Episode 6 recap: # Cattle
In Episode 6, the most active cattle trading routes in the central region have seen a significant decline in live cattle sales. Cai Shu mentions that they have switched to frozen meat, which saves both costs and feed expenses. Ai Suo is unfamiliar with frozen meat and needs to think it over. Shen Xing meets Jue Xin Tun and recognizes the car in the photos he brought, which belongs to his uncle.
Jue Xin Tun explains that these photos were brought out by the first group of evacuees. As for Shen Jian Dong's fate, it remains unknown. Shen Xing is puzzled, so Jue Xin Tun provides some context: to alleviate the turmoil left by colonialism, the two largest states, Bo and Mo, signed a ceasefire agreement, forming the Bo-Mo Federation with northern and southern autonomy.
The blockade area geographically falls under Mo's jurisdiction but is actually controlled by a warlord named Ban Long, who claims it as part of South Bo. Mo has been unable to take this territory, so they’ve sealed it off, waiting for the internal conflict to weaken both sides before seizing it. The person Shen Jian Dong is searching for, Sang Kang, is actually Ban Long's deputy.
Shen Xing, observant as always, deduces from the handcuffs that Jue Xin Tun might be a police officer. Jue Xin Tun doesn’t ask Shen Xing for money; instead, he suggests Shen Xing return home and wait for news. Shen Xing replies that he has found a job transporting goods and can wait here for updates, ready to handle any special situations that arise.
Shen Xing is driving with Cai Shu and Xi Gou in the vehicle. They are headed to Ma Niu Town in San Bian Po to attend Ai Suo's wedding. Cai Shu tells Shen Xing that the guests at the wedding are influential figures, which might help in gathering information about Shen Jian Dong.
Wu Hai Shan presents a priceless pigeon blood ruby to Sheriff Ai Suo to establish rapport. Cai Shu gifts Ai Suo two gold sculptures of a tapir, which Ai Suo recognizes as the work of Master Wu Wei, indicating Cai Shu's sincerity. Cai Shu brings up the topic of frozen meat again, but Ai Suo still doesn’t give a direct answer. The secretary of Master Uka Mahā, Chapu, interrupts their conversation twice, citing the need to prepare for the ceremony.
After a ceremonial gun salute, the wedding begins. Ai Suo orders the tapir to be brought in; it is the sacred beast he originally offered to Ban Long, now returned for retirement. Shen Xing learns from Wu Hai Shan that the tapir is considered a divine creature in San Bian Po, and anyone who discovers it will enjoy good fortune for life.
Ai Suo secured the position of sheriff by offering the tapir to Ban Long. Shen Xing, unfamiliar with the customs of Ma Niu Town, made Ai Suo unhappy by wiping his hands with a napkin during a meal. Cai Shu explained that Shen Xing is his new apprentice and doesn’t know any better. Cai Shu then asked Shen Xing to drive Lan Bo to distribute alms to the villagers, and Shen Xing was eager to leave.
Cai Shu also prepared a significant gift—meat loaded in a refrigerated truck—to demonstrate his commitment to establishing a frozen meat supply chain, stating he would cover all costs associated with the transition. Ai Suo’s wife, Ma La Nian, who is also Chapu's senior sister, supports Ai Suo's frozen meat initiative. In return, Cai Shu hopes to secure a 30% stake in the venture.
Shen Xing took Lan Bo to distribute alms, but when Lan Bo received word of a theft, he rushed off in his car, with Shen Xing following closely behind. Shen Xing witnessed Lan Bo don a red scarf and coldly execute a criminal. Terrified, Shen Xing learned from Dan Tuo that such events are routine and heard many stories about Ai Suo, including the orphan brigade he established.
Ai Suo built his reputation through charity and maintaining order. Although a formal partnership hadn’t been established yet, Ai Suo was willing to test the initial profitability of the venture. He assigned the cold chain operation to Shen Xing and Dan Tuo, while Lan Bo was tasked with guiding them along the route he had developed for the caravan.
Dan Tuo visited the border and gave Shen Xing a two-hour break, but when they returned, the refrigerated truck was already gone. Meanwhile, Ai Suo unexpectedly arrived with a heavy golden idol and took control of the entire cold truck operation without Cai Shu’s approval, indicating he would no longer collaborate with Cai Shu.
Cai Shu discovered that the person Ai Suo mentioned, who owned a complete cold chain supply and slaughterhouse, was named Tisa. Originally a pig butcher, Tisa’s background seemed questionable, prompting the need for Dan Tuo and Shen Xing to investigate further, which could provide an opportunity for their crew. That night, Shen Xing and Dan Tuo sneaked into the slaughterhouse and found that Tisa didn’t actually have a cold storage facility; instead, his workers were hastily converting workshop space into a makeshift cold storage.
At that moment, the two, focused on their analysis, were discovered by Tisa's men.
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