Scene discussion: Episode 40: Zhu Hong and the Yashou leaders

[sakana17]

Location of scene: 29:03-30:00

English dialogue from the subs by Kayoku, QC by Solo

In the Yashou forest, Ying Chun, Ya Qing, and Fourth Uncle are sitting outside arguing about Yashou matters. Zhu Hong comes out of the hut/cabin and crosses her arms over her chest, looking displeased.



She chastises them: "Argue, argue, always arguing! Aren't you fed up, arguing for dozens of years?" (吵吵吵。就知道吵。 都吵了几十年了， 烦不烦呀。)



She comes over to them and asserts her authority as Yashou High Chief and complains a little: "I, your High Chief, I'm the one who had a crush on the Lord Guardian, and was the Black-Cloaked Envoy's rival for his love. I've come here during my day off in order to host the meeting. It's not easy, okay?" (你们的大族长我当年可是暗恋过镇魂今主跟黑袍使干过架的人。这次专门趁放假回来给你们主持大会。我容易吗我。)

They smile. To me, it seems like they're smiling because they've been caught arguing by Zhu Hong.







Fourth Uncle tells Zhu Hong they know they were wrong: "Well, Sweetie... no, no, High Chief, we know we did wrong. It's your turn, go ahead." (那个阿红啊。。。不不。。。大族长。我们知道错了。你来说。你来说。)



Zhu Hong makes a declaration: "Now I have an announcement. Seeking peace, pursuing development, I herewith open the Yashou convention for internal reform and advanced exchange of ideas." (下面我宣布。谋和平求发展，亚兽族内部改革大会暨先进思想交流大会现在正式开始。)



There's so much worldbuilding potential from this short scene. It touches on the differences and disagreements between the Yashou tribes, but also shows that they want to work together. Zhu Hong has come into her own as leader of the Yashou, but can't help showing her annoyance at their squabbling. I like that Ya Qing is part of the group -- it shows that her past actions were forgiven because she joined forces with the other Yashou leaders at the crucial moment.

Questions:
What do you imagine is happening with the Yashou tribes under Zhu Hong's leadership?
What do you see as the future of the Yashou?
What do you think Zhu Hong wants for the Yashou now? What does she want to achieve?
Do the other Yashou leaders take Zhu Hong seriously and listen to her? (I think they do, but the scene is open to interpretation.)
Zhu Hong says she came on her day off. Is she still working at the SID?

Thoughts, reactions, squee, fanwork recs, anything related to this scene welcome!

Comments

[china_shop]

I always imagined that Zhu Hong would try to unify all of the Yashou tribes. Or, if not unify, bring them together to work together versus staying so isolated. I think Zhu Hong realization isolation will eventually lead to the Yashou tribes possibly dying out. So, I've always envisioned that she would try to be a unifying factor for the Yashou :D

Oh, yes, good point! That's really cool. I wonder how much having left the village and lived in the city, working at the SID, helps her see the Yashou as a single nation, whereas it might be natural for those living in their separate villages/tribes to be more focused on the differences between Snakes and Flowers and Crows?

I think she could see how the Yashou tribe could possibly have a parallel to the people of Dixing, where chaos and war occurred, all because of differences and such, and how easy it had been for Ye Zun to pull in those Yashou who were discontent with how their lives were and I think Zhu Hong wants to try and make sure it never gets to that tipping point again.

Oh, yes! That, too! <333

More like a consultant now, I suppose, than full time SID member.

Yesss! After all, there is precedent for foreign leaders to consult at the SID. *g*

[sakana17]

I wonder how much having left the village and lived in the city, working at the SID, helps her see the Yashou as a single nation, whereas it might be natural for those living in their separate villages/tribes to be more focused on the differences between Snakes and Flowers and Crows?

Oh, that's a really interesting idea!