Original subtitles

[Legend of Zang Hai]

[Episode 8]

Go on.

How do you want to die?

My Lord...

I'd rather not die yet.

You pulled this off

right in front of all the officials.

Don't you realize

you're a dead man walking?

I was born poor,

with no one to rely on.

If I muddle through life in ignorance,

would it even matter,

living or dying?

But I'm not without value,

so I chose to take a chance.

What I'm betting on

is this very moment.

But this moment won't last long.

Once the carriage stops,

I'll kill you.

So if you have any last words,

say it now while you still can.

I know well

you're a man of the battlefield,

bathed in blood.

A warrior used to life and death

won't believe

that today's events

have anything to do with fate.

But I...

I just wasn't meant to end today.

You're a master of geomancy.

Digging yourself

a way out

should be easy.

But instead, you boldly walked out

of the royal tomb.

You want to force me

to release you

right under everyone's nose?

You want the world to see

that your life was spared by fate?

Escaping was never hard for me.

I admit that.

But it would've meant

never showing my face

as myself again.

It was thanks to your favor

that I finally left behind

the days of having nothing.

If I still wish to serve you,

then I need

a clean and honest identity.

Besides...

I'm still human.

If someone's plotting to kill me,

I can't just sit back and wait to die.

Even if it costs me my life,

I must ask you for justice.

Justice?

Zang Hai,

I've seen your geomancy skills

with my own eyes.

But now,

it seems your silver tongue

is even more impressive.

You keep claiming

you owe everything to me,

yet you've cornered me

into sacrificing a valuable man

to resolve today's mess,

at the cost of my reputation!

Don't you deserve to die?

I believe I did nothing wrong today,

because I know

you've had enough

of useless men!

So you're saying

my top aide

is worthless?

You're a hero among men.

It's only natural

that those beside you aren't fools.

But virtue guides talent.

If they can't stay loyal

to you

and know their place,

aren't they just as useless?

Go on.

Mr. Yang

is narrow-minded and petty.

Not only does he fail to recruit talent for you,

he actively drives capable people away.

I'm sure

many talented men have entered your household before,

but in the end,

none of them ever made it close to you.

The ones who stayed

were nothing but useless.

If it were just exclusion,

that'd be one thing.

But these people...

they abuse your name,

flatter the powerful and bully the weak.

They'll bring disaster to your house.

What disaster?

You've achieved great merit,

yet kept a low profile

all these years.

Still,

some people use your name

to throw their weight around.

Who knows how many hidden enemies they've made?

The only reason your house

has remained safe

is because you're here.

Throwing my weight around

has always been my style.

They've only picked up a few tricks.

But as long as they're loyal to me,

so what if they get

a little out of hand?

The real danger

is those who obey you to your face

but forget their place

behind your back.

They get so used to it.

They start mistaking their own will

for yours.

Just like today,

before you even gave the order,

Mr. Qu acted on his own and shot Yang Zhen.

Even if it was with your best interest in mind,

he still crossed the line.

If you don't believe me,

just wait and see:

whether Mr. Qu

once again

decides my life or death

on your behalf.

Get out.

Why are we stopping at the back gate?

It's quieter here,

easier to get things done.

Zang Hai,

any last words?

My life

is in your hands.

My Lord!

Get a doctor to treat his wounds.

Tell Chu Huaiming

to revise the roster.

Remove Zang Hai's official title.

Report Yang Zhen's birth date and time,

say that Senior Secretary Yang Zhen

volunteered for a tomb sacrifice.

My Lord,

Zang Hai's ambition is dangerous.

He's uncontrollable.

We should kill him!

Are you saying

"I" can't control him?

Or that "you" can't?

[Scholar Hall]

Thank you, Doctor.

No trouble at all.

Just pay me extra.

Careful.

Here.

Master!

What are you doing here?

I was worried about you!

Don't worry.

I've settled everything with the clinic.

Today,

I came as a doctor,

properly invited!

Forgive me if my skills are limited.

Let me take a look now.

Master...

If you'd been half a minute later,

I wouldn't have made it

out of the royal tomb today.

Well, I'm getting old.

You offended Yang Zhen.

Now they are coming for you.

You have to accept the challenge.

But they are craving for your blood!

I want them

to strike first.

The moment they do,

they'll expose themselves.

Only then will I have a chance to turn the tide.

Master,

please help me with two things.

[Xiaocang River]

Follow the Xiaocang River upstream.

You'll find

an old flood-control dam from the former dynasty.

No one guards it.

Back when the You River changed course,

its branch, the Xiaocang River,

formed a hidden underground channel.

[Royal Tomb, Xiaocang River] It runs right beneath the tomb.

The Dragon-Cracking Stone

is powered by water pressure.

I'll use that channel

to divert Xiaocang River's water

into the tomb's reservoir.

On the day of the Empress Dowager's burial,

you'll wait at the dam.

Bow!

The bell tolls

after each stage of the funeral.

At the sixth toll,

be ready.

Release the Dragon-Cracking Stone!

After the ninth toll

following the release,

shut the floodgate at once.

The water in the channel will drop,

and the stone will stop.

Then,

light incense to count the time.

As for me,

I'll find a way

to walk out from the tomb.

Zang Hai?

How did you get out?

The Dragon-Cracking Stone stopped falling.

What trick did you pull?

I didn't pull any trick.

I just wasn't fated to die today!

As long as I walk out alive,

it'll fall on its own!

I want every official present to believe

that the moment Yang Zhen steps into the tomb,

the stone will fall.

At the same time,

I'll stall for as long as I can,

until the incense burns out.

Mr. Chu once told me,

to appease the spirit of the late Emperor,

someone whose birth characters

match His Majesty's

must stay in the tomb forever.

Who would that be?

Yang Zhen!

Nonsense!

Once the incense burns out,

open the floodgate immediately.

Hai...

May the heavens help you.

My Lord!

The hour has passed.

My life means nothing.

It's no big deal.

But if I drag others down with me,

I'll never be forgiven!

And right now,

this is the most critical moment.

I bet the Marquis of Pingjin

won't be able to withstand the pressure

and will let Yang Zhen enter the tomb.

My Lord,

he's trying to drag me

to the grave with him!

Bless my disciple.

May he come through safe and sound.

It hasn't moved!

Still hasn't moved!

My Lord,

he's lying!

How could that be?

After all this,

you've gotten rid of Yang Zhen

and gained the Marquis's favor.

Hai,

all your suffering wasn't in vain.

But this isn't over yet.

We still have another hurdle to cross.

I knew it.

The tomb incident

wouldn't blow over that easily.

It's only been a few hours,

and the Imperial Inspector

already submitted their memorials.

If word hadn't gotten out from the palace,

I might've been blindsided

in court tomorrow.

They actually dared accuse you

of letting Qu Jiao kill someone in the royal tomb!

These old fools

are just unbearable.

We must figure out a way

to shut their mouths.

How?

Qu Jiao acted

right in front of everyone.

It's easy to silence one voice,

but how do you silence a hundred?

The more you try to stop them,

the louder they get!

Those fools know nothing!

All they want

is an explanation.

If we can't silence them,

then maybe we should

just hand someone over.

You want me to turn Qu Jiao in?

He's been by your side for years,

loyal to the bone.

How could I send him to his death?

This all started

because of Zang Hai.

If it weren't for him,

Yang Zhen would still be alive.

The tomb matter is settled.

Let's not bring it up again.

Or how about this?

Kill Zang Hai,

scar his face,

and hand him over as Qu Jiao.

That man

is too cunning by nature.

Keeping him near you

only spells future trouble.

Father,

time's running out.

You'd better head out first.

Okay.

In your opinion,

what will the Marquis do?

I think

he actually listened to me today.

Master, don't worry too much.

Why are you so sure?

The Marquis is a man of war.

Everything he has now

was earned through strength.

He knows better than anyone

how dangerous soldiers can be.

We've done what we can.

The rest is up to fate.

Master,

you're actually saying that?

That doesn't sound like you.

Didn't you just tell me

not to worry too much?

I trust you.

I'll take my leave.

[Zang Hai]

[Scholar Hall]

Greetings, Young Master.

What's going on?

The Marquis ordered

that no one in the household

is to leave for three days.

Did something happen?

Mr. Qu...

he died suddenly last night.

[Yu Garden] Starting today,

you are officially the senior secretary.

Your monthly salary

is twenty taels.

Also,

you won't stay in the Scholar Hall anymore.

You'll live in the inner gardens.

The Marquis

personally chose this place for you.

It's right next to his own quarters,

for your convenience.

Sir,

please come with me.

This way.

These servants

were all assigned by the Marquis

to attend to you.

And here are some clothes,

writing supplies,

and a bit of silver,

all for your personal use.

Do they meet

your satisfaction?

Please thank the Marquis on my behalf.

You may all go.

Yang Zhen,

even at his peak,

was never allowed to live

in the inner gardens.

The Marquis

also wants you to join him for dinner tonight.

Understood.

I'll take my leave.

Sir, please.

My Lord.

My Lady.

No need to be so formal.

Have a seat.

Zang Hai,

you've worked hard these past few months.

Thank you for your efforts.

Here,

this drink

is for you.

You flatter me, Young Master.

I just lent a bit of muscle,

and carried out

the orders

of you and My Lord.

As the Marquis's aide,

if Zhifu ever needs guidance,

I hope you'll offer it generously.

I wouldn't dare call it guidance.

But if Young Master ever needs my help,

I'll give it my all.

Zang Hai,

I've given it serious thought.

Those aides

Yang Zhen left behind

are all useless.

So I've decided to send them away.

What do you think?

You honor me, My Lord.

I serve at your pleasure.

My life or death

is in your hands.

Your word is final.

Zhuang Shan.

Yes, My Lord?

Keep a few

of the old, trusted ones.

Let the rest go.

Yes, My Lord.

Sit.

In a few days,

it's my late father's death anniversary.

We'll hold a family ceremony here first,

then visit his tomb.

Be sure to prepare accordingly.

My Lord,

this is an important family rite.

I'm still new here,

I dare not make decisions on my own.

If you're seated at this table,

you're someone

I trust the most.

Letting you handle family matters

is already beneath your talents.

Whatever concerns Your Lordship

is my top priority.

I will serve you

with all I've got.

Enough talking.

Drink!

This incident

turned out to be a close call.

Father,

Zang Hai really figured out

what the Emperor wanted.

The inspectors stopped submitting complaints.

And His Majesty

even commended you

for handling the funeral properly.

But Zang Hai

is way too calculating.

Keeping him near you

makes me uneasy.

The Capital's a huge place.

It's not like

we can't find another strategist.

Better to raise one wolf

than feed

a pen full of pigs.

You're right.

As long as you're the backbone here,

we can handle any kind of servant.

I may hold a respected post at court,

advising the Emperor,

but I'm not the same man

who once commanded troops on the frontier.

Your grandfather has retired.

He's no longer involved in politics.

Zhifu,

you must carry the future

of the Zhuang family on your shoulders.

With your trust behind me,

I, Zhifu,

won't let you down.

I'll help you climb higher

in the court.

Ideally, get a good post

in the Ministry of Personnel.

Then work your way into the Cabinet.

But before that,

you'll need someone by your side,

someone who can advise you.

And Zang Hai

is the one

I've chosen for you.

But is Zang Hai

truly willing

to serve me loyally?

That's still unclear.

Those born to aid kings

are often strong-willed.

What matters

is how you tame them.

If he gets disobedient,

just crush his kneecaps.

A cripple

won't dream of climbing higher.

Right now he's just settled in.

You have to make him feel

like he has a bright future.

Only then will he give his all.

I'll smooth out

his rough edges

before handing him over to you.

Just remember:

the honor of the Zhuang family

must not be tarnished.

Understood, Father.

Chu Huaiming's work

is getting sloppier by the day.

All these years,

he's accomplished little,

except for being an expert

at slacking off.

Zhuang Shan!

My Lord.

Give all these to Zang Hai.

Chu's not the only one

who understands this stuff anymore.

Yes, My Lord.

[Geomantic construction texts]

[Geomantic construction texts]

[Geomantic construction texts]

[Geomantic construction texts]

Need anything else?

Please browse a little more.

If you like the food, come again!

Sir,

I'm looking

for some geomantic manuals:

the "Secret Verses of the Green Satchel,"

the "Classic of Dragon Veins,"

and also the "Cloud Peak Notes."

Li,

come here!

Sir.

Take this gentleman

to the storeroom.

Of course.

Right this way.

Browse freely, sir.

I'll go greet another guest.

Thank you.

Sir,

the books you're asking for are rare editions.

They're quite pricey.

You might end up spending a lot.

I'm the Marquis's

top aide now.

Who'd dare say I can't afford it?

Good boy.

I didn't raise you for nothing.

Master,

this is everything I've got.

So you brought it all here

just to show off?

Nothing for me, huh?

Master,

please go easy on me.

I haven't even received this month's pay.

Look at you, so stingy.

How about this?

The Marquis has a ton of treasures.

Just sneak out a piece or two

every now and then.

He'll never know.

Let's clean him out,

bleed him dry,

and call it payback.

You may go alone.

Don't drag me into it.

You...

Sit.

I heard the Marquis

just dismissed

most of his aides.

He's acting so extreme,

but it's not without reason.

Back then, he killed all fourteen members

of my family

without even blinking.

Now he's started giving me

some geomancy tasks.

Those must've belonged

to Chu Huaiming before.

That must be driving Chu mad.

What kind of tasks?

Surveying mountain terrain near the Capital

and analyzing blueprints

of ancient city buildings.

It's probably all to support Zhuang Zhifu.

That's good.

It shows he trusts you.

Getting close to him is easier now.

But Hai,

you need to know something.

If the Marquis dies in his own estate,

and the Court of Judicial Review steps in,

you'll be in deep trouble.

We need

a foolproof plan.

Whether he dies of illness or by accident,

you must walk away clean.

Going down with the ship

isn't how people

like us survive.

One step at a time.

If it were really that easy

to kill him,

you wouldn't have raised me for ten years.

I need to go.

I just became an aide.

I can't be away too long.

If I need anything,

I'll come back here.

All right.

Hai...

Your status has changed.

Good and bad things will both come knocking.

Be careful.

Don't worry, Master.

Oh, and Hai...

Here are the books you asked for.

Don't forget to pay.

Master, you...

Finish the act. Go ahead.

Go on.

Sir,

I want one bowl of wontons,

and a plate of tofu skin.

Sure! Just a moment.

Sir,

I'm really sorry.

We're out of wontons.

Maybe try somewhere else?

Aren't there still some over there?

Yes,

but this young sir ordered them all.

All right, I'll eat somewhere else.

Apologies again!

Nowhere else has them either, Mr. Zang.

Wherever you go,

I've bought them all out.

Do I know you?

Please don't misunderstand, sir.

I didn't mean to make things difficult.

But my master

has prepared a banquet

and want to meet with you.

Who is your master?

The owner of Zhen Tower.

My master also said

you're unmatched in wit

and foresight.

So you're sure to come.

Lead the way.

This way, sir.

[Zhen Tower]

This way, sir.

I'll wait for you downstairs.

[Liutao Pavilion]

Mr. Zang's name echoes through the Capital.

Seeing you today,

you truly live up to the praise!

I am Xu Ben,

the owner of Zhen Tower here.

Please forgive me

for inviting you so suddenly.

No need for formalities, Mr. Xu.

You're the impressive one here.

You may not know this,

but I have quite the connection with Zhen Tower.

On my very first day in the Capital,

I came here

and watched a wonderful show.

Just a small act from my men.

Glad you enjoyed it.

Please, sir.

Please.

Please.

Please.

Sir,

you must try our aged Autumn Dew wine

from Shandong.

Please, enjoy.

A toast to you.

Cheers.

That's fine wine!

And try this,

our signature dishes.

You won't find them

outside the Capital.

And definitely not

where you were before.

So, Mr. Xu,

why have you

invited me today?

I simply hope to make friends

with you.

You flatter me.

With a royal gilf plaque

on your wall

and gold flowing in,

surely you're not lacking

a friend like me.

You've only been in the Capital three months,

and already you're the talk of the town.

Wealth always follows fame.

Now that you're well-known,

riches will

come knocking.

These are nothing special.

Just a little gift to mark our meeting.

If you accept it,

consider me your friend from now on.

Mr. Xu,

I've never seen

so many jewels

in my life!

You're working at the Marquis's mansion now.

You'll need money

handling all kinds of affairs.

If there's anything you need,

just say the word.

I'm the kind of guy

who loves helping friends.

Just one word from you,

and your problem will become mine.

Please, sir.

Mr. Xu, you're too kind.

I do have

a few small favors to ask.

And I hope

you'll consider them.

Of course. Go ahead.

As I said earlier,

on my first day in the Capital,

I watched a play at Zhen Tower.

By chance, I landed the Vermilion Bird Head (VIP) seat.

But I was broke at the time.

Luckily, Miss Xiang over there

helped me out.

Looking back now,

that seat really

is the best one in the house.

So I was wondering,

could I have that seat again

on the first and fifteenth of every month

to enjoy the shows with the VIP treatment?

If that's what you want,

the seat is yours.

As for the VIP treatment...

well...

I suppose it can be arranged.

You're new in the Capital

and trying to expand your circle.

That seat is perfect for making connections.

Mr. Xu, you're too generous!

Come on, please.

What we just discussed was personal.

Now I have an official matter to bring up.

Go ahead, sir.

It's a bit embarrassing...

Young Master Zhuang pawned off

quite a few treasures

here at Zhen Tower.

Some of them were spoils

from the Marquis's campaigns.

Now that I manage the estate treasury,

I'm afraid

if the Marquis suddenly asks,

I...

I'll have no answer for him.

So I'd like

to quietly redeem those items.

But I'm short on funds at the moment.

Mr. Xu,

could you figure out

a middle-ground solution?

Every treasure

Young Master pawned

is still sealed in our storeroom.

So,

I'll send someone to gather them

and return them to you,

no charge.

Mr. Xu, you truly are generous.

I'll drink to that!

Cheers.

Ah, Mr. Xu, apologies...

Sorry.

Looks like you can't hold your liquor.

You'd better come by more often

build that tolerance.

Yes,

you're absolutely right.

Actually, Mr. Xu,

there's something else...

Enough!

Stop acting.

He's already figured it out.

How'd you know

he's not the real owner of Zhen Tower?

What kind of boss

takes cues from his own man?

The seat is yours.

As for the VIP treatment...

I suppose it can be arranged.

This cup

is worth a fortune, right?

Just now, when I made

those unreasonable requests,

Mr. Xu got all hesitant.

And he was nervous

about this cup.

Plus, look at the calluses

on his fingertips.

If I'm not wrong,

he's actually

your bookkeeper.

Now I can't tell if he's dumb

or you're just too clever.

I figured it out

just because

you wanted me to.

And now that

you've shown your hand,

I assume you're not worried about money,

but have something real to say to me.

Let's go somewhere else to talk.

♪Conceal the ambition in my eyes♪

♪In my palm, I hold a dangerous desire♪

♪Turbulent waves hidden in my sleeves♪

♪Silent thunder echoes around♪

♪However cunning you are♪

♪I can see♪

♪Right through you♪

♪Schemes are my armor♪

♪Overt plans are my weapons♪

♪With restrained fury♪

♪I purge the world's corruption♪

♪The night is not dark♪

♪Because♪

♪My heart burns bright♪

♪I control the shifting clouds♪

♪I command the falling rain♪

♪The compass of the human soul is unpredictable♪

♪There will always be ups and downs♪

♪I hold the power of life and death♪

♪I grant and I take away♪

♪When faith burns like the scorching sun♪

♪I will sing aloud with you♪

♪I am the sowing season♪

♪I am the autumn harvest♪

♪I am the world♪

♪I am the people♪

♪And you are also me♪