The Sleuth of Ming Dynasty Episode 28 Recap
> The Sleuth of Ming Dynasty Recap
Sui Zhou, undercover, followed Li Fei, Li You, and their fellow gang members to scout the location of a money shop and plan their robbery. Back at their hideout, a ruined temple, they discussed the heist and their retreat strategy. Sui Zhou questioned the plan, specifically where they would hide afterward, as the temple was too far and too recognizable.
One of the gang members (Li You, along with his brother, Li Fei) then proposed hiding in the residence of Imperial Guard Baihu Sui, referencing past petty thefts where they had broken into it and found it empty. He emphasized that the house, being an Imperial Guard's residence, would be the last place authorities would suspect.
When this gang member admitted he only remembered the general location, Sui Zhou interrupted, claiming he could find the place with his eyes closed because the person surnamed Sui had often troubled him. Li Fei then outlined their principle: they would only keep half of the stolen money, donating the rest to the families of fallen or disabled soldiers. Sui Zhou, not exposing them, decided to go along with their plan.
Later that night, Sui Zhou listened as the gang shared their past. Li Fei revealed that the man who had brought Sui Zhou back, known as Ponytail, was a deserter, while three others were brave veterans from the same troop, bearing many injuries. Li You and his brother explained they were conscripted from Henan to Guyuan Town to reduce their family's taxes, serving eight arduous years defending the borders.
During their service, they learned their father was killed by a local tyrant who also seized their land, and their mother, unable to bear it, took her own life. They deserted to avenge their parents, becoming refugees. Sui Zhou tried to persuade them against their criminal path, but their desperate circumstances made them indifferent to his warnings. Meanwhile, at Huanyi Brothel, Ms. Cui complained to Wang Zhi that business had plummeted since the suicide of their former best girl, Qingzi.
To revive their fortunes, she had spent fifty thousand taels of silver, a sum Wang Zhi noted was equivalent to two years of military provisions for the Guangning garrison, to acquire a new best girl named Qingge from Suzhou's Department of Official Prostitutes. Ms. Cui praised Qingge's beauty and her proficiency in all scholarly arts, assuring Wang Zhi that Qingge would bring soaring profits. Wang Zhi then inquired about Li Zilong.
Ms. Cui explained that in her business, familiarity was solely based on how much money a customer spent. She clarified that guests came to the brothel for pleasure, connections, or to discuss sensitive matters. Ultimately, for her, only money brought true familiarity. The next day, as the gang prepared for the robbery, some members expressed fear of the severe punishment if caught in the capital.
Others, however, focused on what they would do with their share of the money: marry, open a shop, or brew wine. When asked, Sui Zhou declared he would ensure "Sui Zhou will never exist in this world," implying he would disappear or change his identity. The gang then proceeded to rob the money shop. Sui Zhou intervened to prevent his associates from harming the shop owner and employees, insisting they only take money.
Outside, Imperial Guard Xue Ling and his men waited in hiding, following Sui Zhou's instructions to apprehend the gang at the intersection to ensure all money was recovered. Sui Zhou had a brief exchange with a gang member about the value of human life, with the gang member cynically stating it was worthless based on his experiences. As the gang fled the money shop with their loot, Imperial Guard Wan Tong spotted them.
He immediately ordered his men to pursue them. The gang, trying to escape, found themselves cornered and burst into Huanyi Brothel. Inside, Li Fei and Li You quickly seized Wang Zhi, who was a patron there, taking him hostage, believing that with Wang Zhi as their captive, they could escape safely.
When Wan Tong arrived at the brothel, he berated Xue Ling for not reporting such a major case and for attempting to handle it privately, accusing him of seeking sole credit. Xue Ling explained that Sui Zhou was undercover and had sent a note, and for confidentiality, he hadn't reported it. Wan Tong dismissed this, alleging that Sui Zhou, no longer an Imperial Guard, was using Xue Ling as a diversion to escape with the stolen money.
He boasted that his timely arrival had saved Xue Ling's life. Inside the brothel, Li Fei's brother, Li You, became suspicious of Sui Zhou and decided to test him, asking for his name. Sui Zhou revealed his identity, shocking the gang members, who immediately tied him up. Li Fei confronted Sui Zhou, questioning his betrayal given how well they had treated him.
Sui Zhou explained he was trying to save them, emphasizing that no lives had been taken yet, and surrendering now would only result in military impressment. He warned them that if the Imperial Guards stormed in, it would be too late, as the Imperial Guards did not care about the lives of hostages like the city wards did. Li You, however, accused Sui Zhou of trying to trick them into surrender to claim credit.
Outside, Wan Tong discovered Wang Zhi was inside and, seizing the opportunity, decided to use the situation to eliminate Wang Zhi. He loudly announced to those inside not to harm Commander Wang, or they would be dismembered. Ding Rong, understanding Wan Tong's true intentions, tried to object but was helpless. Wan Tong ordered Xue Ling to bring archers, despite Xue Ling's misgivings.
Shortly after, Commander Shang Ming arrived and, colluding with Wan Tong, suggested using fire or smoke to force the robbers out, seemingly ignoring Wang Zhi's presence. Ding Rong again protested, but Shang Ming dismissed his concerns, then subtly tempted Ding Rong with the prospect of becoming the leader of the Western Depot once Wang Zhi was dead.
Inside, one of the gang members, Ponytail, panicked, lamenting that he had killed a civilian, something he had never done even on the battlefield. Li Fei tried to calm him, placing the blame on the imperial court for their desperate situation and threatening to kill all the hostages if the authorities outside dared to make any moves. Back home, Dong saw the commotion at Huanyi Brothel and rushed to tell Tang Fan that something had happened to Sui Zhou. Despite his own dire health, Tang Fan insisted on going to the brothel himself, dismissing Dong's offer to go in his stead.
