Episode 20 recap: Liu Lin debated revolution with Mu Qing.
Lin An Jing pretended to be sick and asked Wang Di Bao to go to a pharmacy arranged by the Japanese to buy medicine, in order to inform Wang Di Bao of the clue that Zhuo Bu Fan and others had returned to the capital. Wang Di Bao immediately decided to go to the capital and track Zhuo Bu Fan and the others.
Inside Prince Qi's mansion, Prince Qi angrily criticized Zhuo Bu Fan for his incompetence and failure to obtain the Bodhi seal. Zhuo Bu Fan calmly analyzed the current situation to Prince Qi, stating that none of his plans since he started searching for treasures had fallen into the hands of the Internal Affairs Department. At the same time, he had obtained an important clue during this trip, discovering that opening the treasure required three treasure maps and a passphrase, with each being indispensable.
Currently, he and Men San Dao each possessed one map. As long as the Internal Affairs Department did not give up the chase, he had a chance to seize Men San Dao's map. Faced with Zhuo Bu Fan's analysis and explanation, Prince Qi was dissatisfied but superficially agreed to increase his reward and gather more clues for him. However, after Zhuo Bu Fan left, Prince Qi privately summoned Yu Huanjie and tempted him with fame and wealth to report Zhuo Bu Fan's every move at any time.
Liu Lin gave Lin Hao Han some money as compensation and told him that they would part ways at this point. There was no need for Lin Hao Han to continue following them. Lin Hao Han desired the treasure and wanted to continue searching for it with Mu Qing, but he was firmly rejected. On the return train, Liu Lin asked Mu Qing why he kept the secret of the Bodhi seal from others, even concealing it from Wang Jialuo. Mu Qing explained that he kept it from Wang Jialuo for two reasons: firstly, because he only cared about capturing Zhuo Bu Fan and not the treasure; secondly, because he despised the Beiyang government.
The failure of the Reform Movement in the Wuxu period and Yuan Shikai's betrayal were closely related, which is why Mu Qing detested Yuan Shikai. Liu Lin argued that even if Yuan Shikai hadn't betrayed them, the Reform Movement would have failed. Firstly, the conservative forces were powerful, and the reformists had no real power. Secondly, the reformists lacked correct theoretical guidance. Thirdly, the reformists lacked strong organizational leadership and relied solely on the powerless emperor and a few bureaucrats. Fourthly, the reforms were implemented recklessly, and fifthly, the methods of reform were single-minded.
Mu Qing opposed each of these points, stating that the Alliance to which Liu Lin belonged was not as good as the reformists. These counterarguments left Liu Lin speechless. Lin An Jing informed Qing Yixin that Wang Jialuo was not obsessed with finding the treasure but rather with capturing Zhuo Bu Fan. Qing Yixin revealed that Zhuo Bu Fan's next destination was the capital, so he asked Lin An Jing to find an opportunity to inform Wang Jialuo. As long as Wang Jialuo kept a close eye on Zhuo Bu Fan, they would always be able to find clues to the Pure Altar's hidden treasure.
Lin An Jing pretended to be sick and asked Wang Jialuo for help in getting medicine. Wang Jialuo went to the pharmacy and unexpectedly overheard a group of people wearing Western suits who had bought medicine yesterday and were in a hurry to go to the capital. Wang Jialuo quickly organized the Beiyang Army and headed to the capital.
Liu Lin found Mu Qing again and expressed that the New Party and the Alliance share similar goals. Mu Qing mentioned that Liu Lin, being born into a wealthy family, should have had expectations of a comfortable life. However, she chose to pursue revolution because she had never witnessed death.
Liu Lin countered by revealing that her parents and brother had died due to the Reform Movement, just as the former emperor and her master, whom Mu Qing served, had also perished because of it. She questioned whether Mu Qing would fear reform. Liu Lin's words left Mu Qing deep in thought.
In Prince Qi's mansion, Prince Qi angrily rebuked Zhuo Bu Fan for his incompetence. However, Zhuo Bu Fan calmly analyzed the past situation and stated that they had never fallen behind the Internal Affairs Department in their search for treasures. He also revealed an important clue—they needed three treasure maps and a passphrase to access the treasure, with each component being indispensable.
Currently, Zhuo Bu Fan and Mu Qing held equal bargaining chips. As long as the Internal Affairs Department continued to pursue the treasure, Zhuo Bu Fan had a chance to seize Mu Qing's treasure map. Despite the heavy losses they had suffered and the difficulty of the treasure hunt, Zhuo Bu Fan hoped that Prince Qi would seek revenge. Although Prince Qi was displeased, he agreed to Zhuo Bu Fan's request.
Prince Qi privately summoned Yu Huanjie and inquired about Zhuo Bu Fan's confidence in finding the treasure. Yu Huanjie believed that Zhuo Bu Fan had the ability and determination to find it, particularly because Zhuo Bu Fan had a strong desire for the martial arts scriptures within the treasure. Prince Qi enticed Yu Huanjie with promises of fame and wealth and instructed him to report Zhuo Bu Fan's every move, rewarding him with three hundred taels of silver in advance.
Yu Huanjie fantasized about a future life of wealth and prestige. Upon his return, he cut his hair and informed Zhuo Bu Fan that his Qing Dynasty disguise was to gather information for everyone. He assured Zhuo Bu Fan that once their plans succeeded, he would revert to his previous Western-style appearance.
After returning to the capital, Mu Qing arranged for Liu Lin to stay at a residence. He informed Cun Qing that they had not gained anything from this trip and planned to investigate the hidden compartment where the Bodhi seal was stored.
This hidden compartment was made of sinking camphor wood, originating from Fujian Province. Although not valuable, it was relatively rare. Lin Hao Han had opened a shop in the capital and specifically invited Wu Lan Shan and Mu Qing to attend. Initially, Mu Qing intended to decline, but when he learned that Wu Lan Shan would be present, he agreed to the invitation.
Mu Qing handed the two pieces of sinking camphor wood to Lin Hao Han to examine. He promised Lin Hao Han a commission of one thousand taels if he could determine the exact number of compartments and their specific origins.
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