The Sleuth of Ming Dynasty Episode 22 Recap
> The Sleuth of Ming Dynasty Recap
Tang Fan presented Duo Er La with a special mutton soup recipe, explaining that Yunhe's goats, unlike prairie sheep, require unique preparation, including simmering with skin and bone marrow, along with specific ingredients and a final dash of ground pepper, to enhance flavor. With Tang Fan's guidance, the mutton soup restaurant quickly became a local sensation. Tang Fan, however, knew that the sudden surge in patronage was orchestrated by Boss Ma, who was eager to win his favor.
To acknowledge Boss Ma's efforts and discreetly probe him about the adulterated official silver ingots, Tang Fan hosted a private dinner. Despite Tang Fan's attempts to flatter and test him, Boss Ma remained unforthcoming, his responses carefully guarded, leaving Tang Fan's investigation at a standstill. Tang Fan later confessed to Sui Zhou that Boss Ma was a "sly old fox" who still did not trust him.
The two resolved to create a significant incident to firmly establish Tang Fan as an ally in Boss Ma's eyes, drawing inspiration from a more unconventional strategist. Meanwhile, Wang Zhi sought to redeem the chicken cup he had pawned, only to discover that his subordinate had lost it. Enraged, Wang Zhi confronted the subordinate by a lake, recounting the deep personal significance of the cup, a gift from his master who taught him to always hold onto important things.
The subordinate, despite being subjected to torture, swore on his family's lives that he had carefully protected the priceless item, but it had been stolen by highly skilled and determined robbers who seemed specifically targeting the cup. Wang Zhi concluded that his subordinate genuinely had no knowledge of who was behind the theft. In another part of the capital, Eastern Depot Eunuch Director Shang Ming, Mr. Wan (likely Wan An), and Commander Wan conspired against Wang Zhi.
Shang Ming clarified that their goal was to exploit Wang Zhi's alleged private sale of a palace item, especially one gifted by the Emperor, which was a capital offense. Mr. Wan pointed out that Wang Zhi's recent transfer of Tang Fan to Yunhe as governor clearly threatened their financial interests, urging them to eliminate Wang Zhi before he could dismantle their network.
Shang Ming implied that the chicken cup had been conveniently delivered to him by an anonymous party, a "coincidence" that allowed them to corner Wang Zhi. Later, it was revealed that Li Zilong, a key figure in the Yunhe Ma Lin interest group, was the one who arranged for the cup to be delivered to Shang Ming, further orchestrating the plot against Wang Zhi. Back in Yunhe, despite Li Mao and Ertao's imprisonment, the silver workers resumed their strike.
Boss Ma reported this to Tang Fan, who feigned a furious outburst, blaming Sui Zhou for the lapse and threatening to imprison all the workers in the Imperial Edict Prison, even asking Boss Ma to fund a larger jail. Boss Ma quickly interceded, emphasizing that such arrests would halt silver production and incur a massive deficit in the imperial quota, which would implicate them both, stressing that they were "in this together."
Tang Fan then appeared to calm down, accepting Boss Ma's advice. He proposed that he could resolve the unrest by winning over Li Mao, despite Li Mao's reputation for being incorruptible. Tang Fan then proceeded to the prison, while Boss Ma awaited his success. Tang Fan initiated a series of calculated visits to Li Mao in prison, offering tea and playing Go, all while feigning difficulty and frustration to Boss Ma.
After his initial visit, Tang Fan complained to Boss Ma that Li Mao was unyielding, suggesting torture. Boss Ma, concerned about Li Mao's delicate health and the potential backlash, advised Tang Fan to identify Li Mao's true needs, reiterating his business philosophy: "as long as you find the needs of the other party, you can strike any deal." Tang Fan pretended to take this advice to heart.
After a third visit, Tang Fan triumphantly informed Boss Ma that he had secured Li Mao's cooperation. He fabricated Li Mao's demands: the release of Ertao and other imprisoned silver workers, Boss Ma's sponsorship of a private school, and tuition waivers for poor students. Although Boss Ma initially worried that the school might be used to incite unrest, Tang Fan skillfully spun it as a strategic move to control the workers' children and ease tensions, further solidifying Boss Ma's trust.
Completely convinced, Boss Ma agreed to the terms, declaring their shared future. However, during his last visit, Li Mao revealed to Tang Fan that he had seen through the act. He explained that Sui Zhou's kind treatment of the prisoners and Tang Fan's prolonged "negotiations" had led him to suspect a deeper plan to save Yunhe. Touched by Li Mao's unwavering faith, Tang Fan released him and the other workers.
Sui Zhou later praised Tang Fan's successful charade, as the news of the new school brought immense joy to the silver workers' families. Meanwhile, in the capital, Wang Zhi, carrying a counterfeit chicken cup, went to Noble Consort Wan's palace. On the way, he recalled their first meeting, when a young Wang Zhi, whose parents had died, mistook her for a Bodhisattva and praised her beauty.
Noble Consort Wan took him in, raised him, and taught him the importance of always facing challenges with a smile. She later sent him to serve the Emperor, gifting him the chicken cup. During the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, the chicken cup was brought up again. Noble Consort Wan presented the counterfeit cup.
The Empress Dowager, intending to create trouble, deliberately produced the real cup, warning that forging or privately selling items bestowed by the Emperor constituted a capital offense of deceiving the monarch. To protect Noble Consort Wan and Wang Zhi, the Emperor personally threw the real cup into a lake, publicly declaring the one Noble Consort Wan held to be the genuine article, thereby defusing the crisis.
Afterward, Wang Zhi truthfully explained to the Emperor the reason for his forgery: the official silver from Yunhe was adulterated and used for the border army's provisions and payroll. The Ministry of Revenue used "fire loss" as an excuse for the discrepancy, leading to General Chen Yue falsely reporting military expenditures. Wang Zhi had no other choice but to resort to such a drastic measure to cover the deficit.
The Emperor warned Wang Zhi that this was a one-time exception and advised Noble Consort Wan that, although she raised Wang Zhi like her own child, he was ultimately not their biological son. Later, as Tang Fan waited for Sui Zhou at a mutton soup restaurant, he was abruptly abducted by masked men. He loudly identified himself as the Yunhe governor, warning his captors of repercussions. He was brought to a hidden factory where Boss Ma was waiting.
Boss Ma dramatically unveiled a secret world behind a door, describing it as "heaven"—a path to extraordinary wealth that also carried immense risk. Inside, Tang Fan discovered a sophisticated production line for adulterating official silver ingots with lead. Tang Fan expressed concern about the capital offense of a crime punishable by the extermination of one's entire family.
Boss Ma dismissed this, stating that "high risk brings high return" and that he had already bribed every official from the provincial level to the six ministries in the capital, claiming "everyone except His Majesty is taken care of." Boss Ma confidently explained that the vast network of corruption involved so many powerful figures that they would collectively ensure the Emperor remained ignorant.
He then demonstrated their illicit operation: one box of lead-adulterated silver was discreetly swapped for a box of pure silver before being sent to the adjacent official silver mint, ensuring seamless deception. Boss Ma invited Tang Fan to join his enterprise but did not press for an immediate answer, urging him to consider the proposition. As they exited, Sui Zhou appeared, having grown worried about Tang Fan's sudden disappearance.
Tang Fan downplayed the abduction, maintaining his facade for Boss Ma by feigning a casual walk after a heavy meal. Boss Ma, still seeking Tang Fan's full partnership, invited him to a banquet the next day for further discussion.
