The Sleuth of Ming Dynasty Episode 36 Recap
> The Sleuth of Ming Dynasty Recap
Three years after the devastating explosion, another blast, caused by a weapon known as Bolang, shook the capital. Although it occurred in a remote area, causing no significant casualties, the Emperor and his concubine in the palace felt the tremors, fearing a repeat of the tragedy from three years prior. The Emperor immediately summoned Wang Zhi.
Wang Zhi reported that Ding Man, who had infiltrated the palace three years ago as an Oirat spy, had detonated a Bolang and died during an attempted capture. This alarming incident reignited the Emperor's fury, as Bolang was supposed to have been completely destroyed and its research halted three years ago. Suspecting a connection to Wang Xian, the Emperor commanded Wang Zhi to thoroughly investigate the matter, leaving no stone unturned.
Meanwhile, the new explosion deeply impacted Tang Fan, who bitterly blamed Sui Zhou for the death of Duo Er La, who perished in the earlier explosion. Their relationship fractured, and Tang Fan declared he never wanted to see Sui Zhou again. This accusation, coupled with the recent events, exacerbated Sui Zhou's dormant war trauma. He began to believe himself a bane, someone who brings disaster to everyone around him.
His condition worsened visibly; he started staying in the dark, discarding all his cooking ingredients, and eating only "Radish Bricks," a military ration, stating that he only needed food for survival and no longer cared for culinary art. Dong, deeply worried, sought help from Pei Huai and Tang Yu. Pei Huai observed that Sui Zhou's emotional distress was worsening and identified cooking as his primary outlet for his inner turmoil.
He advised that keeping Sui Zhou engaged in cooking was crucial for his healing. Dong diligently prepared a lavish meal, but Sui Zhou ate only a few bites, having lost all appetite, leaving Dong distraught. Tang Fan was also consumed by guilt and distraction over Duo Er La's death. He frequently drowned his sorrows in alcohol at Dong's Restaurant. Qing Ge often accompanied him, drinking alongside him.
Wang Zhi, facing the challenge of interrogating Wang Xian, found himself in a difficult position. Wang Xian suffered from dementia, making conventional interrogation impossible. Furthermore, Princess Gu'an fiercely resisted Wang Xian's detention by the Western Depot. Wang Zhi and Princess Gu'an appeared before the Emperor. Princess Gu'an pleaded for Wang Xian's release, citing his illness, but the Emperor emphasized the gravity of the Bolang case, which involved national security and the three-year-old explosion.
He ordered Princess Gu'an to cooperate, compelling her to reluctantly allow Wang Xian to remain with the Western Depot for investigation. However, due to Wang Xian's noble status and Princess Gu'an's constant concern, Wang Zhi was constrained from using any harsh methods. He realized conventional methods would not work and sought Tang Fan’s expertise. Wang Zhi dispatched Jia Kui to bring Tang Fan to the Western Depot.
Jia Kui found a heavily intoxicated Tang Fan at Dong's Restaurant and forcibly took him. Wang Zhi attempted to sober Tang Fan up with cold water, but Tang Fan refused to work on any cases, even threatening to resign from his post. Concurrently, Ding Rong went to the Bureau of Provisions to summon Zhang Gongzhu, Wang Xian's assistant, only to be informed that Zhang Gongzhu had been absent for several days.
Ding Rong grew suspicious and considered issuing an arrest warrant. However, Zhang Gongzhu appeared at that very moment, claiming he had been recuperating at home due to illness. Despite Zhang Gongzhu's explanation, Ding Rong ordered him escorted to the Western Depot. While Ding Rong and his men did not notice, Zhang Gongzhu secretly conversed with an unseen individual, confirming his successful completion of a task and asking for further instructions, revealing an abnormality in his demeanor.
