The Wind Blows From Longxi Recap, Plot, Synopsis
The Wind Blows From Longxi Synopsis
In 228 A.D., Shu’s army was defeated by Wei in a northern expedition.
Shu’s intelligence department analyzed that the false information that led to Shu’s misjudgment was sent by Chen Gong, a senior spy lurking in Wei.
Shu’s counter-espionage expert Xun Xu was ordered to infiltrate Wei to investigate Chen Gong.
Chen Gong passed Xun Xu’s investigation, they found that there has been a Wei undercover named “Zhu Long” in the Shu intelligence department.
“Zhu Long” not only replaced Chen Gong’s information, but also prepared to steal the design of the Repeating Crossbow of Shu and start the “Qing Ping Plan” to create chaos in Shu.
Xun Xu returned to Shu and prepared to work with Chen Gong to uncover the true identity of “Zhu Long”.
Xun Xu succeeded in stopping Wei from stealing the secret of the Repeating Crossbow and found out the traitor hiding in Shu’s intelligence department.
Chen Gong completed his undercover career and returned to Shu. Together with Xun Xu, they went through many tests and finally uncovered the truth behind the “Qing Ping Plan”.
Facing the righteousness of the family and the country, Xun Xu and Chen Gong make the right choice at the important juncture to crack the enemy’s sinister plot and maintain the stability and unity of the country.
The Wind Blows From Longxi Recap
Episode 1 Recap
In 228 A. D. , Prime Minister Zhuge Liang launched the Northern Expedition against the Wei State. In the military camp, Zhuge Liang received intelligence stating that General Zhang He's army intended to take Wating Road to cross the Xiao Pass for a decisive battle. Though relieved, Zhuge Liang, ever cautious, decided to send elite troops to guard Fanxu Road and the critical Jieting Fortress.
Ma Su volunteered to defend Jieting, and Zhuge Liang appointed Wang Ping as his vice commander, instructing Wei Yan and Gao Xiang to be ready to reinforce them if needed. Zhuge Liang declared that a victory against Zhang He would lead to the conquest of Chang'an and a successful Northern Expedition. However, this intelligence was false. General Zhang He's army, instead, took Fanxu Road under the cover of night and ambushed Jieting.
Ma Su, unprepared for this change, suffered a devastating defeat, leading to the fall of Jieting. The Shu army found itself encircled, forcing Zhuge Liang to retreat to the Hanzhong region. The Shu State's defeat was a stroke of luck for the Wei State. In Tianshui, Governor Guo Gang, pleased by the continuous influx of Wei troops into the city, was flattered by Chen Gong, the Recorder of Tianshui.
Chen Gong bowed and praised Guo Gang, asserting that he would surely realize his ambitions in Longxi, to which Guo Gang responded, hoping it would indeed be so. Following the fall of Jieting, Ma Su faced unavoidable punishment. Despite Adjutant Li Miao's fervent pleas for mercy, citing Ma Su's high rank and the example of Qin pardoning Meng Ming, Prime Minister Zhuge Liang remained resolute.
He emphasized that military law must be upheld, especially after Ma Su had sworn on his family's lives to defend Jieting. As their debate concluded, Ma Su's severed head was brought in. Zhuge Liang, although outwardly stern, ordered a pension and monthly grain for Ma Su's family, lamenting the unexpected failure of the Northern Expedition rather than Ma Su's fate itself.
Chief of Staff Yang Yi, recognizing the gravity of the Jieting debacle, suspected that Baidi's intelligence had been tampered with, indicating a Wei spy might have infiltrated Siwencao Intelligence, the Shu State's intelligence department. Zhuge Liang ordered a thorough investigation. Section Clerk Feng Ying informed Yang Yi that the intelligence, written in codes, made a mid-transit swap unlikely. He considered Baidi's loyalty the key issue, suggesting he might be compromised or have fallen victim to a Wei ploy.
Feng Ying explained that the Wei State had established its own Military Intelligence Agency, operating outside local government control and reporting directly to Yecheng, specifically to infiltrate Shu and spread misinformation. Yang Yi revealed his own informant had confirmed a Wei spy within Siwencao. Feng Ying also disclosed that Siwencao had dispatched a spy to Tianshui to investigate Baidi, but no report had been received yet.
Yang Yi, feeling the immense pressure on the Prime Minister from both Northern Expedition and southern war hawk factions, particularly Li Yan's insistence on invading the Wu State, demanded immediate results, acknowledging the inevitable political turmoil. He instructed Feng Ying to report any updates from Baidi without delay, as he would be returning to Chengdu with the Prime Minister.
In Tianshui, a man named Lin Liang bought a horse and, in a secluded spot, discovered a note with "Niu's Tavern" written on it. Meanwhile, at the Jinyuyao Brothel, Guo Gang and Chen Gong were enjoying themselves, discussing the recent victory. Guo Gang, clearly pleased, confessed to Chen Gong that their success in retaking Tianshui was thanks to a Wei spy, code-named Zhulong, who swapped Baidi's intelligence and relayed new information to them.
Guo Gang explained that Baidi, a real Shu spy and not just a legend, had indeed stolen Zhang He's ambush plans for Jieting and sent them to the Shu army. However, Zhulong intercepted and replaced this critical message, leading to the Shu army's defeat. Guo Gang proudly revealed that Zhulong had been the Commander's informant and was recently assigned to him.
Guo Gang then informed Chen Gong that Zhulong had reported a new Shu spy was on his way to Tianshui to investigate the Jieting incident with Baidi. Guo Gang saw this as a prime opportunity to capture Baidi. The Shu spy, unaware of the lurking Wei agents, asked for directions to Niu's Tavern. Mi Chong, Chancellor of the Tianshui Military Intelligence Agency, was already waiting upstairs, having been informed of the spy's movements towards Yunxu Street.
Liang Jian, also of the Military Intelligence Agency, and his men were disguised as diners, keeping watch on the spy. Suddenly, Chen Gong whistled and, under the pretext of celebrating Guo Gang's future capture of Baidi, insisted on raising two two-toned flower baskets and bringing in Dantu beauties from Yunxu House to accompany Guo Gang. The man who had bought the horse earlier, Lin Liang, entered Niu's Tavern.
Upon seeing the flower baskets outside, he feigned a need for the bathroom and swiftly escaped. Although Chen Gong covertly signaled the Shu spy to flee, it was too late. The spy was ambushed and hacked to death in the tavern. Guo Gang, watching the scene unfold, remarked that the show he had prepared was far more exciting.
Following the Northern Expedition's failure, Zhuge Liang took full responsibility, confessing to Liu Chan his shortcomings in leadership and personnel selection, particularly regarding Ma Su's disobedience at Jieting. He offered to be demoted by three ranks to atone and set an example for the army. Liu Chan, the King of Shu, initially spoke without anger, stating that success and failure are common in war and even questioning the value of Zhuge Liang's initial victories if followed by losses.
However, he was swayed by General Li Yan's strong arguments for strict adherence to military law, emphasizing that upholding the law was paramount for governing. Li Yan also criticized Zhuge Liang for prioritizing the Northern Expedition over avenging the late King's defeat in Yiling. Ultimately, Liu Chan agreed to Zhuge Liang's request for demotion. Yang Yi was dismayed that Liu Chan had demoted Zhuge Liang to General of the Right and Acting Prime Minister, suspecting Li Yan's machinations.
He warned Zhuge Liang that Li Yan was dangerous and likely aiming for military power. Zhuge Liang, however, remained calm, pointing out that the imperial edict still granted him command of the army and stressed the importance of unity for the state, stating, "Make nice for the sake of our state. Remaining in peace will benefit both."
Later, Li Yan, after meeting with wealthy Yizhou clans who expressed dissatisfaction with Zhuge Liang's leadership, was informed by Adjutant Hu Zhong about Zhuge Liang's attempts to appease him. These attempts included proposing Li Yan's promotion to Cavalry General and assigning his eldest son, Li Feng, to oversee Jiangzhou's defense. Li Yan, harboring deep resentment, rejected these overtures, distrusting Zhuge Liang's sincerity. He then pressed Hu Zhong on the rumored Wei spy within Siwencao.
Despite Hu Zhong's difficulty in obtaining information from Siwencao, being Yang Yi's creation, Li Yan ordered him to find a way to infiltrate the intelligence agency and verify the reports of Wei's infiltration. In Nanzheng County, Xun Xu, Deputy Chief of the Internal Affairs Department, endured water torture as Feng Ying repeatedly pressed him about his relationship with Chen Gong.
Xun Xu confessed that Chen Gong, a former student of General Li Yan, was his sworn brother and that he had introduced Chen Gong to Siwencao Intelligence. He also revealed that Chen Gong's wife, Di Yue, was his cousin and an undercover agent he had personally recruited and placed within the Wuxian Sect to collect intelligence for the Internal Affairs Department.
He explained that both the Xun and Di families had served the Zhuge clan as spies for over a century, their efforts being instrumental to Zhuge Liang's early knowledge of world affairs. Despite the torment, Xun Xu steadfastly maintained his belief in Chen Gong's innocence. Feng Ying, observing Xun Xu's unwavering loyalty, decided he had passed the test.
He then revealed that Chen Gong had been dispatched to the Wei State, where he served under Vice Commander Guo Huai, rose to the rank of Commandant, and was eventually appointed Recorder of Tianshui, overseeing military provisions. Feng Ying confirmed that Chen Gong’s true identity was "Baidi," a closely guarded secret. Feng Ying explained Baidi's intelligence contribution over the years, leading to Zhuge Liang's early successes.
He recounted how Zhang He's movements were a top secret, and Baidi's emergency intelligence, though false, still led to Jieting's fall, ruining the Northern Expedition. Back in Tianshui, after the botched operation at Niu's Tavern, Guo Gang and Mi Chong, Chancellor of the Military Intelligence Agency, discussed the events. Mi Chong noted that the Wei army's surveillance of the Shu spy confirmed Zhulong's intelligence and that they had expected the spy to meet Baidi at the tavern.
However, Mi Chong suspected that someone had warned the Shu spy due to his abrupt behavior. Mi Chong continued to suspect Chen Gong, arguing that all other high-ranking personnel had been cleared in the investigation of the military secret leak, leaving only Chen Gong. He countered Guo Gang's defense of Chen Gong's low rank by explaining that as Recorder, Chen Gong could infer military movements from provisions.
He pointed to the fire at the Commander's camp, ten days before Zhang He's army moved, as the time of the intelligence leak, noting Chen Gong's presence.
Guo Gang, however, fiercely defended Chen Gong, explaining he was only there to deliver medicine to the ailing Commander on his orders, a duty of filial piety, and furthermore, Chen Gong was detained for seven days afterward, making it impossible for him to transmit any intelligence to Shu, which would have already reached Mount Qi by then.
Feng Ying then revealed Xun Xu's true mission: he was to go to Tianshui to ascertain the truth behind Jieting's fall and eliminate the "traitorous" Shu spy, Baidi (Chen Gong). Feng Ying promised Xun Xu a promotion to Chief of the Internal Affairs Department upon his successful return. He acknowledged Xun Xu's strong sense of brotherhood but emphasized that "national righteousness" must take precedence.
He instructed Xun Xu to first extract information about leaked secrets from Chen Gong, then execute him with a poisoned dagger. To ensure Xun Xu's return, Feng Ying revealed that the tea Xun Xu had just consumed contained a slow-acting poison, and he would need to return in three months for the antidote, a standard protocol for field agents. With a poisoned dagger in hand, Xun Xu, who had never served in the field before, departed for Tianshui.
Returning to his residence, Chen Gong was greeted by Lin Liang, the man who bought the horse earlier. Lin Liang reported the failed rendezvous and worried his warning to the spy might have left traces, so he planned to stay indoors. Chen Gong, his brow furrowed with worry, rejected Gu Zheng's request for a meeting, instructing all his agents to lie low as the situation was perilous.
He shared his deepest fears: Tianshui's Military Intelligence Agency already suspected him as Baidi, and Siwencao, likely believing his original intelligence was false, now regarded him as a traitor, especially after the death of their spy. The more alarming truth was that his own intelligence channels had been infiltrated. Chen Gong broke down in desperate tears, agonizing over how to convey Zhulong's existence to the Shu Han.
Episode 2 Recap
Following the death of a Shu spy (You Xiao) who had been sent to Tianshui, Chen Gong anxiously asked his subordinate, Lin Liang, if he had delivered the warning message to Gu Zheng. Lin Liang confirmed he had done so last night and insisted there were no other loose ends, having reviewed everything multiple times. Chen Gong instructed him not to go out during the day and to otherwise act normally, emphasizing that no further action was needed.
At the Shu border, Xun Xu met his friend Tang Bing, who was waiting to receive him. Xun Xu, learning from past incidents, avoided stopping at post stations, opting to rest temporarily in the wilderness. Tang Bing expressed surprise that Xun Xu was sent, initially joking that it must mean Xun Xu was not "worthy." Xun Xu countered, stating that despite his background in the Jingzhou water forces, espionage was a different challenge, requiring guesswork rather than direct combat.
He also noted that the previous Jieting intelligence courier had been discovered by Mi Chong's men and barely managed to send the information, resulting in a chaotic and risky delivery process. Tang Bing mentioned that Clerk Feng (Feng Ying) had sent an urgent message for a "right-hand man" and asked why Xun Xu, who usually handled internal counterintelligence, was dispatched. Xun Xu, feigning ignorance, suggested Clerk Feng might dislike him.
Tang Bing confirmed he was instructed to provide full support, and Xun Xu requested ten well-trained men to accompany him. Tang Bing assured him they were already prepared and informed Xun Xu that his team awaited him beyond the pass at Xiegu Valley. Yang Yi reported to Prime Minister Zhuge Liang that Baidi was suspected of turning to Wei, and the spy that was sent to Tianshui to investigate was double-crossed and killed.
He stressed the importance of assessing the damage quickly, noting that Feng Ying had already dispatched Xun Xu from Jing'an Si. Zhuge Liang, hearing Xun Xu's name, recalled a young Xun Xu from their time in Longzhong, whom he had taught that people, not land or state, were most important.
He had advised the young Xun Xu that supporting a benevolent ruler like Liu Bei would bring peace and prosperity, ensuring everyone had food and shelter, and that every life was precious. Back in the present, Yang Yi confirmed the Wei spy was targeting Siwencao, urging a swift investigation.
Later, Yang Yi warned Zhuge Liang about Li Yan's recent attempts to rally court officials from Jingzhou and Xichuan to impeach him, fearing Li Yan would exploit the false intelligence and Wei spy infiltration to seize power. Zhuge Liang, reciting poetry, dismissed the political maneuvering and simply instructed Yang Yi to tell Feng Ying to quickly identify the Wei spy and conduct an internal investigation.
Hu Zhong informed General Li Yan that Baidi's alleged betrayal was confirmed by Li Miao, a disgruntled adjutant. Li Yan saw this as an opportunity, stating that impeaching Zhuge Liang was merely a pretense; the real objective was to take control of Siwencao.
Although Emperor Liu Shan declined to meet Li Yan due to illness, a eunuch relayed the Emperor's message, urging Li Yan to avoid internal conflict (like "boiling beans to burn the stalks"), yet confirming the Emperor's awareness of the Wei spy infiltration into Siwencao and his intention to appoint Li Yan to oversee the agency in Nanzheng.
Li Yan, having achieved his goal, instructed Hu Zhong to prepare to go to Nanzheng immediately to thoroughly investigate the Jieting case, emphasizing that all accomplices and Wei spies within Siwencao must be uncovered and punished, regardless of their rank. Mi Chong's suspicion of Chen Gong persisted.
He tasked his subordinates to continue searching for hoof marks around the Commander's headquarters from the day of the fire, believing that Chen Gong, who was the only person to ride a civilian horse that day, was highly suspicious of having started it. A subordinate confirmed that the found hoof marks were from a civilian horse, identified by its flat horseshoe without nails, but none were clear. Mi Chong ordered a thorough search for a clear print.
Meanwhile, his men attempted to draw a portrait of Lin Liang, whom Mi Chong suspected was Chen Gong's helper, a gofer, based on the description of a thin, middle-aged man (around forty) dressed like a laborer seen in the tavern. Coincidentally, Chief Guard Jin from Commander Guo Huai's Mansion arrived in Tianshui on a "secret mission." He identified Chen Gong as Recorder Chen and, under Commander Guo's orders, invited him for a meeting.
Chen Gong, expressing surprise given his low rank, was then suddenly knocked unconscious and taken away. He awoke in a moving carriage, managed to incapacitate his guard, and jumped out, but his escape was short-lived as he rolled down a hill and was recaptured.
Chief Guard Jin, brandishing a written order and a token from Commander Guo, loudly accused Chen Gong, who lay in a deep pit about to be buried alive, of being the Shu spy Baidi and stealing the Jieting intelligence. He demanded Chen Gong reveal his accomplices. Chen Gong vehemently denied the accusations, insisting he was Commander Guo's confidant and accusing them of framing him. Just as the burial was about to proceed, Xun Xu appeared and halted the men.
He revealed the entire ordeal was a test of Chen Gong's loyalty, remarking that Chen Gong's refusal to confess confirmed his innocence. Chen Gong, angered by the extreme method, pointed out that if he had truly betrayed, he wouldn't have remained in Tianshui to be caught. Later, Chen Gong led Xun Xu to a dilapidated warehouse attic in his residence, apologizing for the simple conditions.
Xun Xu questioned why Chen Gong would be investigated, to which Chen Gong retorted that Xun Xu himself was doing it, and even Guo Gang was searching for Baidi. Chen Gong lamented that Siwencao was no longer secure, comparing it to a "dilapidated house with winds from all four directions," and revealed that the codename Baidi was already known to Cao Wei. He also suspected Feng Ying believed he was responsible for the death of the spy sent to Tianshui.
Chen Gong revealed to Xun Xu that the critical intelligence about Zhang He's army taking Fanxu Road to ambush Jieting at night, which he had personally sealed, was swapped with false information by a Wei spy codenamed Zhulong before it reached the Prime Minister's camp. When Xun Xu asked for proof, Chen Gong retorted that finding evidence was Xun Xu's job and doubted Feng Ying would accept his story.
Chen Gong added that he had anticipated an investigation from Siwencao but was surprised it was Xun Xu and carried out in such a manner, expressing concern that Zhulong might also know about Xun Xu's mission. Xun Xu then produced a poisoned dagger given to him by Feng Ying, stating his orders were to "eliminate the traitor" (kill Chen Gong), not test him.
He also revealed that he had consumed a slow-acting poison and would only receive an antidote upon successful completion of his mission, implying Chen Gong's death. Despite this, Xun Xu affirmed his belief in Chen Gong's innocence, prioritizing the truth over his own life or hasty judgment, much to Chen Gong's frustration at his friend's "reckless and silly" approach.
A subordinate reported to Mi Chong that they had found distinct scuff marks on a hoof print from a civilian horse, which could be a key identifier. Mi Chong, still suspicious, then brought his men to Chen Gong's residence, feigning an apology for his earlier interference. While Chen Gong reluctantly welcomed him, Mi Chong subtly inspected the premises, including the attic where Xun Xu was hidden, but Xun Xu remained undetected.
Mi Chong continued to press Chen Gong about the fire at the headquarters, recalling that Chen Gong claimed to be delivering medicine for Commander Guo's chronic illness, a story Guo Gang had verified. Chen Gong, annoyed, challenged Mi Chong to state his true intentions. Mi Chong then brought up that Chen Gong's was the only civilian horse near the camp, suggesting Chen Gong had given intelligence to a helper who then used that horse to leave.
In the stables, Mi Chong's men inspected Chen Gong's horses but found all their horseshoes to be new, thwarting their attempt to match the unique hoof print. Governor Guo Gang, angered by Mi Chong's insubordinate behavior and his implied criticism of Guo Gang's friendship with Chen Gong, confronted him.
Guo Gang admitted his bond with Chen Gong, explaining that Chen Gong had single-handedly rescued him when Tianshui fell due to Ma Zun's incompetence and he was fighting alone, on the brink of martyrdom. Despite their deep friendship, Guo Gang declared he would not protect Chen Gong, but demanded that any investigation be thorough and conclusive. Over dinner, Chen Gong and Xun Xu discussed the Zhulong situation.
Chen Gong admitted he was surprised by the intensity of Wei's investigation and by Mi Chong's unexpected visit. Xun Xu, still puzzled, asked how Zhulong could have falsified the intelligence, given that the code was known only to Chen Gong and Feng Ying. Chen Gong speculated that Zhulong must have left traces when delivering information to Guo Gang, and suggested using the Wei State's Military Messenger records.
Xun Xu worried that records from over a month ago might be gone, but Chen Gong proposed starting with the recent record of Zhulong delivering intelligence about a Shu spy entering Wei. Back at the Tianshui Military Intelligence Agency, a subordinate reported to Mi Chong on the gate records during the fire incident.
They discovered a carriage that had bypassed the three defense lines in Shanggui by merging with incoming traffic, then purposely lacked proper entry documents to be "escorted out of town," effectively transmitting intelligence. This, the subordinate explained, was how Baidi sent the Jieting intelligence. The carriage belonged to the Jili Carriage Shop, owned by Gu Zheng, who frequently traveled between Wei and Shu for border trade.
The subordinate theorized that Baidi would have given the intelligence to his hidden helper in the woods, who then passed it to Gu Zheng. Mi Chong saw this as a breakthrough. Meanwhile, at the Jili Carriage Shop, Gu Zheng and his wife discussed recent messages. Gu Zheng noted the absence of any packages from Baidi for months, wondering if something had happened to him, but his wife dismissed his worries, reminding him they were merely messengers and should not overthink.
Chen Gong asked Xun Xu about his wife, Di Yue, and was concerned to learn she was on an undercover mission in the Daba Mountains, infiltrating the Wuxian Sect. Xun Xu explained it was Di Yue's decision, citing their families' long history as spies, and assured Chen Gong that Di Yue was safe as her identity was known only to him.
Chen Gong remembered Di Yue’s departure, when she expressed her intention to join Siwencao so they might see each other again. She had given him an amulet from Qingfeng Ridge, which he still clutched, filled with longing. Xun Xu also warned Chen Gong to be careful of Mi Chong, whom he perceived as quite cunning.
Episode 3 Recap
Chen Gong secretly searched the Military Messenger records in his room for clues related to Zhulong. Guo Gang entered, seeing Chen Gong engrossed in the bamboo slips, and immediately questioned what he was investigating. Chen Gong, having already replaced the original bamboo slips, claimed that Mi Chong’s relentless suspicion about the fire at the Commander’s camp had become unbearable, prompting him to investigate who was present at the time.
Guo Gang, attempting to reassure Chen Gong, stated that Mi Chong was merely performing his duty and had promised to cease his harassment. He then revealed a new, highly confidential piece of intelligence from Zhulong: Siwencao of Shu had dispatched a new spy named Xun Xu to Tianshui, leading a squad of Shu soldiers with the mission to assassinate Baidi. Guo Gang explained that Siwencao believed Baidi had betrayed them, causing chaos in Shu.
He added that Mi Chong would be in charge of this investigation, hoping that Xun Xu would inadvertently lead them to Baidi. Feigning relief that Mi Chong would be distracted, Chen Gong secretly directed Xun Xu, who had been tending to horses outside, to return to the hidden attic. Upon checking the Wei military messenger records, Chen Gong found no information correlating with Zhulong's intelligence, leading him to keenly deduce that Zhulong might have leveraged Shu's own intelligence channels.
Thus, Gu Zheng, Chen Gong's dedicated contact and the owner of a carriage shop, became the primary suspect for investigation. Coincidentally, Mi Chong was also tracking Gu Zheng. Mi Chong's men discovered Gu Zheng's coded communication method using scattered stones. Believing that Xun Xu might also meet with Gu Zheng, Mi Chong deployed his men to continuously monitor Gu Zheng, hoping to catch the elusive Baidi. Meanwhile, Li Yan formally took command of Siwencao Intelligence.
His first act was to assert his authority over Feng Ying, citing Baidi's alleged betrayal and the agency's lax management. He declared a complete overhaul of the organization, demanding to know Baidi's true identity. Feng Ying hesitated, attempting to defer the highly sensitive information for a private report, but Li Yan criticized him for keeping secrets about a known traitor. Later, Yang Yi visited Feng Ying.
Yang Yi understood that Feng Ying had sent Xun Xu to Tianshui to offer Chen Gong a way out. However, he warned Feng Ying that the political situation was volatile; as long as the Jieting case remained unresolved, unrest would continue. He stressed that protecting one individual might lead to the loss of many more people.
Feng Ying, after a moment of reflection over his tea, confessed his personal desire not to see such a meritorious agent die under false accusations in a foreign land. Feng Ying’s brother-in-law, Sun Ling, who worked in the scribe room, was present for or informed of the conversation.
He had earlier expressed his boredom with his transcription duties and his ambition for a more active role, suggesting he be appointed Chief of the Jing'an Si (Internal Affairs Department), stating that the position had no prerequisites. He then questioned Feng Ying's suggestion of Xun Xu for the role, calling Xun Xu timid and a good-for-nothing.
Now, having listened to Yang Yi, Sun Ling directly advised Feng Ying to abandon his personal attachment and follow Yang Yi’s counsel, explicitly stating that Baidi must be sacrificed to resolve the Jieting case. Feng Ying sternly warned Sun Ling that Yang Yi’s words were top-secret and that he should keep silent, chastising him for discussing such sensitive matters and for his reckless talk.
Later that night, Gu Zheng, feigning drunkenness to evade Mi Chong’s surveillance, passed intelligence to his contact, Chidi. Back home, he informed his worried wife about a new, urgent mission from Baidi: a key informant in Luoyang had been exposed and possessed critical intelligence that Gu Zheng personally needed to deliver to Hanzhong.
He reassured his wife that everything would eventually improve once Prime Minister Zhuge recovered their lands, adding that for the sake of their nation, they must make this sacrifice. Simultaneously, Mi Chong received intelligence about Xun Xu's squad, led by Chief Guard Jin, who were disguised as Wei soldiers, even using Wei uniforms and armor.
By inquiring with gate guards about a mysterious carriage that had passed through the city, Mi Chong deduced their likely location in Xiaolong Mountain and dispatched garrison troops and military dogs for a coordinated search. Xun Xu prepared a poisoned dagger. Chen Gong's message to Gu Zheng was actually a test of loyalty. To ensure Xun Xu's safety, Chen Gong had also sent Lin Liang to arrange for Chief Guard Jin's squad to provide external support.
However, the large-scale Wei army search operation on Xiaolong Mountain trapped Chief Guard Jin's squad, making it impossible for them to descend. In a desperate act of sacrifice, they decided to draw the Wei troops’ attention, allowing Lin Liang to escape and report the critical situation to Chen Gong and Xun Xu. Ten soldiers, removing their Wei armor and covering their faces, fought heroically to their deaths, refusing to wear enemy attire in martyrdom.
One injured soldier, attempting suicide, was captured by Wei forces after being stabbed by Wei soldiers. In the old west street of Tianshui, Gu Zheng instructed his carriage driver to head towards the bustling market, skillfully shaking off his tails before the Tianshui surveillance team could corner him. Gu Zheng then proceeded to Tingsong House, where he met Xun Xu, who was posing as Heidi from Luoyang.
Although their identification tokens matched, the distinct scent of a Shu-region sachet on Xun Xu betrayed his true origin. Xun Xu calmly admitted his real identity as Xun Xu, Deputy Chief of Jing'an Si (Internal Affairs Department), sent by Feng Ying, and candidly confessed that the backup squad he had arranged for had not taken their positions for reasons unknown, likely due to a mishap.
Gu Zheng, now convinced of Xun Xu's identity, began discussing the anomalies in the Jieting case. He admitted to suspecting the intelligence was flawed but was shocked to find himself under suspicion. Xun Xu steadfastly defended Chen Gong's loyalty. However, Gu Zheng challenged him, questioning how Baidi could be innocent if his special code was impenetrable to others, implying that if the intelligence was indeed altered, Baidi or someone with direct access to his unique decryption method must be involved.
Just then, Lin Liang rushed in, announcing that Mi Chong's forces had sealed off the old street and urged Xun Xu to leave immediately. Accused of treason and overwhelmed by grief and indignation, Gu Zheng, who had dedicated his life to the Han Dynasty, refused to endure such an unjust accusation. He seized a dagger and fatally stabbed himself, dying instantly.
Upon receiving Lin Liang's urgent message, Chen Gong feigned a rush to a pre-arranged gambling game in the old street, hoping to stall for time. Mi Chong, having just returned from the mountain search, intercepted him. Fortunately, Chen Gong's foresight in organizing the game provided him with a perfect alibi, preventing Mi Chong from finding fault. Chen Gong maintained a facade of revelry to mask his true emotions.
Turning away from the scene, his face was contorted with a mixture of hatred, worry, and profound anguish. Although Xun Xu had successfully escaped, Gu Zheng, a loyal contact, lay dead in the adjacent courtyard. This precarious existence demanded extreme caution from Chen Gong. The unfortunate death of Gu Zheng meant that the lead to uncovering Zhulong through him was now lost. However, before his death, Gu Zheng had mentioned his handler, Chidi, a detail that further solidified Chen Gong and Xun Xu's belief that Zhulong was operating within the Shu State.
Episode 4 Recap
General Hu Zhong of the Shu State, adjutant to Military Commissioner Li Yan, led an interrogation of Siwencao Intelligence personnel. Gao Tangbing, the Vice Chief of the Military Strategy Department, was called in for questioning regarding the Jieting false intelligence case. Gao Tangbing explained that his department primarily handled intelligence analysis, while the Operations Department verified sources.
He further stated that Baidi's operations were a top secret personally managed by Clerk Feng Ying, and he had only learned of them later. When asked if Baidi's betrayal was part of Wei's vast Qingping Plan—a comprehensive scheme to steal military secrets, instigate leaders, and incite civil strife—Gao Tangbing admitted that Wei spies had always tried to infiltrate Siwencao Intelligence.
He also concurred that the rectification initiated by General Li Yan was necessary, given the current state of Siwencao Intelligence, which he described as "a dilapidated house with leaks in all directions." Feng Ying was also summoned for an interview with Hu Zhong, under orders from General Li Yan, to confirm Siwencao Intelligence's handling of the traitor Baidi.
Feng Ying coolly explained that two spy teams had been sent; the first was killed, and the second was Deputy Chief Xun Xu, assigned to Tianshui for investigation and elimination of the traitor. When questioned why Xun Xu, who was inexperienced in fieldwork, was chosen, Feng Ying argued that Xun Xu was the "cleanest" agent for the mission, untouched by Wei's Military Intelligence Agency.
To counter the rumor that Xun Xu was Baidi's brother-in-law, Feng Ying revealed an old Siwencao Intelligence protocol: Xun Xu had consumed a special farewell tea before his departure and would only receive the antidote upon successful completion of his mission. Meanwhile, in Tianshui, Wei State, Mi Chong's men reported that while no suspicious individuals were found in Listening Pine Courtyard, grappling hook traces were discovered on the backyard wall.
Mi Chong ordered his men to continue the pursuit, convinced the Shu spy was still in the old town. Chen Gong, playing a game of dice, feigned disinterest when a commotion outside indicated a death. Mi Chong deduced that the killer had eliminated Gu Zheng to sever clues. He ordered a captured Shu soldier, the sole survivor from Xiaolong Mountain, to be interrogated under torture, demanding that a physician ensure he remained conscious to extract information.
Mi Chong also placed Chen Gong under constant surveillance by two trusted men, personally taking charge of the watch. He believed Chen Gong's recent "reckless move" indicated he was close to exposing himself, and there would be a "tempest" if Chen Gong discovered the Governor's true intentions. Chen Gong learned from Xun Xu that the Jili Carriage Shop had been raided and its staff imprisoned.
Xun Xu relayed Gu Zheng's dying words: he had been used and, besides Chen Gong, was also communicating with a spy codenamed "Chidi" in Tianshui. Chen Gong vehemently denied this, asserting that Feng Ying had confirmed Gu Zheng was his exclusive contact and would not be involved in other activities. Neither had Chen Gong ever heard of a "Chidi" in Siwencao Intelligence. Xun Xu explained that Chidi and Gu Zheng communicated via arrows and never met.
This confirmed Chen Gong's growing suspicion: Zhulong, a high-ranking official within Siwencao Intelligence, must have fabricated the "Chidi" codename to secretly use Gu Zheng as an agent. With Gu Zheng dead, Chen Gong lamented, they could no longer clarify the truth, and he would undoubtedly bear the blame for the fall of Jieting and the failure of the Northern Expedition, facing execution.
In Nanzheng County, Hu Zhong reported his findings from the Siwencao Intelligence interrogations to General Li Yan, dismissing most officials as "slippery fellows." Li Yan, however, found Feng Ying "interesting," noting his divided loyalty to Yang Yi despite being associated with him. Hu Zhong explained that Yang Yi had wanted Feng Ying to quickly close the Baidi case to leave no opportunities for Li Yan, but Feng Ying had held back.
Li Yan decided to retain Feng Ying in Siwencao Intelligence but appoint his own deputy. Hu Zhong recommended Li Miao, a former counsellor at the Prime Minister's Mansion who had been demoted by Zhuge Liang to a commoner due to Yang Yi's slander after he pleaded for Ma Su's life. Li Miao, now in Nanzheng seeking refuge with Hu Zhong, harbored a deep hatred for Yang Yi and had previously leaked intelligence about Wei spies.
Li Yan agreed to meet with Li Miao. Li Yan, feigning ignorance, inquired why Li Miao, a former official, was now a commoner in Nanzheng. Li Miao explained his demotion was due to his advice to Zhuge Liang to spare Ma Su after the loss of Jieting, arguing that executing a wise minister would be a great loss for the state.
He condemned Yang Yi for slandering him as disloyal, leading to his downfall, and emphasized his current animosity toward Yang Yi. Li Miao then offered his services to Li Yan for the rectification of Siwencao Intelligence. Shortly after, Li Yan's decrees were announced: Feng Ying and Gao Tangbing retained their posts with reduced salaries; Yin Ji was demoted to Deputy Chief of the Operations Department; Sun Ling was promoted to Deputy Chief of the scribe room for his diligence.
However, Chief Clerk Yao You was dismissed and demoted for deceiving superiors, bullying subordinates, recklessly discussing state affairs, and causing slackness in Siwencao Intelligence. Yin Ji complained about the injustice, fearing that old Siwencao members would be sidelined by Li Yan's new appointees. Hu Zhong offered Feng Ying a chance to explain himself to Li Yan, but Feng Ying, claiming to be busy, deferred the visit.
Unwilling to die unjustly, Chen Gong devised an audacious plan: to kidnap Guo Gang, who knew Zhulong's identity, and bring him to Nanzheng to testify. Xun Xu initially dismissed it as madness, pointing out the impossibility of extracting Guo Gang from Tianshui and evading Wei forces for a full day. Chen Gong, however, was serious. He revealed that Guo Gang, who had a passion for intricate crafts, had tasked him to restore Lu Ban's legendary Bamboo Kite.
Chen Gong explained that Wei soldiers had discovered the prototype of the kite in Lu Ban's tomb, and Guo Gang had provided him with all available information to rebuild it. The kite, made of bamboo and sheepskin, could harness the wind to carry a person for hundreds of meters and be steered by ropes. Chen Gong believed Guo Gang's adventurous nature would lead him to agree to a test flight on Xiaolong Mountain.
He conceded that he hadn't yet tested the kite but insisted this was their only option, instructing Xun Xu to wait at a pre-determined landing spot in Xigou Canyon with two swift horses and some sleeping powder for Guo Gang. Xun Xu, though concerned for Chen Gong's safety, eventually agreed to the perilous plan, hoping they could both survive. Chen Gong later informed Guo Gang that the Bamboo Kite was complete.
Guo Gang, admiring a newly acquired Armillary Sphere, was delighted and eagerly went to inspect the kite. He revealed his true motive for restoring the kite: it was part of the Qingping Plan, a mission to infiltrate Shu's Military Technology Department and, in collaboration with Zhulong, steal the blueprints for the new "Shudu Yuanrong" repeating crossbows. Guo Gang explained that Zhulong had pinpointed the head office in a heavily fortified canyon west of Mount Dingjun.
Guo Gang proposed using the Bamboo Kite to fly over the cliffs and bypass defenses. Mi Chong, present during the discussion, questioned the kite's untested status. Guo Gang, prioritizing the mission, said he would send someone else to test it, not himself or Chen Gong. He initially suggested Liang Jian accompany Chen Gong. Mi Chong, however, expressed his distrust of Chen Gong, citing his suspicious presence at a Shu spy's intelligence line. He offered to go with Chen Gong himself.
Guo Gang agreed, but concerned that the simultaneous disappearance of two high-ranking officials would alert Shu spies, he adopted Mi Chong's suggestion to stage a "mountain route horse accident" to fake their deaths. Guo Gang gave Mi Chong strict orders to prioritize obtaining the crossbow blueprints as part of the Commander's Qingping Plan and, crucially, to ensure Chen Gong's safety, acknowledging Chen Gong as a valuable talent.
Chen Gong, overhearing Guo Gang's words of trust in him from the shadows, felt a surge of emotion. Chen Gong excitedly shared the details with Xun Xu. The fake death plan was a boon, creating an opportunity to meet Zhulong. Chen Gong planned to kill Mi Chong once they were in Shu, assume his identity, and erase "Chen Gong" forever, thereby absolving himself of the Baidi identity and allowing Xun Xu to complete his mission.
What seemed like a dead end was now a game of possibilities. They celebrated their renewed hope with wine. Chen Gong was especially thrilled that their contact in Shu would be Huang Yu, the Grand Libationer of Wuxian Sect, which meant he could finally reunite with his wife, Di Yue. He advised Xun Xu to leave the dangerous city of Tianshui the next morning, wishing him a safe journey.
That night, Chen Gong lay awake, his thoughts drifting to his wedding day, with Xun Xu presiding over the traditional rituals. He yearned to see Di Yue. In another room, Mi Chong meticulously packed his belongings. He was torn between Guo Gang's orders to protect Chen Gong and his own deep-seated suspicion, determined to uncover proof that Chen Gong was Baidi. The stage was set for a tense and dangerous journey for the two adversaries into the Shu State.
Episode 5 Recap
Guo Gang hosted a farewell dinner for Chen Gong and Mi Chong, who were preparing to depart on a mission. During the dinner, Liang Jian of the Military Intelligence Agency reported that a captured Shu soldier named Guan claimed to have seen Baidi and asserted that Baidi was someone close to Guo Gang. Although Guo Gang was initially hesitant to see the prisoner, Chen Gong, to avoid suspicion, agreed to the confrontation.
When Guan was brought in, he failed to identify Chen Gong, but then seized a sword and attempted to assassinate Guo Gang. Mi Chong tried to intervene to keep him alive, but the guards swiftly killed Guan. The following morning, Guo Gang privately reprimanded Mi Chong for his recklessness but admitted that the incident had ironically solidified his trust in Chen Gong.
He warned Mi Chong to find concrete evidence before making further accusations against Chen Gong, or he wouldn't be able to explain it to Chen Gong's uncle. As Chen Gong then joined them, they quickly changed the subject. Guo Gang then provided Chen Gong and Mi Chong with new identities: Chen Gong would be "Chen Wei," a merchant, and Mi Chong would be "Mi Heng," Chen Wei's attendant.
Their primary mission was to infiltrate the Shu State and obtain the designs for Shu's repeating crossbows, a critical component of Guo Gang’s Qingping Plan. Guo Gang cautioned Chen Gong about his Jizhou accent, instructing him to speak less and let Mi Chong handle most external communications. He also outlined their long-term roles: Chen Gong would return to Tianshui with the blueprints, while Mi Chong would remain in Hanzhong to organize the Wuxian Sect. They then departed.
As Chen Gong and Mi Chong traveled by horse-drawn carriage, they discussed their new aliases. Chen Gong, adopting a friendly demeanor, tried to ascertain the source of Mi Chong's persistent suspicions, jokingly attributing them to a past budget dispute, which Mi Chong dismissed, stating he cared little for money. Chen Gong then, in an internal reflection, recalled his true, secret plan with Xun Xu to eliminate Mi Chong.
The original itinerary involved crossing the Wei River and then navigating by boat from Sanguan Pass to Wuxing. Knowing Mi Chong was from Jizhou and could not swim, Chen Gong intended to stage a boat accident at Qinglong Shoal on the Han River, a notoriously dangerous stretch of water. Equipped with a concealed inflatable sheepskin vest, he would survive and assume Mi Chong's identity, thereby escaping Guo Gang's scrutiny and deceiving Zhulong.
Xun Xu had agreed to support this by initiating an internal investigation within Siwencao. However, due to increasingly rugged mountain roads, Mi Chong unhitched the carriage while Chen Gong was burying the bamboo kites. Mi Chong, wary of water due to his inability to swim, unexpectedly changed their route to a land passage, much to Chen Gong's frustration.
Mi Chong, ever cautious, decided they would buy new saddles in the next town and ride horses, having Huang Yu of the Wuxian Sect retrieve the bamboo kites later. He asserted that field agents must be adaptable and that the Governor could not micromanage their every move, effectively foiling Chen Gong's carefully laid plan. The two then shared a room at a remote inn.
The following morning, Chen Gong secretly tried to bribe a boy to send a letter to Tianshui's Jinyuyao Restaurant, but Mi Chong discovered his attempt, leading to Mi Chong's disgruntled curses. Meanwhile, on his journey back from Tianshui, Xun Xu encountered a group of bandits and rescued a woman named Liu Ying.
Liu Ying, a musician from the Yuming Music Workshop in Wudu, explained that she and her sisters had fled the Wei army's attack on Wudu, but her sisters were tragically killed by bandits, leaving her orphaned. Her only remaining family was her master, Zi Suiyan, a renowned musician in Nanzheng. Recognizing Zi Suiyan's fame, Xun Xu agreed to escort Liu Ying to Nanzheng. They shared their journey, sometimes playing music together in the evenings.
Upon reaching Nanzheng, Liu Ying, having observed Xun Xu carefully, discerned that he was no ordinary merchant and inquired about his true identity. Xun Xu politely declined to reveal it, citing personal reasons. As a profound token of her gratitude, Liu Ying presented him with her cherished bamboo flute. Xun Xu, initially overwhelmed by the valuable gift, offered to personally take her to Ziyan House to meet her master.
She respectfully declined, promising to repay his kindness at a later time. After sharing a final cup of tea, they parted ways. Back in Siwencao, significant changes had taken place. Li Miao, formerly a counsellor to the Prime Minister, arrived as the new Chief Clerk, appointed to assist Feng Ying. Sun Ling of the scribe room welcomed Li Miao and showed him to his quarters, which were conveniently located next to Feng Ying's office.
Li Miao then paid a visit to Feng Ying, who, while retaining his position, had suffered a salary cut and now reported directly to General Li Yan, rather than Yang Yi. Feng Ying explained Siwencao's structure: external intelligence operations (handled by the Military Intelligence and Military Planning Departments) and internal affairs (managed by the Scribe Room and Jing'an Department).
Li Miao humbly expressed his inexperience in external matters and offered to manage only internal affairs, a suggestion Feng Ying readily accepted. Later, Gao Tangbing and Yin Ji, Siwei of the Military Intelligence Department, discussed these developments, speculating that Li Miao, as an outsider, would find internal affairs challenging, particularly the burgeoning Wuxian Sect—a group of Zhang Lu's remnants with suspected ties to Cao Wei, posing a formidable internal threat.
Xun Xu eventually returned to Siwencao and was greeted by Gao Tangbing, who debriefed him on the recent departmental reshuffle and warned him to be cautious. Xun Xu then reported to Feng Ying, presenting a fabricated account of his mission. He claimed to have met Baidi in Tianshui but was unable to capture him due to Baidi's extreme vigilance.
Xun Xu "deduced" that Baidi was likely responsible for the death of his own agent, Gu Zheng, which occurred shortly after their meeting, to prevent any inconsistencies in their stories. He then dramatically recounted a staged incident at Jitou Mountain, where he purportedly caused Baidi and Mi Chong's carriage to fall off a cliff during a patrol to Xiaolong Mountain, resulting in their apparent deaths without any remaining bodies.
When Feng Ying questioned his emotional state regarding the presumed killing of his "brother-in-law," Chen Gong, Xun Xu admitted to initial hesitation but asserted that witnessing Gu Zheng's family being imprisoned had solidified his resolve. He concluded his report by describing how his team was discovered by Wei forces, necessitating a thousand-man search, and how Captain Jin, along with all team members, heroically sacrificed themselves to ensure his escape. Feng Ying accepted Xun Xu's detailed report and instructed him to visit the newly appointed Chief Clerk, Li Miao.
Episode 6 Recap
Xun Xu reported to Li Miao, the newly appointed Chief Clerk of Siwencao Intelligence, who warmly welcomed him and suggested he be promoted to Commandant of Jingan Division. After dismissing his attendant, Li Miao urged Xun Xu to speak freely about his mission in Tianshui for the benefit of the Shu State, promising his full support. Xun Xu revealed that Siwencao Intelligence had been infiltrated by Wei spies.
When asked if he had informed Clerk Feng, Xun Xu remained silent because he harbored doubts about Clerk Feng. Li Miao acknowledged that withholding information from Clerk Feng was inappropriate but pledged to keep Xun Xu's secret, an action that made Xun Xu feel deeply embarrassed. Xun Xu elaborated that Gu Zheng, who was Baidi's exclusive intelligence handler, had also received a secret order from Siwencao to transmit information via arrows to a spy codenamed Chidi.
However, Xun Xu believed Chidi was a fabricated identity, a ruse by a Wei spy, codenamed Zhulong, who was exploiting Shu's intelligence network to transmit military secrets to Cao Wei. Li Miao confirmed the code name "Zhulong" and officially authorized Xun Xu to secretly investigate possible Wei spies within Siwencao Intelligence, instructing him to report directly to him and to keep the matter confidential. Xun Xu accepted the assignment.
Meanwhile, at Yangping Pass on the border of the Shu State, Chen Gong and Mi Chong approached a checkpoint. As the Shu soldiers ordered them to dismount for inspection, Chen Gong suddenly shouted "Recorder Chen," attracting the guards' attention, and tossed a half-jade ring, a symbol of Baidi's identity, to Mi Chong. Chen Gong then spurred his horse and fled, leaving Mi Chong to face the Shu soldiers alone.
Mi Chong, smiling bitterly, realized Guo Gang's misjudgment had led to this predicament and knew he could not be captured alive. He drew his sword and fought valiantly for a few steps before being cut down by the soldiers. The soldiers pursued Chen Gong, believing him to be the fleeing Wei spy, to a cliff. Although they declared it a dead end and searched the valley, Chen Gong clung precariously to the cliff face, successfully evading capture.
With Mi Chong's death and Chen Gong's escape, the identity of Baidi was now officially "dead," allowing Chen Gong to shed his old persona and achieve a "golden cicada shedding its shell" transformation. Back at Siwencao, during a morning meeting, Xun Xu reported on his Tianshui mission, detailing the discovery of Gu Zheng's secret activities, his subsequent death, and the ambush that led to Captain Jin's demise.
Clerk Feng, aiming to swiftly close the Jieting intelligence case and prevent Li Yan's faction from exploiting the Northern Expedition's failure, praised Xun Xu's decisive actions and proposed closing the case, stating the facts were clear. Li Miao agreed with Feng Ying's positive assessment of Xun Xu and his promotion to Commandant of Jingan Division. However, to thwart Feng Ying's objective, Li Miao then revealed that after further discussion with Xun Xu, several doubtful points remained.
He brought up the issue of Gu Zheng's other secret mission, surprising Feng Ying, who then asked Xun Xu to explain. Xun Xu confirmed that Siwencao had never dispatched a spy named Chidi, nor had Feng Ying ever directly managed such an agent. Xun Xu then reiterated his theory that a Wei spy, Zhulong, was indeed operating within Siwencao and had fabricated the Chidi identity, exploiting Gu Zheng's intelligence line.
Yin Ji commented that Gu Zheng's actions were inappropriate, but lamented that his death prevented further investigation. Li Miao then suggested that the Jieting intelligence case remain open and be merged with the Zhulong Wei spy case for a thorough investigation. Feng Ying disagreed, arguing they were separate matters.
He proposed closing the Jieting case while assigning a dedicated team, led by himself and Li Miao and including Xun Xu, Yin Ji, and Gao Tangbing, to investigate Zhulong and the Cao Wei "Qingping Plan." Li Miao agreed to report this to General Li Yan. After the meeting, Li Miao intercepted Xun Xu, apologizing for revealing his confidential report during the session.
He explained that Feng Ying's insistence on closing the case had left him no alternative, but acknowledged that his action had greatly embarrassed Xun Xu. Li Miao reassured Xun Xu not to worry as long as he had spoken the truth, emphasizing the heavy responsibilities of the Jingan Division. Later, Sun Ling, Clerk Feng's brother-in-law, complained to Feng Ying that Xun Xu had been "uncool" by reporting sensitive intelligence to the new leader, Li Miao, without informing Feng Ying first.
Feng Ying, however, acknowledged that Xun Xu's actions were within the rules. Sun Ling then noted that General Li Yan had repeatedly invited Feng Ying to his mansion, suggesting that with Yang Yi now preoccupied with his own troubles, it was time to align with Li Yan's faction.
Feng Ying, though exasperated by Sun Ling's narrow perspective, implicitly agreed that it would be beneficial for Sun Ling to cultivate relations with Li Miao's faction (referred to as the "West Bureau"), noting that Sun Ling could also help him observe Li Miao's side. Pei Xu, a Jingan Division officer, and his colleagues celebrated Xun Xu's return and promotion. Xun Xu, however, was preoccupied with Baidi's case.
He was shocked to learn from Pei Xu that Baidi's identity had been declassified, and everyone now knew he was Recorder Chen Gong of Tianshui of Cao Wei. Annoyed that this vital information was withheld at the morning meeting, Xun Xu took Pei Xu aside. He revealed that Baidi was alive and well, having faked his death, using Mi Chong's identity to infiltrate the Wuxian Sect and pursue Zhulong. If successful, news of Baidi's "death" would soon reach Siwencao.
Xun Xu theorized that if Baidi was not compromised, the intelligence leak must have originated within Siwencao, specifically from someone with access to the cipher plates. He recounted the perilous journey of the military messenger who delivered Zhang He's operational plan to Yang Yi at the cost of his life, and how Sun Ling was then summoned to decipher it.
Xun Xu dismissed Feng Ying as a suspect, reasoning that as a founder of Siwencao, he wouldn't be so clumsy as to expose himself. He concluded that the most likely suspect for Zhulong was Sun Ling, who was close to Feng Ying, privy to intelligence, and crucially, was the custodian of Baidi's cipher plates, giving him ample opportunity to tamper with information.
Pei Xu noted the intense power struggle and political upheaval in Siwencao, with Yang Yi stepping down and General Li Yan taking over. Xun Xu admitted to feeling vulnerable and constantly watched since his return. Feng Ying then summoned Xun Xu to meet Commandant Qiao Jun of the Military Technology Department.
Feng Ying tasked Xun Xu with explaining Cao Wei's Qingping Plan, which aimed to steal Shu's crossbow technology, specifically the Shudu and Yuanrong types, with the assistance of the Wuxian Sect. During their discussion, an urgent report arrived from General Ma Dai, confirming the entry of Chen Gong and Mi Chong, stating that two Wei spies had infiltrated, one dead and one at large. Feng Ying instructed Xun Xu to investigate further.
Xun Xu, sensing he was being monitored, suggested he and Qiao Jun discuss the matter in a private meeting room to avoid disturbing Feng Ying. As they left, Xun Xu sharply glanced back at the empty courtyard, confirming his suspicion of being watched. Xun Xu and Qiao Jun further discussed the Qingping Plan.
Qiao Jun explained that the Shudu crossbow was a heavy weapon requiring a team to move and operate, while the Yuanrong was a light, single-soldier weapon, though both were strictly managed with serial numbers. Xun Xu concluded that stealing the design drawings was the most feasible method for the Wei spies, noting copies were kept at the Prime Minister's Mansion in Chengdu and at the Military Technology Department's headquarters on Mount Dingjun.
Qiao Jun described Mount Dingjun's defenses: a single, zigzag path guarded by three checkpoints with strict identity verification. Xun Xu suggested changing the patrol password daily to prevent infiltration, a suggestion Qiao Jun lauded and promised to relay to General Zhang Yi. Following this, Feng Ying met privately with Xun Xu.
Feng Ying, understanding Xun Xu's straightforward nature, addressed the apparent mistrust and the fact that Xun Xu had not initially disclosed Gu Zheng's existence due to his lingering doubts about the Baidi case. Xun Xu, while denying any suspicion of Feng Ying, explained he felt compelled to present Gu Zheng's case at Li Miao's insistence, especially since Li Miao was now in charge of the Jingan Division.
Feng Ying acknowledged Xun Xu's integrity, admitting he had initially dispatched Xun Xu to Tianshui to offer Baidi a lifeline and avoid a hasty conclusion to the case, a decision that had placed him under immense pressure. He stressed the political ramifications if the Jieting case remained unresolved, explaining that Zhuge Liang's faction could no longer delay the case, and only by closing it could the pressure from the failed Northern Expedition be alleviated.
He insisted it had to be closed despite any remaining doubts. Xun Xu expressed his disagreement with closing a case prematurely, to which Feng Ying responded that he had anticipated Xun Xu's stance, hence the private meeting. On a remote road, Chen Gong, now disguised as a common villager, hitched a ride on a cart driven by Qin Ze, a mulberry sapling merchant from Mianzhu. Qin Ze, recognizing a pre-arranged signal, confirmed his affiliation with the Wuxian Sect.
As they approached a checkpoint in Xixiang Town (West Pass), Qin Ze smoothly bribed the guard, Mister Xu, with plum wine and vouched for Chen Gong as his new assistant. After passing the checkpoint, Chen Gong washed the mud from his face and, shedding his disguise, declared himself to be Mi Chong, the Tianshui Military Intelligence Commandant, demanding an immediate audience with Huang Yu, the Wuxian Sect priest.
Qin Ze assured him that Wuxian Sect members were waiting in Xixiang and would assist him in changing into appropriate attire. Concurrently, Yin Ji complained to Gao Tangbing about Xun Xu, characterizing him as a "troublemaker" whose actions at the meeting had further complicated matters for Zhuge Liang, who was facing impeachment by the Western Sichuan clans.
Gao Tangbing, who was close to Xun Xu and maintained a neutral stance, advised Yin Ji against getting entangled in such political squabbles and informed him that Feng Ying had invited both of them for drinks at Ziyan House that evening. Yin Ji readily accepted, observing that Feng Ying was likely beginning to consolidate his own political faction.
Meanwhile, Li Miao, the Western Chief Clerk, made an unexpected visit to Yin Ji's residence, causing Yin Ji to become visibly guarded and nervous. Li Miao declined any refreshments, stating he had come privately to share his thoughts.
Episode 7 Recap
Li Miao visited Yin Ji, complimenting his humble room before getting straight to business. He stated that General Li Yan had not dispatched him to Siwencao to remain idle and asked about the General's true intentions. Yin Ji feigned ignorance, claiming his low position and simple nature prevented him from understanding complex state affairs.
Li Miao pressed on, explaining that while many officials feared the Prime Minister, General Li Yan dared to act, and taking control of Siwencao was just the first step in a larger plan. He acknowledged Feng Ying's tight grip on Siwencao, making it difficult to target Yang Yi without solid evidence. Li Miao then tried to sway Yin Ji, recognizing him as Feng Ying's confidant and suggesting they could achieve great things together.
When Yin Ji continued to deflect, minimizing his own role, Li Miao produced a ledger. It contained detailed records of Yin Ji's illicit activities: fabricating orders and using Siwencao's intelligence network to smuggle goods to the Wu and Wei states for profit. Li Miao pointed out the coincidence with the Jieting false intelligence case, where Gu Zheng's network provided secrets to Wei. A panicked Yin Ji admitted his greed but vehemently denied any act of treason.
Li Miao scoffed, asking if Yin Ji would offer the same defense to General Li Yan. As Yin Ji hesitated, holding a dagger, Li Miao observed his struggle and offered him a path to survival. Xun Xu met with Feng Ying, proposing to combine the Jieting and Zhulong cases. He still harbored doubts about Baidi's betrayal, suggesting Baidi's original intelligence was accurate but swapped by Zhulong at the Mount Qi base camp.
Such an act would require someone at the front lines with knowledge of military deployments and access to both the Jieting intelligence and Baidi's unique code-cracking plates. Feng Ying sarcastically remarked that he himself fit all those criteria. Xun Xu countered that if Feng Ying were a Wei spy, Baidi would have been exposed much earlier, subtly hinting at his suspicion of Sun Ling.
Feng Ying immediately dismissed this as "ridiculous," reminding Xun Xu of his own rule: "no evidence, no case," and asking for proof. He acknowledged Chen Gong was Xun Xu's brother-in-law, making his desire to vindicate him understandable, but firmly stated that past events were irreversible. Feng Ying emphasized the larger strategic objective: closing the Jieting case promptly, irrespective of the Zhulong investigation, to alleviate pressure from the Northern Expedition's failure.
He clarified that he wasn't protecting Sun Ling but warned that investigating him would ultimately be seen as an attack on Feng Ying himself. He advised Xun Xu to avoid getting entangled in political power struggles, to which Xun Xu replied that he would "think about" what was said. Feng Ying reiterated that Siwencao should serve the state, not be a tool for political agendas, and that Li Miao harbored ulterior motives, a point Xun Xu affirmed he understood.
Later, Xun Xu confided in Pei Xu about his conversation with Feng Ying. He felt Feng Ying had "shown his hand" by stating Siwencao shouldn't be a political tool, yet simultaneously using it to quickly close the case. Xun Xu confirmed that Feng Ying forbade him from investigating Sun Ling and explicitly warned about Li Miao's hidden agenda. Despite this, when Pei Xu asked if he would still pursue the investigation, Xun Xu resolutely stated, "Yes. I will."
As Xun Xu and Pei Xu exited Siwencao, Sun Ling observed them, then discretely followed them out. Having composed himself, Yin Ji joined Gao Tangbing in a private room at Ziyan House, where Feng Ying was hosting them. Feng Ying expressed his trust in them for attending during such a critical period and sought their views on the recent case analysis meeting.
Gao Tangbing believed Li Miao was trying to settle old scores, seeing his investigation into Zhulong as a pretext to undermine Feng Ying and seize power. Yin Ji affirmed his loyalty to Feng Ying. Feng Ying dismissed Gao Tangbing's suggestion that Li Miao's actions were merely due to an eagerness to prove himself, revealing the grave political situation in Chengdu.
He explained that the aftermath of the Prime Minister's Northern Expedition failure was worsening, and General Li Yan, backed by over a dozen eminent clans, was actively pushing for the Prime Minister's impeachment to strip him of military authority. Feng Ying stressed that with a decision on Li Yan's proposal imminent, they absolutely could not allow Li Miao to uncover anything that could discredit Siwencao.
He warned that if evidence emerged of a Wei mole within Siwencao causing the Jieting defeat, Chief Yang would face severe consequences, and the Prime Minister's position would become even more precarious. Gao Tangbing reassured Feng Ying of their loyalty, stating they were not politically motivated individuals. Meanwhile, at his mansion, Li Miao was seen venting his anger by shooting arrows at a straw figure labeled "Yang Yi." His servant then announced Xun Xu's arrival.
Xun Xu informed Li Miao that Baidi's Jieting intelligence had been swapped, a fact Baidi had personally revealed to him before his death. He admitted to only having circumstantial evidence that Gu Zheng's intelligence line was compromised. When Li Miao asked if Feng Ying could be Zhulong, Xun Xu dismissed the idea, stating that the ease with which Feng Ying fit the criteria made him an unlikely suspect. He then implicitly pointed to Sun Ling as the primary suspect.
Li Miao was pleased, acknowledging that Xun Xu had come to him because Feng Ying had forbidden further investigation. Li Miao declared Xun Xu was "right to come to him." Chen Gong, now using the alias Mi Chong, traveled to the Wuxian Sect's base camp. There, he formally presented the Wei Emperor's edict to Huang Yu, the sect leader, appointing him as General Who Pacifies the South and Vanguard Chief of the Hanzhong Region.
Following this, Chen Gong attended the sect's sacrificial ceremony. Among those leading the ritual dance, surrounded by followers, was the Saint Lady, who Chen Gong immediately recognized as his long-lost wife, Di Yue, though they maintained their pretense. Later, Huang Yu approached Di Yue, suggesting they bathe together. Di Yue rebuffed his advances, reminding him that they had not yet held their wedding ceremony and questioning his behavior so soon after accepting Wei's appointment.
Huang Yu realized she was upset about his new allegiance. Di Yue openly expressed her disappointment, stating she had joined the Wuxian Sect out of admiration for his "heroic feats and rare talent," and found it shameful that he had now become "someone's subordinate." Huang Yu praised her unique insight, claiming his men lacked such vision.
He explained that accepting Wei's appointment was merely a "makeshift plan," and his ultimate ambition was to revive their sect and eventually annex the states of Wei, Shu, and Wu. He proclaimed her a "precious godsend." Di Yue urged him to remember his promises, and Huang Yu assured her he would before telling her to rest. Chen Gong, meanwhile, feigned drunkenness and was escorted to an inner room, his mind racing with concern and longing for Di Yue.
Alone, Di Yue practiced her sword, her thoughts mirroring Chen Gong's as she envisioned him approaching, their unspoken yearning equally profound. Unknown to many, in her role as Saint Lady, she was also Huang Yu's fiancée. Gao Tangbing suggested that Xun Xu was not politically motivated but compelled to follow orders, believing Baidi might not have truly betrayed them and thus suspecting a Wei spy within Siwencao.
Yin Ji, however, suggested Xun Xu was simply being opportunistic, aligning himself with Li Miao's rising power. Feng Ying dismissed this notion, emphasizing that the Jieting case had to be concluded immediately. He relayed Chief Yang's warning about the impending Zhulong investigation and urged them to be vigilant against being framed. Feng Ying then asked Gao Tangbing to "keep an eye on" Xun Xu, considering his straightforward nature made him susceptible to manipulation.
Gao Tangbing expressed his discomfort with monitoring a friend, so Yin Ji eagerly volunteered, asserting that surveillance was his expertise. Separately, Xun Xu approached Li Miao, requesting help to obtain the code-cracking plates used for Baidi's intelligence, essential for the first step of his investigation. He explained that these plates were housed in a heavily guarded box, escorted by White-feather Warriors, and typically required special permission for access. Li Miao agreed to arrange it.
He then probed Xun Xu, questioning if Zhulong might have been unable to falsify intelligence due to time constraints, subtly suggesting Feng Ying could have tampered with the information during decryption. Xun Xu flatly rejected this, stating that such a possibility did not exist because once the plates and intelligence were combined, the content became unalterable. Xun Xu promised that upon acquiring the plates, he would immediately initiate a re-examination, a plan Li Miao agreed to.
Upon Feng Ying's return, Sun Ling urgently informed him that Xun Xu had gone to Li Miao's mansion. Sun Ling, convinced that Xun Xu's true aim was not to investigate Zhulong but to covertly work against Feng Ying, branded him as "sly." Feng Ying, however, brushed off Sun Ling's accusations, telling him to stop spying on Xun Xu and questioning if he was merely coveting Xun Xu's current position as Siwencao Commandant.
Sun Ling tried to press his point, suggesting Feng Ying needed to hear difficult truths. Later, on their way back, Xun Xu excused himself, claiming he had left something at the agency, and sent Pei Xu back ahead. He then entered Ziyan House, where he saw Liu Ying, a musician. She was being coerced by a manager into entertaining boisterous aides to General Ma Dai, who promised her future advantages.
Visibly distressed and unable to hold her liquor, Liu Ying was reluctant to comply but, due to her low status, had no choice. As their eyes met across the room, a silent understanding of their shared helplessness passed between Xun Xu and Liu Ying, recalling their previous encounter when he saved her.
Xun Xu found himself restless, his mind replaying the days after he rescued Liu Ying, for whom he felt a deep sense of gratitude, holding the bamboo flute, their token. Unbeknownst to him, Liu Ying was, in fact, a Wei spy. Through information from another hidden Wei agent, Liu Ying had learned that Chen Gong was Baidi. Her mission in Shu was to act as a liaison for Zhulong, to re-establish intelligence networks.
Meanwhile, at the Wuxian Sect, Huang Yu received the intelligence transmitted by Liu Ying. He learned that Zhulong's information confirmed the Shu spy Baidi was Chen Gong, the Recorder in Tianshui, who had adopted the name Chen Wei and entered Shu with a Mr. Mi, acting under Governor Guo Gang's orders. Huang Yu quickly deduced that if Chen Gong wasn't the one mistakenly killed by Shu forces at Yangping Pass, then he must be hiding within the Wuxian Sect itself.
He immediately ordered all sub-sects to evacuate the headquarters as a precaution. Furthermore, he instructed Qin Ze to thoroughly investigate the true identity of the man claiming to be "Mi Chong." Hidden nearby, Di Yue overheard every word of this critical discovery. Li Miao summoned Yin Ji to inquire about Baidi's code-cracking plates. Yin Ji explained that crucial Siwencao intelligence was encoded, with both the department and its spies possessing plates to ensure accuracy.
He demonstrated the plate mechanism: intelligence was written in designated blank spaces, surrounded by irrelevant characters, making the true message indiscernible without the correct plate. Yin Ji confirmed that Baidi's Jieting intelligence utilized such plates, noting that Baidi's unique plates were high-level, containing special security "tricks," and were historically heavily guarded, with only Feng Ying holding the key. However, since Baidi's betrayal had been officially confirmed, the plates' security mechanisms were now disclosed, making them more accessible.
Yin Ji informed Li Miao that the plates were in the warehouse and could be viewed with simpler procedures. Taking advantage of Feng Ying's absence, Li Miao decided to proceed to the warehouse with Yin Ji. Inside the warehouse, Yin Ji further detailed the plates' intricate design. He explained that before decoding and archiving, the codes remained secret.
Baidi's specialized plates operated based on designated "heavenly stems and earthly branches," which dynamically altered the plates' sequence and the revealing holes, effectively preventing any spy from duplicating them and stealing information. Yin Ji demonstrated with an intelligence document, whose key was "Heaven, Man, North." Li Miao noticed this was not the Jieting intelligence. Yin Ji clarified that the Jieting intelligence was archived in the Document Chamber and required Sun Ling's approval for access.
Li Miao then asked if Xun Xu could take the plates out for study. Yin Ji stated this was against regulations but suggested it could be authorized under the "Zhulong special investigation team's" name, with Li Miao's personal signature, to which Li Miao agreed. Meanwhile, Ma Sheng, a Siwencao official, complained to his new colleague Liao Hui about the overwhelming workload, which now included investigating Zhulong, the Wuxian Sect, and Wei spies.
Liao Hui light-heartedly suggested he complain to Xun Xu. Ma Sheng then expressed his urgent need for a leave of absence; his father-in-law had suffered a stroke, and his wife was sick with worry. Liao Hui reminded him that Xun Xu was scheduled to depart for Yangping Pass and urged him to get his leave approved quickly. Ma Sheng mentioned that Li Miao had told him Xun Xu would be returning to the agency soon.
At his desk, Xun Xu was organizing bamboo slips, taking out a bamboo flute from a fine cylinder, contemplating it with a mix of smiles and sighs. A subordinate then approached, informing him that Li Miao wished to see him for a meeting.
Episode 8 Recap
Chen Gong, operating under the alias Mi Chong, was exploring the terrain and routes around Immortal Valley in Wuxian Sect’s domain. An elder, Qin Ze, found him there and discussed the geomancy of the valley. Qin Ze explained that the area, once a military stronghold for Zhang Wei, had been abandoned by the Shu Emperor after an old immortal declared its unique "concave in the center and convex out there" formation to be a "trap."
Chen Gong, however, perceived it as a place showing signs of revival. As heavy rain clouds gathered, Qin Ze urged Chen Gong to return to the sect, and Chen Gong complied. Chen Gong then instructed Qin Ze to promptly dig out the "bamboo magpies" he had buried en route to Shu. Back at the sect, Huang Yu informed Chen Gong that the person who accompanied him, Recorder Chen, was actually Baidi, a Shu spy, and was now confirmed dead.
Huang Yu also revealed that Governor Guo had dispatched two messengers with a secret order, expected to arrive that night for a feast, and suggested that Chen Gong could reconnect with his "colleagues." Chen Gong remained composed, but shortly after, Huang Yu ordered his subordinates to keep a close eye on Chen Gong, with instructions to kill him if he showed any signs of trying to escape.
Chen Gong, feigning a need to use the toilet, discovered the increased surveillance outside his room. Huang Yu, aiming to test Chen Gong’s loyalty, later ordered the withdrawal of guards from his cave after 7 PM. Chen Gong briefly stepped out, noticed a tell-tale folded green bamboo leaf on a guard's hat, realized something was amiss, and returned to his room.
At the feast, Chen Gong was confronted by Commandant Han from the Intelligence Agency from Chang'an, who claimed to be a messenger and declared that Chen Gong was not the real Mi Chong, as he knew him personally. Commandant Han asserted he was sent by Governor Guo Gang with a secret letter and directly accused Chen Gong of being Baidi, the Shu spy, who had killed Mi Chong to infiltrate Wuxian Sect.
Di Yue, present as the Saint Lady, subtly offered a hint to Chen Gong. Capitalizing on this, Chen Gong recited the first two lines of a supposed secret code from Governor Guo: "The stars are few, and the moon is bright. The raven southward wings its flight." He then challenged the "messengers" to complete the code. When they hesitated, someone suggested verifying Chen Gong's identity by checking for a honeysuckle tattoo, the known insignia of the Chen Clan of Changsha.
Chen Gong agreed and, with Huang Yu's permission, bared his chest, revealing only scars and no tattoo. (He was able to do this because Xun Xu had previously burned off his tattoo with charred charcoal, a fact Chen Gong now inwardly celebrated). He then identified Commandant Han's swordplay as the Yizhou style, accusing the "messengers" of being the true Shu spies. Convinced, Huang Yu killed his own men, the fake messengers.
Huang Yu then praised Chen Gong's keen insight and proposed they become sworn brothers, which Chen Gong accepted. Di Yue, introduced as the Saint Lady and Huang Yu's future wife, presented Chen Gong with an "extremely sharp" sword as a welcoming gift.
After Di Yue departed, Chen Gong shared details of the "Qingping Plan" with Huang Yu, explaining that reviewing the original Jieting intelligence required Clerk Feng's signature, a "troublesome thing," and that Baidi's original file was located at the Scribe's Desk, emphasizing the critical need for secrecy. Meanwhile, at Li Yan's Camp, Li Miao discussed General Li Yan's resolve to impeach the Prime Minister.
Li Miao expressed his frustration at failing to find any incriminating evidence against Yang Yi after two months in Siwencao Intelligence. He confided that he had already orchestrated a plan with Yin Ji to frame Feng Ying, believing that achieving significant goals sometimes required overlooking minor details, and stressed the utmost importance of maintaining secrecy.
Back at Siwencao Intelligence, Feng Ying was reviewing records when Chief Yin Ji approached him, claiming he was merely "passing by" and informed Feng Ying of an "urgent report" from Chengdu on his desk, implying it was for his review. Feng Ying, under an umbrella, returned to Siwencao during the heavy rain. A guard informed him that Clerk Li, concerned about potential floods, had dismissed all departments two hours early.
Feng Ying inquired if anyone remained and was told that an officer was still in the Internal Affairs Department. He went there and found Liao Hui on duty, guarding "important evidence" in a locked cabinet as per Chief Xun's orders. Feng Ying briefly acknowledged Liao Hui and then left. After an overnight stay at Yangping Pass due to the severe rain, Xun Xu and Pei Xu returned to Siwencao to find it heavily guarded.
General Hu Zhong met Xun Xu and escorted him inside. Xun Xu immediately asked about Liao Hui. Hu Zhong explained that Siwencao had dismissed two hours early the previous evening due to the heavy rain, and during that time, a major theft occurred in the department, with items stolen from both Intelligence Analysis and Operations. Liao Hui, who had been on duty in the Internal Affairs Department, was found murdered. Xun Xu was deeply shocked.
Xun Xu examined Liao Hui's body, noting a deep stab wound in his chest but a complete absence of any signs of struggle, contradicting Hu Zhong's initial assessment of a fight. Xun Xu immediately realized that Baidi's code-cracking plates, stored in the Internal Affairs Department, must have been stolen. He questioned Hu Zhong's decision to involve local coroners from the Nanzheng County Government, given his own expertise in such investigations.
Hu Zhong defended the decision, citing concerns of potential internal collusion. After reviewing a list of lost items compiled by Pei Xu, Xun Xu observed that apart from a valuable paperweight lost by Chief Yin, all other stolen items were insignificant. He deduced that the real target of the thieves was the Baidi code-cracking plates from the Internal Affairs Department, strongly suggesting a Wei spy operation. He then questioned why the plates were even stored there.
Meanwhile, Sun Ling, attempting to visit Feng Ying, found his room blocked by guards, who stated that no one was permitted to move freely until the investigation concluded. Shortly after, General Hu Zhong entered, announcing Feng Ying's arrest for "colluding with Wei spies and murdering a man," claiming to possess "irrefutable evidence." Feng Ying vehemently resisted, arguing that Hu Zhong, as merely General Li Yan's henchman, lacked the authority to arrest him without taking his testimony.
Hu Zhong, however, ordered his soldiers to apprehend Feng Ying, stating that General Li Yan would soon return to Nanzheng, and Feng Ying could address his concerns then. Li Miao, keen to swiftly close the case, and having strongly recommended Xun Xu as the chief investigator for the theft case, pressured Xun Xu to sign the investigation report implicating Feng Ying.
Xun Xu initially questioned if such a disposal was too hasty, but Li Miao insisted on decisive action during extraordinary times. Li Miao presented several "facts": Feng Ying was the only individual present in Siwencao during the early dismissal who had visited Liao Hui, a fact corroborated by his attendant's testimony, and there were no signs of external intrusion, making Feng Ying the "only suspect."
Li Miao further reminded Xun Xu of his previous suspicions regarding Feng Ying's potential involvement in the Jieting intelligence case, which could serve as a motive for stealing the Baidi code-cracking plates. Xun Xu countered that Feng Ying, as a co-founder of Siwencao, was too experienced to make such an obvious "stupid mistake" or undertake such a "risky" operation.
Li Miao dismissed Xun Xu's counterarguments as "speculation," suggesting that Feng Ying might have deliberately exploited that very logic to ensnare Xun Xu. He reiterated that the report contained "facts" and emphasized General Li Yan's keen interest in the case, demanding prompt updates. Although Xun Xu still found the conclusion "unconvincing" and "a little bit forced," he acknowledged the factual basis of the report.
Li Miao assured him that signing would allow the report to be sent to Chengdu immediately, and Xun Xu could still pursue his own investigation afterwards. Faced with this pressure and the documented facts, Xun Xu reluctantly signed the document.
Episode 9 Recap
Feng Ying was arrested and interrogated, along with Sun Ling, who was brutally tortured but refused to falsely accuse Feng Ying. Meanwhile, Yin Ji advised Gao Tangbing that Siwencao Intelligence was in ruins and they should abandon Feng Ying and align themselves with Li Miao, emphasizing that "wise men suit their actions to time." Gao Tangbing expressed reluctance, acknowledging Feng Ying's past kindness, but Yin Ji stressed the need to adapt.
Xun Xu's subordinate found the Siwencao Intelligence patrol schedule suspicious, suggesting the evidence chain was too rigorous, almost pre-arranged, and wondered if Zhulong was involved. Xun Xu dismissed the idea, stating that Baidi's code-cracking plates held no value for Zhulong, making such a risk illogical. He concluded the theft was a cover by an internal Siwencao Intelligence member, with a different motive.
Despite having signed the initial investigation report, Xun Xu did not believe Feng Ying was the killer and was determined to find the true culprit. Investigating Liao Hui's murder, Ma Sheng noted the fatal stab to the heart, suggesting an acquaintance killed him without a struggle. However, Hu Zhong's men had already compromised the crime scene, making further evidence collection difficult. Xun Xu questioned a guard about entries and exits from Siwencao Intelligence.
He learned that only Feng Ying was registered to have entered or exited after lockup, and that the area was heavily guarded, making a clandestine entry impossible. However, the guard also mentioned that heavy rain caused a mudslide at Dang Brook outside the West Gate, completely destroying the bridle roads to Yue City, requiring at least ten days for repairs. This meant any travel to Yue City would necessitate a three-day detour via Qingshi Valley.
This piece of information sparked a new line of thought for Xun Xu, who then requested a copy of all entry and exit records for the past two days. Inside Wuxian Sect, during a tour, Zhai Yue discreetly warned Chen Gong about the previous night's banquet, confirming it was a perilous trap set by Huang Yu.
She explained that Huang Yu had invested heavily in the scheme, even sacrificing two elders who were kept in the dark, but the trap's flaws necessitated their elimination. Chen Gong revealed he knew it was a test and had been alerted by Zhai Yue's use of their "Compass" secret code, which involved breaking a piece of acorus calamus in a specific direction – a private method he had taught her to signal danger.
He confirmed that had he tried to escape, he would have been killed by Huang Yu's men who were waiting both inside and outside the cave. Chen Gong explained that his presence at Wuxian Sect was a private mission, undertaken without Siwencao Intelligence's official sanction, and planned secretly with Xun Xu. He sought to expose Zhulong, a Wei spy who had infiltrated Siwencao Intelligence, fabricated intelligence, framed him in the Jieting case, and orchestrated his downfall as a "traitor."
Zhulong's ability to swap his intelligence implied access to the code-cracking plates, which put Feng Ying in danger. Chen Gong believed his identity as Baidi was now exposed due to the Jieting case being settled. His ultimate goal was to capture Zhulong, who he anticipated would personally appear to steal crossbow secrets for Wuxian Sect as part of the Qingping Plan.
Zhai Yue, who had been in the sect for over two years, admitted Zhulong was highly elusive, and all communications with Huang Yu were typically read and immediately burned. She offered to watch for any clues, but Chen Gong urged caution, reminding her that they must be wary at all times, preventing them from even approaching each other despite their long separation.
Chen Gong took out the peace charm he wore close to him, and Zhai Yue smiled contentedly, encouraging him to succeed. Later, Huang Yu's subordinate assured him of Chen Gong's skills and identity, but noted Chen Gong's mid-journey return was suspicious, advising continued vigilance. Huang Yu emphasized that Zhulong's intelligence on the head office of the Military Technology Department was due in two days, and no errors could be tolerated for the Qingping Plan.
Xun Xu and Pei Xu visited Liao Hui's grave, lamenting that the orphan, who had suffered much, died at the hands of a villain. Xun Xu revealed to Pei Xu that Ma Sheng had lied about visiting his father-in-law in Yue City, as the mudslides had made the roads impassable for days, a journey that should have taken three days longer than he claimed. This lie, Xun Xu noted, was the key suspicious point, predicting that more evidence would follow.
When they went to confront Ma Sheng, they found him dead, clearly murdered, with his last words clutched in a wooden box, implicating a deeper conspiracy. Xun Xu realized that what began as a hunt for Zhulong had devolved into a treacherous political power struggle. Later, Xun Xu secretly met Feng Ying in prison under the pretense of questioning him.
He informed Feng Ying about Ma Sheng's last words, which detailed Li Miao's intricate plot: Li Miao had first manipulated Xun Xu into releasing Baidi's code-cracking plates, then instructed Ma Sheng to hide inside Siwencao Intelligence, murder Liao Hui, steal the plates, and finally leave unnoticed by hiding in a supply cart. This elaborate scheme aimed to frame Feng Ying, the only person registered to have entered or exited the Agency that night.
However, Xun Xu pointed out the critical flaw in Li Miao's plan: the unforeseen mudslides meant Ma Sheng could not have returned to Nanzheng at the time he claimed. Feng Ying acknowledged Li Miao's ruthlessness and understood that Ma Sheng had written his last words as a precaution, only to be silenced before he could leverage his knowledge. Xun Xu then revealed his true purpose: to clear Baidi's name, explaining that Zhulong had replaced Baidi's intelligence during the Jieting campaign.
He urged Feng Ying to cooperate fully in investigating the Zhulong case. Feng Ying agreed, but on condition that Xun Xu report all findings and clues about Zhulong directly to him. Hu Zhong presented Li Miao's meticulously prepared case against Feng Ying to General Li Yan, suggesting it could be a powerful weapon to impeach Zhuge Liang and Yang Yi.
Li Yan initially expressed strong reservations, dismissing false evidence as unsustainable and fearing a backlash if Yang Yi had a contingency plan. However, after further persuasion, he cautiously accepted the plan, emphasizing that he must remain completely dissociated from it. Meanwhile, Xun Xu discussed Li Miao's transgressions with Feng Ying, agreeing that such calculated murder and political framing were unforgivable. Xun Xu proposed orchestrating Feng Ying's escape and going directly to Chengdu to inform the Prime Minister.
Feng Ying rejected this, deeming it too risky, as Li Miao, being desperate, would undoubtedly set ambushes, leading to their certain deaths and subsequent framing. Instead, Feng Ying suggested they operate separately, devising a new, covert plan. At Wuxian Sect, Chen Gong worked on the Bamboo Kites, a flying mechanism he had originally designed.
He explained to Huang Yu that Governor Guo had foresightedly arranged for him (as Mi Chong) to learn how to restore it from the original designer, Chen Gong, in case anything went wrong. Chen Gong, volunteering to personally test the device, proposed using a location in Mount Micang that bore a striking resemblance to the heavily fortified head office of the Military Technology Department.
Huang Yu, confident in Zhulong's detailed intelligence on the head office's internal layout, routes, and timings, stressed that the Qingping Plan must proceed without a single error. Taking advantage of a moment of distraction, Zhai Yue, disguised as the Saint Lady, visited Huang Yu's quarters. While delivering a mended cloak, she stealthily searched his brazier and managed to retrieve a small, unburnt fragment of a bamboo slip, likely containing Zhulong's intelligence.
Shortly after, a frantic report reached Li Miao: Feng Ying had escaped from prison. Enraged and panicked, Li Miao summoned Xun Xu, questioning his unauthorized solo interrogation. Xun Xu feigned anxiety, claiming he needed to urgently verify a detail about Feng Ying's return in the rain, and admitted to a lapse in judgment for violating regulations.
He subtly reiterated his doubts about Feng Ying's guilt by mentioning Ma Sheng's suspicious death and unverified travel, hinting at a need for further investigation, despite Li Miao's insistence on respecting the Nanzheng County Government's official conclusion. Unbeknownst to them, Yin Ji was eavesdropping.
Believing Xun Xu would continue investigating Ma Sheng, Yin Ji reassured Li Miao that Ma Sheng had left no incriminating evidence and that Feng Ying, still presumed to be within the city, could be silenced to solidify his guilt. Subsequently, Li Miao ordered Feng Ying's escape to be reported to General Li Yan in Chengdu.
Episode 10 Recap
Gao Tangbing questioned Xun Xu's audacity in asking for help to save Clerk Feng. Xun Xu argued that Feng Ying was clearly framed, and while Ma Sheng's dying statement wasn't solid proof, he believed the truth would emerge if he were allowed to investigate. Gao Tangbing cautioned that the political climate in Chengdu was shifting, making it unlikely for Xun Xu to handle such a sensitive case.
Xun Xu reminded Gao Tangbing of Feng Ying's past kindness and urged him not to abandon him. Gao Tangbing relented, asking what was needed. Xun Xu instructed him to arrange Feng Ying's discrete departure from the city that very night. Gao Tangbing expressed concern that Clerk Li Miao had already informed General Ma Dai of a city-wide lockdown, but Xun Xu insisted that as the Chief of Military Strategy, Gao Tangbing must devise a solution.
Unbeknownst to Xun Xu, Chief Yin Ji had sent Gao Tangbing to gauge Xun Xu's intentions. Gao Tangbing then proposed a plan: General Ma Dai regularly invited performers from Ziyan House, including its headliner Liu Ying, to entertain his troops at Yangping Pass on the last night of each month, which was that very night. He reminded Xun Xu that Liu Ying was the woman Xun Xu had rescued in Wudu, a detail recorded by Gao Tangbing's department.
Xun Xu produced a bamboo flute, instructing Gao Tangbing to give it to Liu Ying as a token, assuring him she would help. Gao Tangbing jokingly asked if it was a "token of love," to which Xun Xu impatiently dismissed him. Chen Gong, still operating under the guise of Mi, and Huang Yu discussed their intricate plan to steal the crossbow design.
Huang Yu lamented the frequent changes in Shu Army's defense passwords and tallies, but then presented Chen Gong with a key for the stone vault containing the design. He explained the plan: they would first navigate through three lines of defense to enter the head office, then proceed to the scribe room, located in the innermost courtyard, where the design was housed in a secret chamber, guarded by fewer than ten soldiers.
A crack team would be necessary to secure the design. After obtaining it, they would exit through the back door, an open training field leading to an unguarded cliff, from where they would descend using Bamboo Kites. Chen Gong expressed concern about escaping once the alarm was raised, fearing the mountain would be sealed off.
Huang Yu clarified that their role was only to retrieve the design and place it at a designated drop spot, from where Zhulong himself would collect it from Mount Dingjun and deliver it to Tianshui. The specific drop spot, however, remained a secret known only to Zhulong. Chen Gong also worried about the safety of the Bamboo Kites for their descent, but Huang Yu insisted it was their only option and promised to accompany him.
Huang Yu then declared the operation would commence in five days, triggered by Zhulong's signal. In Tianshui, Guo Gang informed Liang Jian that Sima Mi had gone to Hanzhong to rally the Wuxian Sect and would be away for some time, leaving Liang Jian in charge of the Military Intelligence Agency. Guo Gang then revealed that Recorder Chen had died at Yangping Pass.
When Liang Jian praised Chen Gong as a hero, Guo Gang bitterly corrected him, stating that Chen Gong was actually Baidi, the Shu spy. He admitted his error in trusting Chen Gong, confirming that Shu's Siwencao Intelligence had declassified records corroborating Chen Gong's identity, which other sources also verified. Despite this, Guo Gang asserted that the Qingping Plan would proceed.
He then announced his own impending departure, explaining that he was being replaced, escorted back to Chang'an, and stripped of his rank due to Commander Guo's decision. He wistfully recalled fond memories of playing "cuju" with Chen Gong before his somber departure. At the city gate, Chief Yin Ji personally oversaw strict checks of all outgoing vehicles.
Liu Ying, traveling in a carriage with Feng Ying secretly hidden beneath her seat, glanced at Xun Xu smiling in the distance before silently getting into the carriage. She was then stopped by Chief Yin Ji. The driver explained she was a guest of General Ma Dai, en route to Yangping Pass as part of a monthly routine.
Yin Ji initially insisted on a thorough search, but the gate guard intervened, highlighting Liu Ying's status as General Ma Dai's specially appointed guest, which made a personal frisk inappropriate. After checking beneath the carriage, Yin Ji reluctantly permitted the procession to pass, and Liu Ying and Feng Ying successfully exited the city. Feng Ying unexpectedly arrived in Chengdu, seeking an audience with General Li Yan. Li Yan, intrigued, met with him alone.
Feng Ying immediately pleaded his case, presenting Ma Sheng's dying statement as proof that Li Miao had framed him for the missing Baidi code-cracking plates and Liao Hui's murder. Li Yan initially dismissed the evidence as "ridiculous," but Feng Ying insisted on its veracity and suggested a thorough investigation by the Law Enforcement Office to clear his name. Li Yan questioned why Feng Ying, supposedly Yang Yi's subordinate, didn't turn to Yang Yi instead.
Feng Ying denied allegiance to Yang Yi, stating he was a dignified court official, and confessed he risked his life to offer Li Yan crucial insight. He then shrewdly pointed out that Li Yan had leveraged Zhuge Liang's defeat at Jieting to consolidate power and oppose the Northern Expedition. Feng Ying warned that if Yang Yi acquired Ma Sheng's statement, Li Yan's efforts would be undone.
Furthermore, he painted Yang Yi as narrow-minded and arrogant, arguing that Zhuge Liang's persistent Northern Expedition would deplete the state. Finally, Feng Ying offered to provide concrete evidence of Yang Yi's collusion with the Wuxian Sect, which would be invaluable to Li Yan's current campaign to impeach Zhuge Liang. Impressed, Li Yan invited Feng Ying to sit, praising him as a loyal and dedicated statesman.
Back in Nanzheng, Pei Xu expressed relief that Feng Ying had likely reached Chengdu safely and credited Chief Gao Tangbing for his invaluable assistance. He then asked Xun Xu how he had anticipated Gao Tangbing's cooperation. Pei Xu described Gao Tangbing as cautious, logical, and a man of strong strategic vision. Xun Xu corrected Pei Xu, explaining that while Gao Tangbing was indeed cautious, his fundamental trait was always to align himself with the winning side.
With Ma Sheng's dying statement now in their possession, Feng Ying's exoneration was assured, making Li Miao's downfall inevitable. The truth and existing evidence were secondary to this strategic advantage. Xun Xu then bitterly recalled how Li Miao, driven by his vendetta against Yang Yi, had threatened Ma Sheng and caused Liao Hui's death, calling it a heinous crime. He mourned Liao Hui, whom he considered a brother and a martyr for the state.
Pei Xu, however, noted that the Zhulong investigation remained stalled, prompting Xun Xu to voice his suspicion that Zhulong was subtly manipulating all these events from the shadows. At the Wuxian Sect, Chen Gong and Elder Qin feigned drunkenness after a meal. Di Yue, acting as the Saintess, offered to escort Chen Gong back to his room. Once alone, she discreetly asked Chen Gong if he had a reliable way to contact Xun Xu.
Chen Gong confirmed he did and requested her to relay to Xun Xu that his cooperation was essential in the upcoming effort to capture Zhulong, promising to explain the steps. Di Yue expressed concern about Huang Yu's men being present during the operation, but Chen Gong assured her he had it under control. She then handed him a partially burnt bamboo slip, explaining she found it in Huang Yu's fire pit when he attempted to destroy it.
She mentioned it was from Zhulong and contained incomprehensible numbers, hoping it might assist Chen Gong. In Chengdu, Yang Yi nervously awaited Zhuge Liang's return from court, hoping Li Yan's impeachment had been withdrawn. Zhuge Liang, however, delivered grim news. He revealed that Feng Ying had provided Li Yan with Siwencao files, including a surveillance record from November 26th that Yang Yi had personally reviewed.
This record detailed a visit by two Wuxian Sect members to General Wang Ping's residence, an event Yang Yi had marked "Noted. Report not," leading the Agency to file it without reporting. Yang Yi explained he withheld the information to protect Zhuge Liang, fearing Li Yan would exploit it to discredit the Prime Minister's trusted general.
Zhuge Liang countered that Li Yan interpreted this as Yang Yi deliberately covering up the military's secret dealings with the Wuxian Sect, even protecting them, allowing the sect to grow powerful and collude with the Wei Intelligence Agency, thus making Yang Yi ultimately responsible. Zhuge Liang announced that the Emperor had ordered a full-scale elimination of the Wuxian Sect, and as for Yang Yi, he was stripped of his official rank and demoted to a commoner.
Zhuge Liang acknowledged Yang Yi's abilities but criticized his narrow-mindedness and impetuous nature, advising him to spend his newfound free time reading to cultivate a broader perspective. Li Miao gloated over Yang Yi's dismissal, viewing it as a significant blow to Zhuge Liang and a personal victory.
However, Hu Zhong clarified that Yang Yi's downfall wasn't due to Li Miao's earlier attempt to frame Feng Ying or the Wei spy case, but rather Feng Ying's new evidence exposing Yang Yi's secret support for the Wuxian Sect and expansion of the Agency's power, which had enraged the Emperor into ordering their elimination.
Hu Zhong assured Li Miao that General Li Yan had handled the Feng Ying case, covering for Li Miao in court and asking Hu Zhong to relay that Li Miao's safety was guaranteed. Li Yan, in fact, was relying on Li Miao to lead the campaign against the Wuxian Sect. Li Miao, unknowingly indebted and overjoyed by his perceived good fortune, expressed profound gratitude to General Li. Feng Ying and Gao Tangbing shared a drink.
Feng Ying explained that his decision to remove Yang Yi, while seemingly aligning with Li Yan, ultimately also benefited Zhuge Liang by easing pressure, a final act of service from a former subordinate. Gao Tangbing recognized Feng Ying's skill in navigating complex situations. Feng Ying then turned the conversation to Li Miao, acknowledging his own reluctant alliance with Li Yan.
Gao Tangbing pointed out that Li Miao, being Li Yan's protégé, couldn't be openly punished, even for framing Feng Ying, without implicating Li Yan. Feng Ying clarified that Li Miao's role was to lead the Wuxian Sect elimination, ensuring his status as a hero upon their return. Gao Tangbing found General Li's plan for Li Miao to be ruthless, to which Feng Ying responded that those in power are often heartless.
Feng Ying then revealed that he had recommended Gao Tangbing to Li Yan as the ideal person to "handle" Li Miao, effectively orchestrating Li Miao's demise during the Wuxian Sect campaign. He sweetened the offer by promising Li Miao's mansion to Gao Tangbing, telling him it was time to commit to one side. Liu Ying entered, offering to play music for the two men. Gao Tangbing politely declined, stating they were discussing important matters.
After she left, Feng Ying recognized her as the courageous woman who had saved his life. He expressed his desire to reward her by helping her ascend socially. Gao Tangbing, surprised by Feng Ying's keen interest in a mere entertainer, questioned his motives. Feng Ying revealed his intention to introduce her to General Li Yan, who possessed a profound and professional appreciation for music, viewing it as a shrewd strategic move to repay her kindness.
Feng Ying then inquired about Sun Ling, who had endured torture without revealing any information. Feng Ying dismissed Sun Ling's suffering as a necessary tempering for his impetuous nature, promising his release once Feng Ying's own mission was complete. Finally, Feng Ying cautioned Gao Tangbing against revealing his true whereabouts or intentions to Xun Xu, knowing Xun Xu's inability to keep secrets. Instead, he instructed Gao Tangbing to maintain the pretense that Feng Ying's location remained unknown. Once Feng Ying had departed, Liu Ying reappeared and invited Gao Tangbing to stay and rest, to which he agreed.
Episode 11 Recap
High Tangbing informed Liu Ying that Siwencao Intelligence, in conjunction with the Hanzhong garrison, would launch a large-scale raid on the Wuxian Sect in five days. He stressed that this operation was directly linked to the Wei state's Qingping Plan. Liu Ying listened cautiously, asking if it would affect the plan, to which High Tangbing replied he did not know. High Tangbing, anticipating Li Miao and Yin Ji's downfall, boldly stated that Siwencao Intelligence would soon be his domain.
Liu Ying inquired about Xun Xu, to which High Tangbing scoffed, dismissing Xun Xu as a mere pawn, now useless to anyone. As Liu Ying handled a hot teacup, High Tangbing noticed her reaction and probed, asking if she had developed feelings for Xun Xu, but Liu Ying, about to be arranged by Li Yan's side, merely smiled in response.
He then informed her that Feng Ying, in gratitude for High Tangbing helping him escape, intended to recommend her to General Li Yan. Unbeknownst to Xun Xu, Feng Ying had already made his way to Li Yan's residence. High Tangbing had deliberately withheld this information, and during a meeting convened by Li Miao to discuss the Wuxian Sect, High Tangbing only mentioned the impending raid, keeping Feng Ying's whereabouts a secret from Xun Xu.
During the meeting, Xun Xu detailed the Wuxian Sect's history and structure, stating their numbers were around 10,000. Li Miao, however, countered that intelligence suggested the sect numbered over 30,000, had deeply infiltrated various departments, and was collaborating with Wei's intelligence to execute the Qingping Plan. Li Miao pressed Xun Xu for information about any assets within the sect, but Xun Xu vaguely responded that the inner circle was impenetrable, deliberately holding back critical details.
Li Miao then relayed General Li Yan's order for Siwencao Intelligence to coordinate with General to Suppress the North, Marquis of Village Du Wei Yan, and General to Pacify the North, Governor of Hanzhong Ma Dai, to launch a lightning-fast, three-pronged attack to wipe out the Wuxian Sect, with the primary objective of capturing Sect Leader Huang Yu, dead or alive. Meanwhile, Yin Ji visited High Tangbing, remarking on Xun Xu's unforthcoming behavior at the meeting.
Yin Ji recalled Feng Ying once mentioning that Xun Xu had an operative deeply embedded within the Wuxian Sect's leadership for years, suggesting that Xun Xu might be keeping important intelligence to himself to hog all the credit. At the Wuxian Sect's base, Chen Gong and Elder Qin prepared to test the bamboo kites. Chen Gong noticed loose bindings on Elder Qin's kite and admonished the oversight, quickly re-securing them. Elder Qin, feeling uneasy, opted for the other kite instead.
With their bamboo kites donned, they bravely leaped from the cliff. Below, Zhai Yue watched anxiously for Chen Gong's safety. Chen Gong soared successfully, but Elder Qin's kite faltered, crashing into the cliff face, killing him instantly. With only one bamboo kite remaining, Huang Yu had no choice but to entrust Chen Gong with the perilous mission to place the blueprints at the designated location for Zhulong to retrieve.
Soon after, a messenger arrived with a secret report from Zhulong, warning that the Shu army would launch a three-pronged attack on the Wuxian Sect within ten days, specifically three days from then, when the Qingping Plan was set to commence. As Chen Gong prepared for his mission, Huang Yu, ostensibly to offer comfort, sent two women, Qiuju and Yingchun, to attend to him.
Chen Gong, looking at his wife Zhai Yue, who maintained a composed facade, felt a pang of profound sadness within. To maintain secrecy for the impending military action, Li Miao ordered a strict ban on all fires and loud noises among the troops. Seizing this opportunity, Xun Xu decided to take a desperate gamble. He gathered tung oil and other flammable materials, intending to start a fire to warn the Wuxian Sect.
Later that night, Zhai Yue secretly met with Xun Xu. She gave him a partially burned, coded bamboo slip from Zhulong that Chen Gong couldn't decipher. Zhai Yue explained that the Qingping Plan was set to commence in three days, culminating in Zhulong's appearance. She relayed Chen Gong's plan: he would lead a crack team to infiltrate the head office of the Military Technology Department to steal the blueprints and escape via a bamboo kite.
Crucially, the back door of the head office had a massive lock that needed to be opened from the outside to ensure Chen Gong's escape and facilitate the capture of Zhulong, as Huang Yu's planned escape route was too rigid. Xun Xu assured her that he would manage the back door.
As the plan seemed within reach, Zhai Yue confessed her longing to return home, but Xun Xu firmly instructed his sister to continue her deep cover operation and await his next command, promising they would reunite once Zhulong was apprehended and the Wuxian Sect was eliminated. Unbeknownst to them, High Tangbing had been secretly following Xun Xu and observed their entire clandestine meeting.
Meanwhile, Feng Ying presented Li Yan with an exquisite ancient qin, named "Haozhong," discovered in a confiscated Wei treasure house. Li Yan, being a connoisseur of music, was deeply impressed by the instrument and its storied history, which Feng Ying eloquently recounted. Seizing the moment, Feng Ying artfully praised Liu Ying's exceptional musical talent and courage, recounting how she had helped him escape Nanzheng concealed in her carriage, thus laying the groundwork for her introduction to the general.
That same night, the fire set by Xun Xu at the Temple of God of Mountains near the Wuxian Sect base served as a warning. Responding to the alarm, General Hu Zhong, having received word that someone was alerting the Wuxian Sect, ordered his vanguard to advance at full speed into Immortal Valley, less than five li (approx. 2. 5 kilometers) from the sect's base, and engage the enemy without delay.
Simultaneously, within the Wuxian Sect, a frantic messenger reported the Shu army's encirclement. Huang Yu, taken by surprise, immediately ordered an emergency evacuation. News of the successful breach of the Wuxian Sect's outer defenses reached Li Miao's camp, much to his delight. Li Miao then ordered a reward of one hundred gold for anyone who captured or killed a Wuxian Sect Elder or Jijiu. High Tangbing approached, offering him a celebratory cup of hot tea.
High Tangbing then spoke with Li Miao, bringing up his recent clandestine meeting with Feng Ying. He deliberately ensured their conversation was private, noting the laxity of the guards. High Tangbing revealed that Feng Ying had provided General Li Yan with the incriminating evidence that led to Yang Yi's downfall, and, more disturbingly, that Hu Zhong had been aware of this all along but kept it secret from Li Miao.
High Tangbing then directly accused Li Yan of having cast Li Miao aside as a useless pawn. Li Miao, shocked by the revelation, attempted to draw his sword, but found his body unexpectedly weak and unable to move. High Tangbing calmly explained that he had anticipated such a reaction and had laced Li Miao's tea with an anesthetic. He admitted his archery skills were poor and he couldn't afford to miss his target.
With Li Miao now paralyzed, High Tangbing sinisterly positioned him for an easy shot. Before delivering the fatal blow, High Tangbing, with a chilling smile, proclaimed that the ultimate victory would belong to the great Wei state, and then, with a dramatic flourish, revealed his true identity: "I am Zhulong."
Episode 12 Recap
Gao Tangbing pulled back a window curtain, stealthily moved to a hidden spot outside, and aimed a crossbow at Li Miao, who lay slumped on a table. The crossbow bolt struck Li Miao directly in the head. Gao Tangbing then declared, "Once frozen, you’ll be hit for sure. I am Zhulong. Surprise, surprise!" Earlier, a guard had instructed others not to disturb Clerk Li, who was said to be pondering how to suppress bandits.
Following the assassination, a report quickly reached General Hu Zhong, stating that Siwencao Intelligence's Clerk Li had been killed by a Wuxian Sect assassin in the camp, a revelation that shocked Hu Zhong. Meanwhile, Huang Yu led the remaining Wuxian Sect members in an escape towards Qingfeng Ridge. His subordinate expressed gratitude for Huang Yu's foresight in preparing secret passages, though regretting the destruction of their base camp.
Huang Yu remained confident, asserting that as a Wei's operative deep within Shu, he would not be abandoned, and that Wei would never give up on them. He explained that Wuxian Sect had been well-prepared for Shu's suppression, but Zhulong's intelligence had arrived at the wrong time, making their hasty escape appear somewhat disorganized. Another bamboo slip, a message from Zhulong, was brought to him. Huang Yu carefully took it and retreated to his room alone.
Chen Gong, disguised as a Chancellor of Tianshui Military Intelligence, was advised by Huang Yu to get some good rest before a dangerous mission three days later. Inside his room, Huang Yu took out a book and began decoding the message using a secret cipher. Di Yue secretly observed him from outside the window, hoping to discover the decoding method. After Huang Yu left, she immediately entered the room to look for the secret message.
Her eagerness to find the code made her miss the trap Huang Yu had laid. Huang Yu returned, confronting her and asking if she wanted to know what the secret letter said. He then presented the decoded message, which revealed that the Shu spy within Wuxian Sect's senior management was a woman. Di Yue, caught red-handed, was bound and tortured. Chen Gong, upon learning of Di Yue's capture, swiftly rose and went to the interrogation.
He tried to stop Huang Yu from beating her, suggesting a "carrot-and-stick approach" would be more effective for interrogation. Turning to Di Yue, Chen Gong silently mouthed his intention to save her. Realizing that Zhulong had not yet been caught and that Chen Gong's identity must remain secret, Di Yue suddenly yelled at Chen Gong, calling him a shameless Wei spy and daring him to kill her.
She deliberately exposed her identity as a Shu spy to prevent Chen Gong from taking further action and risking exposure. Enraged that the woman he cared for was a Shu spy, Huang Yu violently forced her to ingest an elixir, a secret Wuxian Sect drug that, he explained, would make one feel like a fairy, experiencing euphoria before instantly becoming limp and unable to resist.
He elaborated that as the drug's effects peaked, the pain during interrogation would become unbearable under a carrot-and-stick approach, eventually forcing her to reveal the truth. Chen Gong praised Huang Yu's ruthless methods, but inwardly, he was filled with grief and fury, knowing the night would be agonizing for both him and Di Yue. Li Yan presided over a solemn ceremony for Li Miao. Feng Ying stood by Xun Xu and discussed the aftermath of the Wuxian Sect attack.
Feng Ying noted that despite destroying the Wuxian Sect's lair, there were no substantial gains, and no key figures were captured. He then raised the suspicious fire at the Temple of God of Mountains before the night attack, implicitly asking if Xun Xu was responsible. Feng Ying surmised that Xun Xu had warned Wuxian Sect due to an unrevealed key operative, implying that Baidi was not dead but had infiltrated the sect.
Xun Xu denied sending any messages and claimed Feng Ying's deductions were merely a "story." Feng Ying acknowledged that he might be overthinking, but also implied Xun Xu's agreement to Li Miao's fate showed a consideration for the larger picture. Feng Ying, now officially reinstated as the head of Siwencao Intelligence, thanked Xun Xu for saving his life, though Xun Xu dismissed it as merely doing his duty.
Feng Ying then assigned Xun Xu the task of leading the internal investigation into the Temple of God of Mountains fire. Meanwhile, Yin Ji, fearing Feng Ying's return, confessed to Gao Tangbing that he had killed Ma Sheng under Li Miao's orders and begged for a way out. Gao Tangbing, now revealed as Zhulong, advised Yin Ji to meet Feng Ying directly and confess everything, emphasizing Feng Ying's deep value for Siwencao Intelligence as the foundation of his life.
Gao Tangbing also pointed out Yin Ji's irreplaceable position in the Operations Department, which handles all foreign intelligence, spy training, and other critical matters. He reasoned that an honest confession, leaving nothing out, would demonstrate Yin Ji's sincerity and offer a chance for survival.
Separately, Xun Xu informed Pei Xu about the Qingping Plan and his impending trip to Mount Dingjun to establish an escape route for Baidi (Chen Gong) by opening a back door in the head office of the Military Technology Department. Gao Tangbing then opportunistically requested to take over Yin Ji's upcoming duty of inspecting military provisions at Mount Dingjun, using the excuse of wanting to visit his old friend Cheng Fan, who served General Ma Dai.
This would allow Gao Tangbing to retrieve the crossbow blueprints. Huang Yu celebrated Wuxian Sect's successful breakthrough against the Shu Army, though he noted minor losses. He instructed Chen Gong about the Qingping Plan: Chen Gong was to lead an elite team into the head office of the Military Technology Department, using the daily password sent by Zhulong. Huang Yu would wait in the East Valley of Mount Dingjun for Chen Gong's triumphant return.
In case of unforeseen circumstances preventing their meeting, Chen Gong was to deliver the blueprints to the big camphor tree at Gujian Xikou by 9:45 AM the next day, where Zhulong would personally retrieve them. Chen Gong questioned how Zhulong would escape Shu territory with the blueprints if the entire mountain was surrounded by the Shu Army. Huang Yu admitted he didn't know, simply assuming Zhulong had a resourceful plan.
He then told Chen Gong he would summon him at ten o'clock that night to witness Di Yue's excruciating suffering under the elixir's influence. Despite his inner turmoil, Chen Gong masked his emotions and agreed, knowing that the night would be a long and torturous one for Di Yue and himself.
Episode 13 Recap
Chen Gong climbed over a wall to reach Di Yue, embracing his wife and intending to take her away. Di Yue knew well that leaving now would cause the plan to capture Zhulong to fail, leading to Chen Gong and Xun Xu being branded as traitors and hunted for life by the Agency.
She told him he was insane to try such a thing, explaining that if he left, all his efforts would be in vain and that he would lose the chance to personally capture Zhulong. Chen Gong cried out in pain, stating he couldn't let her suffer a fate worse than death, but Di Yue reminded him not to be sad, or Huang Yu would grow suspicious.
She insisted that Huang Yu's methods were cruel, that the Immortal Elixir had no cure, and that she would die either way and did not want to die in a horrible manner. Di Yue asked Chen Gong whether he wanted to die with her for nothing or carry on, stating that this was the last thing she could do for him.
Di Yue, enduring the agony of the poison, told Chen Gong that the secret to deciphering the messages between Huang Yu and Zhulong was hidden within "The Scripture on Great Peace", though she had not yet pinpointed the exact volume. She revealed the intelligence message she had discovered, which indicated a female Shu spy among the high-ranking members of the sect.
She then recited the secret code numbers to Chen Gong: nine, nine, two, seven, one, five, six, one, five, four, nine, three, one, three, one, six. Chen Gong repeated the numbers, his heart aching. Di Yue then asked Chen Gong for the dagger, poisoned to kill instantly, that Xun Xu had given him. She knew her time was short and wished to avoid further torment from Huang Yu.
Chen Gong hesitated, but Di Yue explained she would make a small cut on her tongue with the poisoned blade, ensuring her death appeared to be from the intensified effects of the Immortal Elixir, thus preventing Huang Yu from suspecting Chen Gong. She urged him to bring Zhulong to justice so her sacrifice would not be in vain.
Di Yue expressed her contentment at reuniting with her husband before her death, and dying in his arms, saying she had no regrets. With her last breaths, she asked him to tell Xun Xu that she did not let him down. Chen Gong held her tightly as she ended her own life.
Meanwhile, Yin Ji, recently released from prison, confessed to Gao Tangbing that he had been coerced by Li Miao into killing Ma Sheng, and sought Gao Tangbing's help in finding a way out of his predicament. Gao Tangbing advised Yin Ji to be honest with Feng Ying, stating that Feng Ying would uncover the truth eventually, and Yin Ji had no other choice but to trust him.
Later, Sun Ling, while tending to Feng Ying, complained about the need to cleanse the Agency, viewing Yin Ji and Xun Xu as untrustworthy, despite Xun Xu having saved Feng Ying earlier. He suspected Xun Xu was plotting again, emphasizing that the injustice itself originated because of Xun Xu. Feng Ying dismissed Sun Ling's "speculations," emphasizing that a leader must be broad-minded and not hold grudges, citing General Li Yan as an example.
When Yin Ji arrived at Feng Ying's residence late that night, Sun Ling tried to turn him away, labeling him the "culprit." However, Feng Ying instructed Sun Ling to let Yin Ji in, stating that Yin Ji had come to confess. Yin Ji knelt before Feng Ying, admitting he was coerced by Li Miao, who possessed evidence of Yin Ji's smuggling activities using intelligence channels, threatening him with treason.
Feng Ying revealed that he already possessed the same evidence of Yin Ji's smuggling but had never used it to blackmail him, keeping silent for the sake of the bigger picture. Yin Ji begged for his life, promising eternal loyalty and to serve Feng Ying diligently. Feng Ying acknowledged that Yin Ji deserved death, primarily for betraying him.
He decided to keep Yin Ji in his current position, instructing him to continue the investigation into Zhulong but to do so discreetly. Feng Ying then revealed his awareness that Gao Tangbing had advised Yin Ji to come to him, instructing Yin Ji to tell Gao Tangbing not to play such tricks on him again. Yin Ji promised to relay the message.
After Yin Ji left, he thanked Gao Tangbing, who dismissed his gratitude, stating that such tactics were to be expected from Feng Ying, a man of his position. Sun Ling later expressed confusion to Feng Ying about his leniency towards Yin Ji, but Feng Ying explained that while Yin Ji had hurt him, the Agency was their foundation and couldn't afford chaos. Yin Ji, though flawed, was capable and, having learned his lesson, would now be more useful.
Later that night, Huang Yu went to Chen Gong's room and found him seemingly asleep while reading "Xiang'er's Commentary", a fundamental text of the Five Immortals Sect. Huang Yu woke him and then took Chen Gong to Di Yue's cell to observe the "magic" of the Immortal Elixir. They found Di Yue already dead. Huang Yu's subordinate speculated she died from an overdose of the elixir and the drug taking effect.
Huang Yu expressed disappointment that no crucial intelligence was obtained, but then cryptically said, "Good for you." Chen Gong secretly watched Di Yue, his heart filled with grief. In his sleep, Xun Xu also had a vivid dream of his sister, Di Yue, telling him she wanted to go home.
The next day, Feng Ying met with Gao Tangbing, discussing Gao Tangbing's upcoming three-day inspection of the grain stores at Mount Dingjun, which he was taking over for Yin Ji because Yin Ji was "not in a good mood." Feng Ying then brought up his plan to introduce Liu Ying to General Li Yan, stating he needed to meet her beforehand to discuss it.
Gao Tangbing suggested they have a private lunch at Jinsha Pavilion and travel by carriage in plain clothes, as Ziyan House was not suitable for a daylight official visit. Xun Xu entered with a case file concerning the fire at the Mountain God Temple. Feng Ying took the file and sent Xun Xu away, but Xun Xu noticed Feng Ying's personal seal on his desk.
Xun Xu intercepted Liu Ying's carriage, claiming he had come to retrieve the bamboo flute she had given him. Liu Ying playfully accused him of only seeking her attention, reminding him of his previous hasty return of the flute and whether he genuinely cherished it. Xun Xu apologized, explaining the flute held deep meaning for him, and that he had never intended to truly return it, hence his personal visit now.
Liu Ying, amused, returned the flute, and Xun Xu promised to cherish it and never let it leave his side. She then recalled Xun Xu's bravery when he helped Feng Ying escape, expressing her gratitude and willingness to do anything for him without question or expectation of reward, as he had saved her life. Seizing the opportunity, Xun Xu asked Liu Ying to obtain Feng Ying's personal seal during his visit.
Liu Ying readily agreed, deeming it a trivial matter, and instructed Xun Xu to meet her maid, Ying'er, at the side door of Ziyan House around midday to collect the seal. Xun Xu, surprised by her unquestioning cooperation, asked why she didn't inquire about his motives. Liu Ying replied that she would do anything for him, "no questions asked, no strings attached."
Chen Gong, alone, held Di Yue's sword, reminiscing about their shared memories, tears welling up but refusing to fall, vowing silently to avenge her. Huang Yu later summoned Chen Gong to finalize their infiltration plan for the Military Technology Department. He instructed Chen Gong to lead an elite squad of eighteen men and receive the daily secret code from Zhulong, with Huang Yu awaiting his return at Dingjun East Valley to provide support.
If complications arose, Chen Gong was to deliver the designs to the big camphor tree by Gujian Stream at 3:45 PM the following day, where Zhulong would personally retrieve them. When Chen Gong questioned Zhulong's escape route should the Shu army seal the mountain, Huang Yu admitted he did not know, simply reminding Chen Gong that he would summon him at 9 PM to see Di Yue.
Huang Yu then tasked his subordinate with closely monitoring Chen Gong, referred to as "Mr. Mi," at the new camp. The subordinate was instructed to discretely learn the usage of the "Bamboo Kite" from him, maintaining Huang Yu's suspicion of Chen Gong due to Di Yue's suspicious death. Huang Yu also told Chen Gong that he would be operating in a life-or-death situation inside the Military Technology Department and must bring back the designs at all costs.
At Jinsha Pavilion, Feng Ying expressed his gratitude to Liu Ying for her past help and invited her to share a drink. Gao Tangbing suggested Liu Ying remove her veil, which she did. Feng Ying was visibly captivated, showering her with lavish compliments about her beauty and intelligence, stating she was wasted in Ziyan House. Gao Tangbing then made his excuses, claiming pressing duties at Mount Dingjun.
During their conversation, Feng Ying engaged Liu Ying in a riddle game, which she cleverly solved. He subtly steered the conversation toward her future, suggesting she deserved a man of power. He explained that power was paramount for a man, without which he would not even be worthy of her company, and that his ability to even share a drink with her was due to his power.
Liu Ying, sensing his underlying attraction, removed her outer robe and invited him to bathe in the courtyard's hot spring, maintaining an innocent demeanor. Feng Ying, intrigued, accepted her invitation. While Feng Ying was immersed in the hot spring with Liu Ying, her maid, Ying'er, deftly took Feng Ying's personal seal. Ying'er met Xun Xu at the side door of Ziyan House and handed him the seal.
Xun Xu, visibly pleased, used the seal to stamp two red impressions onto a travel document, effectively forging a permit. He thanked Ying'er and asked her to convey his gratitude to Liu Ying before hastily departing.
Episode 14 Recap
Huang Yu remained deeply suspicious of Chen Gong regarding the peculiar circumstances of Di Yue's death. He ordered Elder Guan, who was accompanying them, to monitor Chen Gong closely and to kill him immediately if he made any suspicious moves. Elder Guan, testing Chen Gong, inquired about the workings of the Bamboo Kite.
Chen Gong, maintaining his cover as Mi Chong, feigned ignorance, explaining that Elder Qin's previous accident was likely due to panic, causing him to pull the control ropes too frequently and loosen the wings, leading to the disaster. Huang Yu, acknowledging the critical nature of the Qingping Plan's final stage, personally tasked Elder Guan with carefully overseeing the last Bamboo Kite and Chen Gong.
He then instructed Mi Chong to rest until the operation commenced at seven o'clock, as they were already positioned on the mountain across the valley. Chen Gong, deep in grief over Di Yue's loss, continued to maintain his cover and was determined to execute his mission. Meanwhile, Xun Xu entrusted Pei Xu with covering his shift, providing him with his uniform as a safeguard. He instructed Pei Xu to devise an excuse should anyone come to check on him.
Pei Xu assured his chief he would manage everything. Recognizing the immense peril of his mission, Xun Xu told Pei Xu that if he did not return, the Jing'an Division would be left to him, a grim prospect Pei Xu tried to dismiss. Later, identifying himself as Xun Xu from the Jing'an Division on urgent business, Xun Xu successfully passed through a city checkpoint. Gao Tangbing arrived at a checkpoint on Mount Dingjun under the guise of inspecting provisions.
A soldier noted his diligent patrols in inclement weather, to which Gao Tangbing replied that such hardship was inherent to his duties in Siwencao Intelligence. Granted passage, he learned that the military provisions were bound for Wudu and escorted by Commandant Cheng Fan, whom he knew and intended to visit. Gao Tangbing stressed the vital importance of the granary and the increased responsibilities of the garrison, especially with the impending Northern Expedition.
Subsequently, General Ma Dai's invitation to a banquet was extended. Gao Tangbing initially humbly declined, but upon being told he was representing Clerk Feng, he accepted the honor. Using the falsified permit, Xun Xu reached Mount Dingjun's second checkpoint. He identified himself as a Siwencao Intelligence officer with urgent military intelligence for Commandant Qiao Jun. When offered an escort, Xun Xu stated his familiarity with the route, leading the guards to allow him to proceed unaccompanied.
After concealing his horse, he embarked on a dangerous climb up a cliff and under a bridge, eventually reaching the back door of the head office. There, he carefully evaded patrolling soldiers and unlocked the heavy door, a crucial action intended to facilitate Chen Gong's escape. Donning Shu military uniforms, Chen Gong and members of the Wuxian Sect arrived at the final checkpoint of the head office.
The plan, as previously detailed by Huang Yu, was set in motion: Huang Yu's forces would attack a warehouse at the valley's western end at a quarter to ten, setting it ablaze to divert the Shu army. Simultaneously, Chen Gong, Elder Guan, and Eighteen Arhats would descend a cliff to infiltrate the now-vulnerable head office.
Huang Yu had provided Chen Gong with the key to the designs warehouse and reminded him of Zhulong's password, confirming that the warehouse fire would signal Chen Gong's moment to retrieve the designs, with Elder Guan covering his retreat to an eastern cliff for a Bamboo Kite escape. As the warehouse fire erupted, drawing Shu soldiers away for rescue, Chen Gong and his contingent infiltrated the head office.
Inside, Chen Gong quickly entered a secret room and secured the crossbow designs in a bamboo tube. The deception was swiftly discovered, however, and Shu soldiers returned. Wuxian Sect members heroically fought to cover Chen Gong and Elder Guan's retreat toward their designated cliff-jumping site. At the cliff, Elder Guan told Chen Gong he would provide cover so Chen Gong could escape with the Bamboo Kite. Chen Gong then fatally stabbed Elder Guan.
Despite his mortal wound, Elder Guan, with his dying breath, uttering "What's the thrill with breath? What's the fear of death?" , plunged off the cliff, his body unknowingly serving as a warning to Huang Yu. Chen Gong then proceeded to the pre-arranged door, finding it unlocked, and felt a profound sense of relief and appreciation for his comrade's efforts. Xun Xu, however, found himself in a precarious position.
The head office was on high alert after the attack, and all exits within a ten-kilometer radius of Mount Dingjun were sealed, making his departure impossible. Commandant Qiao Jun personally confronted him. Xun Xu tried to maintain his composure, claiming Feng Ying had sent him to report the Wuxian Sect attack and that he was rushing back to Nanzheng after failing to locate Qiao Jun in time.
Qiao Jun, however, pointed out that Feng Ying himself had established the head office's password, a security measure Xun Xu had advised. Xun Xu's inability to provide the password, despite his excuses about Feng Ying being too busy, deepened Qiao Jun's suspicion. Recognizing the critical situation with the stolen designs, Qiao Jun decided to detain Xun Xu for verification by Siwencao Intelligence. Meanwhile, a soldier from Mount Dingjun arrived at Siwencao to verify Xun Xu's claimed mission.
Sun Ling, the supervisor, was perplexed, as no such mission was recorded, and Xun Xu was officially on duty. Investigating, Sun Ling discovered Pei Xu wearing Xun Xu's uniform, claiming Xun Xu had left due to illness half an hour earlier. Sun Ling immediately saw through the lie, knowing that Mount Dingjun was too far for Xun Xu to have reached in that time. He ordered Pei Xu's arrest and set off for Mount Dingjun to investigate further.
Feng Ying escorted Liu Ying to General Li Yan's mansion, with Liu Ying engaging in lighthearted banter with Feng Ying during their journey. Feng Ying advised her to be truthful with Li Yan and reassured her when she expressed apprehension about meeting the general. At the mansion, Liu Ying's musical performance deeply moved Li Yan.
He spoke of his sadness and recounted his past experiences during the late Emperor Liu Bei's 218 AD campaign to conquer the Hanzhong region, where he faced Xiahou Yuan and Cao Cao at Yangping Pass. As magistrate of Zizhong County, he had defended it with only 4,000 men against tens of thousands of rebels, Ma Qin and Gao Sheng, instigated by Cao Wei.
He told Liu Ying that her music vividly rekindled the "sword and shadow" of that war, making her feel like a soulmate. Feng Ying praised Li Yan's military and civil prowess, and Li Yan, in turn, expressed gratitude for Liu Ying's recommendation, reaffirming his feeling of having found a soulmate in her.
Seizing the opportune moment, Feng Ying proposed that Liu Ying remain at Li Yan's quarters to engage in discussions about history and current affairs, suggesting it would create a "romantic story in history." Liu Ying readily assented, confirming Li Yan's agreement, which he enthusiastically confirmed. Huang Yu's scouts reported finding Elder Guan's body at the foot of the cliff, but no trace of Mi Chong.
Realizing he had been outmaneuvered and facing imminent encirclement by the advancing Shu army, Huang Yu admitted his misjudgment. With reports confirming that escape routes, including Gujian Xikou, were cut off, he ordered his remaining forces to retreat towards Tianshui. Back at Mount Dingjun, captured Wuxian Sect members confessed that their attack on the head office was a diversion, with the warehouse fire merely a cover for their elite to steal the designs.
Commandant Qiao Jun, furious over the theft and Xun Xu's suspicious conduct, ordered his interrogation. During the questioning, Sun Ling arrived, confirming that Feng Ying was on a secret mission and had not authorized Xun Xu's purported task, further exposing Pei Xu's deception. Qiao Jun, whose own life was now imperiled by the stolen designs, confronted Xun Xu, appealing to their acquaintance and urging him to reveal his true motives. Xun Xu, however, remained silent, merely requesting water.
He eventually vowed on his life that the designs were neither with the Wuxian Sect nor Wei spies and would eventually be returned, but still refused to disclose any details. Enraged by Xun Xu's obstinacy and the severity of the situation, Qiao Jun accused him of collaborating with the Wuxian Sect and ordered him tortured, dismissing Sun Ling's protests regarding proper procedure and his claim to take Xun Xu back for Siwencao interrogation.
Meanwhile, Chen Gong had arrived at the designated meeting point—a camphor tree in Gujian Xikou—where he carefully placed the stolen designs, awaiting Zhulong's appearance, as per his backup instructions in case of an unforeseen disruption to their original plan.
Episode 15 Recap
Under the guise of inspecting military rations, Gao Tangbing arrived at the head office of the Military Technology Department, planning to secretly retrieve the agreed-upon crossbow designs. Chen Gong, who had been lying in ambush in a tree, leaped down and, after a struggle, captured Gao Tangbing, confirming him as Zhulong. Chen Gong, revealing himself as Baidi, confronted Gao Tangbing and tortured him, asking, "Does this hurt?"
He vowed to make Gao Tangbing suffer a fate worse than death, just as his wife, Di Yue, had endured. Upon returning to Siwencao Intelligence, Feng Ying was informed by Yin Ji that Xun Xu had gone to the head office with a transit permit he had signed, and during that time, the crossbow designs had been stolen.
As Feng Ying and Yin Ji were preparing to demand Xun Xu's release from Commandant Qiao Jun, Chen Gong appeared at Siwencao Intelligence, announcing, "I have the design of the crossbow. It's secure." Meanwhile, at the head office, Xun Xu was being severely tortured. Sun Ling pleaded with Qiao Jun to stop, emphasizing that torture would not yield information from Xun Xu.
However, Qiao Jun, fearing for his own position, insisted on continuing, saying that if Xun Xu didn't confess, he would lose his head. Just as Qiao Jun prepared to resume the interrogation, Feng Ying arrived with Chen Gong. Chen Gong presented the actual crossbow designs to Qiao Jun, who, realizing the truth, immediately allowed them to take Xun Xu.
Chen Gong rushed into the interrogation room to find a barely conscious Xun Xu, whose first words were to confirm that Zhulong had been captured. Relieved, Xun Xu passed out, and Chen Gong quickly arranged for him to be carried away on a stretcher and brought back to Siwencao Intelligence.
Chen Gong later explained to Feng Ying and Fox Zhong how he and Xun Xu had devised the plan to lure and capture Zhulong, using Wei’s Qingping Plan as a cover and infiltrating the Wuxian Sect. He recounted how Xun Xu’s actions in the head office, despite the severe torture, were crucial to the plan's success.
Yin Ji then presented a replica of Baidi's code-cracking plates, which had been found during the search of Gao Tangbing's residence, confirming his identity as Zhulong. Gao Tangbing, now imprisoned, declared that he would only speak to Xun Xu.
However, Xun Xu’s legs had been severely injured, and despite the best efforts of Physician Hua, a descendant of the renowned Hua Tuo, who managed to stabilize his condition, he was explicitly advised not to get agitated and to remain bedridden for at least seven days, making him unable to undergo interrogation. Chen Gong, despite his success, felt no joy. He requested that any celebration be postponed until Xun Xu recovered and until he could retrieve Di Yue’s remains.
Feng Ying ordered Sun Ling to burn the forged transit permit that Xun Xu had used, erasing any evidence of his unauthorized entry. Chen Gong then visited Xun Xu, who had awakened but was still very weak. Xun Xu, thinking of Chen Gong's sacrifice, chastised him for not accepting honors for his achievements. Chen Gong, struggling to maintain his composure, delivered the devastating news: Di Yue had died.
Xun Xu was heartbroken, blaming himself for her exposure, as Gao Tangbing had seen them meet at the temple and alerted Wuxian Sect. Chen Gong tried to comfort him, repeatedly assuring him, "It wasn't your fault." He promised to bring Di Yue's body back, but refused Xun Xu's offer to accompany him, insisting that Xun Xu needed to focus on his recovery. Meanwhile, Li Yan was pleased to learn of Chen Gong's return and his success.
He remembered Chen Gong as his former direct disciple, a talented individual. Li Yan confided in Fox Zhong, recalling how Chen Gong’s father, Chen Fu, had sacrificed himself by impersonating Li Yan in battle, an act of loyalty Li Yan never forgot. Li Yan revealed that Chen Gong only knew his father died for the state, not the specific details of his sacrifice.
Li Yan hoped Chen Gong would choose to join his faction rather than align with Zhuge Liang, stating he did not wish to be Chen Gong's enemy. He instructed Fox Zhong not to press the matter, believing that if Chen Gong valued their past connection, he would seek him out himself. Zhuge Liang paid a visit to the demoted Yang Yi, informing him that the Zhulong case was solved and Baidi was cleared.
Yang Yi, however, expressed his conviction that there was a deeper conspiracy behind the case, though he admitted it was only a hunch based on his years of experience battling Wei's intelligence. He pleaded with Zhuge Liang for reinstatement, but Zhuge Liang replied, "Not now," and urged him to continue his studies. Back in Nanzheng, Xun Xu, despite his injuries, diligently studied "The Scripture on Great Peace," eventually cracking the coded message Gao Tangbing had written on the bamboo slips.
It revealed the changing sequence of patrol passwords for the head office, a sequence personally drafted by Feng Ying and issued by the Military Strategy Department. Furious but confined to his bed for seven more days, Xun Xu yearned for the opportunity to confront Gao Tangbing. Chen Gong retrieved Di Yue’s body, and Xun Xu met them at the city gate. Chen Gong shared Di Yue's last message: "She didn't let you down."
At her burial, Chen Gong took the sword Di Yue had given him from Wuxian Sect and cut off his little finger, burying it with her and vowing that Huang Yu would die by that very blade. Later, Chen Gong asked Xun Xu about Gao Tangbing. Xun Xu admitted to finding the case perplexing.
He recalled Gu Zheng's previous statements and questioned how Gao Tangbing, as Commandant of the Military Strategy Department, could have known about Gu Zheng, a contact only accessible to Siwencao Intelligence. Xun Xu then voiced his suspicion: not that Feng Ying was a Wei spy, as that would have meant Chen Gong and Di Yue would have been exposed long ago, but that Feng Ying was deeply ambitious and might have known Zhulong's identity all along.
He suggested Feng Ying might have deliberately let Zhulong operate to manipulate events for his own political gain, even making selective deals with Cao Wei, sacrificing Siwencao Intelligence's agents in the process. Xun Xu revealed his evidence: the commission appointing Huang Yu as General Who Pacifies the South, found in Wuxian Sect, was drafted by Guo Huai, Cao Wei's Inspector, whose handwriting he had seen on Feng Ying's desk last year.
Chen Gong, noticing Pei Xu nearby, intervened, cautioning Xun Xu, "Without corroborating evidence, keep this conversation between us. Do not tell anyone else." He emphasized that his warning was not for Pei Xu, but for the situation at large.
Episode 16 Recap
Feng Ying instructed Sun Ling to find a secluded house for General Li Yan's new favorite, Liu Ying, before Li Yan departed for Chengdu to report on Zhulong's case. Feng Ying noted that a talented courtesan frequently visiting the General's residence could create a bad impression. Sun Ling assured Feng Ying he would handle it to General Li's satisfaction.
Sun Ling then expressed worry that the revelation of Gao Tangbing, an Intelligence Analysis Department chief, as a Wei spy, would be disadvantageous to Feng Ying. Feng Ying agreed, calling it a "horrible case for Siwencao Intelligence" and implying further trouble. Sun Ling argued Feng Ying was not to blame, mentioning that even the former superior Yang Yi was higher up. However, Feng Ying clarified that Yang Yi had been demoted, leaving him to take the fall.
Sun Ling believed Li Yan's trust would protect Feng Ying, but Feng Ying, with a worldly wisdom, stated that "relations aren't helpful to us. Everything is decided by interests." He added that a superior only defends and keeps one safe if their interests are aligned. In Chengdu, Zhuge Liang convened a discussion on a second Northern Expedition, facing diverse opinions.
Grand Astrologer Qiao Zhou opposed it, citing unfavorable celestial signs in the North and questioning why Zhuge Liang would "go against it." Zhuge Liang dismissed this, stating that "astronomy always changes" and they "mustn't be narrow-minded." Wei Yan proposed a swift attack through Ziwu Valley to Chang'an, but Zhuge Liang deemed it "way too rash," fearing ambushes and the loss of all 5,000 soldiers.
Jiang Wan, the Prime Minister's Adjutant, expressed concerns beyond military strategy, reminding Zhuge Liang of the previous failed expedition and depleted national strength. He pointed out that the current emperor harbored "misgivings" due to Zhuge Liang's extensive power, and strong opposition existed from noble clans and General Li Yan, who advocated a southern campaign. Jiang Wan warned that another Northern Expedition would "hardly have a perfect plan."
In contrast, General of Expedition Deng Zhi argued it was opportune to unite with the Wu State against Wei. He asserted that relying solely on Xichuan's resources was insufficient against Wei or Wu, and without a Northern Expedition, the state would "certainly crumble in three or five years." Zhuge Liang deeply agreed, acknowledging that "in this world, there's no such thing as perfection."
He reiterated that Shu's weakness against Wei necessitated action, declaring his unwavering resolve: "Even though the future is perilous, I will not shrink from any sacrifice." He concluded by reflecting on past failures, stating that the root cause was not troop numbers or national power, but "the commander's decisions," urging all to learn from this.
In Nanzheng County, Li Yan pondered Zhuge Liang's persistent push for a second Northern Expedition, noting Zhuge Liang's stubbornness and belief that Zhulong's case being cracked meant they could "fight the Wei State without concern." His aide expressed uncertainty about the emperor's stance, sensing that the emperor "has something on his mind, too." The aide also suggested that Zhulong's case might be used against Feng Ying, who now had a "new backer" and was "culpable."
Li Yan considered whether to defend Feng Ying. At this opportune moment, Chen Gong arrived to pay his respects. Li Yan welcomed his former student warmly, acknowledging Chen Gong's fame as a "hero of our state" and offering condolences for his recent loss. Li Yan expressed surprise at Chen Gong's career path in Siwencao Intelligence.
He then informed Chen Gong that the agency was "short of men" and still potentially harbored "more hidden Wei spies" despite Zhulong's case being cracked, due to Gao Tangbing's long tenure. Chen Gong vowed to "get to the bottom of this case" and "let go of no one." Pleased, Li Yan assigned him to "take the place of Li Miao" as West Bureau Chief Clerk, as Li Miao "may not be able to manage it alone."
Later, Li Yan quizzed Chen Gong about his opinion on the second Northern Expedition. Chen Gong advised Li Yan to "make a concession" if Zhuge Liang "insists on the Northern Expedition," predicting that if Zhuge Liang remained "so stubborn, he will bring misery on himself."
He cited the late emperor's testamentary edict to Zhuge Liang, specifically the phrase "take his place," interpreting it as a hidden "reason to kill him" from the emperor's perspective, despite the late emperor's apparent high regard for Zhuge Liang. Li Yan, impressed by Chen Gong's insights, praised his growth and called his return a fortuitous advantage. Xun Xu, still recovering and using a cane, visited Gao Tangbing in prison.
Gao Tangbing expressed feigned concern for Xun Xu's injured state, acknowledging the "price" paid to capture him. Xun Xu then accused Gao Tangbing of staging a "good play" with Baidi, though Gao Tangbing clarified the play was merely a cover for their true activities. Gao Tangbing insisted he "never thought about getting you involved."
However, Xun Xu, consumed by grief and anger, retorted that Gao Tangbing's warning to Huang Yu led to the tragic death of Di Yue, his cousin and Baidi's wife, and contributed to his own paralysis, bitterly calling Gao Tangbing his "good buddy." Gao Tangbing had "nothing to say" in response. Xun Xu proceeded to verify that Gao Tangbing had indeed "told Huang Yu the changing sequence of the night patrol passwords of the Military Technology Department," which Gao Tangbing confirmed.
Xun Xu pressed on, asking how Gao Tangbing obtained Baidi's "strictly defended" code-cracking plates. Gao Tangbing explained he exploited Sun Ling's "many faults" by making an identical box and secretly "exchanged the boxes" before Sun Ling's travels, without Sun Ling ever noticing. He would then "exchanged the boxes again" at the destination after securing the plates, boasting that "the whole process was perfect."
He claimed to operate independently to avoid "danger of exposure" and revealed he contacted Wei by "fabricated a spy named Chidi" using Siwencao Intelligence's channels to "transmit intel for my own state," highlighting it as a "loophole in your defense." However, when Xun Xu inquired about when he learned of Gu Zheng, Gao Tangbing abruptly clammed up. He refused to answer, threatening to end their conversation. Xun Xu gave him a moment to reflect.
Gao Tangbing then proposed to reveal more information only if he received "the token granted by His Majesty to absolve me from all my sins" and a guarantee from Siwencao Intelligence that they would "no longer hunt me down" upon his release. Xun Xu left without a reply. Sun Ling prepared Li Miao's former room for Chen Gong, replacing all items.
Sun Ling, referring to Chen Gong as "Clerk Chen," was gently corrected by Chen Gong, who noted the official appointment had not yet been issued. Chen Gong then met with Feng Ying, humbly declining the West Bureau Chief Clerk position due to perceived lack of capability, though Feng Ying had guided him into Siwencao Intelligence.
Feng Ying revealed that General Li Yan had already approved Chen Gong's appointment and hinted that the West Bureau Chief Clerk role was merely a "transition" for Chen Gong, suggesting a higher future position. Feng Ying confessed that Gao Tangbing's exposure "damaged the foundation of Siwencao Intelligence," and someone had to "take the blame." Despite Chen Gong's reassurance that Feng Ying would likely only have to "offset your guilt," Feng Ying dismissed his understanding of "how official circles work."
Denying any suspicion of Chen Gong's ambition, Feng Ying explained he was "just in case," expressing his desire for a "capable insider" to inherit his "lifelong efforts" in Siwencao Intelligence to prevent it from being "ruined completely." He praised Chen Gong, saying he "can easily understand the stuff of Siwencao Intelligence." Chen Gong assured Feng Ying of his obedience. Feng Ying then outlined future objectives for Siwencao Intelligence: moving beyond merely reacting to Wei.
He tasked Chen Gong with managing the Operations Department, currently under Yin Ji, who would report directly to Chen Gong, as Chen Gong's "familiarity with fieldwork and external operations" made him suitable for managing foreign affairs. Feng Ying confessed this arrangement would provide him some relief should he be forced to leave. Later, Sun Ling, believing Chen Gong to be "one of us" due to Feng Ying's mentorship, was corrected by Feng Ying.
Feng Ying clarified that Chen Gong "used to be General Li Yan's student" and they were "close," implying Chen Gong was beyond Feng Ying's control and "isn't on our side." He advised Sun Ling to simply follow orders. When Sun Ling questioned why Feng Ying was still trying to gain favor with Li Yan despite his uncertain future, Feng Ying explained that offering Li Yan a house was "not to defend my job, but to keep myself alive!"
Leaving Siwencao Intelligence, Chen Gong headed directly to Ziyan House. Upon arrival, he requested to see Liu Ying, the establishment's most renowned courtesan. Initially treating him as any other patron, Liu Ying's demeanor changed when Chen Gong produced a piece of a bamboo flute from his sleeve. She retrieved a matching piece from her own possession, and when the two halves were joined, they formed a complete, intricate pattern.
They then exchanged a coded couplet: Liu Ying uttered, "Though the tortoise lives long, it dies anyway," to which Chen Gong replied, "The serpent flies, as if traveling in the universe." Recognizing the signal, Liu Ying confirmed, "At last, you've come," revealing Chen Gong to be the Wei spy she had been awaiting. At the Regional Inspector's Mansion in Yongzhou, Guo Huai received news of a good harvest in Tianshui and completed defenses in Chencang County.
His nephew, Guo Gang, who had been dismissed from his post, arrived to pay his respects, expressing profound apologies for his past recklessness, particularly not knowing Chen Gong was Baidi or that he was still alive. Guo Huai, however, reassured him, saying his actions were "not surprising at all" and "it doesn't matter. Young men can make mistakes. You should learn a lesson from it."
He then informed Guo Gang to "go get packed and return to Tianshui," indicating his reinstatement. Guo Gang was perplexed, questioning how he could resume his post without atonement. Guo Huai then unveiled the true objective of the "Qingping Plan," which was entering its final stage. He revealed that the plan's purpose was never to steal crossbow designs, but "to plant our spy to the highest management level" within Siwencao Intelligence.
He explained that if Zhulong "can serve as a chief in Siwencao Intelligence," then they would "lose no time in getting all the important military intel of Shu," deeming this the key to winning wars. Guo Gang, still struggling to grasp the implications, asked about Gao Tangbing's capture. Guo Huai clarified that "Zhulong is only a code name." He stated that "when Gao Tangbing was exposed, he was no longer Zhulong. Instead, he would cover Zhulong."
When Guo Gang directly asked, "Then, who is the new Zhulong?" , Guo Huai merely smiled and invited him to play a game of chess. In the Royal Palace in Chengdu, a fervent debate ensued between Zhuge Liang and Li Yan regarding the Northern Expedition. Li Yan questioned Zhuge Liang's rationale for another campaign, especially when the nation enjoyed a temporary peace and the three kingdoms had stabilized.
He probed Zhuge Liang's past failure at Jieting, asking why a master of warcraft would have suffered such a defeat. Zhuge Liang countered by acknowledging that "wars are complicated" and "no one can always win," citing even Cao Cao's past strategic failures. Li Yan further suggested attacking the Wu State first, accusing Zhuge Liang of disregarding the late emperor's death at Wu's hands and neglecting to reclaim Jingzhou.
Zhuge Liang firmly articulated the principle that "weak forces work together to fight a strong army," describing Sun Quan's Wu as formidable and an ally to be sought rather than an enemy to be conquered. He emphasized his lack of a "perfect plan for the expedition against Wu" and reminded them of the late emperor's own defeat by Lu Xun of Wu. He warned that severing ties with Wu would invite a Wei invasion, leading to the loss of Hanzhong.
Li Yan, in turn, detailed the severe attrition of Shu's elite forces in Hanzhong over recent years, asserting that without a proactive strike against Wei now, Shu would soon "have no more advantage to fight our enemies!" Ultimately, the emperor, swayed by Zhuge Liang's compelling arguments, approved his plan for the Northern Expedition, stating, "You made sense, Godfather."
Episode 17 Recap
Guo Huai and Guo Gang played Go, but Guo Gang was preoccupied. Guo Huai observed that Gao Tangbing had reached the peak of his career as Chief of Intelligence Analysis and his downfall would benefit the next Zhulong. This confirmed Guo Gang's suspicion that Chen Gong was the true Zhulong. Guo Gang found it difficult to believe Chen Gong would defect to Wei given his character. Chen Gong knew Liu Ying had become General Li Yan's favored concubine.
Liu Ying was confident that their combined efforts were equivalent to 100,000 crack troops, ensuring Shu Han’s imminent collapse, though she acknowledged the immense personal cost of being spies. When Di Yue's name was brought up, Chen Gong's anger flared, and he sternly warned Liu Ying never to mention his wife again. Liu Ying recognized Di Yue was Chen Gong's weakness but insisted they were in this together and needed to trust each other.
Chen Gong shared that Li Yan had secured Feng Ying's position by agreeing to Yang Yi's reinstatement. However, for the Qingping Plan to succeed, Feng Ying had to die. Chen Gong alerted Liu Ying that extreme measures might be necessary and she should be prepared, reiterating that taking over Siwencao Intelligence was their top priority. Guo Huai explained to Guo Gang that Chen Gong's defection wasn't a true betrayal, but rather a manipulation of Chen Gong's deep hatred for treachery.
Guo Huai revealed that three years prior, he had discovered Chen Gong was a Shu spy after he infiltrated Wei. Instead of exposing him, Guo Huai used information about Feng Ying's past dealings to turn Chen Gong. He showed Chen Gong records of Feng Ying trading the lives of Shu's field agents for his own career advancement.
Guo Huai further disclosed a decade-old transaction with Feng Ying where information provided by Feng Ying led to Ma Qin and Gao Sheng attacking Zizhong County. This engagement almost annihilated Li Yan's troops, and in the ensuing chaos, Li Yan's Provision Officer, Chen Fu, who was Chen Gong’s father, died heroically while impersonating Li Yan. Chen Gong was devastated by this double betrayal, swearing he would not rest until Feng Ying was dead.
This event marked the true beginning of Chen Gong's double agent life for both Shu and Wei. Guo Huai recognized Chen Gong’s extraordinary talent in espionage. He instructed Chen Gong to continue working for Feng Ying, building his reputation within Siwencao Intelligence to eventually replace him. With Gao Tangbing positioned as an internal asset, Guo Huai believed he could fully control Chen Gong's activities.
Guo Gang was deeply impressed by his uncle’s strategic depth, now understanding that Chen Gong’s desperate return to Shu after the Jieting incident was, in fact, orchestrated by Guo Huai as the true starting point of the Qingping Plan. Meanwhile, Feng Ying was relieved to learn that Li Yan had secured his position, though he would retain his post with a year's loss of salary.
Recognizing the fragility of the situation, Feng Ying cautioned Yin Ji to closely monitor Xun Xu’s interrogation of Gao Tangbing. He emphasized the importance of preventing internal strife within Siwencao Intelligence, implicitly warning Yin Ji about his own past connections to Gao Tangbing. In the imperial court, Zhuge Liang presented his Northern Expedition Memorial, which the Emperor Liu Shan reluctantly approved, allowing Zhuge Liang full military authority.
However, Liu Shan secretly summoned Li Yan and had an attendant give him a jade belt worn by the late emperor. Li Yan deciphered a hidden message within the belt using ginger juice and vinegar. The secret message revealed Liu Shan's profound dissatisfaction with Zhuge Liang’s increasing arrogance and unchecked power, noting that Zhuge Liang even forced him to crown Zhang Fei's daughter as empress.
Liu Shan also expressed his belief that his father, Liu Bei, had started to doubt Zhuge Liang's loyalty, especially regarding his dying words, "You can replace him." Li Yan felt justified in his efforts to curb Zhuge Liang's influence. Xun Xu, recovering from his injuries and using a single crutch, interrogated Gao Tangbing in prison. Gao Tangbing avoided discussing the Gu Zheng matter, citing it as his "trump card."
When questioned about the crossbow design, he revealed his plan to conceal the blueprints within military grain shipments bound for Wudu, exploiting the lack of thorough inspections. Despite Gao Tangbing's attempts to bargain for immunity, Xun Xu adamantly refused any deal, stating that he could not forgive Gao Tangbing for Di Yue's death. He gave Gao Tangbing one day to cooperate fully, threatening him with a fate worse than death if he remained silent.
Separately, Hu Zhong questioned Li Yan's decision to save Feng Ying when Chen Gong, his loyal and skilled disciple, could easily lead Siwencao Intelligence. Li Yan explained his philosophy of governance, emphasizing the importance of "balance" and preventing any single individual from accumulating too much power. He acknowledged Chen Gong's loyalty but pointed out Feng Ying's extensive network within the Agency and even the Palace in Chengdu, which Chen Gong lacked.
Later, Feng Ying intercepted Li Yan’s carriage, ostensibly to report on a matter, and escorted him to a lavish, private residence (prepared for Li Yan and Liu Ying), strategically located within a five-li radius of Siwencao property for security and privacy. Chen Gong visited Xun Xu, whose leg was slowly regaining feeling. Chen Gong mentioned visiting Gao Tangbing with Yin Ji and noted Gao Tangbing's volatile state due to the pressure.
Observing Xun Xu’s emotional involvement in the case due to Di Yue, Chen Gong offered to take over the interrogation of Gao Tangbing himself, suggesting Xun Xu's personal grudge was hindering the process.
Episode 18 Recap
Feng Ying escorted Liu Ying to General Li Yan's villa. Liu Ying, expressing her gratitude, secretly kissed Feng Ying, which immediately made Feng Ying nervous. He warned her that such actions could be fatal, especially since General Li Yan was genuinely fond of her. Feng Ying emphasized that if she wished to thank him, she should discreetly share anything she observed or overheard. Liu Ying assured him of her loyalty.
Feng Ying reiterated that such sentiments must remain unspoken to ensure her safety. After Liu Ying's arrival, General Li Yan, who was playing the zither, warmly greeted her as his "soul mate," insisting she not kneel. He then asked Feng Ying to discuss matters later. Feng Ying, excusing himself to check on the preparation of delicacies, left Li Yan and Liu Ying to converse.
Li Yan invited Liu Ying to sit and offered her the zither, which she initially deemed too precious to touch. However, Li Yan encouraged her to use anything in his villa, mentioning how her previous performance had deeply moved him. He then presented a poem he had written specifically for her, expressing his hope that she would set it to music to be "popular all over the country."
He recited the poem, which spoke of longing, wandering, and finding a soul mate. Liu Ying, visibly emotional, confessed to being an orphan who had lived a wandering life, expressing her gratitude for meeting him and seeking his care. Li Yan swore his devotion to her until "the end of the line." Later, General Li Yan and Feng Ying met privately.
Li Yan instructed Feng Ying to arrange for Liu Ying to move into the villa, finding her current residence unsuitable, and Feng Ying promised to handle it flawlessly. Feng Ying expressed his deep gratitude for Li Yan having previously saved him from accountability. Li Yan admitted to having a "selfish motive" for keeping Feng Ying in Siwencao Intelligence, revealing that his conflict with Zhuge Liang was intensifying and "will break with each other sooner or later."
Feng Ying reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty, prompting Li Yan to mention a "secret edict" from His Majesty aimed at overthrowing Zhuge Liang. Li Yan stressed that the operation must leave "no trace" and subtly expose Zhuge Liang's "crime of deceiving His Majesty" without implicating them. Feng Ying assured Li Yan he understood and would report a detailed plan, with Li Yan placing the "fate of our state" on his shoulders.
While Xun Xu and Chen Gong were discussing the Zhulong case over a meal, Xun Xu expressed his unwavering determination to uncover its full truth, believing his life would be "worthwhile" if he succeeded. Chen Gong, concerned for his friend, advised caution, highlighting the immense pressure Xun Xu would face due to Gao Tangbing's deep connections within the court and the authorities' likely desire to avoid a broader investigation.
Their conversation was interrupted by Pei Xu, who rushed in with the news: "Gao Tangbing killed himself." Later, Chen Gong privately urged Xun Xu to consider this a good development, suggesting that closing the case as a suicide would be "advantageous to you." Meanwhile, Yin Ji informed Feng Ying of Gao Tangbing's death, noting that Xun Xu's relentless investigation had caused widespread "gossiping fiercely" within Siwencao, with some even speculating that Xun Xu "hates" Feng Ying.
Feng Ying decided he would speak with Xun Xu personally. At the scene of Gao Tangbing's death, Xun Xu declared his disbelief, asserting, "Gao Tangbing wouldn't kill himself." Despite Pei Xu's insistence that forensic evidence, including the angle and force of the wood chip insertion and blood spatter, consistently pointed to suicide, Xun Xu remained unconvinced. He pointed out that while the fatal wood chip came from a table leg, Gao Tangbing's hands were remarkably "clean.
It wasn't even scratched," making it impossible for him to have pried it off himself. When Pei Xu questioned how a murderer could have acted without resistance, Xun Xu hypothesized that "sleeping powder" must have been involved. Further investigation with Pei Xu revealed that the incident occurred within a four-hour window. During this time, no one was recorded entering or exiting Gao Tangbing's cell.
Pei Xu also emphasized that as a "felon," Gao Tangbing's cell required "two keys" to open its final barrier, making a covert entry extremely difficult. General Guo Huai brought Huang Yu, the leader of Wuxian Sect, to meet Governor Guo Gang. Huang Yu explained that his sect had been "overthrown overnight" and he sought refuge in the Wei State, known for welcoming talents.
He expressed strong distrust for Chen Gong, stating that if Chen Gong hadn't "disguised himself as Mi Chong and used a lot of schemes," his sect would not have been destroyed. Huang Yu firmly believed Chen Gong was a "sinful man" and "in no way dependable." General Guo Huai interjected, clarifying that Chen Gong "works for us."
Acknowledging Wuxian Sect's heavy losses, Guo Huai promised Huang Yu a "high reward" from the court and instructed him to "let go of Chen Gong," whose actions were "under my command." Guo Huai then declared that Wuxian Sect had "made a great contribution" and might even become the "state religion" once the Wei State unified the country. Huang Yu pledged his obedience.
General Guo Huai further emphasized that despite any "resentment" Huang Yu held for Chen Gong, he must "cooperate with Chen Gong" upon returning to Hanzhong, prioritizing "overall interests" as "sacrifices in any form will be necessary" for their ultimate goal. Chen Gong arrived at General Li Yan's villa and was directed to wait in the study, where he encountered Liu Ying playing the zither.
Chen Gong informed her that "Gao Tangbing is dead," which meant her identity was now "completely safe." However, he noted that Xun Xu "will stick to the case." Liu Ying then revealed that General Li Yan "has a crush on me" and gave Chen Gong the poem Li Yan had written for her, suggesting, "We can use it to control and threaten him." Chen Gong agreed.
Later, Chen Gong declared that they "must overthrow Feng Ying," having waited "three years" for this moment, and emphasized that Feng Ying "mustn't be on guard." He then asked Liu Ying if General Guo Huai had informed her of Feng Ying's "emergency contact channel," to which she replied, "Mount Chiyan at Qingshi Valley." Feng Ying, aware of the internal "gossiping fiercely" within Siwencao Intelligence regarding Xun Xu's persistent Zhulong investigation, summoned Xun Xu.
He stressed the court's concern over the case and the critical need for Siwencao to "be stable" during the upcoming "second Northern Expedition," framing it as "the big picture." While Xun Xu argued that "cases are cases" and neglecting the truth could lead to "big trouble," Feng Ying acknowledged Xun Xu's unwavering resolve, admitting, "I know what a man you are. It's impossible to have you stop now."
However, Feng Ying then laid down a firm request: Gao Tangbing's death must be publicly closed as a suicide, as Chen Gong suggested, to "reassure everyone in our agency." Xun Xu's continued investigation could only "be carried out in secret instead of disturbing our daily work," declaring this "the bottom line." Returning home, Feng Ying was informed by Sun Ling that Chief Yang Yi was waiting for him in his study.
Yang Yi, whose grounding by the Prime Minister had ended, told Feng Ying that "the second Northern Expedition will start momentarily," and it was time to "put an end to" the trap they had meticulously planned for years. Feng Ying revealed the true nature of Guo Huai's Qingping Plan: its targets were not merely military assets like crossbows, but Shu's "senior commanders, especially General Li Yan."
He explained that he and Yang Yi had been "making use of their plan and letting them complete their plans," even to the extent of Feng Ying becoming Li Yan's "henchman" and betraying Yang Yi as part of the strategy. Feng Ying admitted his deep unease, as "the Prime Minister is ignorant of our plan," and their "interlocked stratagems will get a lot of people involved."
He voiced fears that exposure would lead to Li Yan ensuring they "will not let us get away," resulting in an "ignominious death" and implicating both the Prime Minister and all of Siwencao Intelligence. Yang Yi acknowledged the risks but insisted, "we have to take the risk. This is our only chance to overthrow Li Yan." He concluded that since Li Yan had "taken action," they "must put him in jail."
As the Second Northern Expedition approached, Yang Yi was resolute in his goal to eliminate Li Yan. Feng Ying informed Yang Yi that he and Chen Gong had been invited to lunch with Li Yan, where he planned to propose a scheme that would seal Li Yan's fate if activated.
Yang Yi expressed confidence in Feng Ying but voiced concern that Feng Ying himself "can't get away" from the plan, to which Feng Ying stoically replied that his own death was inconsequential if "the Shu State will last." Feng Ying then confided in Yang Yi about "two problems in Siwencao Intelligence" that troubled him: "Chen Gong" and "Xun Xu." Chen Gong's animosity, he noted, stemmed from "his father's death ten years ago," a matter he intended to address later.
However, Xun Xu presented a more immediate threat, as "He's sticking to the case, much faster than my schedule," and "He doesn't let go of Gao Tangbing's death. Soon, he'll track down on me." Feng Ying feared he "can't hold onto the last minute" before Xun Xu uncovered his involvement.
Simultaneously, Xun Xu, still probing Gao Tangbing's death, questioned Pei Xu about the jail's security, emphasizing the formidable challenge of an intruder gaining access to a felon's cell, which required "two keys" to unlock its "last door." At General Li Yan's residence, with Chen Gong present, Feng Ying began to outline his "interlocked stratagems," which he summarized with four words: "Making use of someone else." He proposed a three-step plan.
The first step involved disrupting Prime Minister Zhuge Liang's Northern Expedition, which aimed to take Chencang County through a secret maneuver. Feng Ying suggested "disclos[ing] this secret to the Wei Army" so they could "wipe out Wei Yan's army." This, he explained, would merely "hold up the Prime Minister so that he can't conquer Chencang County and it will gain time for our second step."
Chen Gong immediately raised two concerns: the risk of being accused of "treason" if the top-secret intel was intercepted by Shu spies, and how to ensure the Cao Wei leadership would "believe the intel we tell them." Feng Ying confidently responded that he possessed "an intelligence channel to contact Guo Huai directly," assuring them, "He will believe it." Li Yan was visibly impressed by this revelation, acknowledging the plan's newfound "feasibility."
For the second step, Feng Ying declared, "we have to count on you, General." He proposed that General Li Yan "ask your henchmen to disguise themselves as the Wu soldiers, attack our checkpoints, and cut off the trade route between Wu and Shu." Following this, they would "spread rumors that the Wu Army will invade us and fake a huge crisis that we have to fight two states at the same time."
Chen Gong, questioning this, noted that Eastern Wu was already allied with Shu against Cao Wei and Emperor Sun Quan was personally leading an army. Feng Ying dismissed this with the adage, "In war, there's always too much deception."
Chen Gong then articulated Feng Ying's intent: the Wu invasion "doesn't need to be real," but the resulting rumors, reaching Chengdu in Zhuge Liang's absence, would prompt His Majesty to "order General Li to negotiate with the Wu Army for final decision." Feng Ying confirmed this. Li Yan, realizing the full scope, understood that he could then "withdraw the army provisions. . . in the name of preparing to fight against Wu and have them sent to the frontline against Wu," a "drastic" move that amounted to "treason."
Episode 19 Recap
Feng Ying presented the third step of his intricate plan to Li Yan, which involved diverting Zhuge Liang's vital provisions and defense resources. He proposed that once Li Yan acquired the authority to coordinate military efforts, they would cut off the supply lines to completely undermine Zhuge Liang. Chen Gong, present at the meeting, praised Feng Ying's strategic brilliance, suggesting that such a move would dismantle the Prime Minister's Northern Expedition and secure Li Yan's political ambitions.
Li Yan, acknowledging the dangerous, treasonous nature of the plan, decided to proceed, promising Feng Ying the highest accolades for its success. Hu Zhong, later confiding in Li Yan, expressed deep concern, calling Feng Ying's scheme ruthless and a direct attack on the Prime Minister. He speculated that Feng Ying, haunted by the specter of Ma Su's fate following the Zhulong case, was now repaying Li Yan for saving him.
Despite the plan's cunning, Hu Zhong warned Li Yan against fully trusting Feng Ying, noting the former subordinate's mercilessness. Li Yan then instructed Hu Zhong to remain in Nanzheng to oversee the implementation of the third step. Separately, Feng Ying, subtly hinting at future collaboration, reminded Chen Gong of his influential connections to General Li, while Chen Gong, in turn, acknowledged the plan's profound impact on the court and requested Feng Ying's future support, which Feng Ying found overly tactful.
Meanwhile, Xun Xu remained deeply troubled by the Zhulong case, with his suspicions increasingly focusing on Feng Ying. He shared his concerns with Pei Xu, explaining that Gao Tangbing, as Zhulong, must have had other contacts beyond Gu Zheng, which would have motivated someone to quickly silence him. Yet, Xun Xu found it hard to believe Gao Tangbing wouldn't have resisted, recalling how Li Miao was immobilized before his assassination—a method Feng Ying had devised.
Xun Xu deduced that only Feng Ying within Siwencao could have killed Gao Tangbing so stealthily. His conviction grew stronger when he noticed wall dust on Feng Ying's sleeve, suspecting it came from Gao Tangbing's cell. Pei Xu volunteered to investigate and later returned with a wooden splinter he found on Feng Ying's sleeve.
This splinter perfectly matched a chip from the wooden plank used to kill Gao Tangbing, providing strong, albeit circumstantially obtained, evidence that Feng Ying had been in Gao Tangbing's cell. Xun Xu acknowledged that the evidence, having been handled by Pei Xu, was compromised for legal proceedings but confirmed their resolve to continue their covert investigation. He resolved to discuss these findings with Chen Gong.
As Zhuge Liang's second Northern Expedition was set to begin, with forces en route to Hanzhong, Guo Huai conveyed his apprehension about the vulnerable defenses along Mount Qi to Guo Gang. Guo Gang, however, reassured him that once Chen Gong ascended to a higher position, the Shu army's deployments would become entirely transparent to Wei.
Guo Huai then met with Huang Yu, who confirmed that, despite its recent decimation, the Wuxian Sect still commanded approximately 4,000 adherents in Hanzhong, ready to support Wei. Guo Huai instructed Huang Yu to return to Hanzhong and deliver a critical order to Chen Gong: he must eliminate Xun Xu. Guo Huai considered Xun Xu's relentless pursuit of the Zhulong case a significant threat to Chen Gong, who was deemed a vital strategic asset for Wei.
Despite the bond between Chen Gong and his sworn brother Xun Xu, Guo Huai insisted Chen Gong personally commit the act, providing Huang Yu with three golden crossbow arrows tipped with a fast-acting, lethal poison. Huang Yu reluctantly accepted the mission. Later, Guo Gang questioned Guo Huai's directive, fearing it would expose Chen Gong and jeopardize their larger strategy. Guo Huai dismissed his nephew's concerns, emphasizing the inherent unreliability of individuals in their profession.
He argued that Chen Gong, once empowered, could easily become uncontrollable. To ensure Chen Gong's absolute loyalty and eliminate any possibility of defection, he must be forced to kill his wife, his colleagues, and now his sworn brother, leaving him with no allegiance but to Wei. Xun Xu's death, Guo Huai asserted, would be Chen Gong's ultimate pledge of allegiance.
Xun Xu sought out Chen Gong, expressing his profound weariness and frustration with their profession, where lives and emotions were treated as mere trifles. He questioned the senselessness of constant conflict, prompting Chen Gong to remind him of their shared ideal: "to restore Han." Xun Xu then revealed Feng Ying had once sent him to Tianshui to kill Chen Gong, using the same "restore Han" justification.
He directly accused Feng Ying of killing Gao Tangbing and presented the wooden splinter Pei Xu had found. He explained that while this splinter, found on Feng Ying's sleeve and matching one from Gao Tangbing's cell, might not be admissible in court, it undeniably implicated Feng Ying. Back at Siwencao, Feng Ying discovered a subtle mark on his door, confirming his suspicion of surveillance.
Pei Xu, having already observed Feng Ying, instructed another agent to continue monitoring him before leaving to meet Xun Xu. Oblivious to being watched, Feng Ying received an urgent report from Chengdu: the Prime Minister's forces would arrive in Nanzheng in seven days for the Northern Expedition.
Feng Ying immediately ordered Sun Ling to put all departments on wartime footing, halting other operations to prioritize the expedition, and to prepare the Military Strategy and Intelligence departments for the Prime Minister's command. He then privately asked Sun Ling to arrange transport to Red Rock Peak in Qingshi Valley, explaining his desire to consult Taoist Qingyun, a renowned diviner, about the recent unsettling events within the Agency.
Sun Ling acknowledged Taoist Qingyun's profound wisdom and agreed that, given the complex dynamic between Chief Yang's recent return and General Li, a divination was indeed necessary. To evade Feng Ying's scrutiny, Xun Xu requested Chen Gong's help in acquiring trustworthy personnel. He explained the difficulty of assigning someone to monitor a Siwencao head, especially after recent reorganizations, and reaffirmed his commitment to the Zhulong case for Yue's sake.
Chen Gong agreed to secure an elite team of guards from General Ma Dai, ensuring they were untainted by Feng Ying's influence. Xun Xu further specified his need for an additional skilled tracker, as Pei Xu was already occupied. He then revealed his long-held suspicion about Liu Ying, whom he had rescued near Wudu while returning from Tianshui. Her convenient appearance and exceptionally competent role in assisting Feng Ying's escape raised serious questions, suggesting she was a highly trained spy.
Chen Gong initially dismissed this as paranoia and playfully accused Xun Xu of jealousy. However, Xun Xu insisted, citing his honed intuition about spies and emphasizing Feng Ying's deliberate placement of Liu Ying with General Li as a clear indication of a deeper motive. Chen Gong conceded that if Feng Ying and Guo Huai were indeed engaged in covert communication, Liu Ying could be their intermediary. Xun Xu proposed setting a trap during the impending Northern Expedition to expose them.
Chen Gong pledged his full support, offering Lin Liang, his former Shu spy contact from Tianshui, who had recently returned to Nanzheng, to assist Xun Xu, vouching for his cleverness and loyalty. As Pei Xu arrived to escort Xun Xu, Chen Gong cautioned Xun Xu to proceed with extreme care amidst the complexities of the upcoming Northern Expedition and to keep a close watch on Liu Ying. Immediately after Xun Xu’s departure, Chen Gong sensed an intruder in his room.
It was Huang Yu, who addressed him as "Zhulong." Huang Yu offered his condolences for the death of Zhai Yue, Chen Gong's wife, and declared their past grievances settled, with Zhai Yue's death balancing the destruction of the Wuxian Sect. Huang Yu then delivered Guo Huai's secret order: Chen Gong was to eliminate Xun Xu to "remove a hidden danger."
Chen Gong expressed his concern that Xun Xu's death immediately after Feng Ying's removal would attract suspicion and undermine his position, suggesting Guo Huai's lack of trust. Huang Yu dismissed these concerns, claiming Guo Huai merely sought to clear obstacles for Chen Gong, and presented three golden crossbow arrows, tipped with instant-kill poison, noting Chen Gong's archery prowess would make the task easy.
Chen Gong countered that such a reckless act would jeopardize the larger Qingping plan, but Huang Yu cut him off, assuring him the operation was fully prepared to take place outside Nanzheng city, causing him no trouble. Huang Yu then designated Xixiang city as their rendezvous point. Li Yan and Hu Zhong meticulously planned to disrupt the Northern Expedition. Li Yan, using a map, detailed how Zhuge Liang's army would pass through Hanzhong via Chencang Road, necessitating provisions.
He explained that while there were two supply routes from Mount Dingjun—a faster west route and a longer east route—they must ensure the east route was used, passing through Sanguan Pass, the Mian River, Xie Valley, and Wuzhang Plains to Chencang. Li Yan's jurisdiction lay south of Sanguan Pass, where Hu Zhong was to deliver provisions to Wei Yan. He clarified that once supplies were handed over, he would bear no responsibility for subsequent events.
Li Yan envisioned Chen Gong destroying a dam downstream on the Mian River, triggering a flood that could be conveniently attributed to natural disaster, especially given the continuous rain and frequent floods in the Sanguan Pass area. Coupled with fabricated reports of an Eastern Wu invasion, he could then justify diverting troops and provisions to the Wu front. Hu Zhong praised Li Yan's meticulous scheme.
Li Yan then explained that to justify using the eastern route, they needed General Ma Dai, who oversaw checkpoints, to report the western route as damaged by landslides and temporarily impassable. Thus, winning over Ma Dai was crucial. Hu Zhong suggested that Ma Dai, who had felt unappreciated and abandoned by the Prime Minister after his cousin Ma Chao's death six years prior, might be receptive to an offer of recruitment, potentially swaying him to "turn over a new leaf."
Li Yan expressed hope, and Hu Zhong departed to make the necessary arrangements. Liu Ying, feeling melancholic, instructed her maid to guard the backyard entrance while she retreated to a pavilion, anticipating a visitor. Meanwhile, Xun Xu and Pei Xu were stationed outside her villa. Xun Xu, playing a tune on his flute, inquired if Liu Ying would appear, to which Pei Xu affirmed she would.
Pei Xu voiced reservations about their rapid progress, suggesting Feng Ying's evidence was too overt, making them feel manipulated, and expressed surprise that Chen Gong hadn't noticed these inconsistencies. Xun Xu, citing the imminent Northern Expedition, justified their haste to neutralize threats. Pei Xu then took up a vantage point. Liu Ying, drawn by the music, approached Xun Xu, expressing concern over his serious leg injury, which Feng Ying had mentioned to General Li.
Xun Xu apologized for manipulating her into stealing Feng Ying's seal, an act that brought her closer to Feng Ying and subsequently to General Li. Liu Ying assured him she was never bothered but admitted that sometimes she felt she had no choice in her actions. Xun Xu, in turn, confessed his profound distress over the situation and directly accused her of being a Wei spy.
Liu Ying initially tried to dismiss his accusation as a jest, but Xun Xu pressed on, revealing that Gao Tangbing, the Wei spy known as Zhulong, had regularly visited Ziyan House three times a month exclusively to see her, a pattern that only began after her arrival in Nanzheng. Liu Ying feigned ignorance, prompting Xun Xu to state that Gao Tangbing, before his death, had identified her as his contact.
Liu Ying, finally understanding, implied Xun Xu believed she had merely used him and questioned if he thought their entire encounter since Wudu was a calculated deception, and whether his feelings for her were genuine. Xun Xu remained silent. Accepting his implication, Liu Ying stated that despite his lack of concrete evidence, the brutal reality of the Shu-Wei conflict necessitated killing without hesitation. She then calmly extended her hands, offering herself for arrest, declaring her exhaustion and desire for peace.
Episode 20 Recap
Xun Xu found Liu Ying and offered her his token, telling her it would allow her to leave the city anytime. He pleaded with her to depart this dangerous place and avoid further involvement in the war. Liu Ying embraced him, took the token, and left. Xun Xu then instructed Lin Liang and Pei Xu not to follow her, and specifically told Pei Xu not to inform Chen Gong about their encounter. Later, Chen Gong visited Feng Ying for tea.
During their conversation, Chen Gong lauded Feng Ying's exceptional contributions to Siwencao Intelligence, remarking that even Wei officials like Guo Gang and Guo Huai held him in awe, describing him as "extremely cunning and vicious." Feng Ying acknowledged Chen Gong's underlying message. Chen Gong then brought up the war ten years prior, in Jian'an 23, when his father was killed while Li Yan was garrisoning Zizhong County.
He recounted how Ma Qin and Gao Sheng, instigated by Cao Wei, rebelled and besieged Zizhong. Despite the initial advantage of the Shu army, their supply lines were suddenly cut, leading to a massive invasion. With Liu Bei's main army stationed at Yangping Pass, a rescue was impossible. Chen Gong directly challenged Feng Ying, believing that as the head of Siwencao Intelligence, he must have had information about this incident.
Feng Ying admitted that when he and Yang Yi arranged for Chen Gong to go to Cao Wei, they anticipated this day would come. He revealed that allowing the rebel forces to besiege Zizhong was a strategic necessity for the Shu army. At that time, Liu Bei was confronting Xiahou Yuan at Yangping Pass, unable to find a weakness in Wei's defenses.
Yang Yi, upon discovering Guo Huai's instigation of Ma Qin and Gao Sheng's rebellion, swiftly conveyed a secret edict from the late emperor. This edict ordered Feng Ying to secretly provide Zizhong County's defense details to Cao Wei. As a result, Wei's forces at Mount Dingjun, including Xiahou Yuan, misjudged the situation and rashly attacked, falling into Zhuge Liang's trap. This allowed the Shu army to kill Xiahou Yuan and conquer Hanzhong.
Feng Ying emphasized that his actions were under orders and that Chen Gong's father's death was not the original intention of the strategy. Chen Gong pressed further, questioning if Feng Ying's collusion with Guo Huai and betrayal of Shu spies were all part of this strategy for the Han dynasty, and whether those lives were expendable.
Feng Ying responded that no one deserves to die, but when faced with a choice between national interest and individual lives, he would always choose the former. He informed Chen Gong that Yang Yi would arrive in Nanzheng in a few days, suggesting Chen Gong could verify the details with him. Feng Ying stressed the immense sacrifices made and insisted that their efforts must not be wasted.
Feng Ying then admitted to arranging Gao Tangbing's death, assuring Chen Gong it was unrelated to him. He acknowledged Xun Xu was investigating him but dismissed it as inconsequential. Finally, Feng Ying instructed Chen Gong to secure a General's Token from Yang Yi. Meanwhile, Ma Dai arrived at the deserted Ziyan House for his appointment with Li Yan. Hu Zhong, Li Yan's confidant, greeted Ma Dai and took his sword, explaining the private nature of the meeting.
Li Yan offered Hu Zhong to Ma Dai as an assistant, which Ma Dai readily accepted. Li Yan then began to express his dissatisfaction with Zhuge Liang's Northern Expedition, deeming his plans too ambitious and impractical. Ma Dai, however, remained cautious, stating that as a soldier, his duty was to obey His Majesty's orders, and success or failure was beyond his purview.
Li Yan then invoked the death of Ma Dai's brother, Ma Chao, in an attempt to sway him, claiming Ma Chao had also shared concerns about Zhuge Liang. Ma Dai firmly refused to be entangled in court politics and prepared to leave. As Li Yan was about to take drastic action, Hu Zhong intervened, proposing to show Ma Dai a secret imperial edict. After reviewing the edict, Ma Dai's attitude shifted dramatically.
He apologized for his earlier words and pledged to "fight the rebels by edict," expressing his unwavering loyalty. Li Yan then presented an affidavit, which Ma Dai saw was signed by numerous generals, indicating Li Yan's extensive network of support. Ma Dai signed the document and raised a toast, proclaiming, "With so many generals assisting, how can we fail to achieve great things?" However, he harbored his own hidden agenda.
In Tianshui Commandery, Guo Huai and Guo Gang assessed the Shu army's deployment. The Military Intelligence Agency reported being unable to distinguish the Shu army's main force. Facing simultaneous invasions from Shu and Eastern Wu, Guo Huai ordered all forces in Tianshui to consolidate and retreat to the Weishui River within three days, establishing a defensive line to block the Shu army frontally, even if it meant temporarily abandoning Wudu and Yinping.
Separately, Huang Yu gathered the remaining two to three thousand Wuxian Sect members in Hanzhong. He tasked one group with cutting off the Shu army's supply lines north of Sanguan Pass. Another group, led by Elder Cao and Guan Qi, was dispatched to attack the pass outside Xixiang Town, with the specific objective of targeting Xun Xu. Xun Xu's leg injury was gradually healing.
He informed Chen Gong that he had placed a "pawn" with Liu Ying and was awaiting her move. Pei Xu reported that a small circle, a known spy contact mark, had been drawn on Feng Ying's door the previous day. Chen Gong then told Xun Xu that Feng Ying planned to visit Taoist Qingyun at Chiyan Peak in Qingshi Valley for divination. Xun Xu scoffed, not believing Feng Ying's spiritual intentions.
Xun Xu instructed Pei Xu to maintain strict surveillance on Feng Ying and to act decisively if he made any suspicious moves. To aid Xun Xu's efforts, Chen Gong provided him with a General's Token from the Prime Minister's Mansion, which he had acquired from Yang Yi. That night, Feng Ying meticulously wrote a message on a bamboo slip, sealed it, and put it away.
He gazed at his old armor, lamenting that he would never again wear it to battle, and expressed gratitude for its protection over the years. Sun Ling reported the arrangements for Feng Ying's upcoming trip. He questioned Feng Ying's decision to go to Chiyan Peak early the next morning, as Zhuge Liang's main army was expected to arrive in Nanzheng in the afternoon, suggesting Feng Ying wouldn't be able to return in time.
Feng Ying, however, remained resolute, giving Sun Ling, his beloved wife's only close relative, a meaningful look before dismissing him. The following morning, Feng Ying set out for Chiyan Peak with his divination offerings. Xun Xu and his men were already lying in ambush nearby. When a servant emerged from the courtyard carrying Feng Ying's offerings, Xun Xu dispatched men to follow him.
Inside, Taoist Qingyun, recognizing Feng Ying as a high-ranking official who had already transcended life and death, bluntly predicted that Feng Ying would face imprisonment within three days. Feng Ying merely smiled, appearing to accept his fate. As Feng Ying descended the mountain path, Xun Xu and his forces suddenly burst out, arresting him on charges of colluding with Cao Wei and leaking military secrets.
Episode 21 Recap
Xun Xu, accompanied by his men, confronted Feng Ying, the head of Siwencao Intelligence, accusing him of treason. Xun Xu declared, "Clerk Feng, you're under arrest for leaking confidential military intelligence to Wei." Feng Ying retorted, questioning Xun Xu's authority and demanding proof. Xun Xu then presented a divination box containing a confidential letter written in Feng Ying's own hand, confirming it as the military intelligence he was accused of leaking.
Although Feng Ying was Xun Xu's superior, Xun Xu produced the Prime Minister's badge as authorization. Feng Ying, unfazed, instructed his aide Sun Ling that no one else was involved, before calmly complying with the arrest. Meanwhile, Zhuge Liang's army passed through Nanzheng, camping outside the city.
Li Yan initially planned a brief courtesy visit with Zhuge Liang, but Hu Zhong informed him that Feng Ying had been arrested while attempting the first step of their plan to transmit secret intelligence to Wei. Furious and surprised, Li Yan was told that Feng Ying was caught red-handed with a personally written letter, though the Wei spy for pickup had not yet arrived. He also learned that Xun Xu, using the Prime Minister’s badge, made the arrest.
Li Yan expressed his frustration that Chen Gong seemed unaware. He immediately ordered his carriage to meet Zhuge Liang. On the way, Li Yan instructed Hu Zhong to visit Feng Ying in custody. Hu Zhong reported that Xun Xu believed Feng Ying was the real Zhulong and had murdered Gao Tangbing. Li Yan ordered Hu Zhong to tell Feng Ying to remain silent, promising him a position in court if he did.
He also instructed Chen Gong to take over Feng Ying’s communication channels with Wei to continue the plan. When Yang Yi informed Zhuge Liang about Feng Ying's alleged collusion with Wei, Zhuge Liang chuckled, stating that he knew Feng Ying well and understood his true nature, having personally promoted him. Yang Yi tried to persuade him, citing the case of Li Miao and presenting Feng Ying's self-written intelligence as conclusive evidence.
He emphasized that the letter revealed the vanguard's deployment and tactical targets, and its interception by Xun Xu saved General Wei Yan’s troops from annihilation. Despite this, Zhuge Liang maintained that there was a hidden truth behind the case. Given the impending war, he ordered Feng Ying to be held until after the campaign, when he would personally interrogate him.
Zhuge Liang, aware that the leadership of Siwencao now fell to Chen Gong, whom he didn't know well, and noting Li Yan's coordination of logistics, instructed Yang Yi to remain in Nanzheng. He tasked Yang Yi, acting as his assistant, to aid and supervise Chen Gong, emphasizing that Siwencao, as the intelligence hub, must remain stable and not descend into chaos. Despite having successfully arrested Feng Ying, Xun Xu remained deeply uneasy.
Pei Xu tried to celebrate with him, offering wine, but Xun Xu's brow was furrowed, showing no signs of joy. He confessed to Pei Xu that the case was "too easy" and he couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. Xun Xu detailed the suspicious ease with which evidence appeared: wall dust on Feng Ying’s sleeve after Gao Tangbing's death, wood splinters, a spy's secret code on his door, and finally, Feng Ying's handwritten intelligence.
He argued that a man as cunning as Feng Ying would never leave such obvious clues. Xun Xu concluded that Feng Ying orchestrated his own capture. He reiterated his long-held belief that Feng Ying was not a Wei spy, at most an intelligence broker, because if Feng Ying were Zhulong, the entire Shu Han intelligence network would have collapsed long ago. If Feng Ying deliberately allowed himself to be caught, it could only be to protect someone more important.
Driven by this suspicion, Xun Xu ordered Pei Xu to retrieve all documents related to Feng Ying, specifically requesting files on the Zizhong rebellion from Jian’an 23rd year. Reviewing the documents, Xun Xu discovered that Chen Fu, who died defending Zizhong against rebels after Feng Ying allegedly leaked intelligence to Wei, was Chen Gong's birth father. This revelation led Xun Xu to believe that the relationship between Chen Gong and Feng Ying was far from simple.
Chen Gong brought a shackled Feng Ying to meet with Yang Yi. There, Chen Gong confirmed with Yang Yi that his father's death during the Zizhong rebellion was not due to villainy but a heroic sacrifice for the state, part of a strategy to lure Xiahou Yuan's forces into an ambush.
Feng Ying had purposefully leaked intelligence to Wei under orders, and his actions, including taking responsibility for Gao Tangbing’s death, were all to facilitate Chen Gong's rise and the larger mission of restoring the Han Dynasty, even if it meant bearing infamy. Deeply impressed by Feng Ying’s selflessness, Chen Gong saluted him. Feng Ying, in turn, thanked Chen Gong for never doubting him and simply told him to "live on," entrusting the next steps to him.
Chen Gong then revealed the details of the Qingping Plan, the counter-espionage scheme, which was reaching its final climax. Chen Gong explained that Guo Huai's Qingping Plan was designed for Chen Gong to seize the Siwencao leadership, control Shu's government, and sow discord between Li Yan and the Prime Minister, ultimately enabling Wei to conquer Shu and Wu.
However, Feng Ying and Yang Yi had already discovered this, turning Chen Gong into a double agent operating within a "plan within a plan." They had decided to counter-scheme, using Guo Huai’s ambition against him. Xun Xu was a crucial part of this counter-plan; he unknowingly helped Chen Gong expose Wei spy Gao Tangbing and fulfill all steps of Guo Huai’s Qingping Plan. Now, with Li Yan ensnared, his downfall was inevitable.
Feng Ying then emphasized that to ensure Li Yan’s complete ruin, his own identity as a Wei spy must be firmly established, making his death a necessary sacrifice to avoid exposing their counter-plan, which would have severe consequences, including implicating the Prime Minister. Feng Ying stressed that all their actions were for the restoration of the Han Dynasty.
He pointed out that Chen Gong, now deeply trusted by Guo Huai, was invaluable, a "dagger in the heart of Wei," whose long-term infiltration was crucial for their ultimate goal. Chen Gong then revealed that Huang Yu, sent by Guo Huai, had secretly met him in Hanzhong, demanding that Chen Gong personally kill Xun Xu as his final "pledge of loyalty." Feng Ying recognized this as Guo Huai’s ultimate test.
Both Feng Ying and Yang Yi urged Chen Gong to prioritize the state. Yang Yi initially expressed concerns about involving Xun Xu due to his righteous nature, but Feng Ying asserted that Xun Xu was ultimately the most suitable person to unwittingly carry out their plans, proving invaluable in Chen Gong's success. However, his mission was now complete.
Yang Yi explained that if Xun Xu continued his investigation, their elaborate plan, involving the highest levels of government, would be exposed, endangering everyone involved and destroying Siwencao. He warned that Chen Gong’s long-term deep cover in Wei, a cornerstone of their strategy, would be jeopardized. Despite Chen Gong’s desire to inform Xun Xu, both Yang Yi and Feng Ying insisted that Xun Xu’s inflexible nature made it impossible to involve him without risking the entire operation.
They implored Chen Gong to suppress his emotions and "not be soft," emphasizing that the Han Dynasty's future outweighed individual lives. Chen Gong, though understanding the stakes, wept at the heavy burden. Yang Yi ordered Chen Gong to return to Nanzheng immediately, with no more time to waste on this matter. Chen Gong, with a heavy heart, promised to fulfill his mission.
The remaining obstacle to their plan was His Majesty Liu Shan’s secret edict, still in Li Yan's possession, likely hidden in his study. To ensure Li Yan’s treason could be definitively proven and to sow chaos in Shu, Chen Gong ordered Liu Ying to infiltrate Li Yan's study and destroy the edict. He stressed the importance of its disappearance. However, Li Yan had significantly heightened security around his villa, making entry without his written permit impossible.
Chen Gong acknowledged the extreme danger, knowing that if Liu Ying caused any disturbance, she would surely die. Despite Liu Ying's resolve, Chen Gong gave her Siwencao's highest-clearance pass, instructing her to complete the mission, escape quickly, and then live a good life. Meanwhile, in Tianshui Commandery, Guo Huai discussed Zhuge Liang’s movements with his subordinates, including Guo Gang. Huang Yu, the Wuxian Sect Priest, who had infiltrated Hanzhong, assured Guo Huai of his actions.
He dispatched his followers to disrupt Shu’s supply lines and feign an attack on Xixiang Pass to lure Xun Xu, enabling Chen Gong to carry out Guo Huai’s final test. However, Huang Yu also harbored a deep grudge against Chen Gong for destroying his Wuxian Sect and secretly instructed his subordinate to seize any opportunity to kill Chen Gong.
Guo Huai believed that Zhuge Liang's attack on Xie Valley with Wei Yan was a feint; his true objective was Chencang, a small but strategically vital and well-fortified city. Guo Huai explained that Zhuge Liang desperately needed Chencang as a base to stockpile grain for further advances. To counter this, Guo Huai had instructed Hao Zhao to defend Chencang resolutely and sent General Wang Shuang as reinforcement.
He reasoned that if Zhuge Liang failed to capture Chencang, he would turn to face Wei at Mount Qi. Guo Huai planned to hold the Wei River line, engaging Zhuge Liang in a prolonged standoff to buy Li Yan more time. He predicted that within months, the Shu army would descend into chaos from within. His strategy was to avoid Zhuge Liang's initial offensive and prepare for a later, decisive strike.
After over twenty days of intense fighting at Chencang, where Hao Zhao's stubborn defense and Wang Shuang’s reinforcements, who had killed Xie Xiong and Gong Qi and wounded Zhang Yi, proved formidable, Zhuge Liang's adjutants Liao Hua, Jiang Wan, and Deng Zhi reported their inability to take the city.
They also confirmed that Wei Yan had advanced into Longxi following Wei’s withdrawal from Wudu and Yinping, and Guo Huai had arrayed his forces along the north bank of the Wei River, anticipating Zhuge Liang’s next move. Knowing Guo Huai was prepared to ambush his troops during a river crossing, Zhuge Liang, despite the risks, decided to confront Guo Huai head-on.
He planned to first eliminate Wang Shuang, then utilize favorable winds and new repeating crossbows on his crossing vessels to surprise Guo Huai’s forces at the Wei River. He ordered General Liao Hua to continue the siege of Chencang while he executed his strategy to defeat Wang Shuang.
Episode 22 Recap
Huang Yu's messenger arrived at Wei's camp to deliver intelligence to Inspector Guo Huai and Governor Guo Gang. Guo Huai acknowledged that Chen Gong had not disappointed him. The two generals discussed Zhulong's brilliant plan: a fabricated invasion by the Wu Army would compel Li Yan to divert provisions to Jiangzhou, leaving Zhuge Liang's army with only a month's supply.
They noted that Chen Gong now wielded significant power within Siwencao Intelligence, and Li Yan was under their control, making the Qingping Plan proceed more smoothly than anticipated. Guo Huai then dispatched an immediate order to Hao Zhao, instructing him to defend Chencang County for one month, stating that if the county fell within that period, Hao Zhao would face execution, but if it held for longer, Guo Huai would bear all responsibility.
Xun Xu, back in Nanzheng County, had spent the previous night pondering Chen Gong's recent actions, finding them increasingly suspicious. He had previously learned that Chen Gong's father was not a traitor but a hero who sacrificed for the state, a narrative Feng Ying had seemingly concealed. When a subordinate reported Huang Yu's presence at the Xixiang checkpoint, Xun Xu surmised it was no coincidence and rushed there with his men.
Along the road to the checkpoint, Huang Yu and Chen Gong lay in wait. Huang Yu gave Chen Gong a poisonous arrow. Under these circumstances, Chen Gong had no other choice but to reluctantly fire the crossbow, striking Xun Xu in the chest. Chaos erupted as Huang Yu's soldiers attacked. Pei Xu, witnessing the ambush, dragged the severely wounded Xun Xu away, lamenting that he couldn't give Xun Xu a proper burial as he hid him.
Pei Xu, injured in the ensuing fight, was later rescued by Siwencao Intelligence soldiers. After the ambush, Chen Gong feigned anger at Xun Xu's apparent death when Yin Ji reported it. Chen Gong questioned why Xun Xu would rush to Xixiang without informing him. Yin Ji, while not always agreeing with Xun Xu's methods, asserted that Xun Xu's intelligence suggested he must have had another, undisclosed reason for his hasty departure.
Yin Ji also stated his disbelief that Feng Ying could be a Wei spy, as Feng Ying had founded Siwencao Intelligence and would never betray it. Chen Gong then inquired about Pei Xu's condition, and Yin Ji noted that Pei Xu seemed to be withholding information. Unbeknownst to most, Chen Gong had not truly killed Xun Xu. Instead, he had faked Xun Xu's death and imprisoned him in a dark, isolated cell, ensuring his arrow wound was treated.
Lin Liang, tasked with Xun Xu's care, informed Chen Gong that Xun Xu was recovering well, with medicine administered in his water daily. Chen Gong expressed his weariness and confusion about who was right or wrong in the intricate web of espionage, but firmly declared that Xun Xu must live and be protected at all costs.
He instructed Lin Liang to ensure Xun Xu would disappear and live under a new identity after the grand plan concluded, as Xun Xu's stubborn nature would lead him to uncover the truth if allowed to investigate. Meanwhile, confined in his cell, Xun Xu, desperate for answers, used a stone to dig at the wall, hoping to find a way out.
He also confronted Lin Liang during a meal delivery, demanding to see Chen Gong to understand why he was imprisoned, but Lin Liang explained Chen Gong was away on a mission to Mount Dingjun.
Li Yan, growing increasingly anxious over Zhuge Liang's prolonged campaign against Chencang County, expressed his fear to an official that if Zhuge Liang managed to conquer even one commandery, the morale of the Shu army would soar, causing Emperor Liu Shan to again become indecisive and potentially discard Li Yan. Thus, Li Yan emphasized the critical need for his plan to succeed.
Chen Gong arrived to report that he had successfully established communication with the Wei Army, and Guo Huai would dispatch disguised elite forces to await orders outside Dasanguan Pass. Li Yan initially praised Chen Gong for quickly assuming Feng Ying's responsibilities, but then directly inquired if Chen Gong was responsible for Xun Xu's death.
Chen Gong confessed he was forced to eliminate Xun Xu, fearing his continued investigation into the Zhulong case, Gao Tangbing's death, and Feng Ying's arrest would expose Li Yan's grand strategy. Li Yan acknowledged Chen Gong's difficult decision, philosophical about the sacrifices needed for "extraordinary achievements." Ten days later, Li Yan would instruct Hu Zhong to send the first batch of army provisions, and Chen Gong's critical mission was to ensure these provisions never reached the front lines.
Chen Gong further elaborated that the fabricated Wu invasion would compel Zhuge Liang to fight on two fronts, allowing Li Yan to step in and resolve the crisis, thereby securing his place and reputation. Zhuge Liang had strategically set up an ambush along Chencang Road, luring Wei General Wang Shuang deep into a valley by feigning multiple defeats.
Despite warnings from his officers about Zhuge Liang's cunning, Wang Shuang, overconfident, pursued the retreating Shu army and was trapped when the canyon exit was blocked by logs. Zhuge Liang then gave the order to fire arrows, and with Deng Zhi leading a charge, the Wei troops were annihilated, and Wang Shuang was defeated. Upon receiving the battle report, Li Yan learned of Zhuge Liang's success and his intention to confront Guo Huai's main forces.
Reacting swiftly, Li Yan dispatched a messenger to Jiangzhou to activate the second phase of his plan. He then drafted a secret letter to Emperor Liu Shan, alleging that Emperor Sun Quan of Wu had broken their alliance and was poised to invade Xichuan from multiple directions while the Shu army was engaged in the Northern Expedition. Li Yan blamed Zhuge Liang's "obstinate" disregard for the late emperor's blood feud for this "precarious" situation.
He pledged to diligently serve the emperor and adapt to the crisis, including diverting army provisions to Yidu. He then ordered Hu Zhong to personally deliver this critical letter to Chief Eunuch Huang Hao in Chengdu. Meanwhile, Zhuge Liang noted that Wang Shuang's head, preserved with lime, had been sent to Chengdu, hoping it would temporarily alleviate Emperor Liu Shan's suspicions. However, Zhuge Liang remained concerned about the army's logistics and supply lines.
While General Wei Yan was tasked with securing the provisions, Zhuge Liang found him "not thoughtful enough." Deng Zhi then volunteered to personally oversee the supply efforts, which brought Zhuge Liang some relief. In the upper reaches of the Mian River, a dam, weakened by continuous heavy rain, was nearing its breaking point. Huang Yu had completed his preparations and awaited Chen Gong's signal to destroy the dam, unleashing a flood to obstruct the transportation of army provisions.
Huang Yu threatened that if Chen Gong failed in this mission, he would be executed. Meanwhile, Liu Ying sought to borrow a bamboo flute from Li Yan's study but was blocked by a guard, who explained that General Li Yan had strictly forbidden anyone else from entering. Undeterred, Liu Ying, dressed in dark attire, was later discovered by her maid, Ying'er, who entered the room. Liu Ying had no choice but to silence Ying'er.
At Dasanguan Pass, Hu Zhong delivered army provisions to General Wei Yan and Deng Zhi. During their meeting, Hu Zhong tried to ply Wei Yan with wine and subtly suggested they wait for better weather before departing, attributing his caution to his inexperience and the instability of the eastern front. Wei Yan, though brave, was prone to indulgence and drank the wine.
However, Deng Zhi, ever vigilant, reminded Wei Yan of past blunders caused by drinking on duty and insisted that they could not afford any delays. After confirming the provisions were in order, Wei Yan and Deng Zhi promptly departed despite Hu Zhong's attempts to delay them further, citing the Prime Minister's urgent need and the extended travel time via the eastern route.
Episode 23 Recap
General Yang Yi convened a meeting with Chen Gong and other strategists to finalize their deployment against Li Yan. Yang Yi stressed that since Li Yan commanded elite troops, the most effective strategy was to firmly establish his guilt of treason, thereby compelling him to flee on his own.
He confirmed that General Wei Yan had already delivered the provisions across the river and would dispatch elite troops to raid the Wuxian Sect's camp, ensuring the swift elimination of Huang Yu and his followers. Yang Yi then stated that they needed to solidify Li Yan's crime before moving to eradicate Wuxian Sect and Huang Yu. That night, Liu Ying, her face concealed, infiltrated the study in Li Yan’s villa.
When she tried to pry open a lock, she startled the guards outside. Thinking quickly, she poured lamp oil onto a wooden box and set it alight, then escaped through a window. Guards hurried to retrieve a key from Commandant Cheng Fan, but the fire quickly spread. Meanwhile, Li Yan was eagerly anticipating news from Chen Gong about the dam's collapse and the destruction of the provisions.
Instead, he received the devastating news that his study had been set ablaze and crucial secret documents incinerated. Before this, he had received reports that General Hu Zhong had delivered provisions to General Wei Yan, and Chen Gong had confirmed the plan to destroy the dam. Li Yan also learned that his secret report to the Chief Eunuch in Chengdu had led to the Emperor recalling the Prime Minister and granting Li Yan authority over Wu affairs.
But the fire changed everything. Seeing the charred remains, Li Yan realized he had lost his justification for his actions. With Liu Ying nowhere to be found, only the body of her maid, Ying’er, discovered, Li Yan immediately ordered a city-wide search for Liu Ying, offering a thousand taels of gold for her capture, and instructed his subordinates to recall the five thousand crack troops of the Right Wing Three Battalions from Jiangzhou without delay.
At the river dam, Huang Yu finally received the signal from Zhulong, unaware that it also served as the Shu army's call to attack. Caught in a pincer movement, Huang Yu realized he had been deceived by Chen Gong, but it was too late to reverse his fate. Chen Gong drew the sword Di Yue had left him and engaged Huang Yu in a deadly duel.
Huang Yu taunted Chen Gong about his late wife, but Chen Gong vowed to avenge her. As the blade slowly pierced Huang Yu's chest, Chen Gong finally avenged his wife's murder, telling her spirit that she could now rest in peace. Believing their grand scheme was on the verge of success, Hu Zhong and Cheng Fan were drinking and celebrating, discussing how General Wei Yan should have crossed the river with the provisions.
Suddenly, Ma Dai, accompanied by his guards, stormed into their tent. He apprehended Hu Zhong on the spot, accusing him of assisting Li Yan in colluding with Cao Wei to destroy the provisions and obstruct the Northern Expedition. Hu Zhong protested, claiming he was acting under an imperial edict, but Ma Dai demanded to see it. Realizing Yang Yi had entrapped him, Hu Zhong cursed Yang Yi as he was taken away.
Yang Yi and Ma Dai then turned their horses and returned to Nanzheng, signaling that the final phase of their operation was imminent. At the same time, Xun Xu, dragging his injured leg, painstakingly crawled out of the dark cave. Breathing a sigh of relief as he saw daylight again, he asked his rescuers to find Chen Gong.
Meanwhile, Pei Xu, observing the movements within Nanzheng, saw three smoke signals rise from the South Peak outside the city, instantly recognizing them as Xun Xu's distress call. He quickly mobilized his men to rescue his chief. In Nanzheng, a frantic Li Yan confronted the returning Chen Gong, eagerly asking about the situation at Dasanguan Pass. Chen Gong deceived Li Yan, asserting that the dam had broken and the provisions were submerged, making Li Yan believe their plan had succeeded.
However, Li Yan revealed that both Feng Ying and Liu Ying were in fact Wei spies. He explained that the burned box not only contained the secret imperial edict but also a righteous declaration bearing the seals of various generals, leaving him with no path of retreat. Li Yan expressed his fear of being branded a rebel if he fought, and lamented that all his plans had changed within two hours.
Ma Dai, well aware of the formidable strength of Li Yan's forces, suggested a swift resolution to their operation, fearing that if Li Yan deployed his elite Right Wing Three Battalions, the outcome would become uncertain. Yang Yi deeply understood that a genuine conflict with Li Yan would be detrimental to the Han dynasty. He wished to avoid open warfare but recognized the necessity of applying pressure on Li Yan.
Patrols reported that Li Yan had deployed all his guards and crossbows to his villa, and the Right Wing Three Battalions was moving towards Nanzheng West Gate, creating a standoff. Yang Yi, however, insisted they wait for Li Yan to make his move. Li Yan was like a headless fly, unable to make a decision. He was unwilling to abandon the situation he had meticulously cultivated, yet he also dreaded being branded a traitor.
Chen Gong, observing Li Yan's hesitation, delivered the final, decisive blow. He informed Li Yan that there was no turning back—the provisions were destroyed, and Hu Zhong had been captured. If Hu Zhong were to reveal the entire plan, Li Yan would be defenseless. Chen Gong proposed that Li Yan, riding alone, should leave the city via a secluded mountain path to Chengdu to meet the Emperor and explain his true intentions.
In the meantime, Chen Gong would take command of the troops and hold Nanzheng for six hours, buying Li Yan crucial time. Moved to tears, Li Yan expressed his profound gratitude, noting that he had twice been saved from dire situations by Chen Gong and his father. As Li Yan finally departed, Chen Gong knew his scheme had been successfully executed.
As Yang Yi led his forces into Nanzheng, he saw Chen Gong sitting composedly in the villa and rejoiced at the success of their counterintelligence operation. Yang Yi praised Chen Gong, saying that he had prevented a catastrophe and predicted that Chen Gong would become a legendary figure for Shu Han. He also confirmed that all those who knew Chen Gong's true identity had been silenced.
However, at that very moment, Xun Xu, having escaped his confinement and leading soldiers of Siwencao Intelligence along with Yin Ji, stormed into the villa, vowing to arrest Chen Gong. Yang Yi lamented Chen Gong's softheartedness, which had left such a dangerous loose end. He warned that if the plan were exposed now, not only would Feng Ying's sacrifice be in vain, but a great many people would also lose their lives.
Chen Gong confessed that he could not bring himself to harm Xun Xu, explaining that his wife Di Yue had died for their country, and Xun Xu was her only elder brother. He felt he could not face Di Yue in the afterlife if he were to personally kill Xun Xu. Chen Gong then proposed his final solution to Yang Yi. Meanwhile, Xun Xu, impatient with the delay, ordered his commandants to seize Chen Gong, and his men charged forward.
Episode 24 (Ending) Recap
Li Yan, making a desperate solo escape, found his path blocked by Ma Dai’s forces on a small road, as arranged by Yang Yi. Cornered, Li Yan angrily threw down his sword, protesting that he had been loyal to the late emperor since following him, always intending to destroy Cao Wei and extinguish Eastern Wu. He declared that his fervent heart remained unchanged despite Zhuge Liang’s persuasiveness. Ma Dai, however, urged him to surrender and await punishment.
Li Yan eventually conceded, demanding to be taken to Zhuge Liang. Meanwhile, the Northern Expedition concluded hastily due to the Li Yan incident, and Zhuge Liang’s army quietly returned to Chengdu. Upon Zhuge Liang’s return, Yang Yi presented evidence, reporting that ""Chen Gong"" was the mastermind. He had planted Wei spy Liu Ying in Li Yan’s residence and secretly communicated with Guo Huai to pass on Shu Han military intelligence.
Yang Yi further detailed how Li Yan had ordered Jiangzhou soldiers to pose as the Wu Army and arbitrarily transferred Dingjunshan's army provisions to Jiangzhou without permission, aiming to cut off Zhuge Liang’s Northern Expedition retreat. He confirmed a three-step plan, supported by Hu Zhong’s testimony, and identified Chen Gong, Li Yan’s favorite pupil and Siwencao Western Chief Clerk, as the mastermind.
He accused Chen Gong of instigating Li Yan to secretly move the right three battalions to surround Nanzheng to fight General Ma Dai, colluding with Huang Yu and Wuxian Sect remnants to dam the Mian River upstream to cut off General Wei Yan's supply route, framing Feng Ying for assassinating Siwencao Commandant Xun Xu, and using the Wei spy Liu Ying as a honey-trap for Li Yan. Yang Yi stressed that all facts were confirmed.
Zhuge Liang questioned Chen Gong’s loyalty, recalling Yang Yi’s past praise for him, then inquired about Li Yan’s capture. Yang Yi explained Li Yan’s escape from Nanzheng by climbing over the city wall and subsequent capture by Ma Dai on a small road. He then presented a love poem Li Yan wrote to Liu Ying. Zhuge Liang sternly confronted Yang Yi about using Siwencao Intelligence, a national weapon, for internal court struggles, asking if such tactics were appropriate.
Yang Yi defended his actions, stating Li Yan’s arrogance and self-interest, his attempts to consolidate power by proposing combining five counties to form Bazhou (and become its governor after Zhuge Liang's refusal), his roping in Sichuan gentry and Jingzhou former subordinates, stirring up the debate between Southern and Northern Expeditions, and urging Zhuge Liang to accept nine bestowments and title of King (while secretly wanting it for himself), all threatened Zhuge Liang’s authority and national stability, making him a dangerous figure who must be removed.
Zhuge Liang, now understanding the depth of the political machinations and Li Yan's ambition, emphasized the need for a bottom line in power struggles and principles in conduct, urging Yang Yi to reflect on his actions. A disappointed Yang Yi sank to the floor, muttering that his actions were for the restoration of the Han Dynasty. Following these events, Feng Ying was reinstated to Siwencao, but Xun Xu was ordered to steer clear of the case and not interfere.
A month later, Zhuge Liang finally met Li Yan. Li Yan angrily accused Zhuge Liang of using Siwencao Intelligence for court intrigue, saying such cunning tactics were inappropriate and would be scorned by all. Zhuge Liang denied prior knowledge of Yang Yi’s use of Siwencao, admitting the methods were inappropriate, but asserted the outcome was correct.
He argued that if Li Yan had not harbored rebellious intentions, Siwencao could not have instigated him to collude with Cao Wei, cut off military supplies, or fake a Wu invasion. Zhuge Liang pointed out Li Yan’s secret factionalism and his strong advocacy for a Southern campaign to break the alliance with Eastern Wu, which he considered an attack on the state’s foundation.
He insisted that Li Yan’s arrest was necessary to prevent national ruin, framing it as a matter of the state’s survival, not personal vendetta. Li Yan challenged Zhuge Liang’s insistence on the Northern Expedition, questioning its guaranteed success. Zhuge Liang calmly explained that while no national policy is perfect, an alliance with Wu against Wei would secure Shu Han’s peace for at least thirty years.
He warned that breaking the alliance to march east into Jingxiang would invite Wei to seize Hanzhong, leading to Shu Han’s collapse within three years. He questioned what face Li Yan would have to meet the late emperor then, concluding that personal reputation was insignificant compared to their shared duty to serve the Han Dynasty until death. Li Yan finally grasped Zhuge Liang’s true intent, but it was too late for him.
Xun Xu, who had been waiting for over a month, excluded from the case by Feng Ying, finally met Yang Yi. Yang Yi informed him that Chen Gong’s case was closing, and the verdict was immediate decapitation, with his head abandoned in public. Xun Xu demanded to see Chen Gong, and Yang Yi permitted it. In prison, a shackled Chen Gong sat on a straw mat.
Xun Xu confronted him, reeling off a list of accusations: betraying Shu Han, disloyalty, injustice for trying to kill him, heartlessness for colluding with Wei so soon after Di Yue’s death, and unfilial conduct for trapping Li Yan, who had treated him like a son, especially since Chen Gong’s own father had saved Li Yan. Xun Xu questioned if Chen Gong genuinely embodied such treachery.
Chen Gong retorted that Xun Xu would not believe him even if he explained, but under Xun Xu’s insistence, he offered a false confession. He claimed he was ordered to infiltrate Wei, became Guo Huai’s guard captain, and was caught during a mission. Guo Huai then showed him a secret document revealing Feng Ying sold out his father, leading to his father’s death for Li Yan in the Zizhong rebellion.
Chen Gong claimed this ignited his desire for revenge, leading him to become Zhulong, use Xun Xu for cooperation, and plan to kill Feng Ying and turn Li Yan against Shu Han. Xun Xu, however, refused to believe this superficial account, stating he would investigate thoroughly, knowing Chen Gong’s true nature. Xun Xu then laid out his own deduction, based on weeks of reflection.
He believed that after the Jieting incident during the previous Northern Expedition, Guo Huai initiated the Qingping Plan. Chen Gong, fueled by a personal vendetta against Feng Ying for his father’s death, was trusted by Guo Huai. Chen Gong was sent to the Wuxian Sect, ostensibly to steal Shu Han's crossbow designs, but actually, as Chen Gong himself had admitted, to sacrifice the entire sect and Gao Tangbing (the then-Zhulong) to become a hero and replace Feng Ying.
Xun Xu’s cooperation inadvertently bolstered Guo Huai’s confidence in Chen Gong. However, Xun Xu believed Chen Gong was secretly a double agent for Yang Yi and Feng Ying, using the Qingping Plan as a decoy to trap and overthrow General Li Yan. Chen Gong dismissed Xun Xu’s importance in the larger scheme.
Xun Xu continued, deducing that Guo Huai might have ordered Chen Gong to kill Xun Xu as a final act of allegiance, hence Huang Yu’s attack at the Xixiang checkpoint to lure him out and create an opportunity to kill him. Simultaneously, Yang Yi also desired Xun Xu’s death because his ongoing investigation into Zhulong threatened to expose the intricate counter-intelligence plan and potentially implicate Zhuge Liang.
Chen Gong, unable to bring himself to kill Xun Xu, had Lin Liang shoot him with a non-poisonous arrow and then imprisoned him, hoping to transfer him to safety once the situation calmed. But Xun Xu’s unexpected escape shattered this intricate plan. With Chen Gong’s alleged Wei spy status now publicly known within Siwencao, he had no choice but to alter the plan drastically.
Originally, Feng Ying was to be sacrificed, but because of Xun Xu’s escape, Chen Gong had to sacrifice himself. Chen Gong, tearfully avoiding direct confirmation, lamented their tragic fate, stating that some secrets must be taken to the grave. He spoke of their lives: "We brothers harm each other. Husband and wife cannot meet. Such a life is truly awful." Xun Xu wept, realizing that his actions had inadvertently led Chen Gong to this fate.
Chen Gong, still trying to protect the larger plan, desperately pleaded with Xun Xu to stop the investigation and reiterated his false confession of being Zhulong, a defector who lost to Xun Xu. He suggested Xun Xu tell everyone he was a Wei spy for ten years, instigated by Guo Huai due to his father’s death, and that he orchestrated everything, including turning Li Yan and framing Feng Ying.
This, Chen Gong insisted, would make the case watertight, implicate no one else, and allow Feng Ying to be reinstated to his original post. Xun Xu rejected this, knowing it would mean the total failure of their long-term infiltration plan into Cao Wei's high ranks. Chen Gong persisted, arguing it was the only way for everyone else to be safe and for all events to have a clear, explainable rationale, repeatedly begging Xun Xu to cease his inquiries.
On the day of execution, Yang Yi, Feng Ying, and Siwencao personnel, including Xun Xu, gathered to witness it. Feng Ying informed Xun Xu that he had been vindicated, blaming Chen Gong for framing him, and announced Zhuge Liang’s order for him (Feng Ying) to resume control of Siwencao. Feng Ying also told Xun Xu that Zhuge Liang had personally appointed him to lead a mission to Jianye, the capital of Eastern Wu, to establish a new intelligence network.
Xun Xu had only one request for Feng Ying: that a tombstone be erected for Chen Gong, and he be buried alongside Di Yue. As the hour of execution arrived, Chen Gong looked up at the Shu Han banner, then offered a gentle smile to Xun Xu. The blade fell, and Chen Gong’s life ended. Li Yan and Guo Huai were utterly defeated.
Liu Ying, having escaped the turmoil, looked at the escape token given to her by Chen Gong and Xun Xu, lamenting the past. Later, before setting off for Eastern Wu, Xun Xu visited the combined tomb of Chen Gong and Di Yue, pouring wine as an offering to his friend and sister. Still tormented by what had happened, he sat at the bow of the boat, unable to shake off his mental anguish.
Lin Liang, accompanying him on the journey to Eastern Wu, approached and told him the ultimate truth. He revealed that Chen Gong had personally planned Xun Xu’s escape from the cellar. Chen Gong had instructed Lin Liang to leave the pottery bowl and drop the flint, knowing about the sealed secret passage in the cellar and that Xun Xu would find it.
Xun Xu understood that Chen Gong, originally intending to retire to the mountains with Di Yue after capturing Zhulong, had lost all will to live after her death. From that tragic day, Chen Gong changed his plan, ultimately sacrificing himself to protect the Han Dynasty and ensure its peace, effectively taking Feng Ying’s place in death. Lin Liang conveyed Chen Gong’s last message for Xun Xu: "Let Xiaohua put this matter down. He was not killed by you."
Finally understanding the full extent of his friend’s sacrifice, Xun Xu breathed a long sigh of relief. As the shore of Eastern Wu came into view, Xun Xu, now resolute, prepared to disembark, ready to continue steadfastly on his new journey as the Court Gentleman of Ceremonial Minister.
