Episode 7 recap: Di Lin took the initiative to march to a distant state.
Di Lin proposed that he felt the two lords' actions were too compassionate. Now that the war faction of the Northern Tribe is victorious, there is no hope for negotiations. Moreover, the other side is ambitious. Now the only option is to send a large army to demonstrate their strength at the border. Zi Chuan Shen Xing encouraged Di Lin to express his thoughts. Di Lin believed that they could first detain Ka Dan and send troops to the distant state to exert pressure. They should no longer actively propose negotiations but instead wait for the moment when the large army's presence frightens them, and then make appropriate concessions.
Yang Ming Hua suggested that Lei Xun lead the army to the front lines for a demonstration and deterrence, which would surely safeguard the peace of Zi Chuan. Lei Xun believed that he was capable of handling this matter and that it was his duty to maintain peace in the imperial capital. Zi Chuan Shen Xing, seeing everyone's support, asked Yang Ming Hua if this plan was feasible. Seeing Yang Ming Hua's strong support, he wanted to send Lei Xun to the distant state, but Lei Xun interrupted him before he could finish speaking.
Lei Xun stated that both himself and Si Yi Lin made mistakes during their tenure. Without taking appropriate actions and leading troops to fight, such important national affairs would make people feel dissatisfied. Yang Ming Hua believed that whether or not they followed the rules of sending a large army was irrelevant. The people around disagreed, believing that if a large army was sent, it should set an example to win the soldiers' morale.
Di Lin saw that the situation was deadlocked and volunteered to go to the distant state to lead the troops into battle, only requiring 50,000 soldiers and horses. Zi Chuan Shen Xing thought it was good that Di Lin was young and ambitious but found it difficult to fulfill such grand promises. Di Lin said he could also make a military pledge.
Yang Ming Hua was also angry, feeling that Di Lin was all talk and had no evidence to support his bold claims. He dared to speak so arrogantly, disrespecting his elders. Ge Ying Xing, seeing that those people wanted to target him, proposed to withdraw from political affairs for three years and not participate in governance. Yang Ming Hua felt that his pent-up anger had finally dissipated a bit.
Di Lin told his brothers that when he goes to fight in a distant place, those people want to divide the military power in Ge Ying Xing's hands. He would pretend to go along with it but during this time, he might cause a lot of trouble for Ge Ying Xing. Zi Chuan Xiu believed that this time they had a reason to support Yang Ming Hua unconditionally.
Zi Chuan Xiu was pulled by Zi Chuan Ning to look at clothes as soon as he returned home. Zi Chuan Xiu pretended to be busy and hurriedly left in the evening, specifically making a dish of heat-clearing and detoxifying food for Bai Chuan in the kitchen, even saying something like "the sea of bitterness knows no bounds."
Whenever Bai Chuan heard the names of the dishes Zi Chuan Xiu made, it served as a constant reminder for him to reconsider his actions. Ge Ying Xing came to talk to Yang Ming Hua. Taking advantage of his drunkenness, Ge Ying Xing directly mentioned their past friendship but also accused Yang Ming Hua of having ambitious intentions and wanting to seize power. Yang Ming Hua tearfully told Ge Ying Xing that he hadn't changed his loyalty.
Ge Ying Xing told Yang Ming Hua that he had already found those star maps for him, but the journey ahead was long and treacherous, and the flames of war were merciless. They might not be able to return once they embarked on it. Listening to Ge Ying Xing's heartfelt words, Yang Ming Hua couldn't help but shed tears.
Lin Xiu Jia knew that Di Lin's expedition this time was very dangerous, and she told him to come back alive. Ge Ying Xing knew that Zi Chuan Shen Xing had ulterior motives towards him, and he was grateful in his heart. However, in order to test whether Yang Ming Hua had any rebellious thoughts, they still had to be cautious.
Ge Ying Xing told Zi Chuan Shen Xing that if it came to the last resort, he would make sure to minimize the harm and take Yang Ming Hua's life. Zi Chuan Shen Xing also revealed his own trump card, saying that his older brother had given him a foundation that could suppress Yang Ming Hua, but deep down, he still hoped that Yang Ming Hua wouldn't plot against them.
Zi Chuan Ning felt uncomfortable when Ka Dan came to find Zi Chuan Xiu. Zi Chuan Ning saw that Ka Dan wanted to commit suicide with a knife and quickly stopped him. It turned out to be a misunderstanding, and the two of them got to know each other without fighting. Zi Chuan Ning danced with Ka Dan to cheer him up, and they became good friends.
Ge Ying Xing complained that Zi Chuan Xiu was stingy. He was going on a distant expedition to save him, but this guy only treated him to a bowl of noodles. Before leaving, he also gave Zi Chuan Xiu an important task, but deep down, he hoped that Zi Chuan Xiu wouldn't find out anything.
Ka Dan gave Zi Chuan Ning his most important possession, and Zi Chuan Ning quickly handed it over to his uncle. Zi Chuan Shen Xing, with a heavy mind, wanted Zi Chuan Ning to accompany him for a family feast tomorrow.
Regarding Yang Ming Hua's blacksmithing, there's an important aspect to add: the reason behind this setup is actually related to a certain contract or unfinished brotherly bond between Yang Ming Hua and Zi Chuan Yuan Xing.
The design for these weapons was given to him by Zi Chuan Yuan Xing. After completing the weapons, he was later betrayed and the weapon designs were burned, indicating a potential betrayal.