This Thriving Land Episode 16 Recap
> This Thriving Land Recap
Tietou finally gathered the tenants to publicly denounce Ning Xuexiang. However, Ning Kejin, leading his militia, was already training vigorously at Ning Xuexiang's doorstep, their unified, agile movements and shouts of "Don't step on the flag!" intimidating. The militia's powerful presence scared all the gathered tenants, who scattered and went home. Tietou was left feeling frustrated and disappointed by the failure of his first attempt.
Feng Er, who had come hoping to help Ning Xuexiang, was relieved to see the denouncement thwarted but also somewhat disappointed that the situation didn't escalate. As he lingered near the Ning family gates, Ning Xuexiang noticed him and grew enraged, believing Feng Er was there to mock his misfortune. Ning Xuexiang boastfully declared that his family's homestead was the largest in Ox Temple Village and had stood for generations, proclaiming, "We Ning family never falls!"
He even asserted that his son, Ning Kejin, was his "golden shield" and no one could touch him. Feng Er retorted, calling Ning Xuexiang "an ancient turtle" and warning him that despite his temporary escape, the Farmers' Association would "teach him a lesson you won't forget" sooner or later. Ning Xuexiang, feigning hospitality, then offered Feng Er a drink, which Feng Er flatly refused, calling it "horse piss."
Feng Er explained that his true intention was to intervene and help if Ning Xuexiang had been attacked, but Ning Xuexiang had instead verbally abused him. Ning Xuexiang then had Kuangzi close the gate. Meanwhile, Ning Kejin, pleased with his militia's display, led them through the village. Ning Xiuxiu approached her brother, urging him not to let their father oppose the Farmers' Association, fearing it would only harm Ning Xuexiang.
Ning Kejin dismissed her concerns, stating that the land was their father's life and as a son, he had to support him, assuring her that with him around, "no one can touch our Ning family." Ning Xiuxiu, reflecting on how Ning Kejin knew to act so swiftly, suspected someone had forewarned him.
Feng Dajiao, in turn, confessed that he had gone to Ning Kejin earlier, hoping to persuade him to advise Ning Xuexiang to compromise, but it seemed Ning Kejin had misunderstood his message and instead gathered the militia to confront Tietou. Ning Xiuxiu thanked Feng Dajiao, expressing how he always seemed to understand her thoughts and act on her behalf, making her feel as refreshed as "drinking a cold bowl of water on the hottest summer day."
Feng Dajiao responded that it was only natural as he considered them "one and the same." Tietou's efforts to organize the tenants for reform backfired severely when several landlords, including one mentioned for kicking Fei Baisui, retaliated by repossessing the land of those who participated. The affected tenants, including women whose husbands had joined Tietou, angrily stormed Tietou's home with their families, demanding their land back.
Tietou's mother bravely defended her son, arguing that the men had joined the Farmers' Association willingly. Feng Dajiao arrived and managed to pacify the enraged crowd, persuading them to disperse. Later, Tietou sat by the river, dejected and lamenting the failure, which he felt jeopardized his ability to marry Yinzi. Feng Dajiao tried to console him, suggesting he seek advice from Fei Wendian, who had experience with farmers' associations.
Tietou stubbornly refused, disparaging Fei Wendian as a "beardless scholar" from a wealthy family. Instead, Tietou insisted on seeking out a "highest-ranking official" who had taught him at the Farmers' Association's study group, believing this person could truly help. At the Fei family's estate, Fei Zuoshi instructed Beard Liu to gather all tenants, announcing that she would proactively offer rent and interest reductions and permanent tenancy.
She revealed her motivation to Fei Wendian: she didn't want him to be arrested and publicly humiliated. Fei Wendian, alongside Beard Liu, then began the process of registering the tenants' requests, with many opting for permanent tenancy. Tietou's mother was among the first to successfully secure permanent tenancy for her family. Tietou, with Feng Dajiao, visited Du Chunlin, the official he spoke of.
Tietou proudly introduced Du Chunlin to Feng Dajiao as the "high official" he knew, expecting Du Chunlin to greet him formally. To Tietou's surprise and slight jealousy, Du Chunlin greeted Feng Dajiao warmly, inquiring about his injury. Feng Dajiao explained that he had saved Du Chunlin's life twice. Tietou expressed his annoyance, telling Feng Dajiao to stop calling Du Chunlin "Brother Du" and instead address him as "Director." Feng Dajiao assured Tietou that he would always stand by him.
Meanwhile, Ning Susu, having witnessed Fei Zuoshi's actions, rushed home to persuade Ning Xuexiang to grant permanent tenancy and reduce rents for his tenants, warning him that Tietou was consulting with the Farmers' Association and he risked public humiliation and having cow dung thrown at him, much like Pan Xiaogui. Ning Xuexiang angrily dismissed her, suspecting her of being a spy sent by Fei Zuoshi to "spy on me."
He then had Kuangzi escort her out and return the gifts she had brought, despite her protests that she didn't want them. He added that he worried about her pregnancy, saying he would take care of her since her mother was gone. Feeling downhearted, Ning Susu encountered Fei Wendian on her way home. She tearfully recounted how her father had driven her out, and her worries about Ning Xuexiang facing the same fate as Pan Xiaogui.
Fei Wendian comforted her, wiping her tears, and offered to fly a kite with her. As they flew the kite, Ning Susu confessed her fear for her father. Fei Wendian reassured her that Pan Xiaogui's fate was deserved, but Ning Xuexiang was different. He explained that the Farmers' Association aimed to improve tenants' lives, not create conflict with landlords.
He promised to persuade Ning Xuexiang, emphasizing that since Ning Susu was pregnant with his child, her father was now his father too, and he would take care of everything. Fei Zuoshi struggled emotionally after granting permanent tenancy and reductions, losing her appetite. Fei Wendian tried to comfort her and offered to persuade Ning Xuexiang, but Fei Zuoshi snapped at him, telling him not to "lecture" her or meddle in others' affairs when their own situation was still uncertain.
Later, Du Chunlin sent a letter to Tietou. Tietou and Feng Dajiao returned to the village. Tietou questioned whether the letter would be enough to persuade Ning Xuexiang, to which Feng Dajiao replied that the letter was "as powerful as the armed forces of the Farmers' Association" and that Du Chunlin would personally intervene if necessary.
In a surprising turn, Ning Xuexiang had his staff set up a table outside Feng Er's house, publicly announcing his decision to reduce rent and interest and grant permanent tenancy. He invited Tietou to oversee the process and even brought in Ning Xueshi to manage the paperwork, declaring, "I want the peasants in Ox Temple Village to see what I'll accomplish today."
Several tenants, including Li Laosan and Ning Youtong, eagerly presented their land deeds to convert them to permanent tenancy. Ning Xuexiang also dramatically pulled out the land deed for fifteen mu of land by the village well, announcing it as Ning Xiuxiu's dowry that the Feng family could now claim. Feng Er eagerly reached for it, but Feng Dajiao quickly pulled him back, insisting, "Father, we can't take it!" Ning Xuexiang then promptly closed his main gate.
Feng Er, furious at losing the fifteen mu of land, blamed Ning Xiuxiu, accusing her of being a "jinx" and declaring, "In this house, it's either her or me." He also believed Feng Dajiao was under Ning Xiuxiu's influence. Ning Xiuxiu and Feng Dajiao, perplexed by Ning Xuexiang's sudden and seemingly genuine cooperation, initially wondered if someone else had persuaded him, as Tietou's letter from Du Chunlin had not yet been presented.
However, that very night, Ning Xuexiang summoned the three tenants who had received permanent tenancy deeds earlier. He took back the new deeds and returned their original ones. Ning Xuexiang then sternly warned them to keep this secret, threatening that if anyone revealed the truth, they would not only lose their land from the Ning family but would also be prevented from renting land from any other landlord in the area.
Separately, Tietou's mother joyfully informed him that she had received the first permanent tenancy document from Fei Zuoshi's family. Tietou was ecstatic, realizing that their family could now farm their land indefinitely without fear of dispossession. He excitedly declared, "I won't have to work as a laborer anymore!" and vowed to put all his effort into the land to "rise up." Meanwhile, Fei Daduzi and Yinzi were working hard in the fields when their mother brought them thin rice porridge.
Yinzi, thinking of her younger siblings, pretended not to be hungry, but her father quickly consumed it all, leaving nothing for her. Later, the tension between Feng Er and Ning Xiuxiu continued. Feng Er, still angry about the lost dowry land, ordered Feng Dajiao to tell Ning Xiuxiu to stop "pretending to care" about him and the family. Ning Xiuxiu confronted Feng Er, questioning his accusations and asserting that she had always shown respect to his parents since marrying into the family.
