Legend of Zang Hai Episode 22 Recap, Plot

> Legend of Zang Hai
> Legend of Zang Hai Recap

Zang Hai went to ask Zhuang Zhifu for craftsmen, but Zhuang Zhifu demanded to embezzle half of the reported craftsmen’s expenses for personal gain. Zang Hai flatly refused. In a fit of rage, Zhuang Zhifu withdrew all the craftsmen. Cao Jingxian sent his adopted son to persuade Zang Hai to submit to him, but Zang Hai firmly refused. He called on Shi Quan, Shi Lei, and Guan Feng to help him.

The four of them began constructing the tomb for Fu Zhisong. A few days later, Lu Ran came to the imperial mausoleum to find Zang Hai and invited him to attend Cao Jingxian’s next family banquet. Zang Hai firmly refused. Lu Ran then burned the letter Cao Jingxian had written to Zang Hai and warned him to complete the tomb by the Double Ninth Festival or he would lose his life.

Shi Quan protested on the spot, saying Cao Jingxian had deliberately shortened the construction period to doom them. Lu Ran flew into a rage and drew his sword to stab Shi Quan. Zang Hai protected Shi Quan with all his might and pleaded on his behalf. Only then did Lu Ran sheath his sword and use the death of his younger brother Lu Jin to threaten Zang Hai. Zang Hai did not want to sit and wait for death.

After long and careful thought, he decided to stir up conflict between Cao Jingxian and Zhuang Luyin. Zhuang Zhifu came to see Zang Hai and pretended to show concern, promising to speak well of him before Cao Jingxian. Zang Hai did not appreciate it. Zhuang Zhifu demanded Zang Hai hand over the tomb construction accounts, claiming he could ensure the project would finish on time. Zang Hai had no choice but to make a concession.

Zhuang Zhifu decided to go to the Imperial Astronomical Bureau the next day to collect the ledger. Zang Hai handed the ledger to Zhuang Zhifu. Zhuang Zhifu had all the previous craftsmen return to the imperial mausoleum and even brought along cheap materials. Upon hearing that Zang Hai had used tomb construction funds to implicate Zhuang Zhifu, Cao Jingxian instructed Lu Ran to find a way to inform Zhuang Luyin.

Once Zhuang Luyin learned of this, he fiercely scolded Zhuang Zhifu. Terrified, Zhuang Zhifu begged for mercy and pushed all the blame onto Zang Hai. Jiang Xiang tried her best to speak up for Zhuang Zhifu, and Zhuang Luyin ordered him to hand over all the embezzled silver. Zhuang Luyin came to question Zang Hai, who admitted he had been blinded by greed and used substandard materials, begging Zhuang Luyin for mercy.

Zhuang Luyin knew Zang Hai wasn't foolish enough to commit such a blunder and suspected someone had forced him to frame Zhuang Zhifu. But Zang Hai insisted it was entirely his own doing and that he didn’t want to implicate the Marquis’s household, so Zhuang Luyin finally let it go. Zhuang Zhixing had earned merit on the front lines and was promoted to Banner Commander. He returned from the army to visit Zhuang Luyin, who praised him highly.

During court, He Ziqing, an official from the Ministry of Rites, publicly proposed that Fu Zhisong’s tomb be completed and the burial held ten days before the Double Ninth Festival. Cao Jingxian sought Zang Hai’s opinion. Zang Hai admitted he could not complete it on time, which enraged Cao Jingxian. He said he would report the truth to the Emperor. Zhuang Luyin stepped in to plead for Zang Hai, suggesting the burial be postponed until after the Double Ninth Festival.

Cao Jingxian disagreed, leading to a fierce quarrel between him and Zhuang Luyin. The civil and military officials all supported Zhuang Luyin’s proposal, and Cao Jingxian had no choice but to return to report to the Emperor. He bore a grudge against Zhuang Luyin. Cao Jingxian summoned Zhuang Zhifu and produced impeachment memorials from various officials detailing years of bribery and corruption. Frightened, Zhuang Zhifu knelt and begged for mercy.

Cao Jingxian agreed to help him resolve the trouble, and Zhuang Zhifu was deeply grateful, swearing to repay him well. Cao Jingxian then ordered Zhuang Zhifu to find out what Zhuang Luyin was looking for. Zhuang Zhifu was worried he couldn’t complete the task. To set an example, Cao Jingxian executed Lord Zhang on the spot for disobedience, leaving Zhuang Zhifu trembling with fear.

Early the next morning, Zhuang Zhifu went to see Zang Hai, addressed him as a brother, and even gave him a fine piece of white jade. He tried desperately to get close to Zang Hai and said he would come visit again the next day.

Episode 21 Recap

Episode 23 Recap

Related Posts