The Wind Blows From Longxi Episode 4 Recap
> The Wind Blows From Longxi 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.
