The Litchi Road Episode 4 Recap
> The Litchi Road Recap
Zheng Pingan's ancestors were from the Zheng clan of Xingyang. Because he offended the Right Chancellor, he was removed from the family genealogy. Zheng Pingan came to the capital and became a Drinking Companion Lang. He could sing and dance, and was articulate. Not only did he make friends with all sorts of people in the capital, but he also had close relationships with high-ranking officials in the court. The Left Chancellor hosted a banquet for officials.
He specifically invited Zheng Pingan to provide entertainment. Zheng Pingan, with his glib tongue, moved freely and easily at the banquet. The Left Chancellor introduced him to Lu Huan, the Director of the Jing'an Bureau. Zheng Pingan performed a Hu Xuan dance on the spot. The Left Chancellor was very happy and even rewarded him with fine wine. Zheng Pingan couldn't handle the alcohol and soon became completely drunk.
Zhao Xinmin found out that the Emperor had sent someone to Lingnan to transport lychees. He immediately reported to He Youguang. Zhao Xinmin speculated that Li Shande's visit this time was for personal gain, otherwise he wouldn't have accepted this impossible task. Li Shande came to the Prefectural Office to ask He Youguang for help purchasing lychees. Zhao Xinmin lied, saying that He Youguang had gone to various places to raise funds.
He gave Li Shande a tally personally written by He Youguang and a large sign saying "Lychee Inspector," telling Li Shande to go purchase them himself. Li Shande carried the large sign back to his lodging. Zheng Pingan had prepared a lavish meal to entertain him. Li Shande's anger had not subsided. Zheng Pingan desperately tried to appease him, begging Li Shande to verify that he was Ma Guiyun and that he didn't know about Pan Bao's death.
Li Shande was eager to know Ma Guiyun's true identity. Zheng Pingan used alarmist language, telling Li Shande that knowing Ma Guiyun's identity meant he could live for at most four "shichen". These words further piqued Li Shande's curiosity. Gou'er tried to dissuade him from the side, so Zheng Pingan had no choice but to shut up for now. Zheng Pingan played the emotional card with Li Shande, even bringing up Xiuer to make his case.
Li Shande stopped asking questions and agreed to testify for him. Yun Qing sent someone to find Zhao Xinmin to confirm Ma Guiyun's identity. Zhao Xinmin immediately reported to He Youguang. He Youguang wanted to write the letter of loyalty immediately so he could obtain the soldier fish tallies. Zhao Xinmin advised him to wait a moment, as the reason for Pan Bao's death had not yet been ascertained. Zheng Pingan sent someone to deliver an invitation to Zhao Xinmin.
He was preparing to leave Lingnan tomorrow. Before leaving, he invited Zhao Xinmin for drinks. He Youguang sent Zhao Xinmin to immediately try to persuade him to stay. Li Shande and Zhao Xinmin arrived at the banquet one after another. Zheng Pingan kept urging Zhao Xinmin to drink. Zhao Xinmin pretended to be drunk and secretly observed Zheng Pingan and Li Shande's every move, committing their conversation to memory, word for word.
Li Shande, emboldened by the alcohol, poured out his grievances. Lychees only last for three days, and he knew perfectly well that the task of transporting lychees could not be completed and had already prepared himself for death. Li Shande confirmed that the Right Chancellor's subordinates had smashed one of the Emperor's old peonies. Pan Bao happened to drown after drinking that day. The Right Chancellor did not want to cause any further complications, so he suppressed both incidents.
Zheng Pingan reminded Zhao Xinmin to carefully consider Li Shande's words. He once again brought up leaving Lingnan tomorrow. Zhao Xinmin lied, claiming that He Youguang would return tomorrow, and Zheng Pingan, going with the flow, agreed to stay for one more day. It began pouring rain. Zheng Pingan braved the rain to see He Youguang. He flattered He Youguang profusely and wanted to make the transaction with He Youguang immediately.
He Youguang claimed he was being watched by the Left Chancellor. He insisted that Li Shande was the Left Chancellor's man and that the Left Chancellor had also sent someone to kill Pan Bao. Zhao Xinmin brought up Li Shande's words from the previous night as evidence. He Youguang told Zheng Pingan to kill Li Shande, and then he would immediately write the letter of loyalty.
Zheng Pingan worried that the Left Chancellor might have sent other undercover agents, so he wanted to persuade Li Shande to leave. He Youguang readily agreed. Zheng Pingan came out of the Prefectural Office. He broke out in a cold sweat. He Youguang looked foolish on the surface, but his mind was full of schemes. Zheng Pingan advised Li Shande to leave Lingnan first.
Li Shande refused adamantly, thinking they had already persuaded Zhao Xinmin to provide the money the previous night. Zheng Pingan had no choice but to admit that he had gone to see He Youguang today, and He Youguang would not give Li Shande money. Zheng Pingan begged Li Shande to help him succeed. Li Shande packed his belongings, preparing to leave. Before leaving, he wrote a letter to Xiuer, lying that he was being well-cared for in Lingnan. Xiuer knew that Li Shande always reported good news and concealed bad news.
