Episode Summary
Gu Pingyuan convinces Ruilin to spend heavily on public works and courtesans, causing a massive misunderstanding with his wife, Chang Yuer. After a brief estrangement, Yuer stands by him. Ruilin plays Gu and Li Qin against each other while taking bribes. The two rivals unite briefly to oppose British factories in Nanjing. Meanwhile, Manager Li returns with news that foreigners are cornering the local markets, signaling a looming economic crisis.
Spoiler Alert
Big Spenders and Bad Ideas
Gu Pingyuan takes Ruilin down to the Qinhuai River for a little field trip. He isn't there to relax. He convinces Ruilin to drop some serious cash. The plan involves 100,000 taels to clear the river silt. He also wants Ruilin to buy new clothes and jewelry for the courtesans. On top of that, he asks for another 100,000 taels to open academies for recruiting talent. Ruilin listens to every word. He starts spending the money immediately.
The Walk of Shame
The river plan works too well. The courtesans come to Gu Pingyuan’s house to thank him personally. This looks terrible. Gu tries to tell Chang Yuer it is strictly business. She doesn't believe a word of it. She gets physical and knocks him to the ground. Gu Pingwen has to run in to break it up. Yuer kicks Gu Pingyuan out of the house.
The cold war begins. Yuer ignores him. His mother refuses to look at him. Even Chang Si and Mr. Liao give him the silent treatment. Gu is miserable. Then, a messenger named Sun Er arrives. Ruilin heard about the gifts Gu received. He says Gu can keep them all. He also wants Gu to deliver more gifts to the river courtesans. This does not help Gu's case at home.
Family Loyalty
Gu swears to his mother that he didn't sleep with anyone. She scolds him anyway. She reminds him he isn't an official. If the court investigates this, he has no protection. Chang Si and Mr. Liao chime in too. They warn him to stop handing his enemies ammunition. Gu finally understands the risk. Just when he feels cornered, Chang Yuer steps up. She defends him in front of everyone. She declares she will stand by him no matter what.
Playing Both Sides
Li Qin makes a move. He hands Ruilin 200,000 taels in bank notes. He wants to buy salt fields. Ruilin happily takes the money. He needs it to pay off disbanded troops and boost his political record.
Gu visits Ruilin to complain about his domestic troubles. The courtesans ruined his peace at home. Ruilin just laughs it off and shows him Li Qin’s money. He tries to put Gu in charge of the salt business. Gu refuses. He hates Li Wantang and wants nothing to do with that family. Ruilin insists. Gu eventually caves.
The British Invasion
The Treaty of Nanjing changed everything. Foreigners are moving in. Ruilin sends his two rivals, Li Qin and Gu, to handle the British. He clearly wants them to fight each other so he can benefit.
They meet the British envoy. The envoy wants to build textile, medicine, and tea factories in Nanjing. He shows off a "Jenny" spinning machine. It’s impressive tech. But the envoy claims he will hire locals. Li Qin protests immediately. Gu backs him up. He mocks the envoy. He says Jiangnan already has factories. The British are not welcome to build new ones here.
Economic Warfare
Gu and Li Qin report back. Li Qin wants to buy the machines but ban the factories. Ruilin shuts him down. He warns Li Qin that loose talk will get them all in trouble with the court. Suddenly, refugees from Nantong flood the city. Ruilin leaves to handle the chaos.
Gu gets home late. Manager Li is waiting for him. He just got back from India. The family spies on him through the door because he is wearing a western suit and a top hat. Gu shoos them away so they can talk business. The news is bad. Foreigners have bought up most of the silk cocoons. They want to control the medicine and tea markets too. Gu realizes this is an economic invasion.
Li Qin goes back to Ruilin for the salt fields. Ruilin stalls again. He sends Li Qin and Gu to fix river dikes instead. He turns it into a race to see who can build faster. Li Qin is furious. He paid the bribe, but he still has to dig in the mud.
