The Vendetta of An Episode 8 Recap
> The Vendetta of An Recap
Wang Pu, a new member of the Huben Army, arrived in the Capital. He was known for his cleverness and eloquence, able to acquire items at minimal cost and persuade people to offer him free transport. For instance, he charmed a pear seller into giving him two large pears for only one wen and convinced a butcher to sell him lamb offal for seven wen by fabricating a story about his pregnant wife.
He then secured a free ride to Yulong Ridge, at the northern foot of Qinling Mountain, by spinning a tale about visiting his late wife's death site, with the sympathetic coachman even returning his money. Wang Pu's assignment from General Yan Fengshan was to oversee a crucial strategist imprisoned at Yulong Ridge. Upon meeting the strategist, Wang Pu informed him of Liu Ziyan's death.
The strategist was unsurprised, revealing that Liu Ziyan, Huben's top killer, had been ostensibly sent to care for him but was in fact there to assassinate him, a task he meticulously attempted for three years without success. Wang Pu prepared lamb soup for the strategist, who noted its taste reminded him of his homeland, Wuxi Mountain.
Wang Pu clarified that the lamb was purchased in Chang'an, symbolizing the current peace in the realm, as Wuxi Mountain lamb could now be found there. The strategist then instructed Wang Pu to relay a message to Yan Fengshan: he now preferred the tea of Chang'an. Meanwhile, the New Emperor, Xiao Wuyang, invited Gu Yu to play weiqi, inquiring about Yan Fengshan's potential next moves after abducting the deposed emperor Xiao Wenjing.
Gu Yu, whose family soldiers formed the Capital's defense, proposed a strategy: at the next court assembly, he would publicly relinquish command of his Baiwenhu Army. This act would serve as an example, pressing the four powerful regional military commanders—Beiting, Fanyang, Long'an, and Zhenxi—who held significant military authority, to also surrender their forces, thus crippling Yan Fengshan's ability to forge alliances. Xiao Wuyang initially questioned Gu Yu's ability to sway these seasoned commanders but eventually agreed to the plan.
Gu Yu also inquired if Xiao Wuyang's new choice to counter Huben was "White Hair," the last descendant of the Liu family, whose father founded the Huben Army, acknowledging his past friendship with him.
After Gu Yu departed, Chancellor Gao emerged from the shadows, revealing the plan to have Gu Yu voluntarily surrender his military power was his own scheme, designed to prevent any resentment towards the Emperor, as Gu Yu was known for his selflessness and concern for the welfare of the people. Later that evening, Xie Huaian, Xiao Wenjing, and Ye Zheng were residing in the courtyard Bai Wan had lent them.
Xiao Wenjing, seeking to atone for his past deeds, penned a letter to Zhang Mo's family in Huzhou, mimicking Zhang Mo's handwriting. The letter explained Zhang Mo's prolonged absence, stating he had earned enough dowry for his daughter, but with flourishing business in the Capital, he wished to stay longer to earn more, assuring his family's well-being. He asked Xie Huaian to verify the script, offering his life in return for a chance to fight Yan Fengshan and Huben.
Xie Huaian, noting the recent capture of Qingyi and the death of Liu Ziyan, told Xiao Wenjing he might be useful when Huben inevitably retaliated, and promised to send the letter if the handwriting was convincing. That night, Gu Yu, accompanied by his aide, visited his Baiwenhu soldiers stationed at the city walls. He playfully chided them for telling haunted stories and not inviting him to share their porridge. The soldiers, including Shan and Pangtou, warmly welcomed him.
Gu Yu, enjoying the camaraderie, confided in his aide that he felt a sense of ease being with his men, a stark contrast to the guarded persona he maintained at court. He expressed his trust in Xiao Wuyang as a benevolent ruler and reiterated his plan to surrender his military authority next month, believing it would avert a major war and save countless lives by cutting off Yan Fengshan's support.
Shortly after Gu Yu left the city walls, an arrow of command signaled an attack. His aide quickly turned the carriage around, but they were met with a horrific sight: a cart laden with the bodies of fallen Baiwenhu soldiers. Gu Yu was deeply shaken, recognizing the faces of men he had just shared a meal with. From the pile of corpses, several attackers, Huben members, leaped out.
Wang Pu, among them, quickly seized Gu Yu, threatening to kill all of his remaining guards if he resisted. To prevent further bloodshed, Gu Yu reluctantly agreed to go with Wang Pu, who warned the Baiwenhu Army against any rash actions, stating that if they did, Gu Yu would return in an even more crippled state. Upon hearing of the attack, Xie Huaian saw the signal and rushed to the scene, only to find Gu Yu gone.
He immediately went to the palace, where he met Chancellor Gao, as the Emperor had been advised against leaving. Xie Huaian confirmed the attack was likely a trap but expressed his grave concern for Gu Yu. Chancellor Gao, while acknowledging Xie Huaian's success against Huben, reiterated the importance of sticking to Gu Yu's plan to surrender military power, even if it meant Gu Yu's death, to prevent him from defecting.
Xie Huaian strongly disagreed, asserting Gu Yu's loyalty as a soldier who would seek revenge, not alliance, with Huben. He implored Chancellor Gao not to "abandon those who help you." Chancellor Gao's response was ambivalent. Back at the courtyard, Xiao Wenjing complained to Ye Zheng about endless chores. Xie Huaian then announced his intention to infiltrate Hidden Soldier Alley, the likely place where Gu Yu was being held, to rescue him alone. Both Xiao Wenjing and Ye Zheng vehemently objected to his solo mission.
