The Wind Blows From Longxi Episode 2 Recap
> The Wind Blows From Longxi 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.
