Episode 27 recap: Encheng's assets were confiscated, and he was banned from leaving. Ding Baozhen returned to Sichuan and reopened the Machinery Bureau.
Encheng speculated that Ding Baozhen already knew about Zhang Dezhi's activities, including the bribery and corruption. Other officials suggested intercepting Ding Baozhen on the way, but Encheng deliberately provoked them, claiming that he wasn't afraid of Ding Baozhen because he had the protection of his ancestors' achievements. However, Ding Baozhen would not spare them. Upon hearing this, the other officials sought advice from Encheng.
Madam Zhong packed Ding Baozhen's luggage. This time, she didn't nag him as usual, and Ding Baozhen felt uneasy and struggled to find words. Madam Zhong said she couldn't stop him from going to the capital and decided not to nag him anymore. Her only request for this trip to the capital was for them to return safely.
Ding Baozhen promised her that after his return, they would live a peaceful life together. On the way to the capital, Ding Baozhen coughed up blood, and his hair had turned white. Ding Baozhen arrived at Xianliang Temple, and the other officials kept their distance. Yan reassured Ding Baozhen not to care about those who seek personal gain, and took him to a restaurant to drink and get away from that dirty place.
During the meal, Ding Baozhen couldn't stop coughing. He knew that his life was at stake and he couldn't afford to collapse. Yan suggested that he be transferred to handle affairs in the Two Rivers region, understanding his good intentions to allow him to recuperate. This time, Ding Baozhen had evidence of Encheng organizing officials for personal gain and accumulating wealth. Furthermore, the Machinery Bureau in Sichuan couldn't be delayed, as foreign powers were eyeing it. Ding Baozhen hoped that Yan would lend him a hand, but Yan informed him that he was retiring and returning to his hometown.
Ding Baozhen sent his respects to Prince Gong, and at that moment, Encheng sent someone to invite Ding Baozhen to a restaurant for a meeting. Encheng knew that Ding Baozhen's trip to the capital was aimed at him, so he served him tea to taste. However, Ding Baozhen discovered that the cup contained only plain water. He immediately stated that he couldn't drink such tea. Encheng threatened him, but Ding Baozhen didn't care, even if there were others behind him. Their tastes were different, and he wouldn't drink that tea.
Ding Baozhen left and instructed his servant to tell others that he refused to drink the tea offered by Encheng. Ding Baozhen understood the meaning behind the plain water—Encheng knew he wouldn't cooperate but still tried to test him. It indicated that Ding Baozhen had been pushed to a dead end. Ding Baozhen went to Prince Gong's residence, hoping to discuss matters regarding the Machinery Bureau, but Prince Gong was busy watching a play and pretended not to hear him. Implicitly, he suggested that staying alive and preserving one's life was the greatest favor.
Ding Baozhen understood Prince Gong's perspective and walked dejectedly through the streets. He encountered some scholars discussing the current situation of the Qing Dynasty, and Ding Baozhen couldn't help but recall his youthful passion when he believed he could change the country.
Shen Wu coincidentally encountered his father, Ding Baozhen, who was in the process of handing over his duties and would be going to Hedong, Shanxi next month. The four of them entered a restaurant to have a meal, only to find out that the restaurant owner was Fu Gui, a fellow villager from Guizhou who had treated Ding Baozhen to authentic Guizhou cuisine when he first arrived in Beijing and couldn't adapt to the local food.
Fu Gui brought out a jar of hometown liquor, and as they chatted, they learned that prices were fluctuating daily, and the people were suffering under the oppression of foreign powers. While walking on the street, they were intercepted by a group of people. Li Peirong fought desperately to protect Ding Baozhen, kicking open a door and pushing them inside before locking it from the outside, engaging in a confrontation with the attackers.
Li Peirong, covered in wounds, fought valiantly. As he fell unconscious, the soldiers arrived. Chen Yunfei and the others carried Li Peirong to a clinic, but the doctor saw that his injuries were too severe and there was no hope for recovery. Before he died, Li Peirong wished for Ding Baozhen to hold him in his arms like a father would, and so he passed away in Ding Baozhen's embrace, with Ding Baozhen weeping in pain.
The next day, Ding Baozhen went to the palace to see the Empress Dowager. Though he was beyond saving, he was still in his official position, and he wanted to make one final effort for the sake of the people and not let down the court or his family. Ding Baozhen requested that the Empress Dowager reopen the Machinery Bureau because if Sichuan were to suffer a setback, the entire transportation network would be affected. The Empress Dowager informed him that the reason the Machinery Bureau was closed was because he offended officials and her. Although the Machinery Bureau gave face to the Empress Dowager, it didn't sever the sources of wealth for certain individuals.
At this point, Ding Baozhen handed a document to the Empress Dowager. It turned out to be a report detailing the exploitation from the bottom all the way to the top, reaching the hands of the Empress Dowager, but it was scarce. The Empress Dowager was deeply saddened by the report, realizing that nearly half of the Qing Dynasty was plagued by corrupt officials. Ding Baozhen also submitted the evidence of Encheng's bribery and corruption, which affected only one region in Sichuan, but it was likely the same in other places. The Empress Dowager was enraged, not expecting that the Qing Dynasty was Encheng's pastry shop, and she insisted on having the Ministry of Revenue discuss whether to execute or torture Encheng.
The Empress Dowager even proposed for Ding Baozhen to stay by her side, but Ding Baozhen stated that he was old and plagued with illnesses, and he only hoped for the reopening of the Machinery Bureau in Sichuan. Afterward, the Empress Dowager understood Ding Baozhen's sincere intentions and issued an edict to fully entrust Ding Baozhen with the reopening of the Machinery Bureau in Sichuan. As for the Yehenara family, Encheng was pardoned for his crimes due to the upcoming birthday of the Empress Dowager. His assets were confiscated, and he was banned from leaving his home for the rest of his life.
(The end)
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