Siege in Fog Episode 12 Recap
> Siege in Fog Recap
Pan Jianchi, while studying the Yi family's ledgers with Yi Liankai, observed that the family's trade routes were not fully developed, with only the casino and trading company showing stable income. He emphasized that while ports and train stations are crucial, the true key to transport capacity in their natural environment lies in the advancement of transportation tools.
Yi Liankai acknowledged Fuyuan's weak waterway transport, but noted that major shipbuilders were all within the Yin Army's jurisdiction, hoping Pan Jianchi, with his background studying in Japan, could leverage his connections or expertise in shipbuilding technology. Soon after, Xu reported to Yi Liankai about an item Min Hongyu requested. Yi Liankai expressed his frustration, recognizing it as a prized possession of Elder Yong Nancheng, which many high-ranking individuals had failed to acquire despite significant offers.
He felt Min Hongyu was making an exorbitant demand. However, Xu whispered a suggestion to Yi Liankai that perhaps obtaining the item might not be as difficult as he thought. This made Yi Liankai determined, silently vowing that Min Hongyu would eventually repay him for everything he was spending on her. Meanwhile, Yi Lianshen informed his uncle that Yi Jipei had appointed Yi Liankai to oversee the family's business affairs.
His uncle, aware of the Yi family's extensive business power, found Yi Jipei's move "enigmatic and hard to predict." Yi Lianshen, however, believed his father was merely annoyed by Yi Liankai's idle ways and acknowledged that Yi Liankai, though indifferent to military matters, had successfully managed his personal businesses. His uncle worried about Yi Liankai's potential expansion of power, especially since the key to the Fuzhou treasury, which supplied the Fu Army, was now in Yi Liankai's hands.
Yi Lianshen dismissed these concerns, assuring his uncle that despite their squabbles, he and Yi Liankai were "biological brothers" and he had his own ways to manage any future conflicts. Yi Liankai had already procured the item Min Hongyu desired. Min Hongyu then asked for the house title, which Yi Liankai promised to deliver once he found it. As Yi Liankai left, Fan Yanyun, who had been following him, intercepted his motorcycle.
Yi Liankai abandoned his motorcycle and drove her in his car. They headed to the outskirts, where Yi Liankai directly confronted Fan Yanyun about having taken the house deed. She admitted to it, questioning why he would give the house to Min Hongyu. Yi Liankai grew angry and then asked her about a handkerchief that disappeared ten years prior.
Fan Yanyun, in turn, accused Yi Liankai of expelling Mother Zhang because of that handkerchief, inadvertently confirming that she was the one who took it. As they spoke, their car windows were shattered, and several handguns were pointed at them. They were subsequently abducted. During their captivity, the kidnappers mistakenly referred to Fan Yanyun as "Third Young Mistress," a title she surprisingly found amusing, calling it a "dream come true" despite their predicament.
When the kidnappers showed Yi Liankai their ransom note demanding thirty thousand, he scoffed at the paltry sum, insisting they demand three hundred thousand, stating the Yi family wouldn't believe he was kidnapped for anything less. He even added the character "拾" (ten) himself to the ransom note. To provide proof of the abduction, Yi Liankai provocatively suggested cutting off a tongue or finger. Fan Yanyun, in a protective gesture, offered her own finger.
The kidnappers ultimately decided to take Fan Yanyun's ring instead, deeming a bloody hostage less valuable. Back at the Yi residence, Deng Yulin visited Qin Sang. She mentioned a sudden increase in cases at her law firm involving disputes between workers and businesses, all linked to the Yi family's enterprises. She had come to gather information.
Qin Sang observed that while these businesses were nominally under Yi Lianyi, Yi Lianshen's influence and personnel permeated any area where the Fuyuan Army was present. With Yi Jipei entrusting business affairs to Yi Liankai, a significant reshuffle was inevitable. Deng Yulin urged Qin Sang to leave the turbulent Yi family, reminding her not to complicate her life due to past generations' problems.
After Qin Sang saw Deng Yulin off, Yi Lianyi's wife, the Eldest Sister-in-Law, rushed to her, surprised to see Qin Sang at home, asking if she hadn't been kidnapped. Qin Sang, confused, was then told that a message had arrived claiming she and Yi Liankai were held captive, with a demand for three hundred thousand dollars by noon the next day, threatening their lives otherwise. Qin Sang was alarmed and asked who the other hostage was.
Yi Lianyi, after seeing the ransom note and a ring that accompanied it, immediately knew Yi Liankai and Fan Yanyun had been kidnapped. He internally recognized the gravity of the situation. Simultaneously, Yi Jipei, Yi Lianshen, and Qin Housheng were playing mahjong. The Eldest Sister-in-Law served tea to Yi Jipei, the lid of the cup subtly inscribed with the message: "Kai and Yun were both kidnapped."
Yi Jipei, upon reading the message, remained impassive and insisted that everyone continue playing, preventing Yi Lianshen from leaving the table. He challenged them to keep playing until they had shown him all their "hidden savings." During the game, Deputy Chief Qin mentioned Yi Liankai's involvement in a shipbuilding factory, to which Yi Jipei responded that since he had handed over the business to him, he was too lazy to inquire further.
Qin Sang anxiously questioned Yi Lianyi about the truth of Yi Liankai's kidnapping. Yi Lianyi handed her the ransom note and the ring. He sighed, confirming that the ring appeared to be Fan Yanyun's, thus revealing that she was the other person kidnapped with Yi Liankai. He stressed the critical need to resolve the situation before Yi Lianshen learned the truth, as Yi Lianshen's impetuous nature could lead to unforeseen troubles.
Since they couldn't use the Fu Army to investigate without alerting Yi Lianshen, and Yi Lianyi himself was physically impaired, he stated that only Qin Sang could handle the matter. Qin Sang, feeling helpless as "only a woman" and disturbed by the involvement of another woman with Yi Liankai, expressed her reservations.
Yi Lianyi explained that Yi Liankai had confided that many of Yi Lianshen's men were involved in the Yi family's businesses, suggesting Fan Yanyun's presence might be linked to aiding Yi Lianshen. Seeing Qin Sang's hesitation, Yi Lianyi dramatically knelt before her. He acknowledged Yi Liankai had caused her much distress, making her reluctance understandable. Yet, he implored her to deeply consider if Yi Liankai was truly "evil enough to be unforgivable" and if "his death really not regrettable."
Qin Sang left without a word, but Yi Lianyi knew she had agreed. He confided to the Eldest Sister-in-Law that his true purpose in kneeling was not merely to ensure their rescue, but to compel Qin Sang to keep the secret of Fan Yanyun's involvement forever after their safe return. He feared that if this secret came out, it would ignite a fierce conflict between the brothers, leading to disaster for the Yi family.
He also revealed that Yi Liankai himself had deliberately increased the ransom amount to guarantee his and Fan Yanyun's safety, knowing that the higher the ransom, the less likely the kidnappers would harm them. Qin Sang, alone in the courtyard, was deeply troubled, Deng Yulin's cautionary words echoing in her mind. Her heart was heavy with conflicting emotions as she envisioned Yi Liankai and Fan Yanyun together, yet her mind involuntarily replayed cherished moments she had shared with Yi Liankai.
Meanwhile, in captivity, Yi Liankai asked Fan Yanyun if she was scared. She laughed, declaring it "the best day of my life" and expressing no fear. She even embraced their shared captivity as a sign from the heavens, pitying her devotion and allowing them to die together, as they couldn't be united in life. Yi Liankai dismissed her sentiments, telling her he wouldn't let her die and felt he owed it to "Teacher."
Fan Yanyun then revealed that the kidnappers had used her ring as proof, explaining her desire for Yi Jipei and Yi Lianshen to know she was kidnapped with him, hoping their "affection" would no longer be concealed. Yi Liankai called her "evil," to which she retorted that she had become evil after he and her father had "sacrificed" her. Yi Liankai, surprised, asked if she truly believed he didn't know.
Fan Yanyun realized with dismay, "So my father lied to me! I am really an idiot." She finally understood that Yi Liankai was unaware of her "sacrifice." Later, Yi Jipei continued his mahjong game, and the Eldest Sister-in-Law brought him more tea, this time without any messages inscribed on the cup. Yi Lianshen also attempted to leave the mahjong table but was prevented by Yi Jipei. Driven by her turmoil and concern, Qin Sang sought out Pan Jianchi, asking for his help.
