Under the Microscope Episode 6 Recap
> Under the Microscope Recap
Lu Feilong's subordinates reported that Shuai Jiamo and Feng Baoyu had been seen entering the Investigation Bureau in Yanzhou. Lu Feilong expressed surprise, as he had believed they were returning to Renhua County. Shuai Jiamo and Feng Baoyu appeared before Inspector Liu Jing with their complaint. Inspector Liu dismissed their first submission as pretentious and manipulative, accusing the lawyers who drafted it, such as Zhuang Santi, of instigating conflict.
Feng Baoyu, realizing their predicament, then presented a different version of the memorandum, one that had been edited by Prefect Huang Ningdao. Inspector Liu found this document intriguing, noting it bore the handwriting of two distinct individuals: Shuai Jiamo as the main writer and Prefect Huang Ningdao as the editor. He deduced that Prefect Huang Ningdao, a former Investigating Censor whom he knew, must be in a difficult position and seeking external support.
Inspector Liu, whose duty was to correct malpractices, officially accepted the silk poll tax case, stating that rejecting it would be a dereliction of his own duty. Shuai Jiamo immediately inquired when they could access the Archives in other counties to view relevant documents. Inspector Liu affirmed his authority to demand access to these records and promised to proceed to Jin'an Prefecture and its Archives immediately after concluding his current affairs in Yanzhou.
As Shuai Jiamo and Feng Baoyu left, Inspector Liu questioned their earnest efforts in a case that offered them no personal gain if won, but ruin if lost, suggesting they had ulterior motives. Feng Baoyu quickly disclaimed involvement, while Shuai Jiamo simply stated his belief that incorrect numbers should be corrected. Walking away, Feng Baoyu reflected on Shuai Jiamo's innocence, observing that everyone involved in the silk tax case seemed to have their own agenda.
Meanwhile, Lu Feilong's men, who were trailing Shuai Jiamo and Feng Baoyu, reported that the two were following an official palanquin, which was unusual for commoners. Upon learning the palanquin carried the Regional Inspector, Lu Feilong, suspecting a significant development, departed quickly to report to Master Fan. Inspector Liu, determined to prevent local officials from colluding, decided to bypass prior notification and establish the Regional Inspection Bureau directly in Lanxi County, bypassing Renhua.
He immediately ordered their party to proceed there. Lu Feilong, on the other hand, rode through the night to reach Master Fan in Renhua and deliver his urgent report. In Lanxi County, Magistrate Mao, who had been practicing martial arts, was surprised by Inspector Liu's unannounced arrival. He challenged Inspector Liu's identity, demanding to see official credentials, including the imperial edict, official seal, and documents from the Censorate, before finally acknowledging his authority.
After excusing himself to change, Magistrate Mao was informed that Shuai Jiamo had arrived with Inspector Liu. He then dispatched a subordinate to Zhuge Village to summon Cheng Renqing for a discussion. Returning to Inspector Liu, Magistrate Mao paid his respects. Inspector Liu then declared his intention to set up an Inspection Bureau in Lanxi County to examine documents and oversee lawsuits, citing imperial orders.
Despite Magistrate Mao's attempts to deter him by emphasizing the sensitive nature of the case, Inspector Liu remained firm. He reiterated Shuai Jiamo's claim regarding the 3,530 taels of silk poll tax, arguing that records from the 11th to 16th years of the Chenghua reign in Lanxi's Archives would reveal the truth. Magistrate Mao's continued obstruction led Inspector Liu to threaten him with a formal complaint, forcing the magistrate to concede.
Inspector Liu then delegated two of his trusted scribes to assist Shuai Jiamo in examining the Archives. Shuai Jiamo estimated the work would be completed within three days. While Shuai Jiamo began his work in the Archives, Feng Baoyu waited outside. There, he encountered Cheng Renqing, who tried to entice him away to Lanfang Pavilion with promises of wine, music, and card games, subtly implying that Shuai Jiamo's work would take time.
Feng Baoyu initially resisted but eventually joined Cheng Renqing and others for a card game. During their conversation, Feng Baoyu revealed that a crucial bulletin, dated to the fourth month of the current year, was attached to Shuai Jiamo's second memorandum, and that Inspector Liu's attitude had drastically changed upon seeing it. Cheng Renqing relayed this information to Master Fan and Magistrate Mao, who were deliberating.
They deduced that the bulletin concerned a land remeasurement initiative in Mindi and that Grand Secretary Zhang was likely using Mindi as a pilot. They concluded that Inspector Liu, recognizing this as an opportunity to gain favor with Grand Secretary Zhang, intended to implement a similar land remeasurement in Fengxing under the guise of the silk tax case. This would establish a precedent for national land remeasurement, despite the potential for widespread unrest and upheaval in Jin'an.
They resolved to prevent Liu Jing's plans from succeeding in Lanxi, deeming it a serious threat. Later, Master Fan and Magistrate Mao hosted a dinner for Inspector Liu, where they discussed the wisdom of Zhuge Village's formations and Zhuge Liang's integrity, subtly probing Liu Jing's character. Inspector Liu confirmed that the banquet was a private gesture from the local gentry rather than a county expense, further affirming his principled stance.
Meanwhile, Shuai Jiamo, dining alone, discovered a threatening message in his food box, warning him that Feng Baoyu's life was at stake if he didn't comply. At the Archives, Lu Feilong confronted Shuai Jiamo, who was tied up alongside Feng Baoyu. Lu Feilong demanded the evidence. Shuai Jiamo explained he had only made copies and had returned the original documents to the Archives.
Feng Baoyu pleaded with Shuai Jiamo to cooperate with Lu Feilong to save himself, but Shuai Jiamo was more concerned about the preservation of the original tax records, fearing that their destruction would forever prevent the correction of the tax errors. Lu Feilong and his men then set the Archives ablaze, abandoning Shuai Jiamo and Feng Baoyu to the fire.
As the flames engulfed the building, Shuai Jiamo was overwhelmed by a traumatic memory from his childhood, reliving the horror of a past fire. News of the fire at the Archives and the unknown fate of Shuai Jiamo and Feng Baoyu quickly reached Inspector Liu at the banquet. Enraged, he declared the incident ridiculous and vowed to investigate thoroughly, challenging whether Lanxi County still truly belonged to the Ming Dynasty.
