Episode Summary
This episode covers a huge amount of ground. It starts with Ning Kejin's departure for his new post and a conflict over harvest wages that tragically leads to Feng Er's death. The story then jumps forward several years, showing the arrival of the Japanese army, their oppressive rule over the village, and the constant danger the characters now face.
Spoiler Alert
This Thriving Land: A Harvest of Sorrow
Episode 31 of This Thriving Land begins with Ning Susu visiting her sister-in-law, Fei Zuoshi. She's there to deliver a message: Fei Wendian is safe but has left to join the revolution without coming home, not wanting to make his family worry.
Meanwhile, the Ning household is in a celebratory mood. It's the one-month celebration for Ning Xuexiang's youngest son, Ning Keyu. He's also toasting his other son, Ning Kejin, who is about to be promoted to Bureau Chief. The party gets a little awkward when Big Belly Fei and his entire family show up uninvited, hoping to get a free meal.
The celebration is cut short when a messenger arrives with urgent orders for Ning Kejin. He has to leave immediately for his new post. After a heartfelt and formal goodbye to his father, who has high hopes for him to bring honor to the family, Kejin departs. His lover, Lian Ye, is devastated and tries to get Ning Xiuxiu's help to stop him, but it's too late; he's already gone.
Time flashes forward to the wheat harvest. We see Big Foot Feng working in the fields, along with Tie Tou and Zhuzi. Her husband, Feng Er, who is still very weak from a serious illness, insists on helping against her wishes. Ning Xuexiang hires them and others to harvest his fields, promising food and wages. However, when lunchtime comes, all he provides are some sad-looking black pancakes and sweet potato soup, not nearly enough for everyone. Feng Er, seeing that Ning Xuexiang probably won't pay them, takes his portion and heads home to rest.
Big Foot Feng isn't having it. She confronts Ning Xuexiang, calling him out on his empty promises. She tells him to forget her wages, but insists that he must pay the others and give them better food. Later, Yinzi hears about the dispute, gets furious with Ning Xuexiang, and makes sure the wages are delivered to Big Foot Feng.
The relief and excitement are too much for Feng Er. His illness returns with a vengeance, and the doctor privately tells Big Foot Feng that there's nothing more they can do. Heartbroken, she watches as a guilty Ning Xuexiang uses his life savings to buy three acres of land for Feng Er. The gesture moves Feng Er to tears. Knowing his time is short, he gathers his family, shares all his farming wisdom, and then passes away peacefully in his room.
Things take a dark turn after Feng Er's death. The Japanese army raids Tianniu Temple Village, stealing grain and livestock. Three years later, they've completely taken over, establishing a military farm on the villagers' land. The villagers are forced to grow wheat and peanuts for the army, and in return, they're given old, low-quality flour to survive.
The oppression escalates as Japanese planes begin bombing the village. During one attack, Zhuzi's wife is injured. We see a seven-year-old Feng Jialing, the daughter of Big Foot Feng and Ning Xiuxiu, running for cover with her parents. In another part of the village, Fei Zuoshi's attempt to pawn some family heirlooms for cash ends in disaster. The men she sent, Bearded Liu and Xiao Qing, are captured by the Japanese and forced into labor. A neighbor, Guo Guiyao, rushes to tell Fei Zuoshi the terrible news, warning her to be extremely careful from now on.
