Original subtitles

[Legend of Zang Hai]

[Episode 16]

Look at your furrowed brows, My Lord.

Are you still concerned over the celestial omens?

I went for groceries earlier today

and heard people discussing it everywhere.

They even mentioned you, My Lord.

What did they say?

They said that Zang Hai

was bold enough to speculate on celestial omens and misled the public.

They also said that you indulged your aide

and failed to discipline him.

I usually

don't take the gossip to heart.

But the celestial omens

are of grave importance.

I'm worried that if the gossip passes on

and reaches His Majesty one day,

someone will use it against you, My Lord.

In my humble opinion,

it doesn't matter whether Zang Hai was right.

He went over your head to report the celestial omens.

Who knows

what he's capable of in the future?

We can't keep someone like him around.

You're saying...?

If you can't bear to do it,

I can do it for you, My Lord.

It's easy to kill him.

But what if the celestial omens

prove to be true?

In that case, it shows how well you recognize talents.

Though talents are rare,

the disobedient must be eliminated.

Do you think

that the general about to fall

could be me?

My Lord.

You really believe what he said?

Heavy rain in Zhongzhou. A blessed shower!

Good news!

Heavy rain in Zhongzhou. A blessed shower!

Heavy rain in Zhongzhou. A blessed shower!

Good news!

Heavy rain in Zhongzhou. A blessed shower!

[Imperial Astronomical Bureau] Here comes His Majesty's Decree.

Zhongzhou has suffered from drought for months,

with rivers running dry, which is a matter of grave concern to me.

Now, auspicious rain falls by Heaven's mercy, reviving the land,

and relieving the people's plight, bringing universal rejoicing.

The Imperial Astronomical Bureau foretold this blessing

and shall be rewarded with 1000 liang of silver. By Imperial Decree.

I, Chu Huaiming, humbly thank His Majesty.

Gentlemen,

we must keep working hard

and live up to His Majesty's expectations.

Yes, sir.

Go back to work.

How is Zang Hai doing?

It's said that he's been eating and sleeping well

and sitting around leisurely during the day

as if nothing bothers him.

Get back to work.

Understood.

Mr. Chu.

Mr. Zang.

You're still able to sleep?

You'll fall into an eternal sleep in a few days.

Cultivate yourself while you are awake

and strive to be reincarnated into a good family.

News says it rained in Zhongzhou,

which is an auspicious sign.

I won. You lost.

Mr. Chu, what's the hurry?

Our Lord gave me seven days.

What's the use of even ten days?

Don't tell me

you still believe you can survive this.

The Winnowing Basket Mansion heralds wind and the Net Mansion presages rain.

You remember

this sentence by heart.

But I bet you haven't

heard of this sentence.

The moon is separated from the Net Mansion. Rain is coming.

As the Imperial Astronomer,

you lack expertise

and only report good news for rewards, ignoring the facts.

You can't even read the signs.

Enough with your alarmist rhetoric.

I've foretold so many auspicious omens at the bureau.

If you don't believe me, please go back.

No matter how eager you are,

wait for another five days

and see if I end up executed

or you end up losing everything

you have worked so hard for.

You just won't accept your defeat, huh?

I'm done wasting my time here.

Just wait for the execution.

How is the Marquis?

Last night, my father told the household to tighten security

and turn away all outside visitors.

It seems that he will stay in these days.

He looks worried.

I'm afraid it's because of the falling star you mentioned.

Why would you say something like that?

To save my life, of course.

It was a critical moment.

If I hadn't made up something dramatic,

your father would have killed me on the spot.

So I came up with that statement

to get myself out of trouble.

Generals and ministers die every year.

Strange weather occurs every year.

I only mentioned a falling star

without specifying the rank of that person.

It was just to fool your father.

If he knew he had been restless

because of your lie,

he'd kill you.

I only need a few more days

to prove

that I'm right.

Young Master.

Do me a favor.

Get your father's former subordinates

to give warnings to Zhongzhou.

Alright.

I need another favor

from you.

Stay alert these days.

No one shall enter with weapons.

My Lord.

It's been raining in Zhongzhou for three days.

The drought has eased.

Everything is in order.

It's been three days.

How big is the rain?

It shows no sign of letting up.

Go to the Ministry of Works every day

to inquire about it from the Hydrological Bureau.

My Lord.

It's been raining for four days,

with the largest rainfall in a decade.

Water is starting

to gather at the terrain.

Go back to work.

It's been raining heavily for five days,

with rivers flooding

and rocks falling from mountains,

destroying a dozen houses and injuring nearly 100 people.

Keep me updated.

It's been raining for six days.

The water levels of nine rivers are rising.

We've sent someone to strengthen the dam.

If it keeps raining for two or three days,

I'm afraid the dam will break.

No way.

No way.

Mr. Chu.

Mr. Zhuang, please tell the Marquis

that I need to see him.

My Lord has been ill these days

and has stopped receiving visitors.

Mr. Chu, please go back.

Why?

On what ground?

Zang Hai.

I wish you die!

What did

Mr. Cao say?

He said

that you should apologize to His Majesty as soon as possible.

Mr. Cao is not going to save me?

He can't just abandon me.

Master said

that with the relentless rainfall in Zhongzhou,

His Majesty hasn't slept well lately

and has barely eaten for days.

Mr. Chu.

You read the omens wrong and endangered the people.

You are on your own.

Father, he left.

Zang Hai...

It's him again.

He even went after the Imperial Astronomer.

Imperial Astronomer...

[Confinement Chamber]

Greetings, Mr. Chu.

Zang Hai,

don't you look great?

How can you be so confident?

Judging from your look,

I bet it has been raining in Zhongzhou for days,

which caused floods.

Zang Hai.

You are the Marquis's aide.

I also work for the Marquis.

We are in the same boat.

We shouldn't fight each other.

If you want to be an official,

I can put in a good word

with our Lord.

If you want money,

I can help you.

How much do you want? Name a price.

Zang Hai.

Zang Hai.

You only have to tell our Lord

that the celestial omens

carry mixed messages.

I read the auspicious part

and you the ominous part.

We were both correct.

We just didn't foresee it all.

In that case,

I'll just be punished for negligence

and you will get to live.

It's a win-win.

What do you think?

Mr. Chu.

Are you begging me?

I lack expertise

and read the celestial omens wrong.

Mr. Zang.

I recommended you

to the Marquis.

Since we are both serving our Lord,

help me out.

In return, I'll go through

any hardship for you whenever you need me.

Honestly, Mr. Chu.

All those offers

sound highly tempting.

Right?

Then let's...

But what's wrong is wrong.

If all the right and wrong, true and false,

and good and evil can be altered in this world,

it would be against my parents' teachings

and the court's discipline and laws.

Mr. Chu.

This play has started.

How can we stop halfway?

Zang Hai.

You're determined to destroy me?

There's no bad blood between us.

Why do you want me dead so badly?

So you know that there's no bad blood between us.

Then why did you try to kill me

again and again at the Late Emperor's Mausoleum?

You caught those folk people

and made them "feng shui masters".

Those craftsmen died tragically in the mausoleum.

You shoved the burning charcoal down that girl's throat.

You stepped on the innocent

to get ahead.

What have they done to you?

Mr. Chu.

You are the Imperial Astronomer.

You know all about reincarnation

and karma, don't you?

You came to show off your power last time.

But this time,

did you come to ask for help

or say goodbye to me?

You have

foreseen everything.

But have you foreseen the fact

that you'll die today?

Chu Huaiming.

You misread the celestial omens.

In the worst case, you'll be demoted and imprisoned.

You'll be able to start anew in a few years.

But if you kill me,

you have to pay with your life.

Pay with my life?

You killed Yang Zhen and Qu Jiao.

You should pay with your life, too.

I will run away after I kill you.

The court officials won't be able to find me.

You may be able to read fortune

but you can't escape death.

I entered the Imperial Astronomical Bureau when I was 15.

I have worked diligently

for so many years.

With so much planning and scheming,

I managed to get acquainted with the Marquis of Pingjin

and become the Imperial Astronomer.

Do you have any idea

what I've been through...

what I've been through

and how much I've suffered to come this far?

You.

It's all your fault.

Zang Hai.

You took everything from me

overnight.

You made it as the Imperial Astronomer

but you lost your conscience.

I didn't do this to you. You did.

How is it wrong to seek

upward mobility?

None of this would happen without you.

Even if I end up utterly ruined,

I'll drag you down...

Chu Huaiming, you...

With me.

You shall perish!

Mr. Chu.

Guards.

What's that smell?

Come on.

Guards.

Fire.

Fire.

Get help!

- Alright. - Hurry.

I'm here!

Put out the fire. Hurry!

Hurry!

Help!

Fire!

Fire!

Hurry!

- Hurry! - Put out the fire!

I need another favor

from you.

I'm driving Chu Huaiming into the corner.

I'm afraid he can only set fire to kill me.

You must stick to the plan.

Don't try to save me.

My Lord.

The rain in Zhongzhou is getting worse.

It just won't stop.

There may be floods.

How many days has it been?

It's been seven days.

My Lord, bad news.

My Lord.

My Lord.

My Lord, bad news.

What happened?

The confinement chamber caught fire.

Where is Zang Hai?

He's still in there.

We are trying to rescue him.

Mr. Zhuang.

Mr. Chu.

What's the rush?

I just spoke with your father.

I'll take my leave now.

You set fire here and think you can escape?

You...

Come to see my father.

No.

Zang Hai!

My Lord.

My Lord.

M-My Lord.

Be careful, My Lord.

My Lord.

Guards.

My Lord.

Guards.

My Lord, are you alright?

Put out the fire!

Alright.

Hurry!

Throw water!

Faster!

Step aside!

Go.

My Lord.

My Lord.

My Lord.

Are you alright?

I'm fine.

My Lord.

- My Lord. - You're burned.

Why did you...

Consider yourself lucky.

Why did the cell suddenly catch fire?

The guards said

that Mr. Chu came before the fire.

Chu Huaiming?

Where is he?

Father!

Look.

Father.

Chu Huaiming.

Did you set the fire?

No.

My Lord.

It wasn't me.

I saw it with my own eyes.

Chu Huaiming tried to escape.

It was him.

He wanted to kill me.

He killed Yang Zhen and Qu Jiao...

My Lord.

He's targeting you.

My Lord.

My Lord.

My Lord.

Urgent report from Zhongzhou.

The pouring rain destroyed many parts of the dam.

River water flooded

tens of thousands of mu of fertile land downstream.

How are the people of Zhongzhou?

People along the coast received warnings in advance.

Many have been evacuated.

But there are still thousands of casualties.

One more thing.

General Fu Zhisong, the Commander of the Central Army

led the troops to combat floods.

When the dam was washed away,

General Fu was swept by the huge waves.

His body has been found downstream.

Take Chu Huaiming to the Court of Judicial Review.

Get up.

My Lord.

Zang Hai.

I hope you die!

I hope you die!

Go get water.

Hurry.

Hurry.

Faster.

You mean

our Lord dashed into the fire

to save Zang Hai?

Fortunately, the arsonist was caught.

Who was it?

Chu Huaiming.

The second young master caught him

and he's escorting him to the Court of Judicial Review now.

Zhifu, hurry up.

Let's check on him.

Alright.

Don't worry, My Lady.

Mr. Zang has sent our Lord back to his chamber for treatment.

Our Lord said that you and Young Master were not needed there.

Zhifu.

Someone beat us to it.

You are supposed to be the one

staying by your father's side now.

My Lord.

The physicians will be here soon.

No need to make a fuss over some minor injuries.

We'll be done before they arrive.

Go on.

Please bear with it, My Lord.

As you said,

General Fu died.

The Great Yong lost an outstanding general.

To be honest,

I am somewhat relieved.

I've been wondering

whether the falling star would be me.

You are over-concerned.

I have told you

that you

are blessed by heaven.

I have fought countless battles for decades,

fearless of death.

But life in the capital

has changed me over time.

Fortunately, I have you

to take precautions for me.

My Lord.

I am just a folk person.

It's my honor

to work for you and be appreciated.

If you hadn't rescued me today,

I would have died in the fire.

Zang Hai.

I used to think of you as an aide.

You were my subordinate, nothing more.

But after I rescued you from the fire, I realized

that I have long regarded you as my family.

I locked you up out of concern.

Don't blame me.

I dare not.

I overstepped my authority...

Enough.

I know you meant well.

I understand

what you said.

It's hard for me to trust someone.

Don't let me down.

I swear

I will never let you down.

[The Great Prison]

By the Mandate of Heaven, His Majesty decrees:

Chu Huaiming, Imperial Astronomer of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau,

misread celestial omens and delayed warnings,

which led to great floods in Zhongzhou that ruined people's livelihood.

Then he hid the truth from his superiors and plotted to kill the innocent.

He is hereby stripped of rank, reduced to common status,

and exiled to a distance of 3000 li

with 50 strokes of the rod to be carried out right now.

My Lady,

did I hurt you?

It's not your fault.

I have a headache.

What is on your mind?

Are you still worried about our Lord's injury?

Mr. Zhuang said

that our Lord is going to be alright.

I was thinking

about Zang Hai and Zhuang Zhixing.

Why would you think about them?

Don't let them bother you.

Zhixing did well in the ground polo match,

which pleased his father.

While Zhifu chose scholarship, he turned to martial arts.

He knew very well that our Lord craved

a martial heir to carry on the legacy

and bring the Zhuang family back to glory.

And he just happened

to catch Chu Huaiming who set fire.

He earned merit, and meanwhile,

helped Zang Hai.

What an accurate plan refined down

to the last detail.

Did the second young master suddenly get enlightened?

I'm worried

that he has allied with Zang Hai to...

Although

I don't know what Zang Hai is after,

I'm sure

that Zhixing is trying to compete with Zhifu.

There's nothing to be afraid of.

That good-for-nothing

is no match for our young master.

I made

this ginseng soup for you by myself.

It has cinnamon and licorice

that drain pus.

Have some and your wounds will heal faster.

How are you feeling?

Does it still hurt?

You didn't let me take care of you.

I've been worried all night.

It's just a minor injury. No big deal.

Your safety

concerns the livelihoods of hundreds of people in this household.

How can I not be concerned?

Please don't put yourself

in danger again.

It is great that you are always

so kind to your subordinates.

But for some reason,

I've been quite uneasy.

What are you worried about?

Ever since Zang Hai came,

you've been losing competent aides.

Yang Zhen and Qu Jiao died.

Now, even Chu Huaiming is in jail.

Think about it, My Lord.

Who benefits the most from it?

Isn't it Zang Hai?

You treat him so well.

How come he keeps eliminating dissidents?

Eliminating dissidents?

My love.

Is that what you think?

Zang Hai came

and instantly bonded with Zhixing.

I'm afraid it was because Zhixing was simple

and liked to make friends.

Yesterday,

Zhixing happened to catch Chu Huaiming.

What a coincidence.

Are you saying

that Zhixing knew Chu Huaiming would set fire

and lay in ambush?

I'm afraid

that someone has been guiding him.

Otherwise, how did he win the ground polo game

just like that?

My love.

I know you want Zhifu to do well.

But as the female head of the household,

how come you won't accept Zhixing's success?

You got me wrong, My Lord.

I'm just worried

that your trusted and well-respected aide

is actually

harboring other intentions.

I heard

what you said.

You may leave.

My Lady.

My Lord.

You heard everything?

My Lord.

Yes, I heard everything.

Have anything to say?

My Lady is only partly right.

I did train the second young master

to win the game.

But how could I have known

that Chu Huaiming would come to set fire?

Everyone rushed

to the confinement chamber to put out the fire.

Chu Huaiming must have looked suspicious

as he fled in panic.

Young Master spotted him.

The arrest was only natural.

But I admit

that I have been close to the second young master.

My Lord.

If I may be so bold,

the second young master can be a great general.

He can't fully unleash his potential

by playing ground polo.

Are you saying

that I should put him in the army?

That's right.

Your outstanding elder son

has established himself in the imperial court.

But your family boasts generations of generals

and you have made great achievements yourself.

It would be a pity

if the legacy finds no bearer.

Zhifu is not made for the army for sure.

But I'm afraid

that you are wrong about Zhixing.

He may have been a bit wayward in the past

but he's been

practicing hard without slacking off these days.

The reason he could stand out so fast,

apart from his diligence,

lay in the blood of the Zhuang family

flowing through his veins.

Isn't it a bit too early to make plans

for Zhixing?

As your aide,

of course, I have to make plans for your family.

Once we have a scholar

and a general supporting each other in court,

we can lay a solid foundation for further development.

You perceive

and contemplate things

far beyond my capacity.

My Lord, you said

you'd treat me as family.

Then I shall share everything on my mind

without holding back.

Back then, aides like you around me

couldn't even fit in one tent.

But they are all dead.

They died for me.

Are you afraid of death?

My Lord.

I once said that I was afraid of death.

But it's worse to live a wasted life.

I believe those who worked for you

died for a great cause.

I called you here to talk business.

The Imperial Astronomer post is vacant.

Tell me.

Do you want to take that job?

I...

Don't hesitate.

If you're interested, I will pull some strings for you.

I will do whatever you say.

[Sangu Bookshop]

Hai, you were really lucky this time.

How much of his trust

do you think you've earned by now?

About 70 or 80 percent.

You disagree, Master?

If the person caught in the fire was not you but Jiang Xiang,

he wouldn't have saved her.

Jiang Xiang's father Jiang Jin

is no longer the Minister of Rites

and has no value to the Marquis.

But you are his most precious aide now.

Your talents and abilities

can help him stand firm in the court.

He saved you

to protect his private property.

He said what he said

just to win your heart.

At least, it is good

that the Marquis of Pingjin is trying to bond with you.

But you must be extra careful.

Never cross the line

or fail to show due respect.

This is quite tricky.

I hope you can be the person

he trusts and depends on the most.

Then he will share everything on his mind with you.

We are not bound by blood.

I can earn his trust,

but how can I make him rely on me

without working for him

a decade?

Not even Yang Zhen made it.

Everyone experiences pain and confusion.

It's hard to take action.

The Marquis is no exception.

To make him rely on you,

you must share his burden.

What pains and confuses him?

It concerns the person who disappeared from the Zhuang family.

♪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♪