The Sleuth of Ming Dynasty Episode 35 Recap
> The Sleuth of Ming Dynasty Recap
Three years ago, in the eleventh year of the Chenghua reign, heated discussions surrounded the imperial examination results. Though Tang Fan, a young and brilliant scholar, had no powerful connections at court, some officials feared that granting him the top rank might lead to arrogance and disrespect towards the Emperor. They argued that Tang Fan, despite his talent, needed further cultivation, and that the top scholar should be someone more mature.
Ultimately, the Emperor's decision stood, and Tang Fan was ranked first in the second class, while others received the first-class honors. His fellow students were indignant, suggesting they protest at the Ministry of Personnel, but Tang Fan, with a newfound cynicism, dismissed their efforts, lamenting that what was rightfully his had "flown away." He later mused that in a time of peace, he saw no use for his talents.
Around the same time, Sui Zhou, having completed three years of military service in Yansui Town, joined the Imperial Guards. The commander, Wan Tong, acknowledged Sui Zhou's esteemed lineage and valorous service, praising his humble demeanor and calling him a future general. Some junior officers disparaged Sui Zhou as a privileged official's son merely looking to gain experience, but Wan Tong quickly silenced them. Sui Zhou immediately requested to see case files.
Wan Tong initially offered him trivial cases, such as a missing foreign woman, pear flowers picked from the Imperial College, or a lost cat from a noble's family. Sui Zhou found these beneath him, and when offered to choose, he instead selected a more challenging case: capturing a dangerous fugitive who typically required three officers. Sui Zhou insisted he could handle it alone, and to Wan Tong's surprise, he swiftly returned with the captured criminal.
Despite this success, Wan Tong gave him an even more dangerous case involving violent debt collectors who had committed murder, again asking if Sui Zhou could manage it alone. Sui Zhou reiterated his confidence, and though Wan Tong sent other officers, including Xue Ling, to discreetly monitor him, Sui Zhou single-handedly apprehended the thugs. Meanwhile, a clandestine plot unfolded in the Iron Market.
Aras, a companion of the Oirats, helped his comrade Wuyun prepare horse feed, instructing her to dry the corn and apples thoroughly due to the humid climate in the Han people's land. Aras then proceeded to a butcher shop to meet Batu, an Oirat who was preparing to infiltrate the palace as a eunuch. Aras presented Batu with a sum of silver, which Batu confirmed was sufficient to bribe the eunuchs responsible for new recruits.
Aras promised to secure more funds to ease Batu's life in the palace but emphasized that once inside, he would be on his own. Aras asked if Batu wanted to see his wife one last time, but Batu refused, expressing his shame at the thought of his child learning their father became a eunuch.
Batu vowed that the people of the entire prairie would be grateful for his sacrifice, declaring that from that day forward, his name would be Ding Man. In the Bureau of Provisions, 720 units of a new weapon, named "Bolang," arrived, meticulously counted and stored in ninety boxes, eight pieces per box.
Zhang Gongzhu, the official in charge, repeatedly warned his staff to handle the weapons with extreme care, emphasizing the danger of fire or even a single spark near the arsenal. Despite his warnings, some careless workers were seen negligently handling the "Bolang" units, even dropping one. A transaction also occurred where one "Bolang" unit was sold to Li Zilong for a substantial sum. This negligence proved catastrophic.
An accidental trigger of a "Bolang" unit led to a massive explosion that devastated half of the capital, turning much of it into rubble. All personnel at the Bureau of Provisions were killed instantly, except for Zhang Gongzhu and Wang Xian, who had gone home early, thus narrowly escaping the blast. The Emperor's palace also experienced a massive tremor. Inside Yangxin Hall, Consort Wan, dressed in military attire, bravely stood by the Emperor, asking if he was alright.
The Emperor assured her he was. Consort Wan then ordered all Imperial Guards and Flag Bearer Guards to protect the Yuehua Gate and Yangxin Hall, not to leave for a single step. The Emperor, in turn, told Consort Wan that it was his turn to protect her. Reports from the Ministry of War later confirmed that the explosion was linked to the Bureau of Provisions' warehouses, though the exact cause remained under investigation.
Ministers attempted to downplay the severity, claiming casualties were "acceptable," and the Northern Administrative Court even suggested a "cometary collision." The Emperor, however, was enraged, berating his officials for their inconclusive reports after three hours and lamenting that if it were a war, the Imperial City would have fallen. Consort Wan interceded, urging him to grant his anxious ministers more time.
The Emperor, frustrated by the vague answers and the apparent helplessness of his court, expressed despair, questioning if the Ming Dynasty was doomed when its capital could not even protect its own people. He angrily ordered the Minister of Revenue to immediately open the national granaries, dispatching half of the Imperial Guards and Eastern Depot personnel to distribute supplies and settle the tens of thousands of cold, hungry, and homeless victims under the Ministry of Revenue's coordination.
This devastating event became a turning point for Tang Fan, Sui Zhou, and Wang Zhi. Amidst the chaos, Tang Fan, who had initially become cynical about his place, was rescued from the rubble by Pei Huai, a doctor. Once he regained his senses, Tang Fan, acknowledging there was no time for fear, immediately threw himself into helping others.
He ceased his complaints and cynicism, urging survivors to unite and help each other, volunteering to distribute food and water last, to gain their trust. Meanwhile, Sui Zhou, still grappling with the trauma of war, plunged headfirst into the inferno, saving people and directing those he rescued to safety. He encountered a man desperate to find his family and, though firm, allowed him to leave with the instruction to surrender himself to the authorities once his task was done.
In the rubble, Zhang Gongzhu helped a disoriented Wang Xian, the only other survivor, through the debris, reassuring him that everything would be alright. As for the Oirat plot, the intended palace informant, Batu, tragically perished in the explosion. Aras, discovering his lifeless body, was left with no choice but to take Batu's place, assuming the identity of Ding Man and proceeding with the infiltration plan.
The Emperor, deeply disturbed by the disaster and feeling isolated in his palace, resolved to cultivate a new power. He summoned his trusted eunuch, Wang Zhi, declaring it was time for Wang Zhi to leave the palace and become his "eyes and ears." The Emperor then commanded Wang Zhi to establish the Western Depot.
Wang Zhi assembled his new agents, including Xiao Yun, Yu Liang, Zhan He, Wang Min, Ding Man, Wang Feng, Wu Yu, Yao Tao, Wu Cong, and Liu Shi, promising them they would never starve. Meanwhile, Tang Fan, now transformed by the catastrophe and seeking practical experience, reaffirmed his commitment to his teacher.
His teacher introduced him to his senior student, Pan Bin, the Governor of Shuntian Prefecture, where Tang Fan would serve as a sixth-grade judicial officer, eager to learn and grow, regardless of the triviality of the tasks.
