Status:
Starring: Liu Songren, Zhou Haimei, Ma Guoming, Lin Jiahua, Liang Jingqi, Tian Ruini, Tang Yingying, Luo LeLin
Type: TV Series
Cai E and Xiao Fengxian Episode 03 online viewing address: http://www.dvd1990.com/lxj/1915/
Cai E and Xiao Fengxian Episode 03 BT download address: http://www.wwe88.com/lxj/2129/
Full plot introduction of Cai E and Xiao Fengxian:
The backdrop of this drama is the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, telling the immortal deeds of modern famous general Cai E in overthrowing the Hongxian imperial system, as well as his love legend with the famous courtesan Zhang Fengyun (stage name Xiao Fengxian). Cai E was one of the few politicians who possessed military talent and had once been a fervent youth, participating in sporadic uprisings at the end of the Qing Dynasty. By a twist of fate, Cai E did not end up going into battle with his comrades, who all died heroically. Cai E carried the guilt of surviving until today, hoping to stabilize the regime on his own so that the people could live in peace and prevent internal strife from inviting external aggression. With such unfulfilled ambitions, Cai E's heart knot couldn't be untied. Cai E's wife Bai Sitong also knew about his heart knot; the two respected each other and had a son together. In 1913, the start of the story, President Yuan Shikai transferred Cai E, then the Yunnan governor, to Beijing, aiming to use Cai E's strength to establish a strong government. Although Cai E knew Yuan Shikai was an ambitious man, he still chose to go to Beijing to assist him, not only because he couldn't disobey the president's order but more importantly, because looking across the country, only Yuan Shikai could shoulder the heavy responsibility alone. Thus, Cai E went to Beijing to express his loyalty to Yuan Shikai, but the premise was that Yuan Shikai must prioritize the people. Under the pretense of respecting scholars, Yuan Shikai's confidant Mo Niti set a banquet for Cai E at the Yun Ji Ban. Cai E and Fengyun first met here.
Their relationship was built on misunderstanding. It turns out that before Cai E arrived in Beijing, a courtesan named Yanhong from Yun Ji Ban offended Police Chief Yu Xuanlong. After much effort, Fengyun managed to have the banquet for Cai E hosted at Yun Ji Ban through Ni Tiantian to avoid Yun Ji Ban being destroyed by Xuanlong. However, Fengyun mistakenly thought the banquet was canceled because Cai E defied Yuan Shikai during their meeting, thus harboring resentment and cursing Cai E in public. Knowing that Ni Tiantian's banquet aimed to make him submit in front of the three great northern generals, Cai E took advantage of Fengyun's hostility towards him to appease the three generals while preserving his reputation. Cai E publicly repeated Fengyun's curses against him, making her angry enough to confront him. The three northern generals refused to take offense from a courtesan like Fengyun and demanded she serve the soldiers as punishment. Fengyun was furious at being used by Cai E in his confrontation with the three generals. Cai E claimed he would personally punish her and took her upstairs. Alone in the room, Cai E had no ulterior motives but merely asked Fengyun to attend to his official duties like a maid. Feeling manipulated by Cai E, Fengyun deliberately provoked verbal disputes. During their first clash, Cai E saw Fengyun as a fiery woman of ill repute, while Fengyun considered Cai E just another lackey of Yuan Shikai.
Cai E proposed to Yuan Shikai the establishment of an officer training academy and requested the most advanced weapons be provided as teaching equipment. On the surface, Yuan Shikai agreed, but in reality, he feared Cai E might gain too much military power or profit from it, so he instructed Ni Tiantian to assist Cai E. Knowing Yuan Shikai wanted to obstruct Cai E's founding of the school, Ni Tiantian deliberately handed over the originally promised military supplies to Cai E, intending to stir up trouble. Unexpectedly, Cai E saw through Ni Tiantian, admitted all the cadets sent by the three northern generals, leaving them with no reason to complain about Cai E obtaining military supplies. At the same time, Cai E used Fengyun and the media to create a heated debate about the private recruitment practices of the officer training academy, forcing him to "reluctantly" reopen admissions and dismiss the cadets sent by the three northern generals.
Fengyun finally realized everything Cai E did was for the greater good and not intentionally targeting herself or Yun Ji Ban owner Limei's younger brother Hong Zhen. By this time, Hong Zhen had already left due to disappointment. Fengyun used every method possible, eventually successfully ensuring Hong Zhen returned in time for the interview before the deadline. Fengyun's astute side made Cai E appreciate her even more, and because of her righteousness, he recognized her as a heroine among women. Meanwhile, Fengyun's hostility towards Cai E diminished significantly.
Yuan Shikai blamed Ni Tiantian for Cai E's successful acquisition of weapons and establishment of a military academy. Ni Tiantian, who had always been loyal to Yuan Shikai since Yuan's recognition of his talents, felt disheartened after being ignored by Yuan Shikai for his mistake and missed his long-lost daughter Mo Jing'er even more. After his wife left him, Ni Tiantian had lived with Jing'er, and they had been separated for many years without finding each other. Now Jing'er, raised by the Four Eccentrics of the Bridge, had grown up. After many twists and turns, father and daughter were finally reunited. During this process, Jing'er became friends with one of Cai E's students, Yu Ren'guo. Initially, Jing'er disliked Ren'guo's weakness, but later, Ren'guo saved Jing'er's life, earning her admiration.
Cai E had high expectations for Ren'guo, who was forced by his father Xuanlong to enroll in the military academy and often clashed with Cai E. Despite frequently punishing Ren'guo, Cai E discovered his potential and decided to cultivate him. At the time, people misunderstood Fengyun's extension of the military academy's admission period, thinking she was close to Cai E. Xuanlong, worried that Ren'guo would be expelled by Cai E, bribed Fengyun with money, hoping she would speak well of Ren'guo. Fengyun accepted the bribe because her family urgently needed a large sum of money. To avoid exposure, Fengyun advised Cai E not to impulsively expel students and encouraged Ren'guo to promote revolutionary ideas. Feeling guilty about deceiving others, Fengyun deliberately kept some of the bribe money when remitting funds back home and bought Cai E a Western suit. She claimed the suit was an apology for her rudeness to Cai E at his residence. Seeing Fengyun's unusual actions, Cai E was surprised but, seeing her sincerity, politely accepted the gift. As their relationship improved, Cai E discovered Fengyun had received a large amount of money.
Cai E was furious that Fengyun's actions affected the future of the military academy and angrily scolded her. Fengyun confessed she had taken the money for her family and spent the rest on Cai E. Cai E was speechless but, to uphold justice, decided to escort Fengyun back to her hometown to retrieve the money. Reluctantly, Fengyun followed his orders. However, it turned out Fengyun's brother also harbored resentment towards her identity and feared she would come to reclaim the money he had deceived her out of over the years, so he deliberately humiliated her and drove her away. Witnessing Fengyun being humiliated, Cai E sympathized with her, stood up for her, and consoled her, deeply moving Fengyun. Unexpectedly, while returning to Beijing, Cai E received a telegram stating that a serious student uprising had occurred at the officer training academy. It turned out that Ni Tiantian had learned about Cai E receiving money and, to suppress Cai E, took advantage of his absence from Beijing to expose the matter, inciting the students to rebel.
While Cai E was troubled and unsure how to resolve the situation, he accidentally overheard intelligence from Japanese spies on the train. It turned out the Japanese army was secretly planning to advance into the Jiaozhou Bay in Shandong, which originally belonged to the German forces. Cai E was shocked. With the nation in peril, he no longer cared whether he would lose his position due to the military academy incident and immediately telegraphed Yuan Shikai with this information. However, Yuan Shikai and Ni Tiantian mistakenly believed Cai E was struggling for survival due to the military academy incident and didn't believe his words. Helpless, Cai E could only send another telegram to his teacher Liang Qichao, entrusting him to publicize the news, hoping international pressure would be applied to Japan. Simultaneously, he mobilized his network to try to gather military forces and prevent the Japanese invasion of Shandong. Unfortunately, it was too late. The Japanese army had already launched an attack, and Shandong indeed fell. Moreover, the Japanese spies on the train had discovered Cai E's movements and attempted to silence him by blowing up the train!
The train exploded, resulting in numerous casualties. Fengyun, clinging to life, still concerned about the safety of the children, urged Cai E to save the children first. Cai E, who could have escaped with Fengyun, selflessly returned to the scene to rescue people. Through this experience of life and death, they both realized they shared the same passion for self-sacrifice, deepening their feelings. Fengyun's love was fully directed towards Cai E. Cai E was not unaware of Fengyun's intentions, but he already had a family. Even though he admired and pitied this woman, he could only treat her respectfully.
After returning to Beijing, Cai E originally thought he would have to face the rebellion at the military academy, but unexpectedly, Yuan Shikai, to cover up his government's incompetence, attributed the "attempt to save Jiaozhou Bay" to himself, claiming it as his achievement. To maintain appearances, he even hailed Cai E as a national hero and a statesman, resolving the issue of the military academy rebellion without further action. But Cai E understood this was Yuan Shikai's insincere reasoning. Indeed, Ni Tiantian demanded Cai E expel Ren'guo to quell the scandal of receiving money. To demonstrate his integrity and protect Ren'guo's future, Cai E firmly refused to expel Ren'guo, determined to prove Ren'guo's capabilities to the outside world, ultimately transforming Ren'guo into a humble learner.
Since the return from her hometown, Fengyun had developed admiration for Cai E, the true hero. After returning to Beijing, she announced her retirement, declaring to the world that she would no longer receive clients, expressing her feelings to Cai E. News of Fengyun's retirement spread throughout the city, causing a sensation. But day after day passed, and Cai E showed no indication. During this period, Cai E was entirely focused on preparing war exercises for the military academy, cutting off all contact with Fengyun. Such coldness was only because Cai E had indeed been emotionally moved by Fengyun. To avoid any emotional entanglement that would harm both sides, Cai E silently rejected Fengyun, hoping she would quickly let go.
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