This Thriving Land Episode 19 Recap
> This Thriving Land Recap
Ning Xiuxiu brought her sister, Ning Susu, back home. Her mother-in-law, Mother Feng, informed her that Feng Dajiao was last seen leaving with Humpback Guo. Overwhelmed with worry and anxiety, Ning Xiuxiu fainted. Feng Er quickly called for a doctor, who revealed that Ning Xiuxiu was pregnant, bringing immense joy to Feng Er and his wife.
Despite the good news, Ning Xiuxiu remained concerned about Feng Dajiao and wanted to seek information from Ning Xuewu, but Mother Feng urged her to rest at home, assuring her that Feng Er's second uncle had confirmed Feng Dajiao was with Humpback Guo, who saved him from conscription by claiming he was deaf and mute. Ning Susu, meanwhile, missed the comforts of her former home, struggled with the plain food, and was constantly hungry.
Ning Xiuxiu shared her own limited provisions, offering her dry rations, while suffering from severe morning sickness. Meanwhile, Feng Dajiao traveled with Humpback Guo. Humpback Guo spoke of his legendary ancestor, Guo Gangliu, a hero who, despite his martial prowess, chose a peaceful life for his descendants, whose journeys were always safe due to his enduring reputation. Feng Dajiao, confused by Humpback Guo's given name (Guo Guiyao) and his nickname (Humpback Guo), learned the latter was a mispronunciation.
They reached the sea, a sight that left Feng Dajiao awestruck, wishing the vast ocean were instead an endless field for farming. Humpback Guo clarified it was the fishermen's land, teeming with fish, shrimp, and the very salt they sought. Humpback Guo then went to meet local salt merchants, while Feng Dajiao explored the town. He found a washbasin and spent two silver dollars to buy it for Ning Xiuxiu, paying a deposit to reserve it.
That evening, Humpback Guo took Feng Dajiao to see a singer named Lulu. Lulu, noting Feng Dajiao's silence, remarked on his supposed deafness and muteness. When Feng Dajiao tried to leave, Lulu demanded payment for her performance, which Feng Dajiao refused, arguing he hadn't asked her to sing. Back at the Feng household, Ning Xuewu sent his son, Ning Kebi, to deliver an update: Feng Dajiao was safe, avoiding conscription by traveling with Humpback Guo, and would return later.
Relieved, Feng Er instructed his wife to boil an egg for Ning Xiuxiu. Ning Xiuxiu, however, gave the egg to Ning Susu. Feng Er then lamented to his wife that the egg meant for their unborn grandchild was eaten by Ning Susu, much to his chagrin. Ning Susu, overhearing their complaints, felt embarrassed but Ning Xiuxiu reassured her not to mind the old couple's traditional frugality.
At the Fei family ancestral shrine, Fei Zuoshi solemnly vowed to ensure Fei Wendian produced an heir for the family line. She then arrived at the Feng home with a forced smile, intending to take Ning Susu back. Ning Xiuxiu firmly refused, standing up for her sister and criticizing Fei Zuoshi for abandoning Ning Susu the day before, regardless of the false pregnancy.
She asserted that Ning Susu was a human being and a daughter-in-law, not merely a tool for procreation, and would not be subjected to a life of subservience. Fei Zuoshi tried to explain that Ning Xuexiang's anger was directed at her over the Farmers' Association, claiming he used Ning Susu as a pawn, and that she had never truly mistreated Susu. Mother Feng advised Ning Xiuxiu not to meddle in others' family affairs.
Ning Xiuxiu, however, insisted she had taken in a wronged sister and would support her indefinitely if she chose not to return. Unexpectedly, Ning Susu decided to return with Fei Zuoshi, but not before asking Fei Zuoshi for a silver dollar. She then gave the coin to Uncle Feng Er, declaring it was for the egg, enough to buy a whole basket for his grandson, a pointed gesture that left Feng Er speechless.
As Ning Susu departed with Fei Zuoshi, Mother Feng remarked on Fei Zuoshi's cunning and success in getting Susu to return, concluding that she too would have gone back. The next morning, Humpback Guo roused Feng Dajiao early for a trip to the salt flats, which Feng Dajiao soon realized involved acquiring untaxed salt. They boarded a boat with Lulu's younger brother, Xiaohu. Feng Dajiao suffered from severe seasickness.
Before reaching the salt flats, they were required to pay a "passage fee," which Xiaohu explained was a payment to ensure smooth passage and access to untaxed salt, effectively confirming they were engaging in smuggling. At the salt flats, they were instructed to only load loose salt, as whole bags were tracked by officials.
During the loading, Xiaohu feigned a sprained ankle and convinced Feng Dajiao to take the bag he had already filled onto the boat, while Xiaohu secretly grabbed another full bag and tried to flee. He was quickly apprehended by government officials and taken to the anti-smuggling camp. Feng Dajiao, distraught, blamed Humpback Guo for not intervening.
Humpback Guo calmly explained that such arrests were a staged part of the operation, designed to maintain appearances, and that Xiaohu would be released within days after a payment, as the anti-smuggling camp was essentially run by bandits in collusion with the smugglers. Still feeling guilty, Feng Dajiao went to Lulu to express his concern. Lulu, accustomed to the situation, reassured him that Xiaohu would be fine and usually Xiaohu himself discouraged her from spending money on his release.
Feng Dajiao secretly left her a few silver dollars, which touched her deeply. Meanwhile, at Chicken Ridge, Hu San plotted with Feng Si to raid the Ning family again, still resentful of Ning Xiuxiu's escape and wanting to recapture her. Feng Si proposed a plan to capture Ning Xuexiang for ransom, thus obtaining money twice. Hu San dispatched Feng Si, along with two bandits, Da Zong and Lao Jiu, to scout the village.
Feng Si confidently declared they would enter openly, pretending to be vendors and his "nephews." Upon arriving in the village, they encountered Sanjin, whom Feng Si introduced Da Zong and Lao Jiu as his nephews, selling odds and ends. Feng Si boasted that his family would no longer go hungry now that he was back. He then explained the paths leading to the Ning family residence.
Back in the Fei household, Ning Susu, now back in her privileged routine, became restless under Fei Zuoshi's constant urging to write to Fei Wendian to come home. Annoyed, she feigned a visit to Ning Xiuxiu and slipped away. Ning Xiuxiu, meanwhile, was at home, reading to her unborn child, expressing her hopes for its intelligence and steadfast character, much like its father, Dajiao. Ning Susu arrived with a basket of treats: peanuts, longan, and dates.
Ning Xiuxiu and Ning Susu then decided to take a walk. From a distance, they spotted Feng Si with two unfamiliar men. Ning Xiuxiu immediately recognized the two men as Chicken Ridge bandits, declaring she'd know them even if they were ashes. She urgently instructed Ning Susu, who was a faster runner, to rush and find Ning Kejin and the militia to warn them about Feng Si and the bandits.
Ning Xiuxiu hurried back home to confirm with Feng Er if he had any nephews or distant relatives, to which he replied negatively. Convinced, she informed him that Feng Si had brought bandits into the village. Enraged by his brother's betrayal, Feng Er grabbed a hoe, intending to confront Feng Si, but Mother Feng restrained him, urging him to stay out of trouble.
Just then, Ning Susu returned, breathless, to announce that Ning Kejin had already sealed both village entrances and dispatched two teams to capture the bandits at Feng Si's house. Ignoring her brother's warning to stay hidden, Ning Xiuxiu and Mother Feng rushed to find Feng Si in the village. Feng Er confronted Feng Si, threatening to break his legs if he didn't send the bandits away.
Seeing their plan exposed, the bandits quickly seized Mother Feng as a hostage, forcing Feng Er to retreat. Ning Kejin and the militia arrived just in time. As Ning Kejin pointed his gun at Feng Si, Ning Xiuxiu intervened, pretending Feng Si had only returned to see his children, and pleaded with Ning Kejin to let him go. Ning Kejin agreed to a hostage exchange, offering himself for Mother Feng. He placed his gun on the ground.
As the bandits released Mother Feng, the militia opened fire, striking the bandits. Ning Kejin then ordered all three captured. Hu San, hearing the gunshots from the village, halted his bandit group. Ning Kejin interrogated Feng Si, who, under pressure, confessed that he and the two captured men were indeed bandits sent to scout the village. Ning Kejin immediately ordered his men to secure the village entrances.
He then sent a messenger to his second uncle, warning the entire village about the impending bandit attack: hide all valuables, and all women, children, and elderly should take cover, while all able-bodied men over fifteen should gather at the fortress walls and prepare for defense.
