The Wind Blows From Longxi Episode 16 Recap
> The Wind Blows From Longxi 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."
