Recaps

Li Chengqian and the Tang party photographed one another in the Western Regions before Qing Mo revealed that Yuchi Gong and Qin Qiong would become Door Gods. As they prepared to return, bandits attacked, but Li Shimin and his companions defeated them and claimed their horses.

• Li Chengqian took photographs of the party, including Cheng Yaojin, Yuchi Gong, and the ministers, while Li Shimin also borrowed the camera to photograph Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui together.
• Qing Mo explained that Yuchi Gong and Qin Qiong became Door Gods after guarding Li Shimin and inspiring him to place their portraits on the palace gates.
• Qing Mo spotted approaching bandits and gave Li Shimin and the others telescopes, while Li Chengqian received binoculars.
• Li Junxian led the guards as Li Shimin and the generals fought the bandits, killing them all with no Tang casualties and only a few minor injuries.
• Li Shimin praised his archery after shooting fleeing bandits, and the party celebrated gaining several dozen horses before returning.

Li Shimin learned that Empress Zhangsun had successfully refined fine salt using He Xi’s method and called his ministers to plan how to use it against the powerful salt-trading clans. Meanwhile, Qing Mo persuaded Zhangsun Wuji to give the iron industry to the court in exchange for a fertilizer-making method, then introduced Li Chengqian and the young nobles to pork dishes from later generations.

• Empress Zhangsun refined snow-white fine salt, and Li Shimin recognized that it could benefit the people and weaken the Taiyuan Wang Clan’s control of the salt trade.
• Li Shimin ordered Li Junxian to summon ministers to the imperial study, while Empress Zhangsun assured him that her attendants would keep the salt method secret.
• Qing Mo and Li Chengqian visited Zhangsun Wuji, urged him to surrender the Zhangsun Family’s iron industry to the court, and secured his agreement.
• Qing Mo gave Zhangsun Wuji a fertilizer-making method as a new family business and instructed him to test it on the family’s estates before expanding production.
• Qing Mo arranged for Zhangsun Chong and other young nobles to study at Li Chengqian’s estate, where they ate pork dishes and were shocked to learn the meat was swine.

Qing Mo persuaded Li Chengqian and the officials’ sons to promote improved pig raising and high-yield crops to strengthen the Tang Dynasty, then assigned them practical tasks and demonstrated a labor-saving Curved-Shaft Plow. The chapter ended with the young men eager to put his plans into practice and Qing Mo ordering more plows for wider use.

• Qing Mo explained that castrating pigs and improving their feed would make pork tastier, and convinced Li Chengqian and the officials’ sons that pig raising could improve food supplies and farming.
• Qing Mo revealed high-yield crop seeds, including potatoes, corn, and sweet potatoes, gave the young men cultivation manuals, and told them to keep the plans secret from their fathers.
• Qing Mo assigned Zhangsun Chong to commission new farming tools, Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaidao to build workshops, and Li Chengqian and the others to prepare fields and learn practical work.
• Zhangsun Chong returned with a Curved-Shaft Plow, and an old farmer tested it, plowing the land more easily and efficiently than with a straight plow.
• Qing Mo praised the plow and told Zhangsun Chong to have more made so the estate could use them before they were promoted throughout the Tang Dynasty.

Li Chengqian reported Qing Mo’s new inventions to Li Shimin and visited Li Yuan, who asked to meet the immortal National Preceptor. Qing Mo and Li Yuan bonded over billiards, and Li Shimin joined them, turning their reunion into a lively contest.

• Cheng Chumo told Cheng Yaojin about the Curved-Shaft Plow and the plans to build cement and red-brick workshops, while Zhangsun Chong persuaded Zhangsun Wuji to fund poultry farms.
• Li Chengqian told Li Shimin about the plow, workshops, ironmaking and steelmaking methods, and the proposed railway from Chang'an to Tong Pass, then visited Li Yuan.
• Li Yuan asked Li Chengqian to invite Qing Mo, and the next morning Qing Mo agreed to visit the Retired Emperor with gifts.
• Qing Mo and Li Yuan played billiards at Great Peace Palace, and Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun hurried there after hearing about the visit.
• Li Yuan beat Li Shimin repeatedly at billiards, while Li Chengqian teased his father and Li Shimin insisted on playing another round.

Li Yuan, Li Shimin, Empress Zhangsun, and Qing Mo played mahjong, with Qing Mo quietly helping Li Yuan win while taking a hand from Li Shimin. Later, Qing Mo demonstrated a water-powered mill and accepted Li Tai and Li Ke as disciples, leaving Li Chengqian to consider the political consequences.

• Qing Mo introduced mahjong at Great Peace Palace, and Li Yuan eagerly joined Li Shimin, Empress Zhangsun, and Qing Mo for a game.
• Qing Mo secretly helped Li Yuan win several rounds, then won an Earthly Hand that stopped Li Shimin from claiming victory.
• Zhangsun Chong received manuals about raising poultry, while Wei Yushu received plans for a water-powered linked mill.
• Qing Mo supervised Wei Yushu, Zhangsun Chong, and the craftsmen as they built the mill, which successfully used the river's current to grind flour.
• Li Tai, Li Ke, Cheng Chuliang, and Fang Yiai arrived and asked Qing Mo to take them as disciples.
• Qing Mo accepted Li Tai and Li Ke, while Li Chengqian silently worried that others might see his brothers as rival candidates for the throne.

Qing Mo required Li Tai, Li Ke, Cheng Chuliang, and Fang Yizhi to work alongside the other disciples before studying under him, then assigned them tasks in the fields, cement workshop, and livestock yards. He later explained to Li Chengqian that his plan for him to become an emperor for all eternity involved sending his brothers to govern and expand beyond China, leaving Li Chengqian stunned by the vision.

• Li Tai, Li Ke, Cheng Chuliang, and Fang Yizhi agreed to work at the estate after Qing Mo said they must labor like his other disciples.
• Qing Mo assigned Li Tai to learn farming, Li Ke to help Cheng Chumo at the cement workshop, and Cheng Chuliang and Fang Yizhi to learn animal husbandry; he then led Li Chengqian aside for a private talk.
• Cheng Chumo told the new disciples about the high-yield crops and their potential to end famine, and Zhangsun Chong explained why the group was keeping them secret until the right time.
• Li Tai and Li Ke promised not to reveal the crops early, then eagerly set out to learn about farming, cement, and red bricks.
• Qing Mo told Li Chengqian that enfeoffing his brothers to lands beyond China would be the crucial step toward becoming an emperor for all eternity.
• Qing Mo outlined a plan for Li Chengqian’s brothers and their descendants to expand and govern distant territories under the Tang Dynasty’s supremacy, leaving Li Chengqian shocked.

Qing Mo persuaded Li Chengqian to pursue overseas enfeoffment, with his brothers ruling distant territories under the Tang Dynasty while expanding Chinese influence. He explained that the plan required time and population growth, and could also weaken the Five Great Clans and Seven Prominent Families; Li Chengqian embraced the vision and pledged to pursue it.

• Li Chengqian agreed to Qing Mo's plan to seek the title of Emperor for All Ages by sending his brothers overseas to conquer and rule new lands.
• Qing Mo taught Li Chengqian that history was driven by struggles to become emperor, and Li Chengqian realized his brothers could be persuaded by the chance to rule.
• Qing Mo explained that the Tang Dynasty lacked the population and resources to establish overseas kingdoms immediately, and that expansion would depend on future population growth.
• Qing Mo outlined how overseas enfeoffment could prevent conflict among Li Chengqian's brothers and spread Chinese bloodline and culture.
• Qing Mo described how the plan could weaken the Five Great Clans and Seven Prominent Families by drawing their elites overseas, reducing their court influence, and transferring their land and tenant farmers to the court.
• Li Chengqian praised Qing Mo's strategy and pledged to remember his guidance and work toward the undertaking.

Qing Mo encouraged Li Chengqian and the others as they worked on high-yield crops and tested cement roads, then met Wang Jinyuan, head of the Taiyuan Wang Clan, who sought a share of Zhenguan Snow Salt distribution. Qing Mo refused to divide the salt trade but offered the Wang Clan a chance to invest in cement, and Wang Jinyuan showed interest.

• Qing Mo told Li Chengqian to keep their plans secret and promised to take him traveling once their work had stabilized.
• Qing Mo found Li Tai working in the fields and reminded him to focus on cultivating the new crops without discussing them openly.
• Qing Mo inspected the cement workshop as Cheng Chumo and Li Ke prepared to pave the estate road, and he explained how cement could improve transport and construction.
• Fortune informed Qing Mo that Wang Jinyuan, head of the Taiyuan Wang Clan, had arrived to see him.
• Wang Jinyuan asked Qing Mo to secure his clan a share of Zhenguan Snow Salt distribution, but Qing Mo refused and offered him an opportunity to invest in the cement business.
• Wang Jinyuan became intrigued by Qing Mo's cement proposal and guessed that it was another remarkable invention.

Qing Mo showed Wang Jinyuan the estate’s cement workshop and explained how cement roads and pig farming could bring substantial profits. Wang Jinyuan agreed to fund cement production, while Qing Mo explained to Li Chengqian how private investment could help the court improve the country and benefit the people.

• Qing Mo explained the profits and methods behind Zhangsun Chong’s pig-raising operation, leaving Wang Jinyuan eager to invest.
• Qing Mo brought Wang Jinyuan to the cement workshop, where Li Chengqian, Li Ke, and Cheng Chumo were helping lay a road.
• Cheng Chumo showed Wang Jinyuan how cement was made and used, and Wang Jinyuan agreed that the Taiyuan Wang Family would finance its production.
• Wang Jinyuan signed a cement cooperation contract with Cheng Chumo, then visited the red-brick workshop and Zhangsun Chong’s pig operation.
• After Wang Jinyuan left, Qing Mo reassured Li Chengqian that the court would benefit most from private funding and urged him to prioritize the people’s welfare.

He Xi made a detailed sand table of the Tang Dynasty as a gift for Li Chengqian, and Qing Mo presented it at court alongside a working miniature train. After Li Chengqian explained the train, the ministers argued over the cost and security of building railways, and their debate erupted into a brawl.

• He Xi gave Qing Mo a handcrafted sand table depicting the Tang Dynasty, complete with a miniature steam train and railway.
• Qing Mo presented the sand table to Li Chengqian at court, but Li Shimin asked to borrow it and ignored Li Chengqian's request that it be returned promptly.
• Li Shimin recognized the miniature train and railway, and Qing Mo had Li Chengqian explain how trains worked to the gathered officials.
• Qing Mo invited the ministers to discuss investing in trains and railways, prompting arguments over steel costs and how to prevent track theft.
• The ministers' debate turned into curses and punches, beginning what Qing Mo called the Tang Dynasty Unlimited Free-Fighting Tournament.

Qing Mo persuaded Li Shimin and the court to fund railway construction by promising shared profits, and aristocratic families and officials rushed to invest. As Qing Mo prepared to leave, Li Shimin asked whether immortality existed, and Qing Mo confirmed that it did.

• Li Shimin ordered the guards to break up a fierce brawl among the officials, then scolded them before turning the discussion back to the railway project.
• Qing Mo offered the train technology and explained how investors could earn shares and profit from railway routes, transport fees, and commerce.
• Li Shimin indicated that merchants could invest if the aristocratic clans refused, prompting Zhangsun Wuji and other officials and clan representatives to pledge large sums.
• Li Shimin asked Qing Mo whether immortality existed, and Qing Mo calmly answered that it did.

Qing Mo revealed that he was an immortal from another world and offered Li Shimin a chance to preserve his memories and reincarnate in the Immortal Cultivation World. After demonstrating Liu San’s reincarnation, Qing Mo entrusted Li Shimin with a Reincarnation Disk and left him to decide who else could use it.

• Qing Mo told Li Shimin and the court that he had lived for more than 2,900 years, but immortality was impossible in their world and required planning for the next life.
• Qing Mo offered Li Shimin reincarnation with his memories intact and promised Li Chengqian a privileged birth in an imperial bloodline in the Immortal Cultivation World.
• Qing Mo used the Reincarnation Disk to record Liu San’s soul and memories, then declared that Liu San would be reborn as a boy born to Zhao Carpenter’s wife in half a month.
• Qing Mo warned the court to keep the secret and told them not to blame Liu San’s reincarnation for his past crimes.
• Qing Mo gave Li Shimin the Reincarnation Disk, which could accept blood from twenty-four more people, and left the hall with Li Chengqian.

Qing Mo guided the princes and officials as they advanced iron-wok cooking, railway construction, and steam-train development. When Li Chengqian, Li Tai, and Li Ke announced that their high-yield crops were ready, Li Shimin and the court went to the estate and joined the harvest, leaving Qing Mo with photographs of the Emperor working in the fields.

• Officials who saw Liu San's reincarnated infant's birthmarks began currying favor with Li Shimin in hopes of earning a better next life.
• Qing Mo advised Li Ke on reinforcing railway ground and expanding steel production, then gave Li Chengqian and Qin Huaidao suggestions for improving the steam train.
• Li Chengqian told Qing Mo that the potatoes and sweet potatoes were ready to harvest, and Qing Mo said they should show the crops to the Emperor and officials.
• At court, Li Chengqian, Li Tai, and Li Ke announced that the crops yielded several thousand jin per mu, prompting Li Shimin and the officials to rush to the estate.
• Li Shimin and the officials dug up potatoes and sweet potatoes themselves, marveling at the harvest as Qing Mo photographed them.

Li Shimin and the officials discovered that Qing Mo’s potatoes and sweet potatoes yielded thousands of jin per mu, then toured his other new crops and discussed how to promote them. Li Shimin led a muddy, shoulder-borne procession through Chang’an to show the harvest to the people, who cheered for him and the Tang Dynasty.

• Wei Zheng weighed the potatoes and sweet potatoes and announced yields of 4,573 jin and 8,362 jin per mu, astonishing Li Shimin and the officials.
• Qing Mo instructed the Court Diarist to record the harvest and its participants, then persuaded Li Shimin to carry the crops through Chang’an so the people could see them.
• Li Chengqian showed Li Shimin and the officials the estate’s colorful fruits and vegetables, and Li Shimin tasted a tomato before discussing how to cultivate and promote the crops.
• Li Junxian reported that the route was secured and the Empress had been informed, and Li Shimin chose to wear his mud-stained dragon robe during the procession.
• Li Shimin and the officials carried baskets of grain toward Chang’an, where crowds gathered, praised the harvest, and shouted for the emperor and the Tang Dynasty.

Foreign envoys explored Chang'an’s cement construction, orderly streets, and abundant food while scheming to obtain Tang knowledge and recruit Qing Mo. When Li Shimin summoned Qing Mo to meet them, Qing Mo flew into the Hall of the Supreme Ultimate, leaving the envoys stunned and even more eager to claim his abilities for their own countries.

• Foreign envoys inspected a cement construction site, but the foreman refused to reveal how cement was made because it was a Tang secret.
• The envoys entered Chang'an, admired its orderly roads and plentiful food, and resolved to take Tang innovations back to their homelands.
• At court, the Tibetan envoy congratulated Li Shimin and asked to meet the Immortal National Preceptor, while the envoys hoped to obtain high-yield grain and recruit Qing Mo.
• Qing Mo left the railway station in Li Chengqian and Li Tai’s charge, warning them that the foreign tribes wanted to steal Tang knowledge.
• Qing Mo flew into the Hall of the Supreme Ultimate, shocking the foreign envoys and intensifying their greed.

Qing Mo rebuked foreign envoys who demanded Tang Dynasty technology, then ordered the Japanese envoy Tanaka Inoue arrested after condemning Japan for future atrocities against China. Li Shimin vowed to seize Japanese people within Tang territory, and Qing Mo promised plans for a sea-crossing treasure ship for a later campaign against Japan.

• Qing Mo arrived at court by flying while carrying a frightened eunuch, then took a seat beside Li Shimin.
• The Tibetan and Turkic Khaganate envoys asked Qing Mo to share Tang techniques, and Qing Mo offered them Confucian books instead.
• The Turkic Khaganate envoy demanded Tang technologies, but Qing Mo rebuked him until he knelt and begged forgiveness.
• Tanaka Inoue asked Li Shimin to let Japanese students study in Chang'an, but Qing Mo ordered the Japanese envoys arrested and condemned Japan for future invasions and mass killings in China.
• Li Shimin ordered Japanese people within Tang territory arrested, and Qing Mo promised to provide plans for a sea-crossing treasure ship once Tang had developed further.

Qing Mo delayed the Tibetan Empire’s proposed marriage alliance and announced the Tang Dynasty’s first train would soon begin operating. Five days later, Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun attended the railway’s opening ceremony, where Qing Mo named the first line the Gaoming Railway after Li Chengqian’s courtesy name.

• The Tibetan envoy proposed a marriage alliance, but Qing Mo urged Li Shimin to consult his ministers before deciding and scheduled an answer for a state banquet in three days.
• Qing Mo announced that the railway was nearly complete and invited the emperor, officials, clan elders, merchants, commoners, and foreign envoys to its opening in five days.
• The Tibetan envoy ordered his subordinates to investigate the train and steal its technology, while foreign envoys learned about the many innovations Qing Mo had brought to the Tang Dynasty.
• Li Shimin, Empress Zhangsun, the officials, and the foreign envoys gathered as a steam train arrived, and Li Shimin and Qing Mo joined Li Chengqian and his brothers in cutting the ribbon.
• Qing Mo named the first railway the Gaoming Railway after Li Chengqian’s courtesy name, leaving Li Chengqian delighted and Li Shimin envious.

Qing Mo oversaw the naming and maiden voyage of the Tang Dynasty’s first train, the Zhenguan, on the Gaoming Railway, impressing its passengers and foreign envoys. After the train reached Tong Pass, he took Li Chengqian to Chang’an in the thirteenth year of the Tianbao Era, where Li Chengqian realized they had arrived in Li Longji’s time before the lychee delivery for Consort Yang.

• Li Shimin named the Tang Dynasty’s first train Zhenguan and wrote the name on its carriage, while Li Chengqian planned a monument for the Gaoming Railway.
• Qing Mo brought the emperor, officials, princes, and foreign envoys aboard the train and sent it toward Tong Pass, where passengers marveled at its speed and the envoys feared the Tang Dynasty’s growing advantage.
• Cheng Chuliang sold tea and snacks aboard the train, and Li Tai asked whether the next railway could bear his name.
• The train reached Tong Pass in nearly two hours, where Li Ke, Qin Huaidao, Wei Yushu, and the others were waiting.
• Qing Mo took Li Chengqian to Chang’an in the thirteenth year of the Tianbao Era, and Li Chengqian recognized that Li Longji was emperor and that they had arrived before the lychee delivery for Consort Yang.

Qing Mo took Li Chengqian to the Tianbao Era to witness the common people's hardship and learn how imperial excess contributed to the Tang Dynasty's decline. He arranged for Li Chengqian, posing as Li Gan, to become Li Shande's student and accompany him on the future lychee journey, while Li Shimin waited in the Zhenguan Era for a chance to confront Li Longji.

• Qing Mo showed Li Chengqian the poverty-stricken quarters of Chang'an and explained that Li Longji would soon demand fresh lychees from Lingnan for Yang Guifei.
• Qing Mo told Li Chengqian that he would pose as Li Gan, apprentice to the official Li Shande, and travel with him to see the people's hardships firsthand.
• Li Shimin watched the events through a screen, raged at Li Longji's lychee demand, and asked Mo Yanyu and He Xi to take him to the Tianbao Era, but they told him to wait.
• Qing Mo introduced Li Gan to Li Shande and paid him fifty strings of cash to accept the boy as a student.
• Li Chengqian questioned whether the honest, rigid Li Shande could deliver the lychees, and Qing Mo told him to keep his disguise and endure any hardships until they brought reinforcements to save the Tang Dynasty.

Li Chengqian discovered that Li Shande had been tricked into accepting an impossible assignment to transport fresh Lingnan lychees to Chang'an. After seeing Li Shande’s colleagues reject his pleas, Li Chengqian discussed with Qing Mo how to protect the people and use the mission to pursue broader political change.

• Li Shande told Li Chengqian he had been appointed Lychee Envoy to procure lychee preserves, but Li Chengqian found a warrant ordering fresh lychees.
• Li Shande returned to the Shanglin Office, where Director Liu and the other officials denied responsibility and insisted he fulfill the order.
• Li Chengqian took Li Xiu'er home, then watched through Qing Mo’s light screen as Li Shande’s colleagues mocked and abandoned him.
• Li Chengqian grew angry at Li Longji and proposed bringing their allies from the Zhenguan Era to replace him, but Qing Mo said they would act secretly and seize corrupt officials’ wealth and clan lands.
• Qing Mo told Li Chengqian to continue studying with Li Shande, encourage him by mentioning Li Xiu'er, and accompany him south to transport the lychees.

Li Shande despaired over his impossible order to bring fresh lychees from Lingnan, but Li Chengqian encouraged him to keep fighting for his daughter, Li Xiu'er. After debt collectors threatened him and the Shanglin Office refused to fund the mission, Li Shande invoked the emperor’s authority to force both groups to back down and provide support.

• Li Chengqian met Li Shande outside the Shanglin Office and accompanied him to the palace, where Li Shande failed to resolve his lychee assignment.
• Li Shande reunited with Han Fourteen and Du Zimei, then told Li Chengqian he expected to die trying to fulfill the emperor’s order.
• Li Chengqian urged Li Shande to persevere for Li Xiu'er, and Li Shande resolved to search for ways to transport fresh fruit.
• Debt collectors from Pingkang Ward threatened Li Shande over his loan and old house, so he warned them that obstructing the imperial assignment would cost them their heads.
• Director Liu refused to fund Li Shande’s mission until Li Shande accused the Shanglin Office of obstructing the emperor’s business and forced him to provide money.
• Li Chengqian resolved to protect Li Shande and secretly promised that the Shanglin Office officials would not survive.

Li Shande and Li Chengqian set out for Lingnan to transport lychees, while Qing Mo arranged protection and entrusted Zheng Ping'an with helping them and pursuing the truth about his father. The chapter left Zheng Ping'an and Dog bound by Qing Mo’s orders as the journey to Lingnan began.

• Li Shande entrusted Li Xiu'er to Qing Mo, agreed to take Li Gan to Lingnan, and promised to protect him.
• Qing Mo gave Li Chengqian gold and sent Yinzi along to guard him as Li Shande and Li Chengqian departed for Lingnan.
• Qing Mo, Han Fourteen, and Du Zimei celebrated their departure, and Du Zimei composed a poem for Li Shande and Li Chengqian.
• Qing Mo visited Zheng Ping'an and Dog, revealed his immortal powers, and told Zheng Ping'an to continue to Lingnan while assisting Li Shande and Li Gan.
• Qing Mo ordered Zheng Ping'an to learn the truth about his father from the master of Empty Wave Ward, protect Li Gan, and keep his instructions secret.

Li Yuan learned that Li Chengqian had traveled to the future and heard how Li Longji’s later rule nearly destroyed the Tang Dynasty, then blamed Li Shimin in a furious family quarrel. Meanwhile, Li Chengqian and Li Shande reached Lingnan after helping villagers on the way, ready to arrange the lychee transport.

• Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun told Li Yuan that Qing Mo had taken Li Chengqian to the Tang Dynasty a century in the future to transport lychees from Lingnan.
• Li Yuan questioned the danger and hardship of the journey, then asked how the future emperor had ruled; Empress Zhangsun explained Li Longji’s early prosperity and later failures, including the An Lushan Rebellion.
• Li Yuan fainted from anger, recovered, slapped Li Shimin, and chased him with a shoe while Empress Zhangsun watched their bickering.
• Li Chengqian and Li Shande traveled south, observed the people’s hardships, helped villagers reinforce their homes, and listened to their concerns.
• After more than a month, Li Chengqian and Li Shande arrived in Lingnan, and Li Chengqian urged his teacher to visit the governor at once to arrange cooperation.

Qing Mo cared for Li Xiu'er in Chang'an while Li Shande and Li Chengqian struggled to arrange the transport of lychees in Lingnan. Zheng Ping'an pledged his help and revealed Qing Mo had sent him to uncover his father's past and deal with Yang Guozhong, but the prefectural governor's office refused to provide practical assistance.

• Qing Mo took Li Xiu'er to school and reassured her that Li Shande would return from his mission.
• Li Chengqian learned that Qing Mo had sent Zheng Ping'an and Dog to help transport the lychees, and Dog pledged their support.
• Zheng Ping'an thanked Li Chengqian for ensuring Li Xiu'er was in Qing Mo's care and revealed Qing Mo had directed him to investigate his father's past and deal with Yang Guozhong.
• Clerk Zhao confirmed Li Shande's identity as Lychee Envoy but gave him only an official pass and a Lychee Office plaque instead of meaningful help.
• Li Chengqian told Li Shande that the prefectural governor's office would not help, and Li Shande returned to the post station to seek another way forward.

Qing Mo visited Lingnan and gave Li Chengqian clues to win over merchant association president Amita by exposing Governor He Youguang’s role in her father Sea Tiger’s betrayal and death. Zheng Ping'an investigated the evidence and confronted Amita, leaving her eager to hear what he knew.

• Yinzi led Li Chengqian to Qing Mo, who shared food made by Li Chengqian’s mother and heard his update on the lychee transport trials.
• Li Chengqian reported that the team had found a lychee orchard and a possible preservation urn, but lacked horses and faced obstruction from Governor He Youguang.
• Qing Mo told Li Chengqian that He Youguang had betrayed and killed Sea Tiger, and gave him clues and witnesses that could help prove it to Amita.
• Li Chengqian passed Qing Mo’s intelligence to Zheng Ping'an, who went to Empty Wave Ward and found the porter connected to the old incident.
• Zheng Ping'an approached Amita and raised the Whale-Riding Tower fire, Sea Tiger, and an unnamed porter, prompting her to invite him to discuss the matter privately.