The Litchi Road Episode 23 Recap
> The Litchi Road Recap
Two years ago, Lu Huan personally came to Lingnan to meet Yun Qing, wanting to take her back to Chang'an to prevent her identity as the Left Chancellor's undercover agent from being exposed. Lu Huan had already arranged for someone to take over Yun Qing's work and had also found her a place to stay in Pingkangfang. Yun Qing also wanted to return to Lu Huan, her savior.
However, she had lain low in Lingnan for many years and still hadn't brought down the Right Chancellor. She was unwilling to leave just like that, so Lu Huan had Yun Qing toss a coin to decide whether to go or stay. Early the next morning, Yun Qing came to see Lu Huan off. Lu Huan instructed her to be careful everywhere and promised to pick her up and bring her back to Chang'an after the matter was concluded.
Lu Huan and Yun Qing reluctantly parted ways, and he then set off on the journey back to Chang'an. Li Shande and A Mita returned to Chang'an after enduring many difficulties. Li Shande didn't want his daughter, Li Xiuer, to see his disheveled look with a messy beard, so he specifically went to get his beard trimmed. A Mita waited for him nearby.
Li Xiuer dreamt last night that Li Shande had returned to Chang'an, but his beard and hair had turned much whiter. Unexpectedly, Li Shande had indeed returned. The father and daughter had not seen each other for a long time, and their excitement was palpable. A Mita witnessed this touching scene firsthand, feeling a mix of emotions. Li Shande bought ten hubing (sesame flatbreads) in one go. He ate heartily; this was the food he had been longing for.
A Mita was anxious to go see Lu Huan and couldn't eat. Li Shande gave A Mita the house he rented with his money, and he and Li Xiuer temporarily stayed at the embroidery workshop. Li Shande rushed to the Ministry of Revenue early in the morning to submit his lychee transport plan, wanting to apply for funds from the Ministry of Revenue, which managed money and grain.
However, there was only one principal official working at the Ministry of Revenue, and a long queue had formed outside the door. Officials from various departments had come to request money; they were all prepared to wait for four or five days, some even brought their lunch. Li Shande could only wait patiently. Li Shande found someone to help with the move, and A Mita and Li Xiuer followed them to the old house.
Li Xiuer curiously inquired about A Mita's relationship with Li Shande. A Mita admitted that she was Li Shande's friend and that Li Shande had saved her. Li Xiuer noticed that A Mita greatly admired Li Shande, so she deliberately mentioned Li Shande's flaws such as being stingy and petty. In A Mita's eyes, these were all virtues. Li Xiuer sulked and ignored A Mita.
Seventeen Niang heard that Li Shande had returned to Chang'an and had brought a woman back with him. Seventeen Niang sent men to capture Li Xiuer and that woman, forcing Li Shande to repay the money. Li Shande waited until noon. The principal official was about to finish the last task and get off work, telling the remaining people to come back tomorrow.
Li Shande wanted to cut in line, but the officials ahead of him were handling matters concerning the livelihood of the common people, so Li Shande didn't say anything. When the officials learned that Li Shande was the lychee envoy who was set up by his colleagues and Chief Liu and forced to take on the task of transporting lychees back to Chang'an, they expressed deep sympathy for him and let Li Shande go in to handle his business first.
Li Shande explained his purpose to the principal official. Transporting lychees not only required seven hundred guan but also needed coordination with the Ministry of Revenue and other departments. The principal official knew that the matter Li Shande was handling was personally ordered by the Emperor; he was afraid of being implicated, so he told Li Shande to go to the state treasury for the money. Li Shande explained the full story, asking the principal official to follow the procedure.
The principal official rejected his application on the grounds that Li Shande's handwriting was sloppy, his appearance was vulgar, and the requested amount exceeded the limit. Li Shande tried to exert pressure by invoking the court, but the principal official still didn't budge and even kicked Li Shande out. Seventeen Niang sent men to capture A Mita. A Mita didn't want to cause extra trouble, so she took Li Xiuer and went back with them to see Seventeen Niang.
Li Shande went directly to the Aide of the Department of State Affairs. The Aide told him to submit his plan according to the procedure. Li Shande couldn't wait, so the Aide suggested he first go to the Ministry of the Imperial Household to smooth things over. Li Shande didn't listen to the Aide's advice and rushed directly to the Ministry of the Imperial Household.
Seventeen Niang forced A Mita to repay the money for Li Shande, worrying that Li Shande wouldn't live past the first day of the sixth month. A Mita insisted on acting according to the contract. Seventeen Niang was relentless. A Mita repeatedly emphasized that once Li Shande obtained the approval document and funds, he would be able to transport the lychees back on time, and he wouldn't die.
