Episode Summary
Gu Pingyuan is forced to go to Nanjing with his family as leverage to fix the local economy. He uses a scandal involving the Viceroy and local brothels to jumpstart tourism and trade. He also secures funding to restart civil service exams. His wife, Chang Yuer, feels insecure about her lack of education after seeing his success.
Spoiler Alert
Legend of the Magnate Episode 29 Recap
A Hostage Situation with Benefits
The Ninth Marshal isn't asking nicely. He drags Gu Pingyuan to Nanjing to help Viceroy Ruilin fix a massive mess. He also brings Gu's entire six-person family along. Gu isn't stupid. He knows they are hostages.
The mood on the boat is tense. Gu Pingwen is terrified. He hasn't even married Miss Liao yet and thinks he’s going to die. Chang Si steps up. He promises to stick by Gu Pingyuan no matter what. Mr. Liao tries to lighten the mood with a song.
But the soldiers have a surprise. They set up a bridal suite on the boat for Gu Pingyuan and Chang Yuer. It’s time to make up for their missed wedding night. They light fireworks. The couple finally consummates their marriage. It’s a sweet moment in the middle of a kidnapping.
The Nanjing Nightmare
They arrive in Nanjing. It’s a disaster zone. Gu reports to the Viceroy’s office immediately. His rival, Li Qin, is already there.
Viceroy Ruilin is losing his mind. The city has seen war for over a decade. The people are starving. He has over a hundred thousand troops demanding pay. He has no money and no ideas.
Li Qin tries to grab power. He asks for the monopoly on the salt trade. The generals hate this idea. They want the salt fields for themselves. Ruilin shuts them all down. He says he brought Gu and Li here to fix the economy, not fight over scraps.
Gu offers a plan. Ruilin thinks he’s bluffing. Gu insists he can fix the economy so his family can go home. Ruilin agrees to back him up.
The Brothel Stimulus Package
Gu’s big idea is unorthodox. He takes Ruilin to the Qinhuai River. It’s the red-light district. Ruilin is terrified the Emperor will find out. But he needs money.
They go to a brothel. Gu makes the madam arrange a boat ride with the girls. Then he corners Ruilin. One of the girls needs money to bury her mother. Gu forces Ruilin to pay for the funeral. He also makes the Viceroy write a memorial couplet. Ruilin tries to refuse. Gu insists. Ruilin signs it and stamps it with his official seal.
News travels fast. The next morning, the whole city knows the Viceroy visited the red-light district. Li Qin confirms the rumors with Gu. Ruilin is mortified. He hides at home and pretends to be sick. He yells at Gu for ruining his reputation.
Spending Money to Make Money
Gu explains the long game. The scandal is free advertising. Now he needs Ruilin to spend 100,000 taels. They need to clean up the river. They also need to give the girls money for jewelry and clothes.
Ruilin thinks this is insane. He’s broke and afraid of impeachment. Gu tells him to look at the big picture. Merchants love the nightlife. If the Qinhuai River is booming, rich travelers will flock to Nanjing. They will spend money. The economy will recover.
Ruilin has no better ideas. He agrees. Gu pushes his luck. He asks for another 100,000 taels. This time it’s for a noble cause. He wants to repair the academies and exam halls. They need to restart the civil service exams. This will attract scholars and talent. Ruilin is trapped. He agrees to everything.
An Awkward Homecoming
Gu gets home late. He walks into a bizarre scene. The courtesans from the river are in his house. They are kneeling on the floor to thank him. He saved their businesses. They brought gold and jewelry for his mother and Chang Yuer. They even invite him to come back and relax.
Gu eventually gets them to leave. He is terrified to face his wife. He walks in trembling. But Chang Yuer isn't angry about the girls. She feels inadequate. She thinks she isn't good enough for a big shot like him. She asks for a tutor so she can learn to read. Gu apologizes profusely anyway. He clearly dodged a bullet.
