Episode Summary
Zang Hai attempts to resign and leave The Capital, but Zhao Bingwen intervenes, showing him the city's suffering and urging him to stay and fight corruption. This confirms Zang Hai's suspicion that Zhao Bingwen is his third enemy, a belief solidified by Zhao's insistence on keeping Zang Hai in the cabinet, ostensibly for protection, while secretly seeking the copper fish. Zang Hai joins the cabinet and investigates Zhao, finding evidence of his integrity but remaining suspicious. A painting linked to Zhao and previously owned by Shi Yiping raises more questions. Zang Hai uncovers that a eunuch, Cao Jingxian (formerly Lu Min), was a classmate of Zhao Bingwen at the Da Yong Academy. Now certain of Zhao's guilt, Zang Hai plans to confront and kill him, asking Xiang Antu to prepare for Zhao's visit.
Spoiler Alert
Legend of Zang Hai: Episode 36 Recap & Spoilers
Zang Hai takes a decisive step by submitting his resignation to the cabinet. His plan is to leave The Capital with Xiang Antu and Gao Ming as soon as the Emperor grants approval. In preparation for their departure, Xiang Antu has already dismissed the household servants. Early the next morning, as Zang Hai is packing their belongings, he realizes Gao Ming is not present. Upon asking, he learns that Gao Ming has gone to purchase a horse to transport their luggage.
However, Gao Ming’s return brings an unexpected visitor: Zhao Bingwen. Without delay, Zhao Bingwen escorts Zang Hai to the impoverished slums of The Capital, urging him to reconsider his decision to leave. The sight of the destitute refugees deeply affects Zang Hai. Zhao Bingwen then elaborates on the dire situation within the Da Yong Empire, citing rampant corruption among officials, which has led to continuous disasters, displaced populations, and widespread suffering. He also highlights the pervasive cheating in the imperial examinations, further crippling the common people. Zhao Bingwen mentions that Kuai Duo, Zang Hai's father, frequently provided aid to disaster victims before his untimely death. He passionately implores Zang Hai to stay and join forces with him to eradicate corrupt officials and work towards the welfare of the populace.
Zhao Bingwen's fervent plea sends a shiver down Zang Hai's spine, but not for the reasons Zhao Bingwen might hope. Zang Hai had long harbored suspicions that Shi Yiping was not his third and final enemy, though he lacked concrete proof. He confides in Xiang Antu that his resignation was a calculated move, a baited trap designed to lure this hidden adversary into the open. His reasoning was that the true third enemy would desire the copper fish Zang Hai possesses and would attempt to keep Zang Hai close, creating an opportunity to eliminate him. Zhao Bingwen's desperate insistence that Zang Hai join the cabinet serves as the final piece of the puzzle for Zang Hai, confirming his dreadful suspicion: Zhao Bingwen is the third enemy he has been relentlessly hunting.
Xiang Antu expresses her own concerns, suggesting that Gao Ming might be secretly allied with Zhao Bingwen. Zang Hai, however, decides on a perilous course: he will feign cooperation, get closer to Zhao Bingwen, and wait for an opportune moment to act. Unbeknownst to Zang Hai, Gao Ming pays a clandestine visit to Zhao Bingwen that very night. Gao Ming voices his apprehension that Zang Hai may not be competent enough for the demanding work of the cabinet. Zhao Bingwen, in turn, expresses a fear that Zang Hai might meet a fate similar to Kuai Duo. He resolves to keep Zang Hai under his direct supervision, ostensibly for his protection. Crucially, Zhao Bingwen also presses Gao Ming to expedite his efforts to learn the whereabouts of the third copper fish from Zang Hai.
Zang Hai officially assumes his position in the cabinet, where Zhao Bingwen gives him an unusual amount of special attention and guidance. Zang Hai throws himself into his new responsibilities, working with diligence and care. While reviewing years of official receipts, all bearing Zhao Bingwen's signature, Zang Hai makes a surprising discovery: the documents paint a picture of Zhao Bingwen as an honest, upright, and dedicated official. Despite this evidence, Zang Hai's gut feeling and prior conclusions keep his suspicions alive, and he continues to investigate Zhao Bingwen in secret.
Later, Eighth Master (Ba Gongzi) pays a visit to Xiang Antu. During her visit, she immediately recognizes a distinctive painting, "Jade Blade Mountain Scenery," as a work by her father, Zhao Bingwen. She is naturally curious as to how it ended up in Zang Hai’s possession. Xiang Antu explains that the painting was confiscated from Shi Yiping's residence following his downfall, and Zang Hai had specifically requested it from the Emperor.
In his new role, Zang Hai approaches Zhao Bingwen to request the allocation of funds for disaster-stricken regions. Zhao Bingwen voices concern that such funds could be easily embezzled by corrupt officials. He proposes an alternative: petitioning the Emperor to reduce the salaries of all officials. Following this, Zhao Bingwen delivers a lecture to Zang Hai on the principles of effective and ethical governance. Xiang Antu later informs Zang Hai about Eighth Master's identification of the painting, a piece of information that Zang Hai also finds highly suspicious. Meanwhile, Eighth Master searches for the painting at her own home but finds it gone, with only an empty box remaining where it once was. When questioned, Zhao Bingwen claims he gifted the painting to Shi Yiping. He then sternly advises Eighth Master to cease her involvement in performing theatrical plays and instead focus on learning domestic skills like needlework. To ensure her compliance, Zhao Bingwen instructs his butler, Zhao Geng, to have Eighth Master's movements closely monitored.
Working late into the night, Zang Hai gleans a crucial piece of information from a colleague: Shi Yiping had been in constant opposition to two other influential officials, Cao Jingxian and Zhuang Luyin. Zang Hai had previously, and mistakenly, believed that Shi Yiping and Cao Jingxian were close associates. The colleague, who had served under Shi Yiping for many years, clarifies that they were, in fact, bitter rivals. He then produces a register compiled by Shi Yiping before his death. As Zang Hai leafs through it, he discovers a vital clue: Cao Jingxian's name before entering palace service was Lu Min. Further discreet inquiries with an old eunuch reveal a startling fact: Lu Min had voluntarily castrated himself before entering the palace to serve as a eunuch. Zang Hai also manages to learn that Lu Min had once studied at the prestigious Da Yong Academy.
Driven by this new lead, Zang Hai visits the Da Yong Academy to examine its student archives. His search is fruitful: he finds Lu Min's name. More significantly, he uncovers that Zhao Bingwen was Lu Min's classmate. The relentless pace of his investigation and his new official duties begin to take a toll on Zang Hai, leaving him utterly exhausted. Gao Ming observes this, complaining that Zang Hai has become distant and preoccupied. When Zang Hai casually inquires about Gao Ming’s future aspirations, Gao Ming simply replies that his only wish is to remain by Zang Hai's side.
With all the pieces falling into place, Zang Hai is now irrevocably certain: Zhao Bingwen is his third and final enemy, the mastermind behind his family's suffering. He resolves to kill Zhao Bingwen and finally avenge his murdered family. Xiang Antu, understanding the depth of his pain and determination, respects his decision. Zang Hai then asks her to make the necessary preparations; he plans to invite Zhao Bingwen to their home the very next day. His intention is to confront Zhao Bingwen directly and force him to reveal the entire truth before delivering his long-awaited justice.
