The Wind Blows From Longxi Episode 17 Recap
> The Wind Blows From Longxi 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.
