Overlord Episode 8 Recap
> Overlord Recap
After Li Qingliu led the employees in worship, he personally demonstrated the sample-making process using gold thread. Once the demonstration was complete, the production of gold thread clothes officially commenced. With the gold thread successfully recovered, Long Aoyi felt it was time for her to depart from the Silk Manor. After bidding farewell to her fellow workers, Long Aoyi went to the accounting office, where she encountered Second Master Lyu.
She proudly informed him that the money saved for her gang brothers had already accrued significant interest. Just then, Li Qingliu arrived. In an attempt to delay Long Aoyi's departure, he claimed that Manager Liu was away on business, making it impossible for her to withdraw her reward money immediately. Long Aoyi, not being in a particular hurry, decided she could wait. Sensing her readiness to leave, Li Qingliu then suggested a holiday for everyone in the Silk Manor.
He reasoned that both he and Long Aoyi, along with all the manor's staff, had endured hardships during the gold thread incident, and a break was in order. Long Aoyi initially thought of having a meal or watching an opera, but then decided that watching an opera back at the Longzhu Gang would be better. Second Master Lyu, however, proposed going to a hot spring with the Silk Manor staff.
Li Qingliu agreed, finding the idea of a hot spring appealing and relaxing. Long Aoyi, hearing Li Qingliu's endorsement, also expressed her desire to go. Meanwhile, Li Zhao was in Silver City, discussing the upcoming selection of the guild leader with various merchants. With Li Qingliu having resumed production, it seemed inevitable that he would once again secure the position.
Li Zhao, unwilling for Li Qingliu to be the guild leader and equally unwilling to be a mere pawn for individuals like Du Changfeng, promptly instructed Du Changfeng to arrange for several tax officials to conduct an inspection at Xinsilu the very next day. Long Aoyi enjoyed herself at the hot spring with the female workers, while Li Qingliu shared a bath with Second Master Lyu.
Second Master Lyu inquired about Li Qingliu's age, to which Li Qingliu replied that he was adopted by the Li family as a child, likely during the Shangyuan Period. Away from the main group, Xiaoqin secretly asked Long Aoyi about the gang's money. Long Aoyi happily reported that, including the 10,000 taels silver reward, their total holdings were now close to 80,000 taels. Xiaoqin was overjoyed.
Long Aoyi intended to bring Li Qingliu some hot spring eggs as a gesture of gratitude for saving her life. However, she accidentally overheard a conversation between Li Qingliu and Yan Bin. Yan Bin, observing Li Qingliu's special attention towards Long Aoyi, expressed his jealousy. Later, Long Aoyi heard Li Qingliu state that he had saved her primarily for the sake of recovering the gold thread. Angered by this revelation, Long Aoyi privately called Li Qingliu a dishonest merchant.
At a different location, Second Master Lyu held a secret meeting with an individual, instructing them to report to their superior that the person they were searching for had been identified. Back at Xinsilu, Officer Zhu, acting under the pretext of auditing the manor's accounts, caused considerable disruption. Fortunately, Li Qingliu arrived in time to curb Officer Zhu's actions. Soon after, Li Zhao arrived at Xinsilu with imperial soldiers.
In the commotion, Long Aoyi was nearly knocked down by a soldier, but Li Zhao swiftly caught her, preventing her fall. Officer Zhu reported to Li Zhao that Li Qingliu was obstructing the audit. Li Zhao questioned Li Qingliu, who firmly insisted that the audit be conducted strictly according to established regulations. In response, Li Zhao issued an order for the immediate sealing of Xinsilu's accounting office, stating it would remain closed until the government had thoroughly clarified all accounts.
Concerned that she would be unable to withdraw her money, Long Aoyi approached Manager Liu, who, bound by the official order, could not comply with her request. Long Aoyi then attempted to force her way into the sealed accounting office but was blocked by soldiers. Seeing the sealed office, Long Aoyi voiced her complaints against Li Zhao. Aware of Long Aoyi's fondness for drinking, Li Zhao then invited her out for a drink.
Observing his seemingly kind offer, Long Aoyi decided she was no longer in an immediate hurry to retrieve her money and agreed to let it remain in the accounting office for the time being. Remembering Li Zhao's previous search for pepper, Long Aoyi informed him that she had seen it at an underground bank.
Xiaoqin later told Long Aoyi that many of their gang brothers had lost their jobs and that the money Long Aoyi had deposited in the accounting office was now inaccessible. This forced Long Aoyi to seek an alternative solution. When Long Aoyi went to find Li Qingliu, Du Xiaoxian was also present.
Du Xiaoxian, wishing to thank Long Aoyi for finding the gold thread, offered her 10,000 taels of silver notes from her personal funds, suggesting that Long Aoyi leave the Silk Manor. Long Aoyi considered the 10,000 taels but realized that accepting it would mean forfeiting the larger sum she had stored in the accounting office. To secure her original investment, she chose to decline Du Xiaoxian's offer, knowing it would cause offense.
Long Aoyi then proposed that Li Qingliu teach her how to conduct business, but he instead suggested she learn the art of garment making. Long Aoyi, admitting she wasn't suited for delicate needlework, asked Li Qingliu to reconsider her initial proposal. Following the address provided by Long Aoyi, Li Zhao visited the underground bank and successfully located the pepper.
Upon reviewing the archived records, Li Zhao discovered that the pepper had been deposited by Zhu Chengzhi, a mere fifth-rank official in charge of the salt and iron trade in Silver City. This discrepancy made Li Zhao suspect that Zhu Chengzhi was acting with powerful backing. The fact that such an underground bank dared to store such a large quantity of pepper further convinced Li Zhao that there were hidden illicit dealings within its operations.
Meanwhile, Du Xiaoxian attempted to secretly sell her jewelry to assist Li Qingliu, but her actions were discovered by her father, Du Changfeng. He intervened, preventing her from selling the jewels, thus helping Li Qingliu through his difficulties by avoiding political complications. Long Aoyi then took matters into her own hands. She instructed Gengzi to compile a numbered list of all the silkworm farmers under their influence, detailing the number of people and their silk output.
She also tasked Second Master Lyu with gathering all the idle labor force within the gang. Long Aoyi's plan was for the Longzhu Gang to become the raw silk supplier for Xinsilu in the upcoming silk season. When Second Master Lyu inquired about Li Qingliu's parents, Long Aoyi informed him that, like herself, Li Qingliu had no parents and was raised by a wet nurse.
Li Qingliu refused to accept Du Xiaoxian's jewelry, despite her insistence that her actions were for the benefit of Xinsilu. Du Xiaoxian warned him that without financial support, he risked losing both money and workers. Long Aoyi then presented Li Qingliu with a raw silk sample. From the doorway, Xiaoqin secretly observed Long Aoyi as she effectively dismissed Du Xiaoxian. Yan Bin then led Xiaoqin to a back window for a better view.
Long Aoyi formally offered to supply raw silk to Li Qingliu. Li Qingliu asked for a gesture of her commitment, and Long Aoyi promptly produced 10,000 taels. When Li Qingliu asked for her conditions, Long Aoyi expressed her desire to reside within the Silk Manor, arguing that it would make her the most suitable liaison for managing the complex business of connecting sellers and buyers, reducing costs and solving problems for both sides. Li Qingliu agreed to her proposal.
As Long Aoyi stood up, Li Qingliu accidentally stepped on her sash, causing it to come loose. Embarrassed, Li Qingliu averted his gaze and, without further discussion, agreed to all of Long Aoyi's stated demands.
