Xiang Liu and Xiao Yao’s Story and Romance

 liddi:

HJ (smile): When Shen Nong kingdom was destroyed and we were called to surrender, my answer was to fight to the death. Now, my answer remains the same!

Me to HJ: Why are you the way that you are?  

 liddi:

HJ: A Yi, your choice to surrender was not wrong, but neither is my choice. (gaze at the large tree outside the window). Roots grow downwards, while branches grow upwards. The roots go into the darkness while the branches face the sunlight. Both appear to be in direct contrast, complete opposites, but it is exactly because one faces downward and the other upwards, one in the dark while the other is in the light, that this vibrant tree exists.

Also, thanks a lot for the translations liddi <3 It helps me get prepared for all the stuff we're about to suffer.

 AH :

And it also makes for a much more dramatic and memorable ending, which I’m still quite partial to.

 liddi:

That conversation took place in Ep16. This scene before that conversation between Hong Jiang and Xiang Liu is poignant, reflecting his realisation that their time is coming to an end.

Xiang Liu had just returned after his visit to see Cang Xuan and A Nian's wedding festivities. The soldiers were hard at work training, their faces weather-beaten, their clothes threadbare yet they continued to persevere. Among them were youthful faces. He stood watching them for a while, then gently told the officer in charge of the training to give them an extra portion of meat from that day forth. The officer was overjoyed, and assumed that Xiang Liu had procured more provisions, to which Xiang Liu did not further elaborate.

 blimarch:

was XL aware of the 15 years promise made between XY and TSJ?

I don't recall Xiao Yao ever mentioning it to him.

 blimarch:

If XL/FFB didn't appear after the beach scene, could XY have kept him in her memory=heart as strongly?

Which beach scene are you referring to? Was that the one where she refused to kiss him? That is an interesting idea, but I don't think that showing up repeatedly in front of her was a ploy to make sure she remembered him. Don't forget that even after that scene, she continued to make poisons and sent it to him, so there was no question of her forgetting him, despite what happened between them. His purpose in approaching her as Fangfeng Bei was to start equipping her so that she could protect herself. In the meantime, he made her days with him fun-filled and carefree for over ten years. Even when he went about categorically making sure she hated him later on, it did not retaliate be it against him or her, because deep down inside, she loved him in spite of everything she believed about him. I think too, that he already had his answer when he probed her mind in Qingshui town, so any risk to her would not be due to the heartbreak bug, only his imminent death.

Will translate this scene where he probes her mind from the leaked script afterwards, which has an added description of the bugs at the time.

I haven't read everything you guys have been busy with, but in skimming I saw this bit about the tree and what Feng Long's dad acknowledged (from the leaked script?)

SNY: Although Uncle Hong Jiang consoled me that the roots and branches each has its own place, the world only sees the branches and not the roots; they love the branches that are in full bloom, but do not care about the  roots that are covered in filth. All these years, it was exactly because of your unwavering stance that those of us who surrendered were given preferential treatment. 

I have been slowly coming to this conclusion, myself about Hong Jiang and the Rebel Army's role, as I tried to find justification for their extreme stance.  Though I think it is in more a conscious fashion on the part of their hidden allies.

As we've discussed, before, the rebel army has survived due to the Haolin Emperor and the support of the plains families over these centuries.  Not only does he have Chernog helping with provisions, but in the passage where XL orders the bow, the Jintian craftsman reveals she doesn't know his identity, but he shows up with the Clan Master's token from the other Great Family, the Gui Fang, that Jintian is associated with.  Which means, they've been supplying arms for the rebel army.  Plus, you've got Tu Shang dealing with the rebels for centuries, though it seems they charge.   Xiling and Chishui, I don't know if they've been secretly helping either, but Feng Long seems to be ignorant of any connection, though we haven't seen much of him as chief, where he may have more information.

Regardless, my point is, exactly what Feng Long's Dad says.  The threat of the Rebel Army plays a part in the recovery of the Plains and how they weren't totally oppressed and plundered, like the Uncles wanted.  If Xiyan came in all heavy handed after the surrender, the Rebel Army was there, to help protect, and to be a beacon for the disatified.  It was a threat that had to be considered in any dealings with the plains.

Likewise, Haolin used the Rebel Army to keep a portion if not more of Xiyan's military strength focused on them, instead of conquering Haolin.  Xiyan couldn't attack Haolin, while a Chernog army waited on their flank to take advantage.

Unfortunately, none of that is explained in Season 1, and we're left with this impression that the rebel army serves no purpose but to feed Hong Jiang's delusions.  But as Hong Jian says, their blood and sacrifice is what allows the tree of the Plains grow.  If the Rebel Army hadn't been there, Xiyan could have rolled over them and spent their resources and men on the fight with Haolin.

 Kokuto:

Regardless, my point is, exactly what Feng Long's Dad says.  The threat of the Rebel Army plays a part in the recovery of the Plains and how they weren't totally oppressed and plundered, like the Uncles wanted.  If Xiyan came in all heavy handed after the surrender, the Rebel Army was there, to help protect, and to be a beacon for the disatified.  It was a threat that had to be considered in any dealings with the plains.

Likewise, Haolin used the Rebel Army to keep a portion if not more of Xiyan's military strength focused on them, instead of conquering Haolin.  Xiyan couldn't attack Haolin, while a Chernog army waited on their flank to take advantage.

Unfortunately, none of that is explained in Season 1, and we're left with this impression that the rebel army serves no purpose but to feed Hong Jiang's delusions.  But as Hong Jian says, their blood and sacrifice is what allows the tree of the Plains grow.  If the Rebel Army hadn't been there, Xiyan could have rolled over them and spent their resources and men on the fight with Haolin.

Very well said. Thank you.

 nathsketch:

I wanted to ask about this ages ago. Why are they rebelling and are they really in the wrong for persisting in their obstinacy? 

So unless we all read the novel, there are no further explanations for those who only want to watch the drama? 

The novel does not show us any scenes with Hong Jiang. if the script is real, then we will get the explanations in S2.