The Chang'an Youth Episode 16 Recap
> The Chang'an Youth Recap
One night, after the students had set up camp, Yang Zian went to the riverside, reflecting on his feelings for Shen Yiyi, which he believed to be unrequited due to her engagement to Tang Jiuhua. Shen Yiyi, noticing his distress, approached him. When she saw him appearing to tear up, Yang Zian quickly made an excuse, claiming that dogwood pollen had gotten into his eye. Shen Yiyi then carefully attended to his eye, blowing into it.
She teasingly asked if he was upset about being forced to confess his feelings for her earlier. Yang Zian, denying he was angry, then asked, "What if I did?" leaving Shen Yiyi flustered, and she quickly made an excuse to leave. Upon arriving at the military camp, Assistant Yang entrusted the students to General Li.
General Li initially expressed skepticism, stating that warfare was for "rough men" and concerned that the scholars, being "feeble," would only "discuss military strategies on paper." Assistant Yang, however, reminded him of Shangyi School's past victory against the East Kingdom. During this time, Tang Jiuhua immediately requested General Li to allow him and Shen Yiyi to share a tent, a request General Li granted. Shen Yiyi, having secretly changed into her battle attire outside, found this arrangement convenient.
General Li initially did not include the Shangyi School students in military training, believing they were too delicate and were only there to experience army life. The students, however, strongly disagreed. General Li explained the current standoff in Feihu Valley against Tuoxi's forces in Fengxi City, emphasizing the need for patience. Despite his caution, the students insisted on participating in the drills. Dr. Wu from Shangyi School voiced concerns about the students' lack of military training.
After some consideration, General Li agreed to form a special unit for the Shangyi School students, which he would personally train and command in battle. He set a strict condition: if any single student failed to endure the rigorous training or dropped out, the entire unit would be barred from participating in any combat. Dugu then rallied his fellow students, urging them to uphold their commitment and ensure no one would quit, thereby bringing honor to Shangyi School.
The training proved to be immensely challenging. Many students, except Dugu, were handling weapons for the first time. Despite the grueling nature of the drills, they all persevered. Dr. Wu, observing their determination, remarked that young eagles should not forever stay in their warm nests but must learn to fly. One day, after a particularly exhausting session, Xiao Xinyuan offered two bowls of water to Shen Yiyi.
Tang Jiuhua, clearly jealous, playfully smeared chalk on Xiao Xinyuan's face, calling him a "real white-faced boy." News soon arrived of a sneak attack by Tuoxi's forces on North City, causing heavy losses. General Li took the Shangyi students to the devastated battlefield, where they witnessed innocent civilians killed and orphaned children weeping over the bodies of their loved ones.
Xiao Xinyuan, observing Dugu's somber expression, noted that no one truly wins in war and that many make sacrifices that are never known. Witnessing the horrors, the students, led by Yang Zian, were filled with a burning desire for revenge and vowed to eliminate the enemy for the sake of the fallen. They collectively pleaded with General Li to allow them to join the fight. General Li recognized their courage and patriotism but expressed concern about their inexperience.
He reiterated that if they truly wished to go to battle, they must intensify their training to prepare for future fierce engagements. The students embraced their training with renewed vigor, focusing on archery, shooting, grappling, and combat. Shen Yiyi then proposed an innovative idea to General Li: live-fire simulation using wooden weapons and blunted arrows tipped with white powder to mark hits. She called this game "Divine Arrow Captures Flag." General Li approved of the plan, finding it brilliant.
During the first simulation, which took place in a dense forest, many students, including Tang Jiuhua, were quickly "defeated." Shen Yiyi eventually secured the flag, winning the game, despite Yang Zian still having one arrow left. General Li was greatly impressed by Shen Yiyi's quick thinking and leadership, deciding to implement "Divine Arrow Captures Flag" across the entire army.
Tang Jiuhua, watching Shen Yiyi's rapid progress and sharp wit, couldn't help but wonder if this capable woman was truly the delicate Shen Dieyi he once knew. During a break, Xiao Xinyuan was nowhere to be found. He had gone to the mountains to gather medicinal herbs and meticulously sketch the surrounding terrain using a compass. Later that night, returning to the camp, he saw Shen Yiyi pacing near his tent.
He mistakenly assumed she was waiting for him, but she quickly claimed she was just out for a walk. She then noticed a basket he was carrying, filled with materials, and expressed curiosity. Xiao Xinyuan mentioned it was a small invention he was working on and promised to show it when it was finished. The next day, General Li was presented with several remarkable innovations.
Xiao Xinyuan revealed a detailed sand table, meticulously crafted from sand and grass, replicating the terrain of Feihu Valley. General Li was astonished by the Second Prince's (Xiao Xinyuan) ingenuity, recognizing how this "exquisite thing" would significantly aid in understanding the environment and overall command. Yang Zian then presented new battle strategies he had developed, which General Li praised as "brilliant" and perfectly suited for canyon warfare, emphasizing their offensive and defensive capabilities.
Tang Jiuhua had also designed a modified weapon, the "Hook Lance," which featured a halberd with an inwardly curving blade. Dugu then showcased it, explaining that this design would be highly effective against Tuoxi's cavalry-heavy forces, helping to reduce casualties in close combat. General Li lauded all these inventions, proclaiming the students "awe-inspiring" and confident that with these new strategies and tools, they would achieve a decisive victory.
His confidence was further boosted by news that their advance units had successfully repelled enemy forces from Ancient Feihu Road, forcing them to retreat to Fengxi City. Tang Jiuhua, still troubled by Shen Yiyi's transformed personality, confronted her in a secluded area. He voiced his deep confusion, listing all the skills she now possessed—military deployment, cooking, discussing restaurants, treating wounds—none of which aligned with the sheltered Shen Dieyi he grew up with.
He recalled her childhood fear of blood and how she had always been a quiet, gentle lady. Shen Yiyi, seeing his distress, finally revealed the truth: she was not Shen Dieyi. She explained that she was Shen Yiyi, an orphan raised by Shen Dieyi and the Shen family. She had come to Chang'an to fulfill Shen Dieyi's engagement to him and to uncover Shen Dieyi's true parentage.
She then tearfully confessed that Shen Dieyi had passed away from a worsening cough. Tang Jiuhua, utterly devastated, refused to believe her, clinging to the hope that it was merely a test. He recalled Shen Dieyi's childhood promise that if she died before him, she would return as a firefly to protect him. Shen Yiyi acknowledged his pain but urged him to move forward, emphasizing that Shen Dieyi would want her to live well and complete her last wish.
Later that night, Shen Yiyi worried about Tang Jiuhua, who had not returned to his tent. Meanwhile, Yang Zian was by the river, holding the dogwood perfume sachet. He replayed Shen Yiyi's teasing question about his confession and his own heartfelt response, "What if I did?" He wrestled with his feelings, knowing his affection might be unrequited due to Shen Yiyi's existing engagement. He eventually returned to his tent, still deep in thought.
