This Thriving Land Episode 31 Recap
> This Thriving Land Recap
Fei Wendian, not wanting to worry his sister-in-law Fei Zuoshi, embarked on his revolutionary path without even returning home. Ning Susu visited Fei Zuoshi to reassure her, and Fei Zuoshi eagerly pressed for details about how Fei Wendian was rescued, his current condition, and his whereabouts, expressing her frustration that he always came and went as he pleased, causing trouble for the family.
Ning Susu calmed her, stating that Wendian was fine but wouldn't be back soon as he was engaged in important work and wished her to take good care of herself. On Ning Keyu’s full moon, Ning Xuexiang hosted a banquet for old friends to celebrate his youngest son's birth and congratulate his eldest son, Ning Kejin, on his upcoming promotion to county militia bureau chief.
They raised their glasses in celebration, with Ning Xuexiang expressing that the Ning family had diligently accumulated land and a home in Ox Temple Village for generations, thanks to heaven's blessing and the support of their guests. He proclaimed that the family would surely prosper and flourish, promising another feast then. Glutton Fei arrived with his entire family, intending to partake in the feast and claiming the tradition of an uncle cutting his nephew's first hair.
Ning Xuexiang initially wanted Kuangzi to turn them away, but Yinzi, holding baby Keyu, intervened and invited her parents and younger siblings inside, introducing Keyu as her father's chosen name for the baby. A messenger from Brigade Commander Bian in the provincial capital delivered an official letter to Ning Kejin, instructing him to immediately gather his capable men and report to the Southern Shandong Militia across the Shu River for a promotion.
Ning Xuexiang was ecstatic, urging Ning Kejin to pack quickly. Ning Kejin kowtowed to his father before leaving, and Ning Xuexiang, despite his reluctance to part with his son, told him to establish himself in these turbulent times, and then return to protect the family, hoping he would bring glory to the Ning family. Lianye, Ning Kejin’s wife, disagreed with his departure but couldn't persuade him, so she sought help from Ning Xiuxiu.
Ning Xiuxiu rushed to find Ning Kejin, but he had already left the village with his men on fast horses. As harvest season arrived, Feng Dajiao went to cut wheat, joined by Tietou and Zhuzi. Feng Er, just recovered from a recent illness, insisted on helping in the fields despite Feng Dajiao's pleas for him to rest. Ning Xuexiang hired five people to help with the harvest.
Zhuzi found Feng Dajiao, who initially hesitated, but Feng Er, hearing they would be fed and paid half a Jiao, insisted that both he and Feng Dajiao go. After a morning of cutting wheat, Ning Xuexiang finally sent black pancakes and sweet potato soup, which was barely enough. Feng Dajiao urged Feng Er to go home and rest after eating, sensing Ning Xuexiang would not pay them. Feng Er, also suspecting this, took his portion of food and returned home.
Ning Xuexiang came to inspect the fields and, upon learning Feng Er had left, threatened to deduct his wages. Feng Dajiao confronted him directly, stating that Ning Xuexiang never intended to pay them in the first place and told him to go home. Feng Dajiao then offered to forgo his own wages if Ning Xuexiang would pay the others as promised and improve the meals, emphasizing that families depended on this income for necessities like oil and salt.
Yinzi heard that Ning Xuexiang was refusing to pay Feng Dajiao and his father, and even short-changed their food. Enraged, she confronted Ning Xuexiang, accusing him of bringing shame to the family. She then ordered Kuangzi to take money from Ning Xuexiang’s pocket and deliver the wages to Feng Dajiao's family. Upon receiving the money, Feng Er, overcome with emotion, suffered a relapse. The doctor advised strict rest and no strenuous activity, implying the seriousness of his condition.
Feng Dajiao, understanding the doctor's coded message, learned that Feng Er’s illness was terminal. Heartbroken, Feng Dajiao used his accumulated savings from selling herbs to purchase three mu of land for his father. Feng Dajiao presented the land deed for three mu at Zaojiao Ridge to Feng Er, who wept tears of joy.
Feng Er, growing weaker by the day, spent his last moments imparting his farming wisdom to his family, reminding them to respect the land and explaining the proper use of different animal manures for cultivation, emphasizing that manure is strength and water is life. He expressed his joy that with the new land and Turtle Hill, their family now owned 23 mu.
The following day, on the Autumn Equinox, Feng Er passed away peacefully in his room, having expressed joy at reaching the Autumn Equinox, which combined harvesting and planting seasons. Soon after Feng Er's death, Japanese forces invaded Ox Temple Village, looting their grain and even taking Feng Dajiao's family's ox. Three years later, the Japanese established a farm in Ox Temple Village, issuing debt notes to the villagers and seizing their land.
The villagers were forced to grow only wheat and peanuts as demanded by the Japanese. Each year, the Japanese confiscated the harvests, giving the villagers stale, mixed flour that was unfit even for pigs and dogs. Japanese warplanes bombed Ox Temple Village, filling the air with resentment. Feng Dajiao and Ning Xiuxiu's seven-year-old daughter, Jiaying, clung to her parents as they sought shelter. Zhuzi's wife was injured in an attack, and Zhuzi desperately called for Feng Dajiao's help.
Feng Dajiao’s mother harbored deep hatred for the Japanese, lamenting the difficult lives her grandchildren were forced to endure, and wishing for the day they could eat white flour again. Fei Zuoshi dispatched Beard Liu and Qing to pawn the family's clocks and antiques. However, they were conscripted by the Japanese. Humpback Guo witnessed their capture and rushed to inform Fei Zuoshi, who was devastated and regretted sending them.
Humpback Guo warned Fei Zuoshi to secure her home by locking the main gate and using the small side door for entry and exit, as the Japanese were frantically conscripting people, and those taken rarely returned. Susu reassured Fei Zuoshi that she would protect her, and immediately went to barricade the door, while Fei Zuoshi went to burn incense and pray for the quick return of Beard Liu and Qing.
Meanwhile, Ning Keyu, now a child, was being taught by his father Ning Xuexiang how to fight, proclaiming he would "kill" the Japanese, much to his mother's dismay, who feared Japanese retaliation.
