Qingliu straightforwardly proposes renting large warehouses at various quays for shared use, offering commissions, a percentage of profits, and additional work for the gang members.
Weng Dayou is initially hesitant, expressing concern about how associating with merchants might be perceived by his gang, whose bonds are based on brotherhood and loyalty. To allay Weng Dayou's fears, Li Qingliu skillfully employs a "Tea Bowl Array" to convey his sincerity. He argues that integrity defines a person, not their profession.
Impressed by Li Qingliu's understanding of the unwritten rules of the martial world, Weng Dayou drinks the tea, then presents them with the Coiling Dragon Stick, a sacred artifact of his gang. He explains that possession of this stick will grant them passage through all water transport checkpoints nationwide. Long Aoyi is visibly impressed by Li Qingliu, and Weng Dayou further praises her for finding such a "fine husband."
Long Aoyi, though flattered, insists that she and Li Qingliu are merely business partners. Elsewhere, Concubine De and Mr. Pang are discussing Liang Hongtu, the chief examiner for the imperial examinations. Mr. Pang reveals that Liang Hongtu's two sons both placed in the top three, and all other rankings, save for the top ten, were sold to the sons of wealthy merchants, earning Liang Hongtu millions. Zhao Jin, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Penalty, has impeached Liang Hongtu.
Recognizing that Liang Hongtu is a key ally of the Crown Prince and an old adversary of Concubine De's family, Mr. Pang identifies this as a prime opportunity to win over the Ministry of Penalty and eliminate rivals. Concubine De decides to give Li Zhao's cherished Gold-inlaid Cloud Dragon Sword as a birthday gift to Zhao Jin.
Li Zhao is dismayed by his mother's decision to sacrifice his prized possession for political maneuvering, but Concubine De, emphasizing the importance of strategy, orders him to attend Zhao Jin's birthday banquet. She explains that the Ministry of Penalty has always been outside their influence, and with the Vice Minister wielding immense power, this alliance cannot be missed.
She brushes off Li Zhao's past grievances, stating that personal hatred must be set aside for the greater goal of acquiring imperial power. Away from courtly intrigues, Li Qingliu attempts to catch fish for Long Aoyi, but his efforts are clumsy and unsuccessful. Long Aoyi teases him for his ineptitude.
Li Qingliu, in turn, flirts with her, his playful demeanor surprising Long Aoyi, who notes his transformation from a man of few, sharp words to one with a glib tongue and gentle tone. Their journey leads them to encounter Animu, a man fleeing his tribe to avoid an arranged marriage. They follow him to the Zheluo Tribe, a matriarchal society where women hold power and choose their husbands through wrestling contests, irrespective of the men's preferences.
Dabaru, a formidable warrior, wins the right to marry Animu, who already has a beloved. Long Aoyi intervenes, challenging the fairness of the custom. Yuwuaji, the leader's daughter and future head of the tribe, agrees to let Long Aoyi wrestle Dabaru, promising to reconsider if Long Aoyi wins. When Long Aoyi struggles against Dabaru, Li Qingliu steps in to fight on her behalf, easily defeating Dabaru.
Unexpectedly, Dabaru becomes infatuated with Li Qingliu and attempts to "propose" to him that night in accordance with their tribal "walking marriage" custom. Li Qingliu firmly rejects her advances, stating he already has someone in his heart and cannot partake in their traditions. Meanwhile, back in Silver City, Du Changfeng initiates a crackdown, seizing numerous businesses, including Xinsilu. Yan Bin and Xiaoqin, on their way back, learn of Du Changfeng's actions from a fleeing merchant.
Recognizing the urgency, they prioritize their assigned tasks: secretly moving goods from a hidden warehouse to prevent seizure and working to secure funds. Du Changfeng, having received intelligence that Li Qingliu and Long Aoyi are in the Zheluo Tribe, abandons his original plan to frame them at the pass for "smuggling military rosters," and instead decides to personally lead a team to intercept them in Zheluo.
