Young Blood Episode 1 Recap
> Young Blood Recap
During the Qingli era of the Song Dynasty, the Song empire was locked in a prolonged and relentless conflict with the Kingdom of Xia and the Liao Dynasty. In the early years of this era, Xia troops launched an invasion, prompting the Song Frontier Army to valiantly defend their homeland. A critical turning point in this war was the Battle of Qichuan Village, where the Song Frontier Army was ambushed by Xia forces and suffered a devastating defeat.
Despite the valiant efforts of soldiers like Yuan Boqi, hailed as a God of War of the Frontier Army, who fought to the death to inspire morale and protect the country, individual bravery could not stem the tide of battle. The Song army was almost entirely annihilated at Qichuan Village.
Following this catastrophic loss, Song and Xia agreed to a truce, but the profound suspicion and animosity born from the battle continued to fester in the shadows, finally erupting two years later in Kaifeng. In Kaifeng, Liang Zhu, an officer of the Xuanwu Army under the Palace Division, was tasked with arresting Yuan Boqi.
Liang Zhu accused Yuan Boqi of involvement in Minister Fan's unauthorized alteration of the peace negotiation document two years prior, a crime now exposed, given that Yuan Boqi was a general under Minister Fan. Liang Zhu, having heard of Yuan Boqi's exceptional swordsmanship at Qichuan Village, challenged him to demonstrate it publicly, but Yuan Boqi refused, stating his skills were irrelevant to the current situation.
Liang Zhu pressed on, questioning how Yuan Boqi alone survived the Qichuan Village disaster where the entire army was wiped out, suggesting that Xia troops might have intentionally spared him. Yuan Boqi merely attributed his survival to luck. Seeing Yuan Boqi's unyielding demeanor, Liang Zhu ordered him confined to his residence. Simultaneously, Liang Zhu sought out Yuan Boqi's younger brother, Yuan Zhongxin, at the Imperial College.
Yuan Zhongxin, known for his mischievous nature, attempted to deny his identity, but the upright scholar Wang Kuan, his roommate, promptly identified him to Liang Zhu. Liang Zhu took Yuan Zhongxin to Yuan Boqi’s mansion, but Wang Kuan was barred from entering, despite following them. Inside, Yuan Zhongxin was shocked to see his brother Yuan Boqi bruised and battered, yet he maintained his usual carefree attitude.
Liang Zhu accused Yuan Boqi of treason and urged Yuan Zhongxin to disclose the real reason for his brother's survival at Qichuan. Yuan Zhongxin, however, feigned estrangement from Yuan Boqi, claiming they had always been at odds. He offered to provide false testimony, even fabricate evidence of collaboration with Liao or Xia, if Liang Zhu would help him imprison Yuan Boqi for life, thus allowing Yuan Zhongxin to inherit the Yuan family's wealth.
Disgusted by Yuan Zhongxin's apparent avarice and lack of familial loyalty, Liang Zhu dismissed him from the mansion. Upon returning to the Imperial College, Yuan Zhongxin was informed by Officer Zhang that he had been expelled, fearing he would bring trouble to the institution.
Wang Kuan, known for his integrity, argued against the injustice, pointing out that Yuan Zhongxin had committed no actual offense and that the expulsion was solely due to his brother’s connection to Minister Fan, whose reforms had failed. Officer Zhang remained resolute, stating it was a superior’s order from the Ministry of Rites. Yuan Zhongxin, bag in hand, resolved to rescue Yuan Boqi.
Wang Kuan, moved by the injustice, decided to assist him, proclaiming that his lifelong pursuit of integrity compelled him to act against wrongdoing. Later, in the streets, Yuan Zhongxin and Wang Kuan encountered a mysterious woman who left Yuan Zhongxin an invitation to "Ecstasy Gate" on Nanxie Street, promising to help him rescue his brother. The next day, they visited the address, finding a dilapidated building. However, as night fell, the place was miraculously transformed into a vibrant establishment.
The invitation was addressed only to Yuan Zhongxin, so Wang Kuan was refused entry at the gate. Resourceful, Wang Kuan scaled a wall into the backyard, where he met a melancholic dancer named Jing, who was distressed about her upcoming performance. Wang Kuan offered her encouraging advice, and in return, Jing directed him to the main banquet hall.
Wang Kuan found Yuan Zhongxin already at the feast, joined by Wei Yanei, the notorious scion of Grand Commandant Wei Zhuoran and one of Kaifeng's four great dandies. Wei Yanei recognized Wang Kuan and expressed his surprise at finding such a "sanctimonious" scholar in a brothel. Wang Kuan gravely explained he was there for Yuan Zhongxin. Soon after, Jing performed her dance. Following her performance, Jing approached Yuan Zhongxin to invite him upstairs.
Wei Yanei insisted on accompanying them, and Wang Kuan also decided to join the group heading up. Meanwhile, back at the Yuan residence, Liang Zhu continued to pressure Yuan Boqi to take up a sword and fight him. Yuan Boqi steadfastly refused to draw his weapon. Liang Zhu then spoke of his own younger brother, Liang Xun. Yuan Boqi, who remembered Liang Xun from Qichuan Village, was surprised to learn of their relationship.
Liang Zhu, recalling the horrific death of Liang Xun and the nine thousand other soldiers, refused to believe Yuan Boqi could have survived Qichuan Village through sheer luck alone. He was convinced Yuan Boqi was a traitor and, driven by a thirst for revenge for Liang Xun's death, vowed to personally kill Yuan Boqi.
