The Legend of Xiao Chuo Episode 35 Recap
> The Legend of Xiao Chuo Recap
Youzhou, the southern gateway of Liao, faced imminent collapse under a relentless siege. Commander Han Derang, resolute in his defense, ordered Lucun to evacuate all elders, women, and children from the city with three hundred men, ensuring no citizen fell into enemy hands. Lizha was tasked with gathering all weapons and provisions, blocking the city gates from within, and then reinforcing the tower with three hundred soldiers.
Yelü Xidi was commanded to conscript all able-bodied men, arming them to fight alongside the regular troops. Han Derang, along with Military Commissioner Xiao Taogu, led the remaining four thousand elites and archers, vowing to defend Youzhou to the death. The soldiers, pledging allegiance to Commander Han, echoed his resolve to guard the city with their lives.
Meanwhile, Prince Xiyin returned to his tent in a furious rage, feeling trapped and watched by Emperor Yelv Xian, who prevented him from leading armies. He believed that to achieve true freedom, he must seize the throne. His wife, Wuguli, attempted to dissuade him, reminding him of Yansage's tragic end and how ambition had also harmed her own elder sister. She pleaded with him to consider their son's safety, expressing her desire for the child and Yanyan to remain unharmed.
Xiyin, however, refused to back down, insisting that he fought for their son's future and asked if Wuguli was content to see their child bow before Yanyan's offspring for life. He declared that after so many years, it was finally their turn for the imperial throne. Realizing she could not sway his determination, Wuguli reluctantly agreed to support him, remembering a promise she had made to him in prison. The battle raged in Youzhou, leaving Han Derang wounded.
An officer reported their dwindling forces, fewer than two thousand, and critically low supplies. The soldiers, exhausted, could barely fight on. They learned that Liu Jiyuan, the King of Han, had surrendered after King Ji’s relief forces were annihilated at White Horse Ridge. The Southern King, infuriated by heavy losses at Taiyuan, had set the city ablaze and was now advancing on Liao.
Han Derang's attempts to send messengers for aid were thwarted, as all were shot down by the enemy. He resolved to wait for nightfall, hoping the enemy's strength would wane, before attempting to call for reinforcements from Emperor Yelv Xian. That night, with tears in his eyes, Han Derang caressed Cloud Snow, his loyal horse. He reminisced about meeting Yanyan through Cloud Snow over a decade ago.
With Youzhou cut off and no other options, he entrusted Cloud Snow with a letter for Yanyan, placing all his hopes in the horse. Cloud Snow, riddled with arrows but unwavering, reached Black Mountain, delivering the blood-stained letter to Yanyan before collapsing before her. Upon reading Han Derang’s urgent message, Yanyan immediately summoned Emperor Yelv Xian and his ministers.
Yelv Xian, enraged by the Southern King's aggression, commanded Xiezhen to intercept the enemy's main force and Xiuge to lead 100,000 Pishi troops to Youzhou, vowing to annihilate the enemy. However, Yanyan interjected, requesting to personally lead the Pishi troops to Youzhou. She stressed Youzhou's strategic importance, warning that its loss would force Liao to retreat north of the Great Wall, squandering half the empire built by their ancestors.
Yelv Xian, concerned for her pregnancy, vehemently refused and was overcome by a coughing fit, collapsing in distress. Yanyan, exercising her authority as regent, quickly ordered Yelv Xian to be taken to his chamber to rest. She then, without his explicit approval, appointed Xiuge to remain in the palace to assist Yelv Xian with state affairs. Yanyan then secretly led 50,000 Pishi troops herself, with Xiezhen leading another 50,000, towards Youzhou.
She declared that she would not fail Han Derang, who had not failed their country. When Yelv Xian awoke and learned of Yanyan's departure to Youzhou, he grew gravely concerned. Knowing the Southern army numbered at least 200,000, he immediately ordered Xiuge to gather 80,000 elite troops from the five clans and hasten to Youzhou to support the Empress. Back in Youzhou, the city was on the brink, with Southern forces overwhelming the defenses.
Despite a plea to retreat, Han Derang remained steadfast. He climbed Yanyun Terrace, rallying his dwindling forces, declaring they would die on the city walls rather than surrender. He stood alone, guarding the Youzhou banner amidst the inferno of battle, fighting until Yanyan's reinforcements finally arrived. Yanyan, clad in armor, galloped into the fray, saving Han Derang from a fatal blow with a swift arrow. Their eyes met amidst the chaos, and after years apart, Han Derang uttered her name.
Yanyun Terrace, once their place of youthful romance, now bore witness to their reunion in battle. However, the past could not be recaptured. Han Derang, regaining his composure, reverted to formal address, acknowledging the chasm between sovereign and minister. Overwhelmed by exhaustion and his injuries, he then collapsed. Later, Yanyan was assured that Han Derang’s condition was merely due to exhaustion and he would recover in a few days.
She then visited Emperor Muzong's former bed chamber, recalling a past incident where she, disguised as Xiao Gu, was almost killed there, only to be saved by Han Derang. She lamented the loss of their carefree, youthful days when they could act on impulse. When Han Derang recovered, he paid his respects to Yanyan. She acknowledged the immense hardship of the Youzhou battle, recognizing how close they came to permanent separation.
Han Derang expressed his belief that she should not have risked herself by coming. Yanyan, however, asserted her duty as Empress to protect the land and its people, echoing their shared sentiment on Yanyun Terrace that they were mere passersby, while the permanent residents were the true eternal inhabitants of the land.
She then pointed out that Youzhou was too small for his talents, noting his eleven years of dedicated service in implementing policies, developing agriculture, and making Youzhou a leading city in tax contributions. With the war over, she insisted he return to Shangjing with her. Han Derang, however, expressed his wish to remain in Youzhou. Yanyan, not wishing to press him, granted him time to consider her request.
Yanyan later visited an injured Xiuge, praising his leadership and courage despite his wounds. Xiuge, in turn, humbly attributed their success to Han Derang and Yelü Xuegu, who maintained morale and secured the city, providing crucial time for reinforcements. He also acknowledged the efforts of Xiao Taogu and Yelü Sha, who, despite an initial defeat, managed to regroup swiftly with the arriving troops, contributing to the ultimate victory.
Xiao Hailan, Xiao Taogu's daughter, thanked Xiuge for speaking highly of her father. Yanyan introduced Hailan to Xiuge, commending her intelligence and martial skills. Xiuge, recognizing Hailan’s family, noted her mother was Princess Pujin. He then asked Yanyan about her planned return to the capital. Yanyan stated she would await Han Derang, believing his presence in Shangjing would be more beneficial than his continued stationing in Youzhou. Xiuge agreed, prioritizing the public good over personal considerations.
During a council meeting, Yanyan formally commended the victorious generals. Yelv Xiuge and Yelv Xiezhen were lauded for their crucial roles at Gaoliang River and would receive special honors from Yelv Xian upon their return to Shangjing. Han Derang, Yelü Xuegu, and Liu Hong were praised for their critical efforts in safeguarding Youzhou and its people, and would be richly rewarded in the capital.
Yelv Sha, while not pursued for his initial failure to advise King Ji that led to the White Horse Ridge disaster, was recognized for his subsequent efforts in pursuing the Southern army, and thus his errors were deemed offset by his contributions. Regarding King Dilie, who died at White Horse Ridge, Yanyan declared that no further blame would be assigned, and he would be buried with royal honors.
However, deserters from his army would face execution, and officers below the rank of Dujian would be flogged. At this point, Princess Ji burst into the hall, interrupting the proceedings. She vehemently accused Han Derang of King Ji's death, claiming he intentionally withheld reinforcements, leading to the murder of a Liao prince, and demanded his punishment. Yanyan defended Han Derang, explaining that in the unpredictable chaos of battle, his duty was to protect Youzhou, not specifically King Ji.
She sternly rebuked Princess Ji, pointing out that King Ji's impulsive decision to lead his elite troops to aid Liu Han was what had critically weakened Youzhou's defenses in the first place, leading to immense casualties among the loyal soldiers. While acknowledging Princess Ji’s grief, Yanyan reiterated her decision not to pursue King Ji's unauthorized actions and assured a royal burial. She urged Princess Ji, known for her good reputation, to understand the situation and grieve peacefully.
Princess Ji, though escorted out, cast a furious glare at Han Derang, vowing revenge. Later, as Han Derang accompanied Yanyan through Youzhou, they witnessed a Khitan noble bullying a Southerner, seizing goods without payment, believing his status placed him above the law. Han Derang presented Yanyan with records detailing the widespread injustice: Khitans and Southerners, despite committing the same crimes, faced vastly different punishments, with Southerners suffering much harsher penalties and their lives deemed insignificant.
He highlighted how these laws, originally intended for coexistence, had devolved into a system where a Khitan killing a Southerner merely required compensation, while a Southerner killing a Khitan resulted in beheading and the enslavement of their family. This blatant inequality fueled intense public resentment. He also brought up the issue of slaves being cruelly exploited by clan leaders, a problem that had even led to the late Emperor’s death.
Han Derang argued that freeing these slaves would grant them personal liberty, increase state tax revenue, and strategically dismantle the power of clan armies, thereby solidifying the Emperor’s Pishi Army as the supreme elite force. Yanyan agreed, recalling his earlier advocacy for reform and instructing him to compile his ideas into a detailed memorial for Yelv Xian, hoping to pave a smoother path for Liao’s reforms.
Meanwhile, on the streets, Yelü Xiezhen stumbled upon Xiao Hailan bravely intervening in a dispute where a Shiwei Clan Dujian (supervisor/inspector) was harassing a citizen. Instantly smitten by her courage, he introduced himself. However, Hailan, having overheard him earlier inquiring about a brothel, gave him a stern look and slapped him. She identified herself as Xiao Taogu's daughter and the Empress's niece, warning the official not to seek vengeance on the wrong person.
Later, Yelü Xiezhen sought out Xiuge for advice on winning Hailan's affection. Xiuge suggested he earn military honors and then request Yanyan to grant them a marriage. But Yelü Xiezhen wished for Hailan to fall in love with him naturally and asked Xiuge for advice on courtship, to which Xiuge playfully twisted his ear, chiding him for his increasing audacity.
