Siege in Fog Episode 22 Recap
> Siege in Fog Recap
The Tian Meng Association tightens its grip on Yongnan, with Commander Liang Xingbei announcing widespread panic since Old Champ's retirement and confirming orders to search for Third Young Master Yi Liankai and Third Young Mistress Qin Sang. During a meeting with business partners, Liang Xingbei has all chairs removed to signify equality. He recounts how the nation's military weakening after the Battle at the Yalu River led to the Tian Meng Association's formation.
He then issues a strict order: Yongnan will be under martial law, requiring special traffic permits and prohibiting merchants from price gouging or hoarding goods. When a subordinate suggests entertainment to celebrate their victory, Liang Xingbei dismisses the idea, warning against distractions that could undermine their resolve in such a critical period. Meanwhile, Min Hongyu and Qin Sang delve into the significance of names.
Min Hongyu reveals her painful past, how Old Champ destroyed her family for his reputation, forcing her into prostitution where she adopted the name "Huiyan." She observes that Qin Sang's name in the Yongnan dialect, "Qing Shang," portends a life "hurt by love."
Min Hongyu shares that Qin Sang is the second person to truly understand her, admitting that her original name, with a character for "rainbow," brought her misfortune, leading to family separation and her life as a courtesan, but her current name, with the character for "red," has helped break that cycle.
She clarifies that the first person to see through her was not Yi Liankai, but a man who rescued her from the brothel, enjoyed fried tofu, and taught her to dance. Min Hongyu explains her unique method of discerning character through dance, noting how a man's demeanor and physical control during a dance reveal his inner self.
When Qin Sang asks for her assessment, Min Hongyu describes her as outwardly calm but deeply valuing relationships, drawn to risk and danger, to which Qin Sang agrees, stating that life itself is a constant risk. Concurrently, Yi Lianshen dispatches three regiments to Captain Liu to launch a night assault on Yongnan, aiming to deliver a significant blow to the Tian Meng Association.
He receives intelligence about executed spies among their troops and, after promoting a quick-thinking lieutenant, issues a stern warning that anyone captured and accused of spying will face execution. Yi Lianshen suspects Li Chongnian of treacherous interference. Later, news of Captain Yu securing three Tian Meng Association regiments arrives, prompting Yi Lianshen to order a full-scale push on Yongnan by morning.
However, the situation turns dire as Fuzhou attacks aggressively, trapping three of their regiments northwest of Yongnan and resulting in the death of Chief Military Advisor Guo Yue. Liang Xingbei, receiving these reports, stresses the critical need to hold Yongnan. He recognizes Yi Lianshen's military prowess despite the challenges posed by Li Chongnian's diversions and appoints Pan Jianchi to lead the army, instructing him to issue commands by telephone and avoid exposure.
Pan Jianchi directs his forces, but a fresh report reveals contact loss with a regiment and the deployment of Fu Cunming, Li Chongnian's top lieutenant, signifying an all-out offensive. Pan Jianchi immediately orders reinforcements to the western front. At the Yi family study, Fan Yanyun astutely observes that the Tian Meng Association's defense of Yongnan, initially dismissed by Yi Jipei, suggests a sophisticated, intelligent command structure.
Yi Lianyi commends her insight but highlights their precarious position, being attacked on two fronts with their forces divided, making Yi Lianshen's strategy unsustainable long-term. Yi Lianyi suggests bringing in Gao Peide, but Yi Jipei rejects the idea, citing the Tian Meng Association's unpredictable nature and the inability to trust anyone.
Yi Jipei then declares his intention to personally lead the troops, emphasizing that the battle concerns the lives of his two sons and regretting that Yi Lianyi's injuries prevent him from taking command. Yi Lianyi, feeling the sting of his father's words, quietly touches his injured legs. Unable to find any information about Yi Liankai, Qin Sang resolves to meet Liang Xingbei herself. She approaches patrolling soldiers on the street, demanding to be taken to him.
Liang Xingbei, after reviewing an urgent message, grants her an audience. Inside his study, Qin Sang sits unbidden, prompting Liang Xingbei to question her presumption. She stands, maintaining that a guest should be offered a seat. Liang Xingbei clarifies she is not an invited guest but came voluntarily. He attempts to discuss ideology, accusing the Yi family of exploiting citizens.
Qin Sang counters by citing historical examples, arguing that ideals should build, not destroy, civilization, and asserts that her birth into the Yi family was fate, not a crime. An urgent telegram from the northern front interrupts their conversation. Liang Xingbei then directs his men to escort Qin Sang to a room for rest, offering her books for distraction.
She is led to a room already occupied by three other girls, one of whom is Cheng Jinzhi, Old Champ's twelve-year-old eldest daughter. Qin Sang, initially mistaken about Jinzhi's relation to Old Champ, quickly apologizes for her insensitive comment. When Jinzhi, whose mother is also held captive, asks Qin Sang why she isn't afraid, Qin Sang explains that when one deeply cares for another, their focus shifts entirely to that person's safety, overshadowing personal fear.
Meanwhile, Yi Liankai, having survived his plunge into the river, emerges ashore in Yongnan. He skillfully evades the Tian Meng Association's search parties, who are meticulously combing the area for his body. The following day, Qin Sang seeks out Liang Xingbei again. Noticing the pleasant weather, he invites her for a walk through a vast rapeseed flower field.
During their stroll, Liang Xingbei philosophizes on the chaotic state of the country, where warlords and bandits cause widespread suffering, and everyone, driven by selfish motives for power and resources, disregards the nation's true welfare. He acknowledges Qin Sang's reformist inclinations and admits to strategically marking three poems—"Poison," "White Flag," and "Infant"—in the books he gave her.
He explains "Poison" as a desire to dismantle the old, oppressive world, "White Flag" as a pursuit of noble ideals, and "Infant" as a longing for a new beginning. Liang Xingbei confesses this was a "psychological attack," having observed her meticulous nature and predicted her desire to understand him through his readings. Qin Sang, realizing she was manipulated, admits the poems resonated deeply within her.
Liang Xingbei then offers to introduce Qin Sang to a man who deeply cares for her, one who defied his superiors for her love and has already been punished for it. To Qin Sang's dismay, Pan Jianchi appears, confirming her suspicion of his affiliation with the Tian Meng Association. Pan Jianchi apologizes for his deception, telling her he had waited for her in that very flower field for a long time, but she never came.
Qin Sang, conflicted, quietly replies that he has truly come too late this time. Elsewhere, Yi Liankai, hungry, stops for noodles in Yongnan. Recognizing him, Tian Meng Association members quickly move in. Yi Liankai, reacting swiftly, splashes the noodles on them and attempts to escape, but the overwhelming numbers of Tian Meng Association personnel on the streets lead to his capture.
Pan Jianchi, still with Qin Sang, declares that he doesn't care if Yi Liankai is dead and is willing to accept her regardless. An agitated Qin Sang insists that Yi Liankai is alive. Pan Jianchi reiterates his unwavering love for her, irrespective of Yi Liankai's fate or her feelings for him, and tries to kiss her. Qin Sang recoils, asking if he truly became a deserter for her. Pan Jianchi admits it was his first time.
Later, at the Cheng residence, Liang Xingbei informs Qin Sang and Pan Jianchi that he will arrange Qin Sang's return to Fuyuan the next day. Qin Sang questions why they would release her, given her potential value as a hostage. Liang Xingbei smiles, asserting that true revolutionaries do not employ such despicable tactics. Qin Sang then inquires about Yi Liankai's whereabouts.
Liang Xingbei states there's no current news, but intelligence indicates he is not in Fuyuan and is in extreme danger. He explains that someone is determined to prevent Yi Liankai from reappearing in Fuyuan and has repeatedly attempted to kill him. Qin Sang, recalling a past incident involving Song adjutant at Zhishan, suspects her second brother, Yi Lianshen.
