Episode Summary
A conflict over a land lease erupts between Feng Er's family and Tietou's, driving a desperate Tietou to take a perilous job. Meanwhile, Du Chunlin, a county official, arrives with a job offer for Big Foot Feng and a recruitment pitch for Ning Kejin's militia, intertwining the family's struggles with broader political movements.
Spoiler Alert
This Thriving Land Ep 11: A Field of Contention
The episode kicks off with Feng Er's immense pride in the "unicorn cow" that Ning Xiuxiu purchased for him. He parades the animal through the village, basking in the admiration of his neighbors who agree it was a fantastic deal. His joy is so apparent that Big Foot Feng playfully threatens to sell the cow, prompting a fierce refusal from Feng Er. The good mood continues as Ning Xiuxiu returns Feng Er's one-dollar deposit, and he promptly signs a land lease with Fei Zuoshi, eager to begin work on his new plot.
However, a major conflict arises when it's discovered that the land Feng Er has just leased was the same plot rented by Tietou's family. The situation explodes when Tietou's mother, seeing Feng Er on the land, unleashes a tirade of insults against a completely baffled Ning Xiuxiu. Big Foot Feng quickly pieces together what has happened. Tietou, believing Ning Xiuxiu conspired with Fei Zuoshi to cheat his family, furiously throws a set of clothes she had prepared for him into their yard and tears down the wall separating their homes.
Big Foot Feng and Ning Xiuxiu urge Feng Er to return the land, but he stubbornly refuses to give up his new lease. The situation deeply distresses Tietou's mother, who collapses in tears. An angered Ning Xiuxiu confronts her, but Big Foot Feng intervenes, explaining the heart-wrenching history: Tietou's late father had gone to great lengths to secure that land, and since his death, it has been the sole source of livelihood for Tietou and his mother. Losing it means losing their only way to survive.
A desperate Tietou confronts Fei Zuoshi, begging for one more year to pay off his debts, but he is flatly denied. Heartbroken, he finds Yinzi and cries, telling her he can no longer afford to marry her. Meanwhile, Big Foot Feng attempts to return the land deed, but Fei Zuoshi, advised by Ning Susu, refuses to take it back.
The animosity between the families intensifies. Tietou repeatedly demolishes the wall as soon as Big Foot Feng rebuilds it. Forced to find other work, Tietou heads to the village entrance where he encounters Feng Si and Big Belly Fei. Feng Si fuels the fire by badmouthing Feng Er. This leads to a heated argument between Tietou and Big Belly Fei, which ends with both men accepting a risky job known as "Zha Mihan(A term for risky, hired labor, possibly as guards or enforcers)" from Pan Xiaogui.
In a moment of compassion, Big Foot Feng and Ning Xiuxiu secretly lead the unicorn cow to the disputed field so Feng Er can plow it, ensuring the land is prepared for planting regardless of who ultimately farms it. Big Foot Feng then informs Tietou's mother about the dangerous job her son has taken, leaving her distraught.
A new storyline emerges as Du Chunlin, the County Agricultural Association President, visits Ning Kejin. He hopes to recruit Ning Kejin's newly-formed militia, which has joined the Green Flag Society, for an anti-tax movement. Ning Kejin is hesitant, stating his group's purpose is purely for defense.
Du Chunlin then seeks out Big Foot Feng to thank him for a past life-saving deed and offers him a position with the agricultural association in the county. While Ning Xiuxiu is supportive, Big Foot Feng ultimately declines, choosing to stay and help his parents with the farm. The episode ends on a cliffhanger as masked bandits raid the Pan family's home, where Tietou and Feng Si are working.
