Episode Summary
In "The Litchi Road" Episode 6, Li Shande discovers a potential six-day litchi preservation method with A'Tong's help, giving him hope for his mission. He confronts a debt collector to protect A'Tong's orchard, bluffing his way out by invoking his official status. Meanwhile, a political plot unfolds as agent Zheng Ping'an, investigating Governor He Youguang, is nearly exposed by Li Shande's unexpected return to Gaozhou. The episode concludes with a critical misunderstanding when Li Shande's request for "ice" (冰) is misheard as a request for "soldiers" (兵), causing the suspicious governor to believe Li Shande is a spy testing him.
Spoiler Alert
The Litchi Road Episode 6 Recap: The Spy, The Merchant, and The Misunderstanding
A web of political intrigue, a desperate merchant's plea, and a dangerous misunderstanding threaten to derail Li Shande's litchi mission before it can even truly begin.
The episode opens with a flashback to two years prior, introducing Su Liang, a sharp and meticulous foreign merchant who quickly rose to become the leader of the Hu merchant community in the capital, Chang'an. His success culminated in the construction of the Aloeswood Pavilion in the Emperor's Xingqing Palace, a project for which he gifted priceless beams and rare Dianbai agarwood. This particular agarwood had recently won top honors at an incense competition, catching the attention of the powerful Right Chancellor. An avid connoisseur, the Chancellor tasked Su Liang with building a "Pavilion of Four Scents," but disaster struck. Su Liang's ship, laden with the necessary rare incense, was hijacked by the pirate chief Feng Ruofang. As a result, Su Liang was stripped of his title and the prestigious construction project was handed to a competitor. With his reputation and business in ruins, Su Liang had no choice but to leave Chang'an.
Back in the present, Li Shande is desperately trying to solve the litchi preservation puzzle. He buys a basket of the fruit from A'Tong and learns that soaking them in salt water can extend their freshness, but only for three days—not nearly long enough for the journey to the capital. Their conversation is interrupted by the arrival of Captain Yang, a debt collector, who demands A'Tong surrender her litchi orchard to settle a debt. A'Tong offers all the money she has and promises to pay the rest after the May harvest, but Yang refuses.
Just as things get tense, Li Shande observes A'Tong using a double-boiling method to preserve litchis. He excitedly learns from her that this technique can add another three days of freshness. With a potential six-day window, his mission suddenly seems possible. However, Captain Yang returns with the debt note, ready to seize the orchard. Li Shande stands his ground, declaring his official status as the "Litchi Envoy" on a mission for the imperial court. Yang is unimpressed, insisting Li Shande must either pay A'Tong's debt or he can't answer to his boss, He Youguang.
Lacking the funds, Li Shande is at a loss. In a moment of defiance, A'Tong snatches the debt note and tears it to pieces. As Yang's men move to arrest her, Li Shande intervenes, invoking the authority of the court and declaring the Dong people's litchi orchards "requisitioned" for his mission. In a final, desperate bluff, he takes off his shoe and threatens to strike Captain Yang, whose bluster finally fails. Intimidated by Li Shande's unexpected ferocity, Yang and his men retreat.
Meanwhile, the political games in Gaozhou intensify. Zhao Xinmin, the secretary at the Governor's Residence, is revealed to be a mole for the Left Chancellor. He is working with Zheng Ping'an, an agent who has assumed the identity of the deceased Ma Guiyun to investigate the conspiracy between the Right Chancellor and He Youguang. Worried that Li Shande's presence will expose him, Zheng Ping'an convinces Li Shande to leave town. Zhao Xinmin confirms he saw Li Shande depart, and a relieved Zheng Ping'an proceeds to exchange a letter of allegiance with Zhao Xinmin for a military fish tally. At that exact moment, Li Shande returns, announcing he has decided to stay and see the litchi mission through, leaving Zheng Ping'an utterly stunned.
The disgraced merchant Su Liang reappears, having purchased five travel passes from Li Shande. He uses them to secure the release of his impounded ship from Captain Yang, only to find the vessel empty. His entire cargo of storax has vanished. Suspecting a high-level official is behind the theft, Su Liang tries to bribe Captain Yang for information, but Yang refuses. Su Liang then turns to Li Shande for help, begging him to ask He Youguang about the missing cargo and offering a substantial reward. Though tempted by the money, Li Shande knows he is in no position to make such inquiries and has to refuse.
As Li Shande experiments with preservation jars, his bond with A'Tong deepens. He shares stories of Chang'an and his daughter, Xiu'er, moving him to tears. A'Tong, seeing his homesickness and recognizing him as a man of integrity, offers him litchi wine. The Dong people draw him into a dance, and A'Tong offers him "concentric wine", a gesture of deep affection that implies a marital bond. Her friend, Yan Yazhuang, pulls her aside, warning her not to harbor fantasies. Li Shande is from the capital and will eventually return—if he even survives the mission. But A'Tong, who hopes he might stay and help with her orchard, refuses to listen.
The episode ends on a note of critical misunderstanding. Li Shande asks Zhao Xinmin where he can find "ice" (冰, bīng) for his preservation experiments. Zhao Xinmin mishears the word as "soldiers" (兵, bīng). Alarmed, he rushes to inform He Youguang. To protect themselves, He Youguang and Zhao Xinmin decide to have Li Shande write an official request for troops, creating a paper trail to deflect blame from the court. When Zhao Xinmin presents the idea to Li Shande, the truth comes out—he was just looking for ice cubes. But the damage is done. Zhao Xinmin, now convinced Li Shande is testing him with elaborate deceptions, becomes warier than ever, and He Youguang's suspicion deepens.
