The Litchi Road Episode 11 Recap
> The Litchi Road Recap
The story traces back to twelve years ago. Zhao Xinmin left his hometown to take the imperial examination in the capital. He first went to visit Censor Wang of Dali Temple. They were from the same hometown. Zhao Xinmin wanted to get Censor Wang's recommendation. There were many students lining up outside his door. Censor Wang was an honest official and drove away the students who tried to gain favors by giving gifts.
Zhao Xinmin waited a long time before finally seeing Censor Wang. He couldn't wait to take out the article he had written and ask for corrections. Censor Wang praised him highly. A student returned Censor Wang's painting to its original owner. Censor Wang was very ashamed. Last month, his family couldn't make ends meet, so he had to sell his painting to exchange for a few dou of rice. Censor Wang asked Zhao Xinmin to hang up that painting.
Zhao Xinmin developed respect for Censor Wang. Just then, soldiers burst into the Wang family residence to arrest someone. Only then did Zhao Xinmin learn that Censor Wang had long placed his paintings at Jubao Xuan. Students would buy them back and give them to Censor Wang. Afterwards, the owner of Jubao Xuan would split the money with Censor Wang. Zhao Xinmin was scared out of his wits. He finally saw Censor Wang's true colors and secretly took the painting.
The Prefect's residence suffered a rat infestation. Zhao Xinmin's nephew bought highly toxic rat poison and asked Lin Yinu to mix it. Zhao Xinmin asked his nephew to first build a cool shed for He Youguang's Ji Bao. Lin Yinu was anxious to go build the cool shed, so he put the bowl of poison he was holding aside. He Youguang came to see the cool shed, casually picked up the bowl of poison, and fed it to the chickens.
Lin Yinu was a mute. By the time Zhao Xinmin realized what was happening, it was too late. He Youguang's chickens were all poisoned to death. He was furious and threw a tantrum, and also severely beat Lin Yinu. Li Shande came to find He Youguang to ask for the transit permits. Seeing how pitiful Lin Yinu was, he took him in as an assistant and also named him A Li.
The rats at the Prefect's residence were rampant, walking around in front of people even during the day. He Youguang was greatly annoyed. He wanted to take it out on Lin Yinu again, only to find out that Li Shande had taken Lin Yinu away. Zhao Xinmin repeatedly explained that he wanted Lin Yinu to be a spy. He Youguang was still relentless. A Mita suddenly came to complain to He Youguang.
Su Liang had funded Li Shande to transport lychees. A Mita was worried that if this matter succeeded, Su Liang's prestige among the Hu merchants would surpass hers. She also wanted to transport lychees. He Youguang advised A Mita not to get involved in this matter. He said a few people alone simply couldn't accomplish this. Moreover, he would absolutely not allow Li Shande and Su Liang to transport fresh lychees to Chang'an.
The Emperor would condemn him for not transporting lychees before. Lingnan was located in a remote area, and few court officials had shown interest in the past, allowing him to rule like a local emperor here. Once lychees were transported to Chang'an, Lingnan would become a piece of lucrative land, and officials would all want a share. At that time, this would become his burial place. He Youguang asked A Mita to find a way to stop this matter.
Zhao Xinmin prided himself on his high scholarly attainment, but felt frustrated and unfulfilled at the Prefect's residence. He used his authority to intercept funds for daily expenses. He didn't expect that intercepting the rat eradication funds this time would almost cause a major disaster. He went home and complained bitterly to his wife. His wife also felt it was unfair to him. Back then, he almost became the top scholar in Lingnan.
If it weren't for her father's intervention, Zhao Xinmin would have already gone to Chang'an to assist the Emperor, and wouldn't have to suffer He Youguang's constant humiliation every day. After hearing his wife's words, Zhao Xinmin felt a little relieved in his heart. He was glad that Li Shande had taken Lin Yinu away.
Zheng Pingan learned from Yun Qing that his father had not committed suicide out of fear of punishment, but had been framed and killed by the Right Chancellor. Zheng Pingan swore to avenge his father. Being insignificant, he couldn't overthrow the Right Chancellor all at once. Yun Qing told him to first bring down He Youguang, and also suggested that he sow discord between A Mita and He Youguang.
He should inquire from A Mita for evidence of He Youguang's corruption and unlawful actions. Yun Qing analyzed that He Youguang had set fire to Qijing Tower and killed Haihu. If A Mita learned that He Youguang was her enemy, she would certainly break ties with He Youguang. Zheng Pingan didn't know how to approach A Mita. Yun Qing told him to use his charm to attract A Mita.
Zheng Pingan heard that A Mita and He Youguang were choosing horses at the city's western stable. So he took Gou Er and rushed to the stable. On the way, he bought Gou Er a pair of straw sandals and treated him to Changfen. Zheng Pingan wanted to use the tactic of 'saving the damsel in distress' to win A Mita's heart. Zheng Pingan arrived at the stable and saw A Mita riding a horse from a distance.
He pretended to run into He Youguang and used the excuse that he wanted to buy a thousand-li horse. He Youguang grandly introduced A Mita as the best rider in Lingnan. Zheng Pingan praised A Mita effusively and wanted to invite her for a meal. A Mita declined, using the excuse that she was busy. Su Liang heard that He Youguang had taken A Mita to the stable to choose horses, and deliberately raised the prices.
It was clear he wanted to compete with them for horses. Su Liang immediately told Li Shande about this. Li Shande wanted to go to A Mita to buy horses. Su Liang and A Mita were sworn enemies, so it was inconvenient for him to step forward. He reminded Li Shande to ask A Mita for more good horses. Li Shande personally went to A Mita's door to find her. He immediately asked for one hundred and thirty good horses.
A Mita suspected that he was inflating the number for corruption. Li Shande detailed his plan for transporting lychees. He wanted to open up four transportation routes, with fifteen post stations on each route. A Mita agreed to sell him the horses, but the debt owed by A Tong and the Dong people had to be paid back before the withered flower she was raising died.
Li Shande voluntarily offered to take the withered flower back to take care of it. Li Shande carefully took care of the withered flower. Zheng Pingan advised him not to trust A Mita and He Youguang. He said they would absolutely not allow Li Shande to transport the lychees back to Chang'an. Zheng Pingan declared then and there that he would make A Mita personally give the horses to Li Shande.
Early the next morning, Zheng Pingan personally went to Fenglou to see A Mita. He advised A Mita to sell the horses to Li Shande, falsely claiming that Li Shande was investigating the accounts of Lingnan. He said Li Shande came from an accounting background, and he would quickly find the loopholes in Lingnan. A Mita was half-believing, half-doubting.
