Episode 11 recap: # Yuan Mo Outmaneuvers Kang Yun Hai to Block Trade Agreement
In Episode 11, Wang Kun Wu informs Yuan Mo that he has reviewed the file on Yuan Mo and the tragic fate of the Yuan-Han couple in the desert. At that time, Long Tu Qi was causing chaos, and Kang Yun Hai was a key player. Wang suggests that Yuan Mo might inquire about the circumstances surrounding the Yuan-Han couple's deaths. However, Yuan Mo expresses his despair, feeling hopeless and trapped in self-deception. Wang Kun Wu notices Yuan Mo's struggle to accept the past.
That night, Yuan Mo dreams of his father, who appears and disappears. He wakes up screaming, prompting A Shu to rush to his side. A Shu asks if Yuan Mo's reluctance to teach him chess is due to memories of his father. A Shu shares that he has never met his own parents, and he finds even the memory of them to be a form of happiness. He warms a pot of wine for Yuan Mo, who drinks it and falls back asleep.
The next day, during the delegation's negotiations, Yuan Mo sneaks into a side room to eavesdrop on Wang Kun Wu. Soon after, A Shu climbs through a window, Yu Chi Hua drops down from the roof, and Shen Bai Lian and Ji Ming Li suddenly appear from under the table, all joining in to listen as Wang Kun Wu takes notes.
Kang Yun Hai supervises the meeting from his seat, while Yu De Shui and Ma Zhi Wen discuss specific details. Following the unexpected incident with Long Bei Na, Ma Zhi Wen demands a reduction in tea taxes. An Yuan Dao refuses, and Ma Zhi Wen retaliates by threatening to cut the supply of quality horses. An Yuan Dao stands firm, arguing that Yan Le lacks pasture and needs support from Da Yong.
Ma Zhi Wen quietly lowers his demands, but An Xiu Yi immediately objects. In fact, he and Yu De Shui are playing good cop-bad cop, working together to persuade Ma Zhi Wen to agree to the trade terms. Just as the negotiations are about to conclude, Ma Zhi Wen adds a new request: a piece of oasis land to use as a staging ground for the horses. Yu De Shui expresses concern that Yan Le may have ulterior motives and suggests taking a break before making a decision.
As they leave the conference room, Kang Yun Hai receives a secret order that Yan Le has urgent matters requiring his immediate return. He urges An Yuan Dao to make a swift decision. An Yuan Dao realizes that the more flustered the opponent becomes, the more he must maintain his composure. During the break, the Western courtyard begins to gather information about the oasis's location. Everyone they ask describes it as an ordinary piece of land. Yuan Mo decides to investigate from the perspective of Yan Le’s rivals. Before the second round of negotiations begins, Wang Kun Wu suggests delaying by an hour.
An Yuan Dao hosts a banquet, but Kang Yun Hai is reluctant to attend, stating that Long Tu Qi has sent urgent letters. An Yuan Dao explains that the contract will be signed after the banquet, which finally convinces Kang Yun Hai to sit down. Moments later, to buy some time, An Xiu Yi suggests playing a game of chess with Kang Yun Hai. Kang Yun Hai is known as a chess master in Yan Le, and Yu De Shui joins in the teasing. However, Kang Yun Hai remains unamused. After downing a drink, he reluctantly agrees to the game but sets a condition: if he wins, the tea prices will be reduced by another ten percent.
Yu Chi Hua finds Deputy Envoy Yu Luo and Yue Ying to drink, bringing up Yan Le's pursuit of the oasis. After getting drunk, Deputy Yu Luo reveals some of Yan Le's hidden intentions. An Xiu Yi's chess skills are no match for Kang Yun Hai's, so he tries to prolong the game. Yuan Mo, watching anxiously, whispers a few strategies to A Shu, encouraging him to confront Kang Yun Hai.
Kang Yun Hai recognizes A Shu's moves as those created by Yuan Han Jing. A Shu reveals Yuan Mo's identity, prompting Kang Yun Hai to produce a jade chessboard carved by Yuan Han Jing himself, stating that if Yuan Mo defeats him, he can reclaim it. With no choice but to step in, Yuan Mo plays and ultimately manages to turn the tide.
An Yuan Dao can no longer refuse and prepares to present the agreement. Just as he is about to seal it, Wang Kun Wu and Director Bai burst into the conference room, halting the signing. Director Bai exposes Yan Le's scheme, and Kang Yun Hai remains calm, deciding to continue negotiations.
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