The Legend of Xiao Chuo Episode 36 Recap
> The Legend of Xiao Chuo Recap
Han Derang worked through the night on his memorials, presenting them to Xiao Yanyan the following morning. Xiao Yanyan found his proposals incisive, acknowledging Liao's current difficulties, particularly its desperate need for skilled officials and the underutilization of scholars from the southern regions and Bohai. Han Derang explained that while reforms were necessary, they would inevitably challenge the interests of powerful clans, creating significant resistance.
He believed that only by empowering capable individuals to lead these reforms could Liao achieve lasting peace and stability, making any future opposition isolated and ineffective. Xiao Yanyan pressed him to return to Shangjing and fully deploy his statecraft, but Han Derang expressed concerns about the scale of opposition they would face from the prairie clans.
Still, he affirmed that the reforms would benefit Liao and its people, ensuring long-term security and strengthening the bond between the imperial family and the populace. Suddenly, Yelv Xian arrived, having traveled to Youzhou out of concern for Xiao Yanyan. Only then did Han Derang realize Xiao Yanyan was pregnant. He immediately prostrated himself, apologizing for inadvertently endangering the Empress and the imperial heir during the recent Youzhou battle.
Yelv Xian dismissed his apology, noting that Xiao Yanyan's dedication to Youzhou's people and Liao's destiny, along with his own ill health, were the true reasons for her perilous journey. He praised Han Derang for his foresight and dedication to Liao's welfare, acknowledging that Han Derang had quietly considered numerous reforms in legislation, administration, taxation, and military power. Yelv Xian agreed with Xiao Yanyan that Han Derang should return to the court to implement these crucial changes.
Han Derang, however, voiced his apprehension that such radical reforms might lead to a tragic repeat of historical assassinations. Yelv Xian countered, asking if inaction would truly guarantee their safety. Xiao Yanyan asserted that both she and Yelv Xian possessed the resolve to act, questioning if Han Derang lacked the same courage. Yelv Xian then directly invited Han Derang to return to Shangjing. Han Derang expressed gratitude but asked for time to deliberate, citing his wife's chronic illness.
Yelv Xian granted his request, hoping for a positive answer. Later that night, Xiao Yanyan and Yelv Xian discussed Han Derang's return. Yelv Xian thanked Xiao Yanyan for her dedication to Liao, and Xiao Yanyan reassured him of her well-being and her child's, reiterating that Liao desperately needed Han Derang, especially given his recent insights gained from touring Youzhou.
She reminded Yelv Xian that Liao had endured prolonged internal strife and neglect under Emperor Mu, and while Yelv Xian's new policies had brought some improvements, they were constrained by clan ties. Han Derang, she argued, could spearhead the necessary drastic actions. She urged Yelv Xian to issue an imperial decree for Han Derang's return, emphasizing that a royal order could not be defied. Yelv Xian hesitated, recalling his vow never to force Han Derang into unwilling actions.
Xiao Yanyan insisted that without Han Derang in Shangjing, the resistance to reforms would never be overcome, stating that both Liao and Yelv Xian needed him. Yelv Xian, deflecting the conversation, chose to retire to his Royal Study, grappling with self-doubt about whether he still commanded Han Derang's unwavering loyalty. Xiao Yanyan remained confident that her wise Emperor would eventually come to the right decision. The next day, Li, Han Derang's wife, sought an audience with Xiao Yanyan.
Li expressed envy over Xiao Yanyan's pregnancy, lamenting her own childlessness after over a decade of marriage. She then candidly admitted her desire for Han Derang to remain in Youzhou, arguing that he would not have come there years ago if he wished to be in Shangjing, and that persistent rumors would harm his position as a Southerner in the capital.
Xiao Yanyan firmly countered, emphasizing Han Derang's vast ambition to achieve greatness and leave an indelible mark on history, asserting that he should not sacrifice this opportunity for personal sentiment or fear of gossip. She questioned if Li intended to confine such a capable man to a small regional city purely out of love. Feeling dismissed, Li, as she departed, acknowledged she might not fully comprehend Han Derang but insisted no one loved him more.
Yelv Xian, who had overheard their conversation, assured Xiao Yanyan that he would find his own way to persuade Han Derang to return. That night, Yelv Xian visited Han Derang, dismissing all other attendants for a private conversation. He asked Han Derang directly if he regretted helping him ascend the throne and if he still considered him a wise ruler.
Han Derang affirmed his belief in Yelv Xian as a diligent and wise Emperor who had dedicated himself to Liao's prosperity. Yelv Xian, perceiving that Han Derang's true reluctance stemmed from fears of courtly intrigues and his own unpredictable imperial will, confessed to feeling lost at the deterioration of their once close, life-and-death friendship. He lamented gaining an Empress but losing Yanyan, and gaining a minister but losing a brother.
Yet, he stated that if given another chance, he would make the same choices, for he was not merely Yelv Xian, but the Emperor of Liao. Kneeling before Han Derang, Yelv Xian pleaded for his return, highlighting his own rapidly failing health, the young prince, and Xiao Yanyan's overwhelming responsibilities. He promised to support Han Derang unconditionally in Shangjing, vowing to be his strongest backing.
Moved by Yelv Xian's sincerity, Han Derang agreed, pledging his unwavering service to Liao until his last breath. Unseen, Li watched from the shadows, tears streaming down her face, unable to intervene. In the 11th Baoning Year, Han Kuangsi was appointed commander-in-chief, leading an army alongside South Prime Minister Shati Xiuge to pursue the South Army.
Before departing for Shangjing, Han Derang bid farewell to his father and brother, urging his inexperienced father to be cautious in battle, avoid pursuing cornered enemies, and consult Xiuge. Han Kuangsi reciprocated the warning, cautioning Han Derang about the dangers he would face in Shangjing. Upon his return, Han Derang was appointed Southern Privy Council Commissioner. This promotion sparked immediate contention among the ministers, who questioned his qualifications for such a crucial role, traditionally held by seasoned veterans.
Hugu and other powerful royals argued that while they appreciated Han Derang's contributions, this important military position should not be granted based solely on recent feats. Xiao Yanyan, however, staunchly defended the appointment, asserting that emperors should select officials based on talent, not merely seniority. She challenged those who doubted Han Derang to demonstrate their own ability to defend Youzhou for over half a month without reinforcements.
Disgruntled by the growing influence of the Han family and fearing that Liao's traditional customs were being eroded, Hugu and other royals convened, plotting to undermine Han Derang and prevent him and his father from gaining further power. Soon after, Yelv Xian received an urgent military report: Han Kuangsi had made a critical error in judgment, failing to conduct proper reconnaissance and ignoring Xiuge’s advice, falling into an enemy trap.
This resulted in the loss of over 10,000 soldiers and the escape of the South King. Hugu and other princes immediately sought an audience with Yelv Xian in the Royal Study, demanding Han Kuangsi's execution to appease the fallen soldiers' souls and prevent widespread military unrest. Yelv Xian, furious at their opportunistic demands, dismissed them, stating he would decide Han Kuangsi's fate. Meanwhile, Han Derang arrived at the palace and knelt outside, offering to bear his father's punishment.
Yelv Xian, informed of Han Derang's plea, refused to see him, maintaining that Han Derang's merits could not atone for his father's grave mistakes, and expressed deep disappointment in Han Kuangsi. Xiao Yanyan confronted Yelv Xian about Han Kuangsi’s fate, urging him not to be rash and to consider the consequences before executing him. Yelv Xian angrily questioned her motives for pleading for a "defeated general," suggesting she had ulterior reasons.
Xiao Yanyan clarified she was not pleading, but preventing his future regret. She reminded Yelv Xian that Han Kuangsi had saved him from a burning pile during the Mount Xianggu Rebellion and had secretly treated him for years, caring for him like a father and master, and dedicated his efforts to the country. She argued that his crime should be evaluated based on the circumstances.
Xiao Yanyan then accused Yelv Xian of poor judgment, questioning if he resented Han Kuangsi's failure or his own decision to appoint him. She boldly stated that Yelv Xian had hastily made the inexperienced Han Kuangsi the commander to quickly establish the Han family's standing in court for his own political aims, a "radical move" that led to the current disaster. Enraged, Yelv Xian smashed a cup and, claiming weariness, ordered her to leave.
Regaining his composure, Yelv Xian reflected on his uncontrollable outburst, feeling unlike himself. Po'er attributed his volatile temper to his persistent headaches and advised him to prioritize his health and rest. Yelv Xian then ordered Po'er to issue an imperial decree: Han Kuangsi, though guilty of losing a vital battle and humiliating the country, would be spared the death penalty in consideration of his loyal service to three Emperors.
Instead, he would be stripped of his position and ordered to ponder over his mistakes. Han Derang received the news that his father was spared and returned home. Later, Yelv Xian refused to take his medicine, declaring that a lifetime of remedies had only prolonged a "lingering" existence. He requested Xin to help him change, expressing a desire to leave the "stuffy" palace for a walk.
