The Wind Blows From Longxi Episode 3 Recap
> The Wind Blows From Longxi 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.
