This Thriving Land Episode 12 Recap
> This Thriving Land Recap
Du Chunlin, whom Feng Dajiao had previously rescued and taken to the hospital, later, before his departure, secretly left a silver dollar for Dajiao as a token of thanks. That night, Ning Xiuxiu discovered the money and advised Dajiao to travel to the county town to return it in person, as Du Chunlin had already left. Dajiao agreed. Meanwhile, Tietou's family had lost their 13 mu of rented land.
It had been seized by Fei Zuoshi due to unpaid debts from Tietou's deceased father's illness, and then rented to Feng Er. Feng Er guarded the land deed possessively, even sleeping with it under his pillow. One night, Feng Dajiao's mother, attempting to take the deed while Feng Er slept, was caught by him. Feng Er angrily accused her of being a "thief in the family" and threatened to divorce her.
His wife retorted that she'd welcome the divorce, tired of his stinginess after a lifetime together, and insisted they shouldn't farm Tietou's land. Feng Dajiao, hearing the commotion, came out and supported his mother, agreeing that she was right to try to take the deed. This further angered Feng Er, who accused his wife and son of being disloyal outsiders, even bringing up the 15 mu of dowry land Ning Xiuxiu hadn't brought with her. Just then, Ning Xiuxiu arrived.
She advised Feng Er not to be angry and to proceed with farming Tietou's land, suggesting he focus on what to plant for the upcoming spring plowing. Hearing Ning Xiuxiu's unexpected support, Feng Er's demeanor instantly changed. He praised her as an educated and sensible daughter-in-law. Seeing this shift, Feng Dajiao quickly pulled Ning Xiuxiu away.
Feng Er, still simmering with anger, again threatened to divorce his wife, mocking her true age, which was nine years older than him, not three as the matchmaker claimed. Later, Ning Xiuxiu discussed the land with Dajiao, pointing out they couldn't farm Tietou's land and questioning if they could retrieve the deed.
She proposed a plan for a "turnaround": Dajiao would feign accepting Du Chunlin's offer to work in the county town, which included a salary and a 20-silver-dollar settling fee, with the option to bring family. The next morning, Ning Xiuxiu revealed Du Chunlin's offer to Feng Dajiao's mother, showing her the silver dollars left by Du Chunlin. His mother was overjoyed, exclaiming that Dajiao was destined for greatness and that their ancestors must be blessing them.
Feng Er, upon hearing of Dajiao's potential departure, was torn, realizing he couldn't manage all thirty-plus mu of land alone. Dajiao seized the opportunity to suggest Feng Er return the 13 mu to Fei Zuoshi for Tietou. Feng Er reacted with speechless fury, accusing Dajiao of tricking him. Ning Xiuxiu quickly sent Dajiao to fetch water. She then reassured Feng Er that Du Chunlin's offer was legitimate and confirmed the large sum of silver dollars.
She also stated that Dajiao was genuinely reluctant to leave his parents and farming, but felt compelled to go if Feng Er wouldn't relent on the land. In a subtle move to pressure him, Ning Xiuxiu advised Feng Er to keep the land and focus on planting, while reassuring Dajiao's mother that Dajiao's ambition was natural. Meanwhile, in Xiazhuang Village, Hu San and his men were scouting targets for a robbery.
They captured Feng Si, who was working as a farm laborer for Pan Xiaogui. Though initially frightened, Feng Si quickly offered to be an inside man and guide for them, claiming to know the village intimately from his work organizing ceremonies, and identifying Pan Xiaogui's house as the wealthiest target. One of Hu San's men vouched for Feng Si's quick wit and usefulness, promising to keep him under close watch.
Hu San accepted Feng Si's offer, warning his men that they would be held responsible if anything went amiss. Unable to sleep, Feng Er continued to wrestle with the decision of prioritizing Dajiao's promising future in the city over the thirteen mu of new land. His wife, however, firmly advocated for their son's advancement. The following morning, Feng Dajiao set off for the county town, carrying the silver dollar to return to Du Chunlin.
Back home, Ning Xiuxiu confided in her mother-in-law, revealing the true purpose behind their charade: to convince Feng Er to voluntarily relinquish the land deed to Tietou. The mother-in-law, impressed by Ning Xiuxiu's cleverness, praised her highly and gave her some valuable perilla seeds to take as a gift when she visited Fei Zuoshi. Ning Xiuxiu then personally went to Fei Zuoshi's residence, accompanied by Ning Susu, to plead with her to rent the thirteen mu back to Tietou's family.
Fei Zuoshi agreed, but on one condition: Ning Xiuxiu must write a letter to Fei Wendian, persuading him to return home. Ning Xiuxiu readily agreed and penned the letter on the spot. Pleased, Fei Zuoshi promised the land would go to Tietou once Wendian returned and then, with Ning Susu's help, began preparing a meal to entertain Ning Xiuxiu.
Ning Susu, still unsure about Fei Wendian's return, expressed her fear to Ning Xiuxiu, who reassured her that if Dajiao went to the city, she would take Susu along. Back at home, Feng Er was furious to learn that Dajiao had actually left for the county town, lamenting that he couldn't possibly manage the household's expanded landholdings alone. He blamed Ning Xiuxiu for not stopping Dajiao.
Ning Xiuxiu calmly replied that as a woman, she had to obey her husband, and besides, her strength wouldn't have been enough to stop his son. Feng Er, exasperated, retreated indoors, clinging to the land, stating he had already deep-plowed it three times. Ning Xiuxiu, however, suggested that if he returned the land, Tietou's family would be grateful for his effort. Meanwhile, Feng Dajiao walked to the county town.
Along the way, he encountered Xiao Qing, a worker from the Fei family, who was on his way to deliver a letter to Fei Wendian. When Dajiao learned that the letter was written by Ning Xiuxiu, his curiosity was piqued, but Xiao Qing refused to show him the contents. Upon reaching the farmers' association, Dajiao learned that Du Chunlin was away and wouldn't return for another two days. Mr. Shen arranged for Dajiao to stay there overnight.
That night, Dajiao was awakened by a commotion. Mr. Shen was rallying his men to meet Du Chunlin's returning group. Dajiao, upon learning that Du Chunlin was back, eagerly volunteered to join them. Mr. Shen led his contingent of the Qingqi Society, successfully storming the Shuhe County Government and the police station, apprehending corrupt officials who had been exploiting the populace with excessive taxes and abusing their power. Dajiao witnessed this action, feeling a surge of excitement.
Simultaneously, Ning Kejin led his own forces in a swift raid on the Shuhe County Security Corps, confiscating all their firearms and ammunition and arresting their members. However, their captain managed to escape amidst the chaos. Ning Kejin, not wishing to prolong the engagement, quickly ordered his men to rendezvous with Mr. Shen's group. Ning Kejin and Mr. Shen converged their forces and met with Du Chunlin.
Ning Kejin was surprised to discover that Feng Dajiao was already with Du Chunlin and learned from Du Chunlin that Dajiao was his brother-in-law. As they discussed the successful operation, Du Chunlin explained to Dajiao that this was the kind of work he wanted Dajiao to do – fighting for the common people. Just then, the escaped captain of the Security Corps emerged from the shadows and fired a shot at Du Chunlin.
Without hesitation, Dajiao lunged forward, shielding Du Chunlin from the bullet and taking the hit himself. He was rushed to the hospital, where doctors confirmed he had sustained a flesh wound, thankfully not life-threatening. Du Chunlin, relieved but concerned for Dajiao's recovery, immediately dispatched Ning Kejin's men to bring Ning Xiuxiu to the hospital, believing her attentive care would aid Dajiao's healing. Fei Wendian received the letter, which contained only a single character, "Return."
He immediately understood it was from Ning Xiuxiu. Meanwhile, Ning Xiuxiu arrived at the hospital to care for Feng Dajiao. Upon seeing his sweaty state, she fretted over his pain, though Dajiao insisted he was fine, having only a minor wound that wouldn't hinder his farming. When a nurse came to administer an injection and asked Ning Xiuxiu to help remove Dajiao's pants, she blushed with embarrassment but complied.
Feng Dajiao joked that he felt no pain with her by his side. As Dajiao’s condition steadily improved under Ning Xiuxiu's attentive care, he finally voiced the concern that had been weighing heavily on his mind since his arrival: the letter she wrote to Fei Wendian. Ning Xiuxiu reassured him, explaining that Fei Zuoshi had only agreed to rent the land back to Tietou's family if Ning Xiuxiu wrote to her son, Fei Wendian, urging his return.
To fulfill the condition without betraying her current allegiance, Ning Xiuxiu simply wrote the word "Return," signifying her status as an "outsider" to the Fei family and merely Susu's sister. Dajiao immediately apologized for his suspicions. Ning Xiuxiu then affirmed that after all they had been through, their hearts were now united, and she only wished to live a stable life with him and his parents. Dajiao was filled with profound joy upon hearing her words.
Du Chunlin visited Feng Dajiao and Ning Xiuxiu at the hospital, noting Dajiao’s improved spirits thanks to Ning Xiuxiu. He used the opportunity to explain the Farmers' Association's policies on land reform, emphasizing their role in empowering farmers against oppressive landlords. Du Chunlin promised a more detailed explanation once Dajiao fully recovered.
Meanwhile, Fei Wendian sought leave from his principal, eager to return home to address Ning Xiuxiu's letter and to resolve his relationship with Ning Susu, unwilling to delay her future any longer. He also expressed his desire to introduce the ideas of the Farmers' Association to his village. His principal supported his return, advising him to be patient in dismantling feudal strongholds and to subtly promote the association's principles by understanding local customs and establishing trust.
Back at the Fei estate, Fei Zuoshi meticulously prepared for her son’s return, ordering servants to clean the house and prepare his favorite dishes. She also instructed them to air out the bedding of both Fei Wendian and Ning Susu.
Fei Zuoshi then took Ning Susu aside to share "secret remedies" for childbirth, including a new pillow filled with dried orange peels, which she claimed would encourage intimacy and thus conception, citing Madam Liu from the front village's success with it. She also urged Susu to diligently practice squatting exercises, stating the midwife assured her it would strengthen her for childbirth, regardless of the baby's size.
Despite Susu's complaints about the bitter lye buns and porridge she was made to eat, Fei Zuoshi insisted on the demanding practice regimen. Upon Feng Dajiao's discharge from the hospital, Du Chunlin arranged for Ning Kejin to escort him and Ning Xiuxiu back home. Ning Kejin orchestrated a grand homecoming, with a procession of gongs and drums accompanying Dajiao, who was carried in a sedan chair.
To the gathered villagers, Ning Kejin dramatically recounted Dajiao's heroic act of shielding Du Chunlin from the assassin's bullet, claiming he himself had then retaliated and killed the assailant. He praised Dajiao’s bravery and the miraculous nature of his minor injury, attributing it to divine protection. The villagers hailed Dajiao as a true hero. Before leaving, Ning Kejin instructed Feng Er to host a celebratory feast for his men.
Feng Er readily agreed, though he later muttered to his wife about demanding compensation for Dajiao's injury, to which his wife countered that if he didn't resolve the land issue, Dajiao would leave again. That night, Feng Dajiao thanked Ning Xiuxiu for her unwavering care, telling her that even the hospital nurse had praised her as an "angel of a wife."
He then asked her what she truly thought of herself, to which she tenderly replied that he was "even better than an angel." Dajiao then sought reassurance that her earlier words about wanting to live a simple, stable life with him and his parents were sincere. Ning Xiuxiu assured him she would never lie.
She confessed that her initial marriage to him had been out of defiance and gratitude for saving her life, and while she felt safe, they were essentially strangers. However, his consistent kindness, his thoughtfulness towards her feelings, and his refusal to ever force or mistreat her, allowed her to gradually come to know his true character: his inherent goodness, capabilities, and profound love for her.
She concluded that while others might call her an "angel," she was the fortunate one, having found her "rock" in him. She affirmed that marrying him in anger was, in fact, the best decision she had ever made, as she had "never felt this secure" in her entire life. Their conversation deepened their emotional bond, and they subsequently slept together, consummating their marriage.
