Overlord Episode 6 Recap
> Overlord Recap
Long Aoyi led Li Qingliu to examine footprints in the warehouse, pointing out that their toes faced downwards. Li Qingliu initially speculated that this meant the gold thread was lost at the dock, not the warehouse. However, Long Aoyi countered, suggesting that some of his supervisors knew parts of the information, leading her to suspect an inside mole. Li Qingliu confirmed her suspicion, revealing he had paid her 10,000 taels to investigate precisely this.
He explained that investigating himself might alert the mole, and since he was paying her, it was not "using" her. Long Aoyi, leaning against a pillar, asked Li Qingliu to lean closer to her so she could explain. Uncomfortable at her proximity, Li Qingliu reluctantly complied. Long Aoyi then explained that footprints with toes pointing down were a sign of male-female intimacy.
She concluded that Li Jun’er likely had a lover, and they frequently met in the warehouse, but the lover’s identity remained unknown. The next day, Long Aoyi’s investigation identified Shuisheng as Li Jun’er's lover. She confirmed this by noting that the unique Sugu Fragrance, a special perfume from Wuyun Pavilion that she had smelled on Li Jun'er, was also present on Shuisheng. Li Qingliu suggested focusing the investigation on Shuisheng.
However, Long Aoyi reminded him that Qi Zheng, another informed supervisor, had not yet been fully investigated. She reasoned that while Li Jun’er had the warehouse key and Shuisheng knew the delivery time, neither knew the exact unloading location, indicating their information was incomplete. Long Aoyi warned Li Qingliu that if his entire management team fell under suspicion, his business would be in chaos, and she expected to be paid regardless.
Meanwhile, Li Zhao and Yan Bin tracked Executive Bai to his hideout on Wanhua Road, where they spotted the owner of Qingping Winery. Yan Bin covertly captured the winery owner. During interrogation, the terrified owner confessed that Executive Bai, abusing his authority, had extorted 1,000 taels from each merchant to cover gambling losses. The owner also confirmed that all financial dealings were meticulously recorded.
With this evidence in hand, Li Zhao was about to apprehend Executive Bai when the county magistrate unexpectedly arrived with soldiers and arrested Executive Bai Xiaoshan. This preemptive move surprised Li Zhao, who suspected someone had tipped off the magistrate. Later, Li Zhao inquired about Long Aoyi’s whereabouts from Feng Jie, who informed him that Long Aoyi was at Xinsilu, investigating something about gold or silver thread.
Back at Xinsilu, Long Aoyi's pet chicken, Ermao, wandered into the weaving room, causing a commotion among the weavers. Li Qingliu arrived and swiftly brought order. He then reprimanded a weaver named Qi Honghua for a piece of unqualified fabric, which only had five strands of thread instead of the required six, warning that such products would damage the Silk Manor's reputation. He then patiently demonstrated how to weave correctly.
To lift Qi Honghua’s spirits, Long Aoyi embroidered a pig's head onto the faulty fabric, jokingly remarking that it resembled Li Qingliu. Li Zhao convened the major merchants, announcing new policies. He relayed that Commissioner Du praised their past contributions but, to foster new talent and prevent accusations of favoritism, he would rotate guild leadership positions. He further declared that merchants who accepted the "government investment" in the coming year would be prioritized for these positions.
Li Qingliu objected, arguing that Xinsilu and other silk merchants did not need the government investment and that such state aid should go to those in actual need. Despite his protest, other merchants, fearing Li Zhao, quickly agreed to accept the investment. Li Zhao dismissed Li Qingliu’s objection, stating that merchants who refused the government investment would lose their right to be considered for guild leadership. Long Aoyi overheard discussions about "government investment" and asked Yan Bin for clarification.
Yan Bin explained it was a government loan provided as equity, with the government taking a share of profits once the merchants became profitable. He noted that the workers seemed troubled because this was a government tactic to control merchants, limiting their autonomy once the money was accepted. Yan Bin used an analogy of building a house and the autumn harvest to illustrate how accepting government "help" would lead to the forfeiture of profits and potential penalties.
Long Aoyi questioned Li Qingliu about his troubles, learning that previous suppliers had cut ties. Xinsilu was facing a severe shortage of yarn, leather, and brocade, threatening to deplete their stock within two weeks. Li Qingliu was convinced these actions were aimed specifically at him, making it impossible to acquire materials locally, regardless of the price.
Du Xiaoxian suggested Li Qingliu humble himself and approach her father and Prince Zhao for help, but Li Qingliu firmly rejected the idea of bowing down. Instead, he asked Long Aoyi to use her connections within the lower class to find yarn and cotton suppliers in Jiangnan and inquire about prices. Although Long Aoyi initially feigned reluctance, Li Qingliu appealed to her concern for the thousands of workers whose livelihoods depended on Xinsilu.
Moved by this, Long Aoyi agreed to help. Soon after, Long Aoyi presented her findings. Li Qingliu instructed Yan Bin to create a list of Jiangnan suppliers who offered favorable prices and invite them to a horse race to be held at Xinsilu on the day of the Prince’s Coming of Age Ceremony. Later, Xiaoqin secretly brought food to Long Aoyi.
Long Aoyi confided in Xiaoqin, reiterating her theory that Li Jun’er and Shuisheng worked together, with one providing inside information and the other acting on the outside, to steal the gold thread. Long Aoyi believed the upcoming horse race, with its influx of Jiangnan merchants, would be Shuisheng's best opportunity to dispose of the stolen goods, and she intended to keep a close watch on him.
Informed of Li Qingliu's plans to recruit Jiangnan suppliers and host a horse race, Li Zhao decided to observe his rival's moves. On the day of the horse race, the event was bustling with activity. Long Aoyi kept a watchful eye on Shuisheng, fearing he might cause trouble. Du Xiaoxian was busy signing contracts with the attending merchants. Shuisheng noticed Long Aoyi’s gaze, but she quickly pretended to be admiring a horse.
A stableman, aware of Long Aoyi's contentious relationship with Du Xiaoxian, maliciously offered Long Aoyi a large, spirited horse. Under pressure from Shuisheng and the stableman, Long Aoyi was forced to ride it. The horse became startled and threw Long Aoyi off its back, which the attending merchants mistook for an elaborate comedic performance arranged by Li Qingliu. Several merchants, including Shen Yiguan, a major silk merchant from Jiangnan, remained hesitant to sign contracts.
Li Qingliu decided to personally approach Shen Yiguan. As Shuisheng helped the injured Long Aoyi to a seat, she confronted him directly. She exposed his secret affair with Li Jun’er and accused him of stealing the gold thread, outlining how Li Jun'er's access to the keys, Shuisheng's knowledge of the supply details, and Qi Zheng's unwitting reveal of the warehouse location during his romance with "Chubby" made Shuisheng the prime suspect.
Shuisheng admitted to his relationship with Li Jun’er but asserted they were both single and therefore not having a illicit affair. He vehemently denied stealing the gold thread, claiming his loyalty to Li Qingliu and his ambition for a future beyond the Silk Manor made such an act unthinkable. Li Qingliu met with Shen Yiguan, who explained his reluctance to sign.
Shen Yiguan revealed he was aware of the Commissioner's efforts to isolate Li Qingliu and feared that any alliance with Xinsilu would incur official disapproval, jeopardizing his own business. Shen Yiguan made it clear he valued sincerity over grand spectacles like horse races. Upon learning of Shen Yiguan’s penchant for gambling, Li Qingliu instructed his subordinate to arrange a game. He then proposed to Shen Yiguan that they engage in some light gambling as a sign of goodwill.
Shen Yiguan suggested a game where they would each choose a side of a copper coin, drop it vertically into water, and the side facing up when it settled at the bottom would determine the winner. Li Qingliu, unfamiliar with gambling, allowed Long Aoyi, who was introduced as his "personal maid whose job is sweeping the floor," to gamble on his behalf. Shen Yiguan found this arrangement amusing and accepted.
