Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty Episode 22 Recap
> Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty Recap
Su Wuming received a transfer to Ninghu, where he would continue as a Military Commander. Although the title remained the same, Ninghu was a prosperous city in Zhongzhou, located south of the Chang Jiang River, making it a significant promotion. Su Wuming expressed surprise at the swift promotion, having not been in Nanzhou for long.
Administrator Luo praised Su Wuming’s diligent work and organizational skills, stating that everything was well-organized under his care, to the point of making the Administrator himself feel ashamed in comparison. Prefectural Governor Xiong, hinting that Su Wuming had powerful backing, asked him to put in a good word for him and Administrator Luo upon his future success. Meanwhile, Lu Lingfeng returned from his own dismissal and questioned if someone had used him as a stepping stone for their own advancement.
He clarified that Su Wuming had taken him in after he was expelled from the capital, making it unlikely for Su Wuming to have impeached him. Su Wuming then confirmed that an Imperial Inspector, an associate of the princess, had recently toured Nanzhou. This revelation made Lu Lingfeng understand the true reason behind his dismissal. Lu Lingfeng, back from his mission in Ju County, expressed how much he missed the fine liquor and friends from Gourmet Restaurant.
He offered to host a banquet for Prefectural Governor Xiong and Administrator Luo. Suddenly, Chicken Fed appeared, chiding Lu Lingfeng for leaving Ju County without him. Lu Lingfeng explained he hadn't wanted to disturb Chicken Fed, who had been busy taking on disciples, including Zhai Liang and four other doctors, and leaving them his headache prescriptions and acupuncture techniques to help the local populace.
Chicken Fed proposed a celebration for Lu Lingfeng's success in cracking a difficult case and for his own healing work. Lu Lingfeng agreed enthusiastically, suggesting they invite Headman Huang, Headman Xie, Ouyang Quan, and the poet, Leng Ji, for a grand, inebriated reunion.
After the feast, Prefectural Governor Xiong, Administrator Luo, Ouyang Quan, and Leng Ji were all thoroughly drunk, and Headman Huang and Headman Xie were particularly delighted to have had the rare opportunity to drink alongside the Prefectural Governor. Later, Lu Lingfeng thanked Su Wuming for the three old books he had lent him, calling them "amazing books" that had proved very useful in Ju County.
Su Wuming playfully remarked that Lu Lingfeng was "not an ordinary man," having managed to offend both the Crown Prince, who expelled him from Chang'an, and the Princess, who dismissed him from his post, a feat Su Wuming had never witnessed before. Lu Lingfeng dismissed these comments as trivial, stating his feelings about the dismissal were irrelevant.
He then shrewdly deduced that Su Wuming's transfer to Ninghu was also orchestrated by the Princess, implying Su Wuming’s diligent work had garnered her favor. Su Wuming, annoyed, confirmed this. Su Wuming then inquired about Lu Lingfeng’s future plans and invited him to join him in Ninghu as his personal staff once more, admitting he felt "at ease" with Lu Lingfeng by his side.
However, Lu Lingfeng declined the offer, asserting his desire to live a life of "wandering around," free from official duties. Later that night, Pei Xijun came to Lu Lingfeng alone. She clarified that she wasn't there to persuade him as Su Wuming had suggested, but to declare her unwavering commitment: "Pei Xijun is willing to wander around the world with Lu Lingfeng. I'll follow you to anywhere no matter what happens."
Overcome with emotion, Lu Lingfeng embraced Xijun, their shared feelings evident. Pei Xijun then informed Su Wuming of her decision. Su Wuming was taken aback, as he had intended for her to persuade Lu Lingfeng to join him in Ninghu, not to embark on a life of wandering with him. Seeing her resolute, Su Wuming reluctantly blessed his sworn sister and Lu Lingfeng, albeit expressing concern about how he would explain her departure to her father, Minister Pei.
Pei Xijun, however, simply suggested he tell her father she had "left to travel around the world with Lu Lingfeng" and "there's no need to worry," believing this "may be the best destination for us." The next morning, as Pei Xijun prepared her departure, she assured Su Wuming she would never forget him and would visit him wherever he might serve, entrusting Xue Huan to his care.
However, Xue Huan soon reported that Lu Lingfeng had departed without a word, taking his sword, spear, and the three old books with him. Pei Xijun, heartbroken and angered, called Lu Lingfeng a "jerk" for abandoning her. Su Wuming, however, viewed Lu Lingfeng’s actions as those of a true gentleman, explaining that he did not wish for her to endure the hardships of a perilous wandering life.
He reassured her, stating Lu Lingfeng was "long fallen in love with you" and that he was now a mature man who could control his emotions, promising, "Don't worry. You'll see him very soon." Su Wuming had initially considered having Prefectural Governor Xiong send Pei Xijun back to Chang'an, as her father, Minister Pei, missed her, a message conveyed by the Imperial Inspector. However, Pei Xijun, though missing her father, insisted on accompanying Su Wuming to Ninghu.
Her rationale was that returning to Chang'an might mean never seeing Lu Lingfeng again, whereas traveling with Su Wuming offered a chance for them to reunite in Ninghu. Su Wuming acquiesced, believing her company would make the journey less monotonous, noting Ninghu’s scenic beauty despite his personal dislike for its Prefectural Governor, Li Yu, a sentiment Pei Xijun seemed to share before dismissing it as irrelevant.
Xue Huan voiced concern about Chicken Fed, wondering if he had joined Lu Lingfeng’s wandering, but Su Wuming confidently predicted that Chicken Fed had merely gone ahead to Ninghu as an "advance official" in pursuit of good wine. As they neared Ninghu, a sudden torrential rain began. Their horses, startled near a large lake, bolted.
Su Wuming attributed the horses' fright to a "huge creature," recalling a story about "Tuo" (alligators) and how Ninghu, once called Tuozhou, likely had many of them. He mentioned an ancient superstition about Tuo souls attaching to people who shed blood near water. They soon found a large temple and decided to take shelter there until dawn. Inside, Pei Xijun found the main idol, strangely covered with a red cloth, unsettling.
Su Wuming, also finding the statue "weird" and the place "hair-raising," admitted he couldn’t identify the deity. Hearing approaching voices, Su Wuming quickly hid himself, Pei Xijun, and Xue Huan. Soon, Lu Yong, a member of the Chamber of Commerce, entered with his men, intending to burn down the "Temple of Tuo God" and kill any "worshippers of the evil god" found inside.
However, Shen Chong, the Chief of the Worshippers of Tuo God, arrived with his own group, stopping Lu Yong, and a fierce battle ensued. Overwhelmed, Lu Yong’s men retreated. Shen Chong’s men captured some of Lu Yong’s followers and intended to tie them up and throw them into the lake to "feed them to the crocodiles." Just as Shen Chong’s men were about to leave, hearing a faint noise, they suspected more of Lu Yong’s accomplices.
Su Wuming seized the moment, using a deep, booming voice to mimic the "Tuo God," scolding Shen Chong for disturbing his rest and ordering him to leave. Terrified, Shen Chong and his men quickly begged forgiveness and retreated. After they departed, Su Wuming, Pei Xijun, and Xue Huan emerged from their hiding place. The mysterious woman who had also been hiding in the temple swiftly left without expressing gratitude. Su Wuming mused on the strangeness of people worshipping alligators.
Deciding against waiting for the rain to cease, he led his companions to brave the stormy night and enter Ninghu city. Upon entering Ninghu, Su Wuming and his companions were immediately confronted by a street procession led by Shen Chong, who was carrying the Tuo God statue. Citizens knelt reverently, chanting "God bless us!"
Shen Chong, observing Su Wuming and his group standing, questioned why they refused to kneel, reminding them that even the Prefectural Governor would prostrate himself before the Tuo God, making a Military Commander's refusal all the more disrespectful. Other citizens urged Su Wuming's group to kneel, fearing that offending the Tuo God would bring suffering upon them all. Pei Xijun, sensing the strangeness of the situation, discreetly advised Su Wuming not to invite trouble.
One bystander even remarked that Su Wuming, carrying his own book bag, resembled a "teacher" more than a Military Commander. Just as the tension escalated, Administrator Gu Wenbin and Minister of Warehouse Zeng Sanyi arrived. They greeted Shen Chong respectfully and intervened on Su Wuming’s behalf, explaining that the new Military Commander was unfamiliar with local customs and would undoubtedly come to worship the Tuo God in time.
Shen Chong, though visibly annoyed, reluctantly relented, warning Su Wuming, "Don't do that again." Gu Wenbin then formally introduced himself and Minister Zeng to Su Wuming, offering to host a welcome banquet for him that evening. However, Su Wuming insisted on immediately paying his respects to the Prefectural Governor.
Gu Wenbin agreed to lead him and explained that while Shen Chong might be domineering, he played a crucial role in the city by ensuring tax collection from merchants and citizens, thereby alleviating the state's burden and guaranteeing favorable weather, which contributed to Ninghu's prosperity. He attributed this success to the blessings of the Tuo God.
Administrator Gu Wenbin led Su Wuming to Bishui Pavilion, a mansion originally built by the Worshippers of Tuo God and gifted to the government, which served as the Prefectural Governor's private residence. At the pavilion, Gu Wenbin introduced Li Si, a mute old servant, highlighting the Prefectural Governor's strong bond with him. Li Si indicated that the Prefectural Governor was inside, and Su Wuming instructed him to announce the new Military Commander.
Gu Wenbin explained that the Prefectural Governor lived there to focus solely on public affairs, never permitting interruptions, with his meals delivered only by Li Si and left on the window sill. After repeated knocking yielded no response, Su Wuming, sensing trouble, ordered the door to be broken down. Inside, they made a grim discovery: Prefectural Governor Li Yu had been murdered.
Following the discovery, Gu Wenbin introduced He Xi, the Minister of Justice of Ninghu, to Su Wuming, emphasizing Su Wuming's expertise in solving cases and suggesting He Xi should seek his guidance. However, He Xi, with an arrogant demeanor, dismissed Su Wuming, telling him to rest and promising to report any progress himself. Later, at the Commander's Residence assigned to Su Wuming, Xue Huan commented that it was smaller than their previous residence in Nanzhou.
Su Wuming then revealed the Prefectural Governor Li Yu's murder, a shocking piece of news to Pei Xijun. Meanwhile, Yingtao, the Prefectural Governor’s daughter, was mourning her father. He Xi approached her, swearing to investigate the case thoroughly out of gratitude for her father’s patronage, which had secured him his position as Minister of Justice. Yingtao, distraught, dismissed him and then found solace, embracing Li Si and weeping in his arms.
Chicken Fed found Ninghu "not fun at all" because he couldn't get his hands on the famous "Tuo God Wine." Su Wuming inquired if it was a matter of funds, but Chicken Fed explained that the wine, once known as "Nantian Wine" and a beloved staple at all local celebrations, was now exclusively brewed by Yaoyue Restaurant "only for Tuo God." This, combined with the forced kneeling, made Pei Xijun deeply concerned, calling the city "very creepy and weird."
Su Wuming, asserting his authority as the new Military Commander, took Chicken Fed to Yaoyue Restaurant. However, the restaurant owner explained that despite the wine being made from Tuo Lake water and once brewed by many, only Yaoyue was now qualified, producing a mere thirty jars monthly. He emphasized that not even the Prefectural Governor could buy it.
The owner informed them that the wine was exclusively served during the "God Sighting Ceremony" on Tuo God Island, held annually on the Double Third Festival (the 3rd day of March), when the Tuo God made his appearance. High-ranking officials like Su Wuming would undoubtedly be invited. Su Wuming openly criticized the Tuo God’s monopoly over the local wine, asserting that a true deity would not deprive its people.
The owner, fearful of repercussions from the Worshippers of Tuo God, pleaded with Su Wuming to cease such talk. When Su Wuming pressed if the owner had personally seen the Tuo God, the owner admitted he hadn't, but his "master" had. The master, when called, confirmed he saw the Tuo God’s "several feet high body" annually during the festival while transporting wine, and that the deity would even speak to attending officials and fortunate citizens.
He clarified that the Tuo God had existed since the Later Han Dynasty but made his first recorded appearance thirty years prior. Seeing Su Wuming’s inability to procure the wine, Chicken Fed criticized the Worshippers of Tuo God’s arrogance as a direct insult to the imperial court and governmental authority. Leaving Yaoyue Restaurant, Su Wuming and Chicken Fed witnessed Worshippers of Tuo God harassing the owner of Lin Inn over overdue payments, accusing him of "disrespecting Tuo God."
Su Wuming intervened, condemning their bullying tactics. Although initially defiant, the Worshippers of Tuo God, upon learning of Su Wuming's new official capacity, reluctantly granted the inn owner three more days to pay before departing. Su Wuming expressed his outrage at the Worshippers of Tuo God's "running amok," deeming it an affront to the dignity of the Tang Dynasty.
The inn owner, however, cautiously advised Su Wuming against speaking ill of the "almighty" Tuo God within his establishment, fearing he would be implicated. He then shared a tragic tale of his stubborn nephew from Qiantang, who had opened a rice store in Ninghu and refused to pay the mandatory "fees to the Worshippers of Tuo God" and "donations to the temple." Consequently, his nephew "lost his life," a fate the inn owner attributed to defying the deity.
When Su Wuming questioned how the Worshippers of Tuo God could "decide life and death," the inn owner stressed that the Tuo God was a "god," transcending human laws. He elaborated that all business owners in Ninghu were automatically considered members of the Worshippers of Tuo God, compelled to pay monthly fees and a substantial 30% of their annual profits as temple donations, with no one daring to resist for fear of crop failures.
Su Wuming, seeking to understand this fervent belief, was told the story of the Late Han Dynasty's great flood in Ninghu, during which fewer than a hundred survivors were saved by clinging to a "giant alligator," leading to its subsequent deification. The inn owner himself claimed to have witnessed the Tuo God’s "several feet high body" three years prior when his successful business earned him a privileged spot on Tuo God Island during the Double Third Festival.
He reiterated the grave danger of unauthorized visits to the island, warning of being "thrown into the Swamp of Alligators," where the "descendants of Tuo God" awaited, a fate his nephew had tragically met. The inn owner also revealed that only Lu Yong of the Chamber of Commerce openly "flagrantly against the Tuo God," predicting Lu Yong's imminent demise. The scene then shifted to Lu Yong, who met with Administrator Gu Wenbin.
Lu Yong presented a document titled "Records of Worshippers of Tuo God," which he claimed to have "got this by chance." The document meticulously detailed numerous crimes committed by the Worshippers of Tuo God, a claim that Gu Wenbin, having perused the records, acknowledged as factual. Gu Wenbin recognized Lu Yong's efforts in rallying people to oppose the Worshippers of Tuo God but also highlighted the deeply entrenched tradition of respecting the deity and its followers.
Lu Yong implored Administrator Gu Wenbin, as "an official of our city," to thoroughly examine the records and "ask for your help" on behalf of the populace, exposing the many evils perpetrated under the guise of the Tuo God.
