Original subtitles

Translation and Timing carefully crafted by the Mei Daxia Team at viki.com

[ "Tomorrow There Will Be Clear Skies" by Estelle ]

♫ Chasing down the moon and stars one by one, whistling and urging my horse into the west wind when the north is snowy ♫

♫ Elatedly using my sword, to remove and leave behind the three thousand worries like hairs from my head ♫

♫ A mountain that touches the sky and a river, meeting by chance once in the secular world ♫

♫ Love and hate enhance the journey, moving forward over time ♫

♫ Drifting through clouds like a lonely wild goose on an unfurled painted scroll ♫

♫ How much more dazzling the blue dome of heaven is as a pair! ♫

♫ My worldly heart is focused upon a pot of wine and a small fire ♫

♫ Tomorrow there will be clear skies, laughter and sorrow surging like a gathering storm ♫

♫ This life, though free and unfettered, is also shared together ♫

♫ Gratitude and grudges both target me, spellbound as though in a dream ♫

♫ Tomorrow there will be clear skies, in the twinkling of an eye, as gentle and tender as in the past ♫

♫ Rushing toward that rainbow's end... ♫

♫ to embrace each other ♫

♫ Bevies of tea girls come in to play with elder brothers and old officials who love to eat spicy food ♫

♫ Clamoring like startled crows, grabbing at Imperial troops, moving to and fro with laughter ♫

♫ Heads like empty gourds, disobediently getting up at midnight to sweep the courtyard ♫

♫ Oh what a nice little drinking house, blessedly sheltering one's excesses... ♫

♫ drink up! ♫

[ Jiu Liu Overlord ]

[ Episode 1 ]

Tang Dynasty. After the An-Shi Rebellion, there is political instability and defense commands divided among military commanders.

Yincheng is located the Defense Command of Jiannan-Xichuan, an area of less importance (T/N a "fanzhen", the circuit or province is "Jiannan", near Chengdu)

set up for the purpose of holding onto this small region.

Moreover, with its rich natural resources and pleasant climate,

Yincheng thus has become a well-known city in the silk trade.

But diverse forces are gathered here, there is a mingling of "dragons and snakes". (T/N "good and evil" but also the two rival gangs)

Wanhua Tower is on the dividing line, between the Northern City and Southern City.

There is continuing strife between the upper class and lower class.

The Southern City is dominated by the common people and gangsters.

It is a place for the lower classes.

With Dragon Bamboo Gang and Snake Gang as the leading gangs,

they have fought for leadership over the years.

Therefore, the two gangs agreed to gamble at Wanhua Tower on second day of the second lunar month,

to re-define their territories,

and appease their disputes.

Great.

Let's go to Wanhua Tower and see what's going on.

I almost forgot today is the second day of the second lunar month.

It is said that Dragon Bamboo Gang has a new chief, I guess they will certainly

- make a good deal in the gambling today. - Really?

- Let's hurry there and take a look! - Let's go!

[ Wanhua Tower ]

You see, all members of Snake Gang are already here,

where is the new chief?

Don't underestimate our new chief. She is really capable.

If you don't believe me,

just wait and see how the Snake Gang will be defeated!

Our new chief used to be a lesser branch leader of Dragon Bamboo Gang,

but she was handpicked by our late Chief as his successor.

Within in a few months, she gained the support of most of the leaders,

even the proud and arrogant Second Master Lu (Deputy Chief Lu)

is completely submissive to her! Isn't she a great chief?

Who's a great chief?

Second Master Lu!

Fatty, you really have a glib tongue these days.

Not really, no.

Monkeys, let's go! It is time to meet the Snake Gang.

Second Master is here. Let's hurry up and go!

The gambling is about to begin. Hurry up!

It's about to start.

Everyone, silence. Silence!

Everyone, today is the Dragon Chief's Elevation Day.

Our Dragon Bamboo Gang has invited all of you to watch the gambling at Wanhua Tower.

All the food, snacks and drinks

are on us today!

Great!

- Chief. - Great!

- What's so great about it? - Chief!

I say, Deputy Chief Lu, where is your chief?

[ Chief of the Snake Gang, Qiyan ] Don't tell me she's scared

and fled last night?

Chief Qi, the best part of the show is coming up. Wait and see.

- Has the Chief sobered up? - Not yet.

- Go and wake her up. - Yes.

[ Dragon Bamboo Gang ]

[ Liquor ]

Xiaojin, look! It's our chief!

- Brothers, come and carry our Miss onto the sedan. - Give us a hand.

Third Master Qiao really deserves his reputation as the "Divine Turtle of Liquor!"

It was a total of ten jars!

Ten jars, so what? Our Chief completely defeated him.

You are right.

Brother Gengzi, tell Second Master Lu we will arrive shortly.

Pick the sedan up. Hurry up!

Let's go!

The Northern City has a great number of high-ranking officials, nobles,

and rich merchants living there.

It is known as the place of the upper class.

Yincheng is well-known for its silk.

It is the destination for all merchants.

New Silk Road is the most powerful store and

determines the economy of the city.

Today, the New Silk Road Apparel Show determines

if our master can retain position of the leadership of the silk stores.

Everyone, be on alert today!

[ Li Qingliu, Master of New Silk Road ]

[ New Silk Road ]

Master, please.

Qingliu!

[ New Silk Road Apparel Show ]

- [ Yan Bin, Steward of New Silk Road ] - Lift the sedan!

Hot buns for sale!

Be quick!

Out of the way!

Faster, walk faster!

Come on, hurry up!

Xiaoqin?

Wait, our Chief is about to vomit!

Chief, are you all right?

Brother, please make way.

Brother?

Are you blind? Uncle!

Who are you calling "Uncle"? I'm so young. Do I look like an uncle?

Go forward. Faster!

Come on. Go!

"Zhong Wuyan!" (T/N name of one of the four ugliest famous women of Chinese history)

You are the ugly one!

You will certainly pay for it today.

- I will pay for it? - Xiaoqin.

- It was you who occupied the road first. - Xiaoqin.

- Why is it so noisy? - I occupied the road? We were here first!

Can you be reasonable?

Master, why don't you have breakfast first?

I'll resolve this soon.

Master Li, you are here. This is our freshly-baked pastry.

[ Long Xiang Bakery ]

Why set off firecrackers in the daytime?

Today is the second day of second lunar month. They have to rehearse it in advance.

You don't even know that? You are so naive!

Do you want a beating?

Stop stirring up trouble. Let's go.

Lift up the sedan.

[ Long Aoyi, Chief of the Dragon Bamboo Gang ]

Come over here, Qiao Lao San. Let's continue drinking!

Qiao Lao San, let's continue drinking.

You drunken beggar!

If you will come out, then there shouldn't be so much nonsense!

Come on, cheers!

This wine cup has feet now!

If you're sober, then hurry and leave.

Great, you brat.

You're hiding wine.

Let me have a sip.

Miss, please be respectful.

Qiao Lao San, how did you become so handsome?

Let me take a look!

Bastard! He showed no mercy.

Chief? Leave, there's nothing to see!

Where's Qiao Lao San?

Did he kick me just then?

He is completely drunk!

Let's go.

Just you wait!

Take it easy.

They're here! The important affairs of the Northern City and Southern City,

both are held today. Will something happen?

Can't you say something auspicious? The contest is at the outer pavilion.

The silk show is in the inner pavilion.

They don't interfere with each other, and we collect money from both sides.

This...

This is great.

That's lovely!

Thank you everyone, for your patronage at our

New Silk Road's golden-thread apparel show today.

This box in my hand

contains the golden silk thread of New Silk Road.

Our golden silk thread is the only one of its kind in the market.

The workmanship is exquisite, and expensive.

[ Du Xiaoxian, Chief of Financial Affairs of New Silk Road ] Wait a moment for our Master Li

to personally show you

the golden thread apparel. Let's wait in anticipation!

Chief Long!

Chief, are you okay?

Chief Long!

Hey...a little girl like that

is the new Chief of the Dragon Bamboo Gang?

She is so short. Are you playing a joke?

Ha!

I'm just short. I'm tall enough now, right?

Chief Long!

Chief Long!

Sorry about that. I'm Long Aoyi.

Everyone knows that in Nancheng (the Southern City)

the Dragon Bamboo Gang and Snake Gang never interfere with each other.

Dragon Bamboo Gang is in charge of drinks, food and opera,

while Snake Gang is in charge of gambling and tobacco.

As there have been frequent misunderstandings recently,

we must deal with them directly and publicly today.

Good!

So handsome!

So handsome! Qingliu!

"Seven Stars Weave" is a copy of the Imperial clothing.

The technique of gold threading is different from the prior technique of

gilding, outlining and weaving.

It takes forty-nine days to complete

the embroidered pattern of the carp spitting up the pearl.

So beautiful.

Looks like there is no doubt of the champion of silk stores this year.

Next, Master Li will introduce it in detail to you.

The gambling starts now. Winner of two games out of three will be the winner.

The one with more credits will win the game.

The winner has the right to select from the loser

one of the five businesses.

The first round starts now.

Chief Long, please.

Baozi, the take-it-all roll. Dragon Bamboo Gang is the winner!

Good! Chief Long!

Chief Long!

Wait a second!

Rolling dice this way is for children.

Change it to a wine jar!

Rolling dice in a wine jar is all dependent upon strength.

Are you bullying our Chief?

If you don't have a good drill, don't drill holes in the porcelain. (T/N: idiom: don't do it if you aren't qualified for it.)

How can a young girl be the chief of a gang?

Why don't you take a look to see if you have that ability?

- You-! - Hey.

I think this idea is interesting.

If the dice fall out of the wine jar,

no matter if it's a high or low number, you lose!

Chief Qi, we can't afford to lose this game.

Good!

- Chief! - Chief!

Golden thread apparel will--

What's going on?

What happened?

What's going on?

Y-You...you!

What are you doing?

What's going on?

Let me down!

Are you tired of living?

You profiteer, you will pay for this!

When I am down--

Fish with the Pearl. Dragon within the Pearl. A red carp that brews the fortune of Tang Dynasty.

- How creative it is. - This is a segment Master Li arranged specially for you.

It shows that the gold thread goes very well with any fabric.

Qingliu, fantastic!

My Boss said that in our country,

cherries are given to our most valuable customers.

I hope to order three thousand pieces of the limited edition of golden thread apparel

from your store.

[ Yincheng ]

Stop the carriage!

How dare you carry a sword with you into the city?

[ Zhao ]

[ Li Zhao, Sixth Prince ] This lowly guard hopes the Sixth Prince will please forgive me!

Immediately let them in!

You profiteer! Let me down!

You were so carried away on the stage just now. Just you wait!

Once I'm released, I'll kill you!

You finally know how to respect and be gentle to a girl. What were you doing just now?

Don't misunderstand.

Keep the Persian carpets for now. If someone dirties them,

I'm deducting it from your salary!

What kind of person are you?

My blood is not worth as much as the carpets?

You...

Just wait.

Yan Bin, go get some silver taels and send this drunkard away.

What's going on outside? It's so noisy.

I heard from Yan Bin that the two big gangs from the lower class

are fighting fiercely for a small amount of money.

I didn't expect the lower class gangs would also be able to enter Wanhua Tower now.

It is a shame.

It doesn't matter. Snake Gang has always secretly controlled the supply of silk.

If they suffer a setback this time,

it will help to lower the price of silk.

I hope so. We should sign the contract with the Persian merchants.

Just wait.

Chief, are you okay?

Hey, you really do have some talent!

You're confident, and you might still be able to make a comeback, huh?

But before, we already agreed on this.

If the dice fall out of the wine jar, then you have lost!

One to one. It's a draw. The final round determines the winner.

Chiefs, place your bets.

Chief Qi, why don't we make the bet a little bigger this time?

I'll have to see how big your proposed bet is.

To bet only one business is boring.

I will bet all the businesses of Dragon Bamboo Gang.

If you win, all five businesses belong to you.

That's exciting, very exciting!

But what happens if you lose?

If I lose,

all five businesses of Snake Gang will be yours.

What's the meaning of this?

The silkworm eggs in this box are the local silkworms of Yincheng.

The quality is far better than the ones given by the government.

A local silkworm farmer can make more money in a year.

The money can feed at least two more persons.

But you pinched off and absorbed this additional business from the silkworm farmers.

Chief Qi, you eat the rice and drink the water of Yincheng, you should know that

mulberry and silkworms are the source of daily bread of the common people.

It has nothing to do with you!

Hear me well, I'm not interested in your other businesses.

If you lose, give me the silkworm business.

Chief Qi, we can't. This concerns the silk supply to the upper class.

Shut up!

Bet with her.

You'd better not regret this.

[ North Street, Yincheng ] Hurry up!

I heard Dragon Bamboo Gang bet their entire business in today's gamble.

Really?

They are going all out against Snake Gang.

What do you think?

Dragon Bamboo Gang is doing it for the benefit of silkworm famers in Yincheng.

I heard they want to get back the local supply of silkworms which was controlled by Snake Gang for many years..

- Stop the cart. - Really?

- Let's hurry over there and take a look! - Let's go!

Wu Lin, why are people talking about the gangs?

Why are they so concerned?

What is the gamble all about?

[ Royal Palace Guard, Wu Lin ] Your Highness, shall we have a look?

I've already told you how should you address me outside of Chang'an?

"Lord Zhao".

Let's go to Wanhua Tower.

Go.

Master, see that man in black?

He is Official Bai from the Salt and Iron Bureau.

This corrupt official has acquired so much illegal gain

with his taxing authority.

The merchants of our firm have had to pay an extra two qian in taxes for every one dan of silk produced. (T/N coins; one dan is 50 kg/110 US pounds)

Since Chief Long is so generous, I must do my own part too.

I will add forty thousand liang of silver to the stakes for this last game! (T/N aka "taels", 40g/1.3 oz each)

Chief Long, please match the bet.

Bastard! I didn't expect him to raise me.

He must have plotted this earlier

in order to bet so much money against me.

Hurry back and see what valuables we have. Hurry up!

Chief, you know how much we have.

All the valuables are already here.

If you can't follow suit,

Dragon Bamboo Gang will lose the last game.

You're a bunch of beggars!

You aren't qualified to be a gang.

Don't call yourselves the "Dragon Bamboo Gang". (T/N Dragon Bamboo - Giant Bamboo)

You should be called the "Bamboo Stick Gang"! (T/N beggar's staff, regular bamboo)

Bamboo Stick Gang!

Bamboo Stick Gang!

Chief Long, may I join in the fun?

Isn't he the master of New Silk Road?

- That's right. - Why is he here?

Great to see you here, Master Li.

But the upper class and the lower class have always been like river water not mixing with well water. (T/N: idiom: do not interfere with one another.)

So what do you mean by this, Master Li?

I'm here to apologize for something

I did at the inner pavilion just now.

No deal is clinched in a forced manner.

So it turns out Long Aoyi was sitting here waiting on business?

I'm sorry. I don't need it!

If you have no other business, please leave.

I can help you win this gamble.

But no one will do a losing business deal.

If you win, I want a share of half of the business.

Half? What a robber you are!

What are the two of you whispering about?

Profiteer. Don't blackmail me!

I won't let you. I can bear it myself.

Alright then. I'm taking my leave.

Chief Long, if you can't match the stakes,

the contest will end up two to one.

Snake Gang will be the final winner.

Come back!

I agree.

But listen to me first,

the business can be shared equally.

But I have the final say on silkworms. There is no other choice.

Yan Bin.

- Miss Du. - Where is Qingliu?

Master has gone back first.

Tell Qingliu I'm going back now.

Keep an eye on the delivery of gold thread tonight.

Yes, I know.

[ Title Deed ]

These are the five title deeds of New Silk Road.

All are located in Northern City, with an area of two hundred mu. (T/N Tang - 1 mu is approx. 500 sq meters)

That's a lot!

Yes.

Five title deeds.

So generous.

It's worth at least a few hundred thousands taels of silver.

Why is our richest man going in together with Chief Long?

I never heard about it.

That's right.

Do you mean my stakes are too high?

Snake Gang can't follow suit this time?

Why don't you admit defeat?

Just forget it!

Well, what I had predicted came true.

Chief Qi is just a coward, and has no integrity.

Everyone in the city knows it.

The sale of silkworm eggs is strictly under the government's control

and the price is not high.

Now, if someone secretly sells silkworm eggs

beyond the border and sets up a black market,

resulting in the silkworm farmers being unable even to make a living?

It is akin to stealing our neighbors' burial money!

I can't tolerate it, I won't tolerate it!

Well said! These were the exact words that I wanted to say!

Moreover, you build private houses, run gambling dens and tobacco houses,

and do all those appealing things.

It's "appalling things".

Coward? Oh right!

You are a cowardly man!

You "embraced his thigh" and became the government's minion! (T/N flattered him)

I can never tolerate this gamble, never tolerate it!

If this can be tolerated, what cannot be? (T/N also means "enough is enough)

- Is the meaning right? - Almost.

Then it's fine!

What a despicable couple you are!

Two against one, right?

Let me tell you, I'm not afraid of anything.

What are you waiting for?

Can't you see they are riding on my neck and pooping on me? (T/N: showing no respect)

Give it to me!

I'm telling you, if you don't give it to me,

our silkworm business will be through!

Take it out!

Give it to me.

I bet this!

[ Token ]

It finally appeared.

This token is equivalent to three years' worth of silk taxes.

Only three families in this city have it.

Its value is the same as your stake.

Let's start then.

But throwing dice isn't exciting enough.

How about we do something new?

Very well.

I agree.

Why does Chief Long have to change the manner of gambling?

Chief Long!

- Chief Long! - Brother! Brother, who are these two people?

You're not from around here. This is Chief Long of Dragon Bamboo Gang.

Chief Long!

Boy, come here.

I'll give you this silver tael in exchange for your bowl.

Promise me you will use this silver tael

to buy new clothes for youself and brothers, and get a haircut too.

It is the Dragon Chief Elevation Day today.

As the dragon "raises its head", you should too.

- Thank you, Big Sister. - You are welcome.

Chief Qi, you can remember this?

Today we will use this bowl to bet on odd and even numbers.

What gamble can it be with a broken bowl of a beggar?

Wrap it up in a piece of cloth and smash it.

Count the fragments, and guess if it is an odd or even number. How about it?

Well...

You were really awesome just now.

You can still admit defeat right now.

If you win, all the lower class of Yincheng belongs to you.

- Will you bet on it? - I....

I will.

The game of chance begins now!

Even. I guess it's even.

No. We must take turns. If I also guess it's an even number,

the gamble will be invalid regardless of the result.

Whoever starts will be the first. Don't take me for a fool.

Fine. You are at an advantage now.

I will guess it's an odd number!

One, two, three,

four, five, six,

seven, eight, nine.

- We won! - Nine fragments.

- We won! - Wait!

We won--?

I want to count them myself.

Interesting. Very interesting.

Wu Lin, go and check into the background of Chief Long.

And check on that man as well.

Yes.

Chief Qi.

We won!

- We won! - Chief Long.

Chief Long!

Even a three-year-old child knows not to forget his origin.

The moment you said this was a broken bowl, I knew

you are someone who has forgotten his origin.

Over ten years ago, during the drought, every household had this lotus bowl for begging.

Haven't you used this bowl for begging?

Look at it carefully with your eyes.

All lotus bowls have a lotus shape with nine petals.

A bowl with nine petals most probably be broken

into fragments of of an odd number.

Great. Chief Long has won!

Chief Long.

- Brothers, we have to have a good jar of wine! Right! - Yes!

We won!

[ Title Deed ]

You--!

Chief Qi, what are these?

How could you use these drawings as title deeds? You lost this game!

What?

You wench!

How dare you conspire with a swindler to cheat me?

Snake Gang brothers, listen up!

Go get them!

- Xiaoqin! Get that jerk. - Your Highness, be careful.

- Let's go, Your Highness. - Don't run!

Stop, you profiteer!

Don't run!

You stop right there!

How dare you snatch my things? Return my silver taels and silkworm eggs!

Let go!

Give them back to me!

I didn't expect the rich boss of New Silk Road to steal such a small amount of money,

and use a thief's methods, so shameless!

I only want one thing.

I won't give you one bit!

You owe me one.

We are even!

- Let go. Let go! - You let go.

I heard noises coming from in here.

- Search! - Come with me.

Chief Qi.

My liquor will be wasted. What a pity!

Chief Q-Qi, please have mercy.

That's my private wine cellar under there.

No one knows. There's no one in there!

How about this? I will personally send two jars to you.

Let's go then. I'll be waiting on you.

- Sure! - Let's go.

Chief Qi, be careful on your way out!

[ Du Mansion ]

Your Highness Prince Zhao, pardon this subject for not receiving you.

- [ Du Changfeng, Jiannan Provincial Governor ] - Your Highness, please.

Do you know why I had to come here as the envoy for the Salt and Iron Bureau after you arrived in Yincheng?

It's because I heard that in your Jiannan Province, recently the tax corruption problem has grown quite severe.

Your Highness is well-informed. You are here as the envoy for Salt and Iron Bureau on behalf of the government,

I will certainly be at your full service.

Lord Du, you sound like a loyal officer.

But just now at Wanhua Tower,

I saw your officials gambling publicly with the token.

This is really shocking!

Your Highness, I believe there is some misunderstanding.

I will check it carefully with you right now, Your Highness.

Forget it. I'm tired today.

I have asked my daughter to prepare your accommodations.

My daughter is attentive and good-tempered.

Please get her to assist you during your stay in Yincheng.

Lord Du, thanks for your consideration.

Your Highness, after you.

You!

You can't escape this time.

I won this gamble against Chief Qi.

This should all be mine.

You think you could have won without me?

Yes, you have made some contribution.

But...

Let me be honest with you.

Though outside, I'm a Chief and I may look so honored,

I have many brothers and sisters waiting to be fed back home.

I have been making a living in the world since I was very young.

I wake up earlier than the rooster every day.

I sleep later than a dog. I'm always hungry.

I even have to sell beancurd.

I wake up early and sleep late. I have no parents.

It isn't easier for me a young girl

to mingle with the men in the gang.

Actually, I have another thing to tell you.

I like you.

Translation and Timing carefully crafted by the Mei Daxia Team at viki.com

[ "Seeing Visions" sung by Fan Yilun ]

♫ As a youth, walking unsteadily and not finding my way, ♫

♫ Acquiring bad habits in Jianghu, unattached and alone, ♫

♫ Studying Buddha, I read of bitter hardships, ♫

♫ Who will understand my never-ending journey? ♫

♫ Brushing away the dense fog, warm and alone ♫

♫ Spring winds caress my smiling face as before ♫

♫ Time has become a blur, taking leave of hardship ♫

♫ I accompany you most willingly after night falls ♫

♫ Seeing that it's not wild and overgrown, ♫

♫ Seeing spring rain fall as a mist from above, ♫

♫ Seeing the curtain fall on worldly affairs, ♫

♫ Seeing the mountain and river become strangers, ♫

♫ Seeing the storm clouds parting ♫

♫ Seeing luxuriant flowers inundate the path ♫

♫ Seeing unending yearning ♫

♫ Seeing vast seas of tears ♫

♫ Brushing away the dense fog, warm and alone ♫

♫ Spring winds caress my smiling face as before ♫

♫ Time has become a blur, taking leave of hardship ♫

♫ I accompany you most willingly after night falls ♫

♫ Seeing that it's not wild and overgrown, ♫

♫ Seeing spring rain fall as a mist from above, ♫

♫ Seeing the curtain fall on worldly affairs, ♫

♫ Seeing vast seas of tears ♫

♫ As we grow old and the vision comes to an end, ♫

♫ Awaiting you, to leave this life together. ♫