Original subtitles

[Legend of Zang Hai]

[Episode 18]

[Imperial Astronomical Bureau]

[Decree]

It seems you have all read the decree.

I drafted it last night

and submitted it to the Cabinet this morning.

In case there's still any confusion among you,

let me reiterate it.

Effective immediately, three prohibitions apply to all personnel in the Bureau.

Every division must perform its duty with diligence and continuous improvement.

There must be no dereliction of duty.

That is the first prohibition.

As for all funeral arrangements involving officials,

site selection must comply with laws and regulations.

The unauthorized establishment of burial sites is strictly prohibited.

That is the second prohibition.

Private exhumations and ghost marriages are strictly banned.

Any indulgence will be severely punished.

That is the third prohibition.

Mr. Zang, if you were going to issue a decree,

why didn't you inform us in advance?

Are we not worthy

of your trust?

Since we hold official positions here,

we must serve His Majesty loyally.

These are fundamental rules

that need no discussion.

It seems what you said

isn't groundless.

Indeed.

I've heard rumors

that the Imperial Astronomical Bureau occupied farmers' land

to select burial sites for officials,

and even caused the deaths of common women

for the ghost marriages of officials and nobles.

I wonder if you've heard these things.

Mr. Zang,

we have carefully studied

the three prohibitions you decreed.

The first one makes good sense.

Everyone should fulfill their duties.

It's the foundation of our role as officials.

As for the second one, about ghost marriages,

the court has tried banning them many times.

However, it's deeply-rooted customs.

Forcing a ban on such life-and-death matters

will stir resentment.

That's why we have no choice

but to look the other way.

As for the farmers' land

you mentioned,

that was Mr. Chu's decision during his term.

We didn't...

So are you suggesting

I confront Chu Huaiming

to hold him accountable

or punish the people?

No...

That's not what I meant.

Please don't jest.

I am but a humble Calendar Manager.

I wouldn't dare suggest that.

I issued the decree

to put an end to such misconduct.

Gentlemen,

take it as a reminder if you're not involved.

But if anyone is,

I will

handle it impartially.

What is with this new Imperial Astronomer?

Is he seriously making this a clean, no-profit office?

What now?

Are we all going to starve?

New officials always pretend to be upright.

Look at how he's playing the impartial one now.

He's just fishing for bribes from us.

Once we give him gifts, he won't act like that anymore.

It'll be all about personal ties.

What if he plans to make an example of us?

If the files

contain records involving us

and he really digs something up...

Why worry?

Let him.

I've cleaned everything long ago.

If he dares come after us,

I don't care who's backing him.

If this Astronomer doesn't know how things work,

someone who does will take his place.

Who are you burning these for?

Mr. Zang,

Chu Huaiming died while being banished.

You're quite well-informed.

We at the Mortuary Division deal with the dead every day.

Anything related to death

reaches us first.

I reviewed records at the Bureau.

Chu Huaiming didn't treat you well.

Why are you mourning him?

We studied together in our youth.

Yet our paths diverged drastically.

He was more adept at managing relationships

and quickly latched onto the Marquis of Pingjin's support.

He was in his prime,

just like you now.

But at that time,

I had hit rock bottom.

I was going to return to my hometown.

He asked me to stay,

saying he needed people.

But I didn't expect

he only kept me to assist in his corruption.

He was competent.

If he'd put his abilities to proper use,

he wouldn't have ended up like this.

But Chu Huaiming

didn't value your bond.

He marginalized you

and gave you

the toughest work.

That was after he realized

I wouldn't join him in corruption.

So he stopped seeing me as one of his own.

Still,

when he rose to power,

I was the first person he thought of.

And despite how much he disapproved of me,

he never drove me away.

I still appreciate him for that.

[To Mr. Chu]

May I take a look

at these letters?

Sure, they are going to be burned anyway.

[To Mr. Chu]

[Mr. Chu, corruption and favoritism within the Bureau are increasing rapidly.]

[I have reported the guilty officials]

[to the court to set a warning.]

This is a sincere letter.

Your letter contains valuable suggestions.

You flatter me.

Advice that no one bothers to listen to

can hardly be called valuable.

Everyone knows how to improve the Bureau.

So did Chu Huaiming.

They just didn't want to do it.

No one was willing to sacrifice their interests.

Huaiming,

I'm burning the letters for you.

You can read them down there.

Then are you willing

to help me reform the Bureau

following what you wrote in the letters?

If I hadn't seen you issue the decree today,

I wouldn't know

if you truly meant it.

I am not Chu Huaiming.

If I fail to do my duty,

please write me

just as many letters.

I will.

Mr. Zang,

if you truly want to change things,

there's a place you should visit.

You will gain something from there.

Where?

West of the city.

Tai'an Alley.

Mr. Chang,

how is my sister?

Wensheng,

let's talk outside.

It's okay.

Mr. Chang,

is there still hope for my sister?

Wensheng,

I will be honest with you.

The illness has seeped into her marrow.

She may only have

about a month left.

It's time

to make early arrangements.

For families like ours,

there's little we can afford to do.

We've spent all our savings

on my sister's treatment.

I understand.

I've prepared everything for you.

Here.

Mr. Chang,

what do you mean by this?

Just the other day,

I paid respects at Marquis of Dingyi's Mansion.

That's when I learned

their third son had died before his time

of an incurable illness.

He hadn't married yet.

The Dowager Marchioness

wants to match him with a girl in the afterlife.

I thought it over,

and your sister seems the best fit.

You mean to match her with the deceased?

Your sister is lucky.

A girl from a humble family

rarely gets to be matched to a marquis' son after death.

It's an honor.

They said

this is just a deposit.

Once the ritual is complete,

they'll take care of the coffin and burial.

And after that,

you will receive more silver.

As long as it does no harm to her,

it should be fine.

Here, Wensheng.

Take the silver.

But

they have one condition.

Their third son

is to be buried at dusk tomorrow.

So your sister

should match that timing.

But...

But she isn't dead yet!

Wait, sir,

I thought you said

she had a month left.

I meant a month at most.

Besides, she is suffering so much.

She...

Wensheng,

this is a special concoction from the Bureau.

She won't feel anything.

You...

You...

You want me to kill my own sister?

Wensheng, calm down.

Your sister's been sick for years.

You've nearly used up

all your savings.

You're already 28, aren't you?

And you're still unmarried.

Are you planning to stay poor like this?

I will never

trade my sister's life for money!

Liang Wensheng.

Must you be so stubborn?

If not for my kindness,

your sister would be dead already.

If it weren't for her,

you would have starved to death.

What do you think the clinic

is keeping her alive for?

Everything you have today is thanks to your sister.

So this was your plan all along.

You've been plotting to offer her for a ghost marriage.

Have you ever tried to cure her?

Let go!

I came today

for this exact reason.

If you don't do it, I will.

You...!

Liang Wensheng!

The Marquis' family choosing Liang Xiaoyan

is a huge honor for you!

You're too blind to appreciate it!

You...

You insolent peasant!

- Stop it... - Wrench!

Please...

Wretch!

Stop it.

Peasant.

Please let my brother go.

Ungrateful brute.

You won't get a single copper from me!

Who...

Who are you?

Who are you?

[Imperial Astronomical Bureau]

Calling us out in the middle of the night...

Couldn't it wait until morning?

I was asleep

and woken up by the servant.

What a bother.

Mr. Zang.

You're all here.

Take your seat.

Gentlemen,

do you know this lady?

Her name is Liang Xiaoyan.

Miss Liang suffers from a stubborn illness,

but she is not beyond medical help.

Yet someone tried to force poison down her throat.

Why?

Liang Xiaoyan

had no say in her life,

but for those with evil intent,

even a day's difference

is critical.

Shilei,

bring him in.

Stay put.

These are Chang Wuyi's dirty dealings all these years.

Using the clinic as his cover

and claiming to treat the sick,

he secretly sought out dying women

and forced them

into marrying dead noble sons,

causing their deaths.

If His Lordship hadn't arrived in time,

my sister and I

would both be dead now.

You plan to arrange ghost marriages and even demand auspicious burial dates.

Did you think you could get away with it?

Min Shining,

Chang Wuyi has admitted it all.

What do you say?

Mr. Zang,

I was wrong.

I was wrong...

Min Shining, Chang Wuyi,

your hearts are wicked and your crimes are monstrous.

Effective immediately, you are dismissed and will be investigated!

- Mr. Zang! - Mr. Zang!

He made me do it!

Mr. Zang, it was him.

Chang Wuyi made me do it.

It was his idea!

Mr. Zang, it was him!

Have mercy, Mr. Zang!

Mr. Zang!

- Have mercy! - Have mercy!

- Have mercy! - Have mercy!

- Mr. Zang... - Have mercy...

I have another name list here.

It involves quite a few people

who followed them in corruption and favoritism.

I will be staying here tonight,

waiting for people to come and confess their crimes.

Those who confess early will be treated with leniency.

But if I uncover something myself,

this won't just be about a few individuals.

It will implicate the entire bureau.

Mr. Zang,

I have something to report.

Please judge with discernment.

Mr. Zang,

I also have something to report.

Please let me speak first.

Mr. Zang,

I also have something to say.

Mr. Zang, I have matters to report, too.

Mr. Zang.

[Marquis of Pingjin's Mansion]

Mr. Zhuang.

Mr. Zang.

I just met with the Marquis.

I meant to congratulate you in person

but didn't expect to run into you here.

Perfect timing. Here's for you.

Thank you, Mr. Zhuang.

My father trusts you more and more these days.

And you've been granted an official post.

I fear the gap between us

will only grow wider.

Mr. Zang,

what should I do next?

I came today

to discuss this with you.

The Ministry of War has issued the conscription order.

I want you to join the army.

Join the army?

That's right.

If you want to surpass Zhuang Zhifu,

you must forge a new path

and do what he cannot.

You must temper yourself in the military.

Only then can your future truly change.

But even if I choose to go,

I doubt my father will approve of it.

Then you must ask him.

If once isn't enough, ask him again.

If that fails, another time.

Keep asking until he agrees.

The key is to show him your resolve.

Understood.

Come on.

Put it here.

Here. Put it here.

Here?

Okay.

Yes, that one goes here.

Good.

Mr. Zang.

Shilei,

give us a minute.

Yes, sir.

It took you long.

Have you taken care of those obstacles?

Congratulations, My lord.

Master.

Stop calling me that.

I'm not used to it.

Well, you have to.

From now on,

watch your words and actions.

Never give yourself away.

Understood,

Steward Gao.

Well, Mr. Zang,

how about a raise in my monthly salary?

Do you need to ask me that?

You're in charge of everything here now.

Then tell me,

am I doing a great job?

Hai,

this is your home.

I should at least make sure

you live here with peace of mind.

Thank you, Master.

But...

this isn't my home.

All right.

Think of it as my home.

A place where you can rest.

Okay?

Hai,

as long as you're with family and friends,

anywhere can be home.

Come on.

Let's have a good drink tonight.

Let's go.

Tastes good?

Good.

I had the chef make it for you.

Getting Shilei some meat

to help boost his brain.

Then you'd better eat more.

I'll eat more.

These shrimp are good.

Right?

Have more.

With Hai here,

I believe

the Bureau will become what it used to be.

Here.

Here's to your promotion.

Wishing you

more to come!

- Come on. - Thank you.

Come on.

Congratulations!

So can we draft memorials

to impeach the Marquis of Pingjin

and Cao Jingxian

to let His Majesty know all their wicked deeds?

Insane.

Enough.

It's useless.

Those memorials will never reach His Majesty.

They'll only expose me.

Did you hear that?

From now on, we need to be more careful.

Never run your mouth. Understand?

You got that?

I've arranged everything properly in the house.

From now on, Shilei will be the household guard.

Guanfeng will be the physician.

All the servants have clean records.

No need to worry.

Steward Gao, your arrangements are excellent.

It's all thanks to Mr. Zang.

Come on.

- Thank you, Mr. Zang. - Thank you, Mr. Zang.

Oh, you lot.

Now you're all making fun of me, huh?

Here.

Eat up while the food's still warm.

Try this.

Mr. Zang.

This looks...

A Miss Xiang from Zhen Tower sent in her visiting card.

She's waiting at the gate

with many gifts.

Gifts!

What is it?

You've just moved in,

and Miss Xiang is paying a personal visit.

That's quite something.

Hai,

so is Miss Xiang one of us now?

What has she brought?

Hurry up

and let her in.

Miss...

Xiang is not someone to trifle with.

Don't keep her waiting.

Fine.

I'll bring her in.

Remember,

don't say anything

you shouldn't say.

You stay quiet.

You aren't the same as when you first arrived in the capital.

I nearly couldn't get in.

Miss Xiang, your visit honors me.

My apologies for not receiving you sooner.

Look at that tone.

Should I give you a formal bow?

My humble...

Miss Xiang,

please don't do that.

You helped me.

If anyone should be bowing, it's me.

Leave the things here and wait outside.

Aren't you going to show me your new mansion?

Please.

Mr. Zang,

you've got quite a place.

The Marquis of Pingjin must really favor you.

It's nothing compared to your Zhen Tower.

The courtyard may be smaller than mine,

but it's quite elegant.

A pity though

that there are no stars tonight.

Why does it feel like

she's at her own home?

I haven't really looked around

yet.

Have you not

noticed anything?

Like what?

Stop the guessing game.

Check what she brought as gifts.

And see if we can accept them.

Hurry up.

Hurry up.

It's happening.

This is big.

You fought Chu Huaiming in astronomy.

Now that I think about it,

the night you showed me stargazing on the boat,

you weren't just making things up.

You really can foresight.

It's nothing more than ancient wisdom passed down.

If Chu Huaiming, besides staring at the sky,

had taken a look at what was on the ground

and shown humility and respect,

he wouldn't have fallen so hard.

His skills weren't empty talk.

He just couldn't hold onto his integrity.

You're truly a good person.

Then with your geomantic skills,

can't you just turn every misfortune into fortune?

As the old saying goes,

"Knowing fate is easy; resisting it is not."

Most of the time,

even if we know what lies ahead,

we cannot stop it.

But everything that's happened to you has been good.

I used to marvel

at how you became the Marquis' chief aide

in just a few months.

And just a little while later,

you've become a fifth-rank official.

Without your help,

my fate

would've been entirely different.

That night on the boat,

you said nothing good ever happened when we met.

So do you still want

to see me often?

Of course.

I'd love for you to visit Zhen Tower and spend your silver.

I've become

a fifth-rank official,

but I'm still as broke as ever.

In the Capital,

officials are the people I dislike most.

The higher the rank, the more I dislike them.

Don't become one of them.

What?

Going to throw your weight around?

What you said

reminds me of something I heard.

What was it?

Someone told me

that once you're an official and get to ride in a carriage,

you'll be too lazy to walk again

and will never step down from it.

Makes sense.

Don't tell me you said that.

Thank you for the reminder.

I will keep it in mind.

Well, aren't you good to talk to.

I wasn't expecting your visit today.

Sorry for not being more welcoming.

Would you like to go to the garden

and share a drink with them?

Drinking with them is boring.

If you ever want a drink,

come find me at Bazheng Pavilion.

I didn't just come to congratulate you on your promotion.

I have a question for you.

Please go ahead.

That day on the boat,

was there something you wanted to tell me?

Your brows are like slender willows

and your eyes, a river of stars.

Few women can compare.

Then tell me,

do you want to see me often?

You can't answer that?

If none, never mind.

Take care.

Miss Xiang,

please give me some time.

For now,

I don't have an answer.

How much would this all cost?

Look at this radish. It's got a long root!

What radish?

It's ginseng.

Hai,

look.

I've never seen

such huge lingzhi.

Miss Xiang

is truly generous.

And the wine.

It's top-quality.

We'll make medicinal wine out of it.

It's good for your body.

Hai,

the gifts are carefully chosen,

with nothing that could be used against you.

She's really thinking ahead for you.

She's gone already?

What did you talk about?

She reminded me

not to lose myself in officialdom.

That's it?

Nothing else?

Yeah.

We're doomed.

We came to the Capital

too early.

Master,

what do you mean?

Nothing.

Forget about that.

Eat.

Master,

why are you still awake?

My disciple is troubled.

As the master,

how could I sleep soundly?

Sit.

I knew

I couldn't hide anything

from you.

Naturally.

Actually,

I didn't tell you everything today.

About Miss Xiang, right?

She asked me a question

that I didn't know how to answer.

So she left.

Is it that you didn't know the answer

or you didn't dare say it?

Liuchu isn't around anymore,

and there are things I can't teach you.

Let's go.

I'll take you somewhere.

[Marquis of Pingjin's Mansion]

It's me, Father.

What are you doing here?

What is it?

I have something urgent

to discuss with you.

If it's about money,

talk to your mother.

It's not about money.

I want to join the army.

Why?

I dreamed of Mother.

She kept crying in the dream.

I asked her why.

She didn't say a word

and just hit me.

She must be very disappointed in me.

That all these years,

I've been living in luxury, contributing nothing to the family.

Father,

I feel deeply ashamed.

So you want to join the army?

Long ago,

Mother once told me

she hoped I would become someone like you.

But I've been lost all these years.

After I woke from that dream,

I thought a long time.

Mother was right.

I can't keep disappointing her.

Enlisting is no child's play

like your usual mischief.

You'll live in the wild and face the real war.

Do you think that is easy?

Not to mention marching,

even feeding horses

could be enough to finish you.

Father!

Father.

Please give me a chance.

The Five Armies Camp is recruiting.

I've prepared my statement

without asking.

I didn't use our name

and will enlist as a commoner.

I beg your approval.

[Enrollment Statement]

If you're going,

commit to it.

Don't come back in less than a year.

Yes, Father.

After the massacre,

this place became a haunted house,

abandoned,

forgotten by the world.

[Kuai]

You're home,

Zhinu.

♪ Scattered stars fall silent in my eyes ♪

♪ Stirring my heart ♪

♪ Suddenly I glimpse the shape of memories ♪

♪ Longing to reach out, but I can only ♪

♪ Hold back the hand of yearning ♪

♪ I remain silent ♪

♪ Quietly pressing it into my heart ♪

♪ On this night ♪

♪ The moonlight ♪

♪ Falls in silence ♪

♪ The hazier it is ♪

♪ The more it stirs a sharp pain ♪

Yuenu.

Father, Brother.

How have you been today? Were you good?

Yes.

Father, my wooden dragonfly is broken. Please fix it.

Oh, broken?

♪ Let the moon surge, stars and rivers flow ♪

♪ While I hide in the deeper night ♪

♪ Let this swirling dust ♪

♪ Come serve as flame to light my path ♪

♪ Once fallen into the deep sea ♪

♪ Sincere words become hard to say ♪

♪ I only wish a crack of light ♪

♪ Could stitch my heart together ♪

♪ Let the pond of stars ♪

♪ Fill the deeper whirlpools of my heart ♪

♪ Let the storm clouds surge ♪

♪ I still have a place to hide and anchor ♪

♪ There was a fleeting moment of company ♪

♪ But time was not mine to command ♪

♪ For this hidden pain I bear alone ♪

♪ Is there any way to breathe, any way out? ♪

♪ For this hidden pain I bear alone ♪

♪ Is there any way to breathe, any way out? ♪

Father,

Mother,

does dying hurt?

Don't let them win.

Zhuang Luyin,

you will never have it!

Father,

Mother,

please help me kill the Marquis of Pingjin.

Revenge needs faith.

With that faith,

anything can be a way to kill.

Every day I remain in this world

is pure torment...

Did the Marquis spare even one person in your family?

Yet what I fear most is not the waiting,

but failing to avenge, even after a whole life.

If I can't get revenge, I'd rather die.

Master.

Tearing open old wounds

and facing what hurts most

will stir the hatred buried in your heart.

Of course,

you may choose to forget.

You're young.

Your life has just begun.

Let your heart guide you.

Just never hesitate.

I know how to answer her.

[Zhenzhu Spring]

[From Xiang Antu of Zhen Tower]

♪ 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 ♪