Renascence Episode 33 Recap
> Renascence Recap
Ye Junqing and Yao Mowan met with Chu Mo Bei in a small grove outside the city. Ye Junqing expressed gratitude for Chu Mo Bei's earlier assistance in Lian City, but Chu Mo Bei quickly clarified that his help was merely to repay a past favor he owed to Yao Moxin, not to Ye Junqing.
Yao Mowan then questioned Chu Mo Bei's aggressive actions against the volunteer army of Chu, noting their lack of prior enmity, and asked why Shu had launched a sneak attack and then deployed troops to surround them. Chu Mo Bei found Yao Mowan's words impudent, stating it wasn't the right attitude for negotiation. Yao Mowan appealed for peace, emphasizing the suffering of the common people and invoking Yao Moxin's memory, urging him to withdraw his troops.
Chu Mo Bei agreed to retreat but proposed a condition: Yao Mowan must become his Crown Princess. Yao Mowan pressed him to take the negotiations seriously, highlighting the plight of Chu's citizens under Ye Hongyi. Chu Mo Bei asserted his sincerity, promising to marry her with due ceremony despite her past as a consort. However, Ye Junqing adamantly declared that Yao Mowan was his woman, and no one could touch her.
He warned Chu Mo Bei to retract his absurd proposal or face the consequences, even if it meant a complete rupture with Shu. Chu Mo Bei reiterated that it was a simple transaction: no marriage, no troop withdrawal. He then challenged them to meet on the battlefield. Ye Junqing accepted the challenge, despite Yao Mowan's attempts to stop him. As Chu Mo Bei departed, he issued a final warning about the potential consequences they might face.
After Chu Mo Bei left, Yao Mowan criticized Ye Junqing for acting too hastily, suggesting they should have waited for Chu Mo Bei's full explanation. Ye Junqing, however, called Chu Mo Bei shameless and saw no reason for further cooperation. Yao Mowan still believed there might be a misunderstanding behind Chu Mo Bei's unusual demand.
Ye Junqing became visibly jealous, questioning her past "history" with Chu Mo Bei, to which she clarified it was just a prior business encounter at the Jingyao Merchant Ship. Yao Mowan playfully teased him about his jealousy, but Ye Junqing sternly forbade her from ever meeting Chu Mo Bei again. He declared his intention to decimate Shu's forces on the battlefield. Yao Mowan tried to reason with him, pointing out that an open conflict would only benefit Ye Hongyi.
Ye Junqing remained firm, asserting that Chu Mo Bei was the aggressor and he would not allow anyone to take Yao Mowan away from him again. A subordinate reported to Ye Junqing that Chu Mo Bei had indeed cut off Savannah's food and water supplies, forcing the soldiers to subsist on coarse grains.
Yao Mowan expressed deep concern, fearing the soldiers wouldn't endure and that cannibalism could begin among the starving populace, as many civilians in the city were already dying of hunger. The current military food reserves could only last for two more days, with soldiers restricted to one meal a day. Ye Junqing dispatched Han Jinyi to scout for a potential breakout route.
However, Yao Mowan saw this as a mere temporary solution, a "drinking poison to quench thirst" approach that wouldn't resolve Savannah's crisis. Ye Junqing countered by reminding her that they had previously burned Shu's granary and cutting off their remaining supply lines was their path to victory, having already sent Yin Xue to investigate. Meanwhile, Chu Mo Bei, despite his military actions, felt uneasy about the desperate situation in Savannah.
His subordinate reported that the only possible breakout route had been completely blocked by Shu's forces. Chu Mo Bei, acknowledging that his army's main vulnerability was its extended supply lines, criticized his subordinate for deploying heavy troops to an easily defensible valley instead of focusing on protecting the vital food routes. The subordinate promptly agreed to reallocate forces to guard the supply lines.
When asked about the chances of a direct assault, the subordinate stated that victory was achievable but would come with heavy casualties, advocating for a prolonged siege instead. Chu Mo Bei, however, feared that delaying the attack would allow Southland's reinforcements to arrive, forcing Shu into a difficult two-front war, which could quickly turn the tide against them.
He therefore ordered an immediate siege of the city, with a strict command to ensure the safety of Ye Junqing, Yao Mowan, and Han Jinyi once the city fell. His subordinate questioned saving their enemies, but Chu Mo Bei explained that he had been reluctant to fight this war, had a personal history with the three, and his father's primary directive was to marry Yao Mowan to achieve peace, making her safety paramount.
He dismissed the subordinate's concerns and insisted his orders be followed. Huan Heng, Ye Junqing, and Yao Mowan reviewed their military options. Huan Heng stated that a direct confrontation with Shu was unwinnable given their current forces, and a surprise attack would necessitate abandoning their wounded soldiers and civilians. Ye Junqing proposed a daring strategy involving cavalry to encircle and strike at Shu's central command, but Yao Mowan deemed it too risky and urged him to consider an "easier" path.
Ye Junqing was wary, fearing that this "easier" path might be a trap to capture Yao Mowan as a hostage. Han Jinyi then reported that the sole waterway for a potential breakout had been sealed off by Shu's troops and that he had dispatched a request for aid to Southland. Yao Mowan, deeply troubled by the dire circumstances, lost her appetite and asked her meal to be distributed among the soldiers.
Just then, an elderly woman cried for justice outside the camp, accusing a member of Quicksand's group of killing her son over food. Yao Mowan initially sought to clarify the situation, suggesting a misunderstanding, but the woman tearfully insisted she had witnessed the murder firsthand.
Ye Junqing, enraged by the act of harming civilians, vowed severe punishment under military law, stating that their uprising was to protect the innocent, and any who brutalized them were no different from the tyrannical officials of Chu. He ordered the soldier's execution. Quicksand interceded, pleading for the man's life, arguing that the soldier was desperate from starvation and didn't deserve to die. Yao Mowan also urged Ye Junqing to calm down and consider a heavy punishment instead of execution.
However, Ye Junqing remained resolute, emphasizing that if they acted like the oppressors of Chu, their cause was meaningless. He ordered the man to be dragged away for beheading. Quicksand angrily confronted Ye Junqing, questioning his moral high ground when their lives were all at stake, and appealed to Yao Mowan for support.
Yao Mowan, however, echoed Ye Junqing's sentiment, telling Quicksand to put down his sword and asserting that they were soldiers, not bandits, and had to abandon their old ways. Accepting this, Quicksand declared that no one else would execute his man and personally beheaded the soldier, promising to look after the man's family. He then left in anger with his remaining followers.
Ye Junqing, undeterred by Yao Mowan's pleas, prepared to wage a decisive battle against Shu, convinced that remaining trapped in the city would lead to their demise, and unwilling to allow Yao Mowan to marry Chu Mo Bei. Unbeknownst to Ye Junqing, Yao Mowan had already made her move. She covertly traveled alone to Shu's military camp, where Chu Mo Bei awaited her. She asserted her status, demanding appropriate respect.
Chu Mo Bei, reminding her that in war there were only enemies, questioned if she had decided to become his Crown Princess. Yao Mowan agreed to marry him, but on her terms: Shu must form an alliance with the volunteer army, immediately withdraw its troops, and provide food supplies. Chu Mo Bei scoffed, believing Savannah was already a lost cause and victory was assured, questioning why he should ally with them.
Yao Mowan countered by invoking the ambition of the strong to conquer the world, asking if he was truly content with just Savannah. Chu Mo Bei recognized her audacity, comparing her to Yao Moxin, but quickly reminded her that she was a hostage for Savannah's people, stripped of any right to negotiate. Yao Mowan then presented her compelling argument: an alliance with the volunteer army could lead to conquering the world.
She detailed the current geopolitical landscape, with the world divided into three powers, Chu being the strongest, and Southland already allied with the volunteer army, making this the optimal moment to overthrow Ye Hongyi. When Chu Mo Bei questioned Shu's benefits, Yao Mowan warned that if Southland and the volunteer army were defeated, Shu would eventually face the powerful Chu alone, referencing historical precedents of allies being discarded after achieving a goal.
She further promised lasting peace for millions if Ye Junqing ascended the throne of Chu. Despite his lingering suspicion of deception, Chu Mo Bei's concerns were assuaged by her willingness to remain a hostage in Shu. Upon learning of Yao Mowan's solo mission and her acceptance of the marriage proposal, Ye Junqing felt betrayed and ordered his troops to prepare for war.
He later received a letter from Yao Mowan, explaining her sacrifice: "Jun Qing, now that Savannah is in dire crisis and its people are suffering, my heart aches. The only thing I can do is accept Chu Mo Bei's demands to bring peace to Savannah. Jun Qing, do not worry." Unbeknownst to them, this played directly into Ye Hongyi's grand scheme.
He had anticipated Yao Mowan's move and was delighted that she had seemingly betrayed both him and Ye Junqing, creating a complex predicament for her. Receiving news that Yao Mowan had entered Shu's camp and that the Savannah rebels, far from seeking peace, were assembling for war, Ye Hongyi was pleased. He envisioned a "clam and snipe" scenario where Shu, the volunteer army, and Southland would clash, leaving him to reap the benefits.
He planned to strike when all sides were exhausted to achieve his ambition of uniting the world. Later, after receiving a "Nine-Turn Soul Revival Pill" from a subordinate, Ye Hongyi stood before Yao Moxin's lifeless body, lamenting his sacrifices for the throne and his profound loneliness. He confessed his inability to let her go, despite knowing she might never awaken, wishing she could remain by his side forever.
Han Jinyi urged Ye Junqing to consider a peace agreement with Shu, emphasizing the lives of Savannah's countless people. However, Ye Junqing vehemently refused, declaring he could not accept Yao Mowan's sacrifice. He argued that a truly great cause should not be built upon a woman's self-sacrifice, stating that Yao Mowan was not a "trophy" to be bargained with, and he would not allow her to be desecrated in such a way.
He also alluded to having lost Yao Moxin once and being unable to bear losing "her" again, leaving Han Jinyi puzzled by his words. The next morning, Shu's army gathered outside Savannah's city walls, and an envoy called for their surrender, promising mercy. However, Ye Junqing, without hesitation, shot and killed the Shu envoy with an arrow, completely disregarding the diplomatic overture and its potential consequences.
Upon hearing this, Chu Mo Bei was enraged, calling Ye Junqing foolish for his reckless act, reiterating that peace was their only viable option. Yao Mowan realized that her decision to go to Shu's camp was the reason for Ye Junqing's current irrational and headstrong behavior. Determined to rectify the situation, she decided to personally convince him to choose a more sensible path.
Chu Mo Bei, however, expressed concern that if they met face-to-face, Ye Junqing would not easily let her go, suggesting it would be safer for her to send for him instead. Despite Ye Junqing's seemingly irrational decisions, Han Jinyi reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty, vowing to follow him, whether it led to madness or death.
Ye Junqing then detailed his plan for a surprise night attack on Shu's camp with three hundred elite cavalry, instructing Huan Heng to prepare them with black cloths for stealth. A soldier then arrived, delivering a letter from Yao Mowan. Ye Junqing instructed his men to proceed with the plan while he went to meet her.
He found Yao Mowan with Chu Mo Bei, and the two men exchanged terse words before Yao Mowan requested to speak with Ye Junqing alone, which Chu Mo Bei granted. Yao Mowan immediately confronted Ye Junqing about his reckless decision to go to war, questioning why he would abandon her and endanger Savannah's thousands of people for her sake, accusing him of being crueler than herself.
Ye Junqing, in turn, expressed his deep anguish, stating he couldn't bear to watch her marry another man again or live the rest of his life consumed by guilt. Yao Mowan implored him to understand that their personal feelings should not obstruct his greater ambitions for the people.
Ye Junqing, however, felt misunderstood, lamenting that she always made major decisions on her own, leaving him only with the final results and an overwhelming sense of guilt, making him question his importance in her life. Yao Mowan then tearfully confessed her profound love for him, greater than her own life, but asserted that she valued grand ideals and duties more than personal affection.
She earnestly pleaded with him to be pragmatic and rational, accusing him of cowardice for risking countless lives to demonstrate his devotion. She urged him to "do what you must." As Chu Mo Bei returned, Yao Mowan informed him that Ye Junqing had agreed to the alliance. Yao Mowan and Chu Mo Bei presented themselves before the King of Shu. The King expressed his admiration for Yao Mowan, remarking that she was indeed an extraordinary woman.
Chu Mo Bei then confessed that he had not captured Ye Junqing and Han Jinyi, as originally ordered, but had instead formed an alliance with them to overthrow Ye Hongyi's tyrannical rule. He argued that the volunteer army could be a valuable asset in Shu's eventual conflict with Chu.
The King approved of this initiative, revealing his plan to leverage Chu Mo Bei and Yao Mowan's wedding as an opportunity to invite the King of Southland, Ye Junqing, and Han Jinyi to sign a grand alliance against Chu. He ordered wedding invitations to be dispatched to all neighboring countries. As preparations for the elaborate wedding commenced, Yao Mowan, now addressed as the Crown Princess, tried to take a walk but was initially restricted by a maid.
Chu Mo Bei quickly intervened, asserting his authority and declaring that as his future wife, Yao Mowan was free to move as she wished within Shu, and he would bear all responsibility for her actions. Chu Mo Bei later confirmed that all wedding arrangements were complete, and then Yao Mowan asked him about his father's true intentions. On the day of the wedding, with envoys from various kingdoms gathered, the King of Shu addressed the assembly.
Noticing Ye Junqing's presence, he publicly acknowledged his past close relationship with the Crown Princess and invited him to offer a wedding toast. With profound sadness and anger barely concealed, Ye Junqing delivered a bitter and poignant toast to Yao Mowan. He wished her "peace in life and happiness without me," that she would have "no regrets in her future and no return to her past."
Finally, he offered the cold blessing that she and Chu Mo Bei would have a "harmonious marriage, blessed with many children and grandchildren." The King of Shu, seemingly oblivious to the underlying pain, praised the toast and echoed the wishes for the couple. Later, it was revealed that "bone weakening powder" was present, hinting at potential schemes during the event.
