This Thriving Land Episode 11 Recap
> This Thriving Land Recap
Feng Er was delighted with the one-horned ox Ning Xiuxiu bought him, feeling the three dollars spent were well worth it. Early the next morning, he proudly led the ox around the village, earning praise from the villagers who considered it a great bargain. Seeing Feng Er's fondness for the ox, Feng Dajiao teasingly suggested selling it. Feng Er adamantly refused, leading Feng Dajiao to demand the one-dollar deposit Ning Xiuxiu had paid.
Feng Er was reluctant to part with it, but his wife stepped in to take the money from him. Ning Xiuxiu then gave the dollar back to Feng Er, instructing him to keep it safe in his money box for buying land, an idea Feng Dajiao amusingly dismissed as he claimed to have no such box. Elated, Feng Er went to Fei Zuoshi to sign a land lease contract for thirteen mu in Sesame Gully before inspecting his new plot.
Meanwhile, Feng Dajiao tried to call Tietou over to bank the fire, but there was no response. Tietou’s mother emerged from her house, launching into a furious tirade against Ning Xiuxiu, leaving Ning Xiuxiu bewildered. Feng Dajiao suspected that Fei Zuoshi had leased Tietou’s family’s land to them. Feng Er confirmed this suspicion by showing the contract for the thirteen mu of land.
Both Feng Dajiao and Ning Xiuxiu urged Feng Er to return the land to Fei Zuoshi, concerned about Tietou's family. Misunderstanding the situation, Tietou believed Ning Xiuxiu had conspired with Fei Zuoshi to take his family's land. In a fit of anger, he threw clothes Ning Xiuxiu had prepared for him into Feng Dajiao's yard and then tore down the wall between their homes.
Tietou cursed Feng Er, while Tietou’s mother wept uncontrollably, accusing Feng Er's family of bullying a widow and orphan and wishing divine retribution upon them. Feng Dajiao demanded the land deed from Feng Er, intending to return it to Fei Zuoshi, but Feng Er stubbornly refused. Tietou’s mother, still distraught, continued to hurl insults at Ning Xiuxiu and Feng Er.
Despite Ning Xiuxiu’s repeated attempts to explain that they had no idea whose land they were leasing, Tietou’s mother refused to believe her, accusing her of having no conscience. Angered, Ning Xiuxiu retorted, reminding her of the kindness their family had shown, including sharing dumplings on New Year's Eve, which Tietou's mother now called "evil-filled." Feng Dajiao quickly pulled Ning Xiuxiu away, explaining that Tietou's family had never owned land, relying solely on leased plots.
He recounted how Tietou's father had barely secured the thirteen mu from Fei Zuoshi, and after his death, Tietou and his mother had painstakingly cultivated it, fearing its reclamation. Taking this land, Feng Dajiao stressed, would effectively cut off Tietou's family's only means of survival. Ning Xiuxiu, hearing the full story, regretted her harsh words. Unable to stomach the injustice, Tietou confronted Fei Zuoshi, demanding to know why she reclaimed his land.
Fei Zuoshi, however, instructed Beard Liu to produce the account book, citing Tietou’s family’s consistent failure to pay rent and their numerous borrowings. Tietou pleaded for one year to repay all debts, but Fei Zuoshi dismissed his request, stating that the land was hers to manage as she pleased and advising him to channel his energy more productively. Devastated, Tietou went to Yin Zi, crying that with his land gone, he could no longer afford to marry her.
Feng Dajiao went to Fei Zuoshi, attempting to return the leased land, admitting he couldn't bring himself to offend Tietou. Ning Susu, overhearing, pointed out that Feng Er clearly liked the land and advised Feng Dajiao not to overthink the situation, reminding him that if their family didn't lease it, another would. Despite Feng Er's eagerness to plow the new land, his wife (Feng Dajiao's mother) firmly stopped him, insisting they couldn't cultivate it until the dispute was resolved.
Feng Er reluctantly put the ox away and went to work on the field alone. Later, when Feng Dajiao attempted to rebuild the torn-down wall between their homes, Tietou immediately kicked it down again. Feng Dajiao's mother advised him to stop trying to rebuild it for now, suggesting they wait until Tietou's family calmed down. At the village entrance, Tietou, Feng Si, and Glutton Fei were looking for work.
Feng Si, having heard about Tietou's land being taken by Feng Er, began badmouthing Feng Er to Tietou. Glutton Fei, Yin Zi's father, condemned Feng Si for spreading rumors, reminding him of his own past laziness and how he had squandered his own land. Tietou, angered by Glutton Fei's ingratitude despite the food he often gave Yin Zi's family, got into a heated argument with him. Glutton Fei then warned Tietou to stay away from Yin Zi.
A hiring agent from Pan Xiaogui's estate in Xiazhuang arrived, seeking laborers. Tietou was immediately hired, but Glutton Fei was rejected, leading him to hold a grudge against Tietou for not speaking up for him, solidifying his resolve not to marry Yin Zi to Tietou. Feng Dajiao and Ning Xiuxiu then discussed a new plan: to secretly send the ox to Feng Er so he could plow the land.
They reasoned that regardless of who ultimately farmed the land, having it plowed wouldn't be a waste. Feng Dajiao led the ox to the field, then hid. Feng Er, seeing the ox, was overjoyed and immediately began plowing. Feng Dajiao later visited Tietou's mother, delivering a message from Tietou that he had found labor work for Pan Xiaogui and would return in a day and a half for his bedding.
Feng Dajiao also brought a bundle of firewood, but Tietou's mother tearfully refused it, distressed that her son was forced into labor. Feng Dajiao tried to reassure her that his family was working to get her land back, but she dismissed his words as lies. Tietou and Feng Si were assigned to Pan Xiaogui's estate, sharing a room.
Feng Si, despite his earlier words, offered to return home the next day to retrieve bedding for both of them, promising to take on Tietou's work while he was gone. Meanwhile, Du Chunlin, the head of the county farmers' association, personally visited Ning Kejin. Ning Kejin had formed a militia and joined the Qingqi Society. Master Guo had strongly recommended Ning Kejin to Du Chunlin, praising his skills and leadership.
Du Chunlin urged Ning Kejin to join the movement to resist taxes and fight corrupt officials. Ning Kejin, however, stated that his group's primary purpose was home defense and banditry. Ning Xuewu interjected, pointing out that Du Chunlin’s father, Du Mingyi, was Ning Kejin’s grandfather’s sworn brother, urging Ning Kejin to embrace a broader ambition. Ning Kejin agreed to discuss the proposal with Master Guo first.
Du Chunlin then went to thank Feng Dajiao for saving his life, accompanied by Ning Xuewu, who was pleased to see Ning Xiuxiu's thriving life. Du Chunlin offered Feng Dajiao a position at the farmers' association in the county, promising a monthly salary and inviting him to bring his family. Feng Dajiao, unable to make a decision immediately, wanted to consult his family.
While Feng Er and his wife (Feng Dajiao's mother) prepared a meal, with Ning Xiuxiu helping, Feng Dajiao invited Du Chunlin to stay for dinner. Du Chunlin, however, excused himself, claiming urgent business. That night, two masked bandits arrived at Pan Xiaogui's estate to scout for a robbery. Feng Si accidentally overheard them. When discovered, they threatened him with guns, forcing him to offer his assistance.
Later, Ning Xiuxiu enthusiastically supported Feng Dajiao's move to the county, immediately packing his bags and praising Du Chunlin as a great man with whom he could accomplish big things. However, Feng Dajiao confessed he wished to stay home to help his aging parents with farm work. Seeing his resolve, Ning Xiuxiu reluctantly put away the packed luggage, acknowledging the importance of filial piety.
