The Sleuth of Ming Dynasty Episode 23 Recap
> The Sleuth of Ming Dynasty Recap
Li Zilong arrived unannounced at Ma Lin's residence late at night after learning that Ma Lin had taken Tang Fan to the secret mint. Ma Lin expressed surprise at his sudden visit, but Li Zilong questioned if he was unwelcome. Ma Lin quickly clarified that he simply wished for prior notice to prepare a banquet.
Li Zilong then got straight to the point, asking if it was appropriate to take Tang Fan to the secret mint, surprising Ma Lin with his rapid information. Ma Lin assured Li Zilong that Tang Fan was "on board" and easy to handle, claiming he had observed him carefully.
However, Li Zilong, drawing on his own knowledge from the capital, countered that Tang Fan was known for being proud of his talent and aloof from material pursuits, never having been bought by anyone. He also held a personal grudge as Tang Fan had foiled his plans multiple times and was responsible for the death of his son, Li Man.
He pointed out Tang Fan's track record of solving major cases and bringing down numerous dignitaries, questioning how such a person could be easily swayed. Ma Lin confidently retorted that Tang Fan had only remained uncorrupt because no one else could afford him. He boasted that he, Ma Lin, could buy anyone in the entire country, except for the Emperor.
Li Zilong then warned Ma Lin that Tang Fan had a close relationship with Wang Zhi and might have been sent by him to investigate. Ma Lin dismissed this concern, asserting that it didn't matter who sent Tang Fan; as long as he was human, he had needs that Ma Lin could exploit. He boasted that no one could escape his influence. Ma Lin revealed his plan to act the following night, and Li Zilong decided to accompany him.
Her Majesty Zhou, displeased with Eastern Depot Commander Shang Ming over the chicken cup incident, had him kneeling by the palace wall. Wang Zhi approached him, offering a cushion while mocking him for his failed attempt to frame him. Wang Zhi suggested Shang's actions only upset Her Majesty Zhou, who couldn't publicly blame her involvement, resulting in a mere night of kneeling.
In contrast, Wang Zhi pointed out that if he were found guilty of deceiving the crown, he would lose his head. Commander Shang denied any involvement, but Wang Zhi dismissed his denial. Wang Zhi then instructed Shang to rise, revealing he had already interceded with the Emperor on Shang's behalf, portraying him as a foolish individual who was duped into accepting a fake cup. He assured Shang that the Emperor would not pursue the matter further.
Commander Shang, realizing he had been tricked into kneeling longer than necessary, angrily called Wang Zhi a "punk." Wang Zhi continued to subtly mock Shang while helping him up, then questioned why Shang allowed outsiders to mock their shared "family" of Eastern and Western Depots. Finally, Wang Zhi directly asked Commander Shang who provided him with the chicken cup.
Commander Shang evasively claimed the item "grew wings and flew to me by itself," asking if Wang Zhi believed him, to which Wang Zhi ironically affirmed his belief. After confronting Commander Shang, Wang Zhi pursued the mystery of the chicken cup. He interrogated three of his subordinates, identifying each by their tenure in Western Depot and their specific duties, even noting that the newest recruit, who cleaned his room, would have noticed the cup's disappearance.
Wang Zhi offered to spare their lives if one revealed who they had informed about the cup. One of the subordinates, however, chose to die rather than betray secrets, a display of resilience that impressed Wang Zhi. He then inquired about Tang Fan's activities. His subordinate reported that Tang Fan had recently grown close to Ma Lin in Yunhe. Wang Zhi pondered whether Tang Fan had "changed," musing that some people only dislike something because they haven't truly experienced it.
Intrigued and suspicious of Tang Fan's behavior, Wang Zhi decided to send an investigator, Jia Kui, to Yunhe. Jia Kui arrived just as Li Zilong's men were making a move on Tang Fan. Tang Fan and Sui Zhou discussed their next steps. Tang Fan explained that despite uncovering the secret of the private mint, they could not act rashly. He needed to identify the ultimate mastermind above Ma Lin to truly solve the case.
Sui Zhou, puzzled by Ma Lin's continued involvement despite seemingly meager benefits, questioned his motivations. Tang Fan clarified that the imperial court's increasing annual silver quotas were beyond Yunhe's capacity. Ma Lin, desperate to retain his private silver minting rights, was forced into these illicit activities and had to continuously bribe a network of officials. If he stopped, someone else would take over, leading to his violent demise.
Sui Zhou suggested attempting to turn Ma Lin, but Tang Fan deemed it a delicate task, opting to improvise based on circumstances. Concerned for Tang Fan's safety, Sui Zhou warned him that prolonging the investigation only increased the danger. Tang Fan acknowledged this, stating that if something happened to him, at least Sui Zhou would know the truth and could bring the culprits to justice.
Sui Zhou, however, vowed that nothing would happen to Tang Fan, insisting they would return to the capital together. He gave Tang Fan a few more days to find Ma Lin's highest patron, threatening to intervene personally for Tang Fan's safety if there was no breakthrough. Tang Fan protested Sui Zhou's independent decision-making.
Later, Tang Fan deciphered Ma Lin's behavior during their previous meeting; when Ma Lin shrugged while listing certain officials, it indicated he was lying to complicate the investigation, meaning those names were innocent. Tang Fan remained unsure about Wang Zhi's potential involvement, as Li Zilong mentioned him, but Ma Lin offered no discernible reaction. Sui Zhou, noticing Tang Fan's exhaustion, urged him to rest. Upon arriving in Yunhe, Jia Kui, the investigator sent by Wang Zhi, met with Sui Zhou.
Sui Zhou remarked that he had recognized Jia Kui the previous night during an attack by Li Zilong's men on Tang Fan, and then explained Tang Fan's true intentions to him. Jia Kui then joined Sui Zhou in protecting Tang Fan. Jia Kui questioned if Wang Zhi intended to harm Tang Fan, a notion Sui Zhou denied. Jia Kui then asked why Wang Zhi had sent him to Yunhe.
Tang Fan, feigning cooperation, was introduced to Li Zilong by Ma Lin. During their gathering, Ma Lin extolled Tang Fan's impressive scholarly achievements. Tang Fan, in turn, humbly praised Ma Lin for his contributions to Yunhe's economy and acknowledged his own reliance on Ma Lin's support. Ma Lin then lauded Li Zilong as the most remarkable of the three, crediting him with his current success, a compliment Li Zilong downplayed as a minor favor from years past.
As they conversed, Li Zilong highlighted Tang Fan's formidable reputation in the capital for solving major cases and fearlessly imprisoning high-ranking officials, including the Chief Eunuch, the son of Marquis Wu'an, and the pride of the imperial family. Tang Fan, however, adopted a facade of a disaffected official, claiming to prefer "rule by inaction" and "going with the flow" for promotion and wealth.
He insisted he was "forced" into solving those dangerous cases without reward and lamented his current posting in Yunhe, which he described as a "land of troubles" he was "forced to come to" after offending someone in the capital. He expressed a simple desire for a peaceful tenure. Ma Lin and Li Zilong readily agreed, assuring him that they were now "in this together" and would help him secure wealth and powerful connections to prevent future bullying.
Tang Fan, still probing, questioned the true influence of their "friends in higher places." Ma Lin then confidently displayed a ledger, claiming it contained the names of "nearly half of the royal court's officials!" When Tang Fan pressed about officials above the Six Ministries, Ma Lin stated, "Then there will be only His Majesty left." Li Zilong urged Tang Fan to trust them, emphasizing their integrity as businessmen.
Tang Fan then revealed his feigned reluctance: his concern over Wang Zhi, who had recommended him and was constantly monitoring him. Tang Fan claimed he "can't afford to go against Wang Zhi" and implied he needed their superiors to "take care of Wang Zhi."
Both Ma Lin and Li Zilong assured him that Wang Zhi "won't be a problem," asserting that their illicit activities, by covering national deficits and supporting numerous people, were in fact "solving His Majesty's problems" and preventing chaos, effectively making them "heroes." Tang Fan raised his cup in apparent agreement. After Tang Fan departed, Li Zilong remarked on Tang Fan's cunning, concluding he had been "acting to show us the whole time."
Despite Ma Lin's initial disbelief, Li Zilong was convinced and decided it was "better safe than sorry," suggesting they eliminate Tang Fan. Ma Lin protested that killing was not a long-term solution, reminding Li Zilong of the consequences if the previous prefect governor had returned to the capital. Li Zilong then chillingly inquired about Ma Lin's son, urging Ma Lin to "think about your son to make your choice" regarding Tang Fan.
As Tang Fan left, Li Zilong subtly handed Ma Lin some money, chillingly suggesting he use it to "buy a good coffin" for Tang Fan, implying Ma Lin should eliminate him. Following his encounter with Li Zilong, Tang Fan initiated a new strategy. He instructed Duo Er La to post a "Prosperous Store for Rent" sign for their sheep soup shop, emphasizing that the shop should be rented out to anyone, regardless of the offer.
Simultaneously, he began openly packing what appeared to be his personal silver at his residence. These actions quickly drew Ma Lin's attention. When Ma Lin confronted him, Tang Fan dismissed his servant and explained his intention to resign and return home, claiming he could no longer participate in the illicit silver operation. He swore to keep Ma Lin's secrets and pleaded for his own life. Ma Lin, bewildered, asked what had changed since their last meeting.
Tang Fan stated that Wang Zhi's people had arrived in Yunhe and were monitoring him, asserting that he could not oppose Wang Zhi and thus had no choice but to escape. He even claimed to have drafted his resignation memorial. Falling for the ruse, Ma Lin invited Tang Fan to his residence, promising to show him something that might change his mind.
There, Ma Lin presented a box containing a ledger, revealing it was his safeguard, and allowed Tang Fan to read its contents to alleviate his concerns. Ma Lin expressed profound respect and gratitude, treating Tang Fan like a close friend who had resolved Li Mao's issue and saved his son Yuancong's life. He proposed they work together to accumulate wealth and share prosperity in Yunhe.
Tang Fan acknowledged Ma Lin's sincerity but politely declined, citing their fundamentally opposed positions, though he expressed gratitude for Ma Lin's trust. Ma Lin, convinced, finally revealed that the true mastermind behind the operation was the veteran courtier, Wan An. Tang Fan returned to the capital, bringing crucial information with him. He delivered a note wrapped in a Scholar's Candies wrapper to Wang Zhi, with "Wan An" clearly written on it.
Wang Zhi presented this to the Emperor, explaining that while swift action was needed in Yunhe, handling Wan An in the court required extreme caution. He emphasized that Wan An was a "veteran courtier during three reigns" and a powerful cabinet prime minister, and the case's broad implications could shake the foundation of the country. The Emperor entrusted Wang Zhi with the matter. Wang Zhi then inquired if the Emperor recognized the Scholar's Candies wrapper.
Upon the Emperor's confirmation, the Emperor mistakenly assumed Tang Fan was simply eager for rewards. Wang Zhi clarified that Tang Fan's true intention was to plead for Ma Lin's life. Later, Wang Zhi confronted Wan An at his residence, by a pond. Wang Zhi subtly hinted at the pond's extraordinary nature, suggesting its hidden contents. Wan An, feigning ignorance about Wang Zhi's purpose, was then presented with a ledger.
Wan An dismissed the ledger as easily fabricated, denying any wrongdoing and claiming there was no evidence. He then audaciously argued that the officials listed were not criminals but "heroes of the Ming Dynasty." He contended that without their practice of mixing lead into official silver ingots to cover national treasury deficits, the Ming Dynasty would not have survived even a year. He admitted they "embezzled a little bit money" but insisted they "solved the greatest problem for the country."
Wang Zhi acknowledged Wan An's impressive sophistry in twisting facts. Wan An defiantly warned Wang Zhi that arresting these officials would leave no one to govern the country, and that publicly exposing the fake official silver would cause serious turmoil in the court and shake the entire nation.
Wang Zhi conceded that the treasury was indeed empty and that their actions perhaps maintained the country's operation, but pointed out that Wan An had also been "storing water in his pond," alluding to his vast personal illicit gains. Wang Zhi offered Wan An a path to continue as Grand Secretary and live a peaceful life, with the only "punishment" being the removal of his hidden gold from the pond.
Furious and distraught as people began to retrieve his gold bars from the pond, Wan An raged that Wang Zhi was trying to force him to kill himself. His subordinate attempted to console him, reminding him that he had outlasted several emperors and that Wang Zhi was but a "baby" compared to him. Wan An, however, vowed to retrieve his stolen wealth with interest, then declared that "there is another person we have to get rid of."
