Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty Ⅲ: To Changan Episode 37 Recap
> Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty Ⅲ: To Changan Recap
Yu Matong held Pei Xijun captive, suspending her over a pool of ferocious piranhas, threatening to feed her to them if she didn't reveal her source of information. Pei Xijun, maintaining her composure, claimed that Lu Lingfeng, the Yongzhou Judicial Official, was her husband and possessed the means to uncover any lead. Upon hearing this, Yu Matong considered his options.
Since the Princess had severed ties with Yenisei Kirghiz, he saw an opportunity to leverage Pei Xijun to repair relations with the Princess's Mansion. That night, the Princess received a message via carrier pigeon, warning her of Pei Xijun's danger and stating that if she wished for Pei Xijun to live, the Princess must grant Yenisei Kirghiz's demands. She immediately dispatched a servant to Yongzhou Prefecture, strictly instructing that only Lu Lingfeng was permitted to read the note.
Meanwhile, Chu Yingtao returned to the sushan shop with Su Wuming, where everyone was concerned about Pei Xijun's prolonged absence. Moments later, Lu Lingfeng received the urgent note. He quickly led his men to the Liu Mansion, only to be informed by a servant that Liu Jun was likely either at the Persian House or the Pingkang District. The group split into two to search.
Lu Lingfeng headed to the Persian House, where he detected an unusual nuance in the proprietress's words. Despite her denial, Lu Lingfeng realized she was repeating someone else's phrase, leading him to discover Liu Jun hidden in a private room. Initially, Liu Jun was arrogant, but after Xue Huan subdued him with a beating, he confessed to secretly meeting Yu Matong and revealed that Pei Xijun was being held at the Dayu Fish Market.
Having received no communication or action from the Princess's Mansion, Yu Matong concluded that Pei Xijun was a fraud. He hastily ordered his accomplices to pack their valuables and prepare for an immediate retreat back to Yenisei Kirghiz. Before leaving, Yu Matong activated a mechanism, intending to drop Pei Xijun into the piranha-filled pool. Fortunately, Lu Lingfeng and Xue Huan arrived just in time to rescue her.
However, in his haste and anger, Lu Lingfeng's actions were too forceful, resulting in Yu Matong and his cohorts being killed on the spot. Following the incident, Liu Jun was brought before Xiong Qiannian, who, enraged by Liu Jun's disgraceful conduct, questioned his reasons for colluding with the enemy and betraying the nation.
Liu Jun tearfully explained that after gaining his position, he became addicted to lavish entertainment, frequently spending excessive amounts at places like the Persian House and Pingkang District. He met Yu Matong, who generously covered his expenses. This continued until Yu Matong presented him with a detailed ledger of all his debts, blackmailing him into becoming an agent.
Liu Jun admitted to leaking classified court information entrusted to Yongzhou Prefecture to them, and also revealing Lu Lingfeng's ongoing investigation into Yenisei Kirghiz spies and the Ghost Market intel stall. Xiong Qiannian warned Liu Jun that such treasonous acts would lead to his execution by the court. Su Wuming then assisted Lu Lingfeng in reviewing the case.
According to information obtained from Sun Zi, the Yenisei Kirghiz spies were scheduled to meet a female contact at Dayan Pagoda in Jinchang District. The rendezvous was set for three days from when Sun Zi first obtained the intelligence, which was the following day. To intercept them, Su Wuming decided to accompany Lu Lingfeng to set up an ambush at Dayan Pagoda. Soon after, Pei Mian visited Pei's Mansion and found Lu Lingfeng and Su Wuming there.
Lu Lingfeng claimed to have been engaged to Pei Xijun for a long time, but Pei Mian quickly deduced it was a private arrangement unknown to Pei Xijun's father. Su Wuming interjected, elaborating on Lu Lingfeng's heroic deed two years prior when he saved Pei Xijun's life during the Black Tea Case, and how Pei Xijun's father, Vice Minister Pei, had since formally entrusted his daughter to Lu Lingfeng before leaving Chang'an.
Su Wuming also swore on the name of his mentor, Di Renjie, that he spoke the truth, all to assure Pei Mian that their union was based on genuine affection and not on Lu Lingfeng's association with the Princess. Impressed by Su Wuming's persuasive words, Pei Mian called for Pei Xijun. Seeing that she was unharmed, though a little shaken, he then requested her help in designing a new polo ball that would symbolize the Tang Empire's prosperity.
Unable to refuse, Pei Xijun agreed. Gathered together, each person shared their vision of a prosperous era. Pei Xijun longed for a peaceful life, teaching children calligraphy and painting while awaiting her beloved's return from the county office. Fei Jishi wished for a wise and just emperor, with citizens living in peace and prosperity, allowing him to enjoy wine daily. Xue Huan vowed to defend the Tang Empire's borders, ensuring no foreign enemies dared to trespass.
Chu Yingtao believed a golden age should embrace the chivalry of the martial world, where everyone could find their own place and flourish. Lu Lingfeng advocated for a balance of civil governance and military strength, where both poetry and swords could thrive, stressing that the empire's longevity depended on its military reach to deter ambitious nations.
Su Wuming, after recounting various past emperors and their reigns, asserted that a truly prosperous era, one even more clear, strong, and thriving than the likes of Emperors Wen and Jing or Emperor Xuan, had yet to arrive. Three days later, Lu Lingfeng and Su Wuming meticulously positioned their lookouts around Dayan Pagoda, preparing for the spy rendezvous. Meanwhile, Juren Candidate Tian routinely visited the Bafang Inn, ostensibly to see Lady Chong the Thirty-Sixth.
Unbeknownst to most, two Yenisei Kirghiz spies, Hu Mei'er and Hu Da, disguised as a father and daughter, checked into the inn, preparing to meet their contact, Canglang. Yang Ji, delivering complimentary sushan from the Liuhe Sushan Shop to the inn guests, discreetly observed Hu Mei'er. He noticed an unusual scar behind her ear, sparking immediate suspicion. Pei Xijun, having synthesized everyone's diverse ideas, completed her design, which Pei Mian personally presented to the Emperor.
The Emperor was delighted with the design—a golden dragon representing the Tang Empire, surrounded by five grains symbolizing abundant harvests and contented people. He decreed that the polo ball be crafted from premium sandalwood and wrapped with the precious Seven-Colored Beast Hides, which emitted a unique seven-colored radiance under sunlight, traditionally reserved for imperial use. At Dayan Pagoda, Xiong Qiannian unexpectedly arrived, insisting on joining Lu Lingfeng and Su Wuming in capturing the spies. However, at the appointed time, as Hu Mei'er appeared in the market disguised as a man, Xiong Qiannian prematurely shouted to apprehend suspicious individuals, inadvertently alerting her to their presence.
