Ripe Town Episode 3 Recap
> Ripe Town Recap
When Qu Sangeng followed Leng Wuji to learn about handling cases, he had strong opinions on dealing with the investigation and crackdown gangs, believing that these people should be brought to justice. However, Leng Wuji told Qu Sangeng that arresting these individuals would only lead to others taking their place. Furthermore, the Fast Squad often relied on them for providing clues, and the existence of this gray area had its significance. If Qu Sangeng couldn't stand it, he could privately gather evidence of their wrongdoing. It was suggested to thoroughly investigate the money they collected and, if necessary, take action against them.
The scholar Feng Kezhui buried his uncle, Mr. Wang, in the backyard of Wu Leizhai and creatively planted a plum tree on the grave. Qu Sangeng brought the forensic autopsy results, revealing that the back of Mr. Wang's head had been forcefully struck, and a headless chick had been stuffed into his mouth.
County Magistrate Wei believed that both strange deaths were likely the work of the same perpetrator but was hesitant to inquire further. He wrote a memorandum seeking guidance from higher authorities.
Faced with a piece of classical Chinese text left by the killer at Wu Leizhai, neither Qu Sangeng nor Feng Kezhui could decipher it. Gao Shicong, who helped bury Mr. Wang, speculated that the killer might have been disciplined with Mr. Wang's ruler in childhood, and later, when wronged by Head Constable Leng, sought revenge. Qu Sangeng didn't dismiss this possibility despite it being speculative.
Feng Kezhui, unwilling to accept the situation, asked Qu Sangeng to let him investigate his uncle's case.
Song Chen visited Cuihua Building for entertainment and often favored the courtesan Chun Xing. When he went to settle the bill, he was informed that someone had already paid. Outside, a middle-aged man named Zhang Jizu was waiting, claiming to be the steward of Scholar Xue.
Zhang Jizu expressed an interest in buying the courtyard behind Cuihua Building. Song Chen informed him that it had already been acquired by a merchant but remained unoccupied temporarily. Zhang Jizu persisted, revealing that despite no one living there, the courtyard had acquired several new items.
After parting ways, Zhang Jizu met a mysterious man in straw clothes and a bamboo hat by the river. The man told Zhang Jizu that revealing some clues was harmless, as Lu Zhi would never appear again.
Qu Sangeng soon found the yard where Leng Wuji had met his demise and speculated on the events leading to his murder based on the items found there. However, he couldn't locate the killer. To restrain the investigation and crackdown gangs, Qu Sangeng decided to sell them a favor. He handed over the evidence of their ill-gotten gains to Squad Leader Yi. Yi was pleased and agreed to Qu Sangeng's request, allowing Gao Shicong to continue serving in the Fast Squad.
Yi Youkao, armed with the accounts of the investigation and crackdown gangs, extorted five hundred taels per month from them. Unable to bear the heavy taxes, they asked Qu Sangeng for assistance.
Qu Sangeng had a plan. He persuaded the "Five Waiting Mansions" to have Yi Youkao deliver silver to Song Chen. Yi Youkao could profit from this, and if Song Chen accepted, the "Five Waiting Mansions" would have a stronger supporter. Yi Youkao, seeing the opportunity, went to seek Song Chen's favor. However, Song Chen rejected him outright, harshly reprimanding Yi Youkao. Additionally, Song Chen removed Yi Youkao from his position as head of the Fast Squad.
Qu Sangeng, using newly acquired millstones as evidence, found the seller and brought him to the yamen. Faced with Song Chen's torture devices, the seller confessed. The buyer was a man with a long beard and slender fingers, always wearing a bamboo hat, making his face indistinguishable.
Qu Sangeng handed over the financial records of the "Five Waiting Mansions" to Song Chen. At the same time, he disclosed that it was his idea for Yi Youkao to deliver silver to Song Chen. Impressed, Song Chen invited Qu Sangeng to be his right-hand man. Qu Sangeng immediately made a request: disband the investigation and crackdown gangs.
For the sake of investigating his uncle's death, Feng Kezhui started to reorganize the students and reopen the school. After dismissing the students, he selectively kept one behind each day, attempting to find some clues. One day, a student left behind attacked Feng Kezhui with a copper ruler when questioned about Mr. Wang's practices. The student revealed that Mr. Wang often demanded students use the ruler to hit him and prohibited them from informing their parents. If word got out, students were not allowed to continue their studies.
Feng Kezhui realized that his uncle never charged poor students for tuition, earning him respect. However, the revelation of students hitting him with rulers was something Feng Kezhui had never heard of before. Both he and Qu Sangeng couldn't help but feel that they didn't truly understand the people close to them.
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