Legend of Zang Hai Episode 18 Recap, Plot

> Legend of Zang Hai
> Legend of Zang Hai Recap

As soon as Zang Hai took office, he discovered that the officials of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau were slacking off and shirking their duties. From Gao Ming, he learned that they had abused their authority to seize fertile land and select burial grounds for officials, even to the extent of causing the deaths of common women to pair them with deceased nobles. Determined to reform the bureau, he drafted new regulations overnight and announced them the next morning.

Zang Hai issued three rules for the officials: each must fulfill their own responsibilities, clearly separate public and private matters, act in accordance with the law, and must not interfere with the people’s marriage or funeral affairs using their positions. Some officials objected and protested, but Zang Hai remained firm and left no room for negotiation. When Shi Quan heard that Chu Huaiming had died tragically on the way to exile, he burned paper offerings for him through the night.

Zang Hai was surprised that although Chu Huaiming had oppressed Shi Quan during his life, Shi Quan still let go of the past and mourned him. Shi Quan burned the letter he had written to Chu Huaiming. Zang Hai casually picked one out and found that Shi Quan had given Chu Huaiming many sincere suggestions. Zang Hai earnestly requested Shi Quan’s help in transforming the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.

Shi Quan advised him to secretly investigate in Tai’an Alley in the western part of the city. Chang Wuyi had opened a medical clinic as a front, using the excuse of treating patients to secretly seek out women on the brink of death, forcing them to become companion sacrifices for nobles. The third son of the Marquis’s residence was to be buried the next day.

Chang Wuyi persuaded Liang Wensheng to let his gravely ill sister Liang Xiaoyan be a companion sacrifice. He gave Liang Wensheng money and instructed him to poison Liang Xiaoyan. When Liang Wensheng refused, Chang Wuyi knocked him out in anger and tried to poison Liang Xiaoyan himself, but thankfully, Shilei arrived in time and arrested him. Zang Hai summoned all the officials of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau for an emergency meeting.

He brought in Chang Wuyi to confront Min Shining and listed Min Shining’s crimes one by one. Terrified, Min Shining begged for mercy, but Zang Hai ordered his arrest. Zang Hai held evidence of the crimes committed by each department’s officials and urged them to confess voluntarily. Seeing the situation was beyond saving, they came forward and admitted guilt. After work, Zang Hai returned home and was greeted by Zhuang Zhixing, who brought him congratulatory gifts.

Zang Hai encouraged him to enlist in the army and earn military merits on the battlefield to truly surpass Zhuang Zhipu. Zhuang Zhixing immediately sought out Zhuang Luyin to apply for enlistment. Gao Ming hosted a banquet to celebrate for Zang Hai, and Shilei and Guan Feng joined him for drinks. Gao Ming assigned them to work at Zang Hai’s residence. Xiang Antu personally visited Zang Hai and brought lavish gifts. Zang Hai warmly welcomed her and showed her around.

Gao Ming became wary, sensing something major was about to happen, and instructed Shilei and Guan Feng to verify whether Xiang Antu’s gifts could be accepted. Xiang Antu expressed deep admiration for Zang Hai, impressed that he had become a fifth-rank official in such a short time. She reminded him not to associate with corrupt officials. Recalling how Zang Hai had nearly fallen off a boat during the Ghost Festival, she pressed him to open up.

Zang Hai admitted that he had not yet avenged his family and had no mind for romantic matters for now. Disappointed, Xiang Antu had to leave. Shilei and Guan Feng carefully checked Xiang Antu’s gifts—each one was incredibly valuable. They could both see her feelings for Zang Hai. Gao Ming noticed that Zang Hai was preoccupied, but with Liu Chu away, he didn’t know how to comfort him. So he brought Zang Hai to his old home.

Zhuang Zhixing came to Zhuang Luyin overnight, expressing his desire to join the army. He invoked the memory of his deceased mother, hoping to earn honor for the Zhuang family. Though Zhuang Luyin was concerned for his safety, Zhuang Zhixing was resolute, and Zhuang Luyin had no choice but to concede, telling him to return after a year. Zang Hai returned to his home, now reduced to ruins by fire.

He recalled the happy times when the family of four lived harmoniously together, then remembered the tragic deaths of his parents and sister. The past was vivid in his mind, but the present was filled with sorrow. Overwhelmed with grief, Zang Hai broke down in tears. He vowed to avenge his loved ones. Gao Ming reminded him not to forget the past, and Zang Hai now knew how to respond to Xiang Antu.

Episode 17 Recap

Episode 19 Recap

Related Posts