Under the Power Episode 42 Recap, Plot

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Yuan Jinxia and Yang Yue debated the fate of the Japanese mother and child they were holding. Yuan Jinxia mused that the Embroidered Uniform Guards would not simply release them. Yang Yue agreed, concluding that keeping them might prove useful later on. Meanwhile, Chief Mao boasted to his men, including Dong Qisheng, about how Yan Shifan had gifted him Zhai Lanye, even after Zhou Xianyi had offered 10,000 taels of silver for her.

He reveled in the fact that he hadn't spent a single tael. When asked about the scars on Zhai Lanye's face, Chief Mao callously remarked that she enjoyed playing hard to get, which made their interactions more thrilling. Zhai Lanye, seething with hatred, threatened to kill him. In response, Chief Mao publicly humiliated her, threatening to allow his men to "experience" her if she didn't obey. His men praised his prowess.

Chief Mao then turned to strategy, acknowledging that Qi Weigang and the Shaolin Monastery disciples had come to Yu Dayong's aid. He noted that 500 reinforcement soldiers were expected to arrive in three days, which would distract Wu Shouxu and prevent him from effectively attacking Cen Harbor. Yu Dayong assembled his forces, declaring that the sea attack would commence the following day, led by the ghost ship.

Shangguan Xi was tasked with leading the Shaolin disciples in a surprise land attack on the Japanese pirates guarding Cen Harbor, and she readily accepted. General Qi, meanwhile, planned to attack Chief Mao's lair from behind the mountain with the Crouching Tiger Cannon. Xie Xiao volunteered to pilot the ghost ship, asserting his expertise in its construction. Lu Yi, who had designed the mines, insisted on accompanying him to ensure their proper ignition.

Yu Dayong hesitated, citing their lack of battlefield experience and the inherent dangers, particularly given Lu Yi's noble status. Xie Xiao countered that his extensive experience in Jianghu had prepared him for any challenge, even teasing Lu Yi about his supposed inability to swim. Lu Yi remained firm, emphasizing the unique nature of his mines, which would be rendered useless if their fuses got wet.

He further challenged Yu Dayong, questioning why other soldiers could go to battle but he could not, implying disrespect not only to himself but also to his father. He promised to write a letter to his father, Lu Ting, absolving anyone of responsibility should anything happen to him. Faced with their unwavering resolve, Yu Dayong and Wu Shouxu reluctantly agreed to their participation.

Later, Yang Yue was seen gently assisting his father, Yang Chengwan, on a walk, expressing regret for his past impulsiveness and the worry he had caused. Yang Chengwan reassured him, simply wishing for the safety of both Yang Yue and his master. Meanwhile, Wang Mazi returned home to find a note from Yuan Jinxia, instructing him to come alone to the Tavern for Officers in Hangzhou if he wished to save his wife and child.

Under the cover of darkness, Wang Mazi covertly made his way to the tavern, only to be apprehended by Yang Yue's men and brought before Yuan Jinxia and Mrs. Qi. Wang Mazi attempted to mislead them, claiming he was merely an illegal arms dealer trying to survive amidst the conflict in Zhoushan. Yuan Jinxia, however, saw through his lies, noting that a single gun would have been sufficient for his family's needs, not a large arsenal.

She then strategically used his wife's concern for him to break his resolve. Wang Mazi, relenting, begged for his family's release in exchange for the truth. Mrs. Qi promised their safety, and Wang Mazi confessed that Chief Mao had ordered him to remain in Hangzhou, organizing spies to cooperate with the Japanese pirates in seizing the city. He revealed that 500 Japanese pirates were involved, along with 30 spies in Hangzhou, and the attack was planned for three days later.

Mrs. Qi, having obtained the information, ordered Wang Mazi to be held until after the battle, reiterating her promise of his family's release then. Yuan Jinxia pondered whether to call for reinforcements, but Mrs. Qi dismissed the idea, asserting it was likely a trap set by the Japanese pirates to divert their forces from Cen Harbor. She acknowledged the city's limited defenses, with most residents being women, children, and the elderly.

Despite the overwhelming odds, Mrs. Qi declared her intention to defend Hangzhou herself, preferring death to the residents being taken hostage. Inspired by her unwavering courage, Yuan Jinxia and Yang Yue pledged their full support in defending the city. Mrs. Qi expressed her gratitude for their commitment, and they immediately began preparations, closing the city gates.

Before embarking on their mission, Lu Yi handed Cen Fu a letter addressed to his father, Lu Ting, to be delivered only if he did not return. He then entrusted Shangguan Xi's safety to Yu Dayong. As Lu Yi and Xie Xiao set out, Japanese pirates spotted their approaching decoy ship and went on high alert. The duo successfully lured a Japanese ship out of the harbor.

As the pirates cautiously approached the seemingly empty vessel, Lu Yi and Xie Xiao swiftly planted mines, lit the fuses, and submerged themselves, swimming away. Moments later, the decoy ship detonated and exploded. Witnessing this, the remaining Japanese pirates entered battle readiness, and their main battle ship left the harbor. Now tasked with destroying all the Japanese ships, Lu Yi and Xie Xiao split up to plant additional mines.

During this process, Xie Xiao was spotted by Japanese pirates and quickly submerged, but was unfortunately shot in the leg. Lu Yi, hearing the commotion, immediately came to his aid, attempting to lead him to safety as the mines were on the verge of detonating. Xie Xiao, in an act of self-sacrifice, pushed Lu Yi away, but Lu Yi insisted on turning back to desperately pull him to safety. Despite Xie Xiao's injury, they managed to escape.

Witnessing the multiple explosions, Yu Dayong ordered his forces to launch their attack. In Hangzhou, Mrs. Qi ordered a city-wide announcement for all men under sixty to gather at the east gate by 11 p. m. , warning that failure to comply would result in punishment as a spy. Though household weapons were collected, she noted their insufficiency.

A scout's message confirmed Japanese pirates were within twenty kilometers of Hangzhou and expected to arrive after midnight, much sooner than Wang Mazi had indicated. Mrs. Qi deduced that a spy must have escaped and warned Chief Mao, forcing him to accelerate his plans. She recounted how the elderly and weak had refused to evacuate the city the previous night, determined to stay and defend.

Realizing their forces were no match for the enemy, Mrs. Qi planned a bluff: if enough "soldiers" were visible on the city walls, the Japanese pirates, unaware of Hangzhou's true strength due to the captured spies, might hesitate to attack without careful consideration. Still in need of weapons, Mrs. Qi, accompanied by Yuan Jinxia and Yang Yue, proceeded to the armory.

Mr. Nie, who guarded the armory, staunchly refused to open it without the general's badge, citing General Qi's strict orders. Mrs. Qi insisted on the urgency, taking full responsibility, but Mr. Nie remained unyielding, even casting suspicion on Yuan Jinxia and Yang Yue. Frustrated, Mrs. Qi slapped him, declaring that she would face any military punishment upon General Qi's return. Yuan Jinxia, witnessing Mrs. Qi's decisive action, expressed her profound admiration.

Mrs. Qi persuaded Mr. Nie that guarding an empty armory was meaningless if the city fell, leading him to finally agree to join the defense. Meanwhile, Chief Mao was furious upon learning that all his ships in Cen Harbor had been burned and the Ming army, led by Wu Shouxu, had occupied the harbor. Further reports indicated a large Ming troop, led by Qi Weigang, was advancing from behind the mountain.

Advised by his men to retreat, Chief Mao asked about his 500 reinforcements, learning they would only reach Hangzhou in two days. He then ordered his lair burned and fled with Zhai Lanye, vowing to burn Yu Dayong's city in retaliation. Yan Shifan received intelligence that Lu Yi had aided Yu Dayong in developing the mines that destroyed the ships, which displeased him greatly.

He also learned of Qi Weigang's successful attack on Chief Mao's lair, forcing Chief Mao to burn his own stronghold and escape. Yan Shifan noted that Chief Mao's grudge against Wu Shouxu would undoubtedly deepen. Dong Qisheng, now just ten kilometers from Hangzhou and a day ahead of schedule, ordered his forces to rest before launching their attack. He dispatched two scouts to assess the situation in Hangzhou.

Back in Hangzhou, Mrs. Qi maintained her vigilant watch on the city walls, hoping to prolong the standoff until General Qi could return. Min'er, Yuan Jinxia's younger friend, appeared on the wall, causing Yuan Jinxia surprise. Min'er denied being there to defend, claiming it was safer in numbers. Yuan Jinxia, however, advised her to find a hidden place to shelter if the city was breached.

Dong Qisheng's scouts returned, reporting that about fifty well-armed soldiers were visible on Hangzhou's city walls. Dong Qisheng was skeptical, finding it impossible that so many well-armed soldiers remained within the city. He pondered if Hangzhou had discovered their plan and secretly sent soldiers back through a hidden passage, or if Wang Mazi had betrayed them, given his lack of communication.

Despite hearing that Qi Weigang's wife was fierce, Dong Qisheng scoffed at the idea of a woman leading the defense. He resolved to send 200 men the next morning to launch an attack and probe the city's true strength. Simultaneously, Yu Dayong received news that all surviving Japanese pirates in Cen Harbor and Chief Mao's lair had surrendered, but Chief Mao himself had escaped.

When asked about Lu Yi and Xie Xiao, soldiers reported that despite extensive searches, they remained missing and were presumed to have died, their bodies swept away by the sea. Yu Dayong refused to accept this, demanding proof and ordering a relentless search until they were found, even if it meant turning the harbor upside down. Distraught, Shangguan Xi, Lin Ling, and Beggar Uncle decided to join the search themselves.

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