The Legend of Mi Yue Episode 46 Recap
> The Legend of Mi Yue Recap
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Mi Shu was ill, prompting the King of Qin to visit her. She expressed concern over Young Master Dang's impetuous nature, admitting she had not guided him well, and revealed that her lady doctor advised her to release the burdens of her heart to recover. Mi Shu proposed that Young Master Dang, who excels in martial arts, and Young Master Ji, who prefers scholarly pursuits, should study together, believing they would foster mutual growth and support.
The King of Qin found this suggestion excellent, seeing it as the right path to cultivate future pillars of the state, and promised to issue an edict to arrange their joint instruction. Wei Ran arrived in Xianyang, having accompanied General Sima Cuo to submit a petition regarding military strategy. He sought out Mi Yue, hoping she would advocate for Sima Cuo's plan to attack Shu land before the King.
However, Mi Yue informed him that Zhang Yi had also asked her to support his proposal to attack Han. She firmly stated that she would not favor either side, choosing instead to let the King decide. Mi Yue then inquired about Bai Qi, whom Wei Ran praised as a remarkably talented and audacious general, consistently victorious in battle with his unconventional strategies.
Wei Ran then noticed several beehives in the palace garden and learned from a servant that the King of Qin had specially transported them from Shu land. This was done after Mi Shu’s persistent cough and headaches were miraculously eased by cliff honey from Mount Wudu, a region in Shu, which had been previously gifted to her by Mi Yue.
Mi Yue then confided that she was the one who had requested the King to arrange for the bees to be brought. Wei Ran was perplexed by her actions, especially amidst rumors of a growing rift between her and Mi Shu. Mi Yue explained that she fondly recalled their shared past as sisters in Chu and genuinely appreciated Mi Shu's recent kindness towards Young Master Ji, including her suggestion that he study alongside Young Master Dang.
However, Wei Ran remained unconvinced, perceiving Mi Shu's gestures as a cynical attempt to curry favor and dismissively noting that Young Master Ji was being labeled merely as Young Master Dang's "study companion." Mi Yue expressed her strong displeasure with this particular title. The court was consumed by a lengthy debate over whether Qin should attack Han or Shu. Zhang Yi passionately advocated for attacking Han, proposing an alliance with Wei and Chu.
He believed that conquering Han and controlling the strategic San Chuan dangers would allow Qin to command the Zhou Emperor, thereby asserting dominance over all other states. However, this proposal met strong opposition, with many ministers cautioning that such an aggressive move would unify other states against Qin and lead to widespread hostility. Some even accused Zhang Yi of using the campaign against Han as a personal vendetta against Gongsun Yan, who resided there.
On the other hand, General Sima Cuo and his supporters argued that attacking Shu, a kingdom currently in chaos, would be an easier and more advantageous path. They believed Qin could expand its territory and enrich its treasury without provoking other powerful states, likening it to a wolf preying on sheep. Sima Cuo warned that attempting to control the Zhou Emperor by force would backfire, rallying the other states to form a formidable alliance against Qin.
After hearing both sides, the King of Qin, sensing the deep division and conflicting interests, decided to defer his judgment, instructing both Zhang Yi and Sima Cuo to submit more detailed proposals. The King of Qin, eager to see his sons engaged in their studies, inquired about Young Master Dang and Young Master Ji. He learned that their teacher had assigned them tasks related to land surveying and household registration, crucial duties for the Si Nong Department.
He found Young Master Ji diligently occupied, but Young Master Dang was nowhere to be found. When Young Master Dang eventually returned, claiming he had been to the latrine, the King examined his work and was displeased by its sloppiness. He sternly reprimanded Young Master Dang, stressing the importance of such fundamental administrative tasks for the nation.
The King emphasized that as his son, Young Master Dang must possess not only formidable martial strength but also the wisdom to govern, holding up Young Master Ji's meticulousness as an example. Young Master Dang defiantly argued that ruling the world primarily required military might, not literary skills. The King patiently countered, asserting that true conquest and governance demanded intellect and strategy, not just brute force, and warned him against becoming a shallow warrior.
Young Master Dang apologized and agreed to complete his assignments, though the King reminded him these were his own responsibilities. The King of Qin then presented Young Master Dang and Young Master Ji with a new assignment: to debate the merits of attacking Han versus conquering Shu. Young Master Dang, having been coached by Mi Shu and her advisors, forcefully argued for attacking Han.
He highlighted the weakened state of neighboring nations after the recent Battle of Xiuyu and the strategic advantage of seizing the San Chuan dangers to gain control over the Zhou Emperor. Observing the debate, Mi Yue had previously discovered Young Master Ji rehearsing his arguments by playfully debating the concepts of "cold and heat" with his caretakers, when he actually meant "Han and Shu," and she had promised to take him to the Quartet Embassy to hear the strategists' views.
In the formal debate, Young Master Ji eloquently countered Young Master Dang's points. He emphasized Qin's substantial losses and the severe impact on agriculture from the Battle of Xiuyu, questioning the feasibility of another large-scale war with an uncertain outcome. When Young Master Dang confidently dismissed the idea of defeat or stalemate, Young Master Ji shrewdly asked if Young Master Dang believed either Han or Shu could be attacked, as long as victory was certain.
This line of questioning visibly flustered Young Master Dang, who struggled to articulate a definitive stance, effectively losing the debate. Mi Yue watched with interest, while Mi Shu, seeing her son outmaneuvered despite her prior coaching, grew displeased. The King then commanded both Young Master Dang and Young Master Ji to visit the Quartet Embassy. There, they were to listen to the various strategists' arguments regarding the Han-Shu conflict and cast their own votes.
Mi Shu, in her coaching, had advised Young Master Dang to observe the majority opinion among the strategists and follow suit, deeming it the safest approach. At the Embassy, a lively debate unfolded, with a significant majority of strategists advocating for attacking Han, driven by principles like "Befriend distant states and attack those nearby." A public tally showed thirteen votes for attacking Han and only five for attacking Shu.
True to his mother's counsel, Young Master Dang observed the prevailing sentiment and cast his vote for attacking Han. Meanwhile, Zhang Yi, recognizing Young Master Ji, approached him and attempted to sway his vote by offering him honey beans, hoping to secure his support for the Han campaign. However, Young Master Ji politely refused the sweet treat, explaining that accepting it would compromise his ability to make an independent decision.
He observed the strategists’ fervent arguments, comparing them to chattering birds, and noted that obvious strategies are often already anticipated by the enemy. Ultimately, Young Master Ji cast his vote for attacking Shu. Later, when the King questioned Young Master Ji about his choice, the young prince explained his reasoning: observing that many favored attacking Han, he believed such an obvious path would be known to their adversaries.
He recalled his mother, Mi Yue, teaching that "if everyone knows the chess move, your opponent will know it too," hence choosing to "strike where least expected." The King was impressed, though he initially suspected Mi Yue had coached him, Young Master Ji insisted it was his own conclusion, guided by his mother's advice to vote with his own heart.
Later, Mi Yue herself visited the King, expressing her apprehension that pitting the princes against each other in such public debates might provoke the Queen's jealousy and suspicion. While the King maintained his right to test his sons' abilities, Mi Yue pleaded with him not to use Young Master Ji as a "blade" in these contests, preferring him to be a "whetstone" instead. The King, displeased by her intervention, reminded her to know her place and dismissed her from Chengming Hall.
