The next morning, Li tells his mother that he has gone to check on the porridge program. He says that he will come back later in the day to make sure everything is running smoothly. He tells her that the conflict between the Yangs and the Li's has become so fierce that neither party will be able to retain power in the near future. He adds that after he has the power to himself, he will not need to worry about women. He explains that he and his mother have agreed that the magistrate will help them bring down Li. The magistrate is the one they can seek help from. He will lend a hand, he says, by virtue of his beauty