Original subtitles

(Joy of Life Season 2)

(Episode 17)

I didn't burn Shijia Town to the ground.

However, he's still a survivor of Shijia Town.

Fan Xian is still keeping an eye on your past dealings with Northern Qi.

If so, all the more we can't kill him.

Since you already found out, I'm sure the Overwatch Council knows as well.

Just let him investigate the case.

I'm also curious about the perpetrator

who burned the town to the ground.

Where is he?

Tongfu Inn.

The First Bureau has surrounded the place in secret

in case someone tried to assassinate him.

Deng Zi Yue is still very meticulous.

Hold on. Which inn was it?

Tongfu Inn.

What is the manager's name?

Tongfu Inn...

I think the manager's surname is Tong.

Male or female?

Male, I think.

If you want a female,

I can get one for you.

Go away. I don't want anything.

You may leave.

- Godfather. - Shut up.

A scholar should have character.

- Your son, I... - You ingratiate yourself like a fly or a dog.

He Zong Wei.

I'm considered too soft-hearted

if I don't beat you out of my place.

A scholar cannot become a dog

and shouldn't become a dog.

- I really respect... - Get lost!

I, your son, am leaving.

He is swearing loyalty toward you.

I still have my pride.

I dare not take in someone like him.

I hope the scholars of the kingdom

are not like him.

Someone like him is rare.

Young people are usually arrogant.

I hope so.

Qi Nian, we'll go to Tongfu Inn later

to meet the only survivor.

Whether the innocent lives lost at Shijia Town

can be vindicated

depends on him.

(A scholar cannot become a dog)

(and shouldn't become a dog.)

Speaking is easy

but it's tough to act.

Yogurt!

Delicious yogurt!

- Please stay here. - Let's gather again.

- Let's gather again. - Be careful on your way back.

Lord Fan, you're here.

Let's speak in private.

Lord Fan.

Is Shi Chan Li staying here?

Yes. He is staying in a four-man bedroom.

There are also three exam candidates staying with him.

These are their names.

Yang Wan Li, Cheng Jia Lin, Hou Ji Chang.

We are checking their backgrounds

and will soon obtain the results.

Lord Fan,

this is the detailed record of Shi Chan Li's conversations

and actions since staying in the inn.

Please take a look.

You even investigated this?

I'm preparing for the unpredictable.

It might be useful to you.

He even drank wine?

He had a nice chat with the candidates and drank a few cups.

He's only a decent drinker.

Are they not at the inn now?

Yes.

They are at the exam hall.

There are many days left until the exam.

Why did they go to the exam hall?

They are building walls.

Building walls?

Put some effort.

Carry and place them lightly.

- Slowly. - Sure.

Lord Fan, look. These are the Spring Imperial Examination candidates.

What are they doing?

Repairing the exam hall for the Ministry of Rites.

Repair the exam hall?

Isn't that the work of builders?

Why did they get scholars to do it?

Indeed.

It was a suggestion by the Minister of Rites, Guo Zheng.

He said we have many scholars

who come from different backgrounds.

Prices in the capital are high

and poor scholars have a tough time living here.

Instead of letting builders earn the money,

he suggested the scholars earn it instead.

Indeed.

Participating voluntarily allows them to feel how majestic the exam hall is

and also make money to sustain their livelihood.

Looking at it like this,

this minister

empathizes with the people.

Lord Fan, that man is Minster Guo.

Lord Guo

is even doing things himself?

Why isn't he moving at all?

He's stuck there.

There's an artist here.

Indeed.

Repairing the exam hall is a contribution.

He has to draw a portrait to remember it.

Some officials of the imperial court have a hobby like this.

Interesting.

Lord Fan, let's go back and make a portrait ourselves.

Where's Shi Chan Li?

Lord Fan, that man is Shi Chan Li.

Is he having his portrait drawn too?

I don't see an artist anywhere.

The guards are not strict.

The guards are protecting the minister.

No one cares about these scholars.

I need two more men here.

He Zong Wei.

Do you want to become an official?

If you can be successful,

are you willing to put your life in danger?

May I know who you are?

Everyone, be careful.

Chan Li.

You are...

Chan Li, did you forget about me?

We've met.

Have we?

Are you staying in Tongfu Inn?

- Yes. - In a four-man bedroom?

That's right.

Your hometown is in Shijia Town at the border.

- Why do you know everything? - You told me.

I told you?

We had a chat when you were drunk that day.

Were you there that night?

In the outhouse.

I was drunk that night.

I can't remember.

Are you short of money?

I'm not rich indeed.

We share the same trouble.

- Hou Ji Chang. - Your name is...

Chan Li.

Is this your friend, Chan Li?

We both live in Tongfu Inn.

We met each other before.

Aren't you going to introduce him?

This is Ji Chang who shares a room with me.

Hou Ji Chang.

Greetings, Ji Chang. My surname is Fan.

Fan? Greetings, Mr. Fan.

It's fate that we live in the same inn.

Am I disturbing your conversation?

Not at all.

Just now,

I saw Chan Li spacing out with a brick in his hands.

I was wondering why.

I saw it too.

Chan Li, what did I tell you before we came here?

I saw you sitting there without moving

and staring at the bricks from over there.

Minister Guo is watching.

Even if you are tired,

you still need to pretend that you are working hard.

I'm not tired.

I just find the bricks weird.

How are the bricks weird?

Look.

These are

old bricks we removed.

This is a slab of new brick

that we will be using.

So?

New brick.

Old brick.

Can you hear the difference?

The old brick sounds like knocking on iron.

Iron?

This is a slab of good metal brick.

Metal brick is very expensive.

The new bricks that we are going to use

are normal bricks.

Look.

The pillars that are removed

are made from Phoebe Zhennan trees.

Look at the logs used to replace them.

What are these? Logs.

They are ordinary. Extremely ordinary.

So, I don't understand.

The Ministry of Rites is repairing the exam hall

but why are the materials used

worse than before?

Chan Li, how do you know these?

I have many peers in my hometown.

I've seen them myself so I won't make any mistakes.

Chan Li, you mustn't mention this again.

Why?

The repair is supervised by Minister Guo himself.

More reason for us to inform Minister Guo

in case he has been scammed.

This has nothing to do with us.

The best thing to do is to turn a blind eye to it.

- But... - Trust me.

Why are we turning a blind eye to it?

Replacing good ones for something worse is the work of a corrupt official.

We are scholars with virtue and morals.

- How can we turn a blind eye to it? - Softer!

Don't blame them. They always do this.

You can stop my mouth

but you can't stop these...

I beg you.

Let me finish.

- Mr. Fan, have some water. - Thank you.

Let me introduce him.

He is Yang Wan Li from Quanzhou.

He is quite famous back in his hometown.

He got a top spot in his village exam.

Among the four of us, he is the most talented in learning.

Wan Li, nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you.

- I'm going to report it. - You should study less.

Even if you're exposing them,

who will listen to something we say?

I heard Lord Fan is now...

Do you know Lord Fan?

- I can know him. - Does Minister Guo know Lord Fan?

- Naturally. - Between the two of you, who is closer to Lord Fan?

Minister Guo.

Both of them manage the Spring Imperial Examination together.

If they had already been colluding together,

what would you do?

I get what you mean.

You mean

Lord Fan and Minister Guo

are in cahoots.

I didn't mean that.

- What did you mean? - I mean...

Endure this and don't mention it again.

Why are we studying if we are going to endure something like this?

If you want to care about it,

now is not the time.

When is a good time then?

Wan Li, let me ask you.

Why do we come to the capital?

- To become an official. - Why do we work at the exam hall?

- To become an official. - Have you become one now?

- No. - If you want to care about this,

you need to endure until we become an official.

Why should a scholar end up like this?

Because we are ordinary.

Farewell.

- Wan Li. - Wan Li.

He's supposed to be a scholar but he acts like a brute.

Ji Chang, you said

coming to work here is for the sake of becoming an official as well.

What did you mean?

It's nothing.

We are poor

so we are just making some money.

Apart from money, Ji Chang also told us

about the important thing about working here.

- Chan Li. - It's fine.

- Chan Li. - We are all scholars.

- Chan Li... - We need to share information.

Ji Chang said we didn't come here to work

just for money.

We are also here to show our faces.

Show your faces?

Scholars who come to work

will leave our names in the booklet.

Minister Guo is here.

The best thing

is to let Minister Guo remember our names.

Remember our names?

Mr. Fan, look.

There are so many exam candidates.

If he can remember our names,

that means we've left an impression.

Perhaps he might take a closer look

while going through our paper.

Ji Chang, you are farsighted.

Otherwise, some people like us

won't have a chance to be chosen.

Aren't you tested for your talents in the exam?

Talent is useless.

We have lowly identities.

What does it have to do with identities?

Mr. Fan, you know nothing.

How many candidates are there in every Spring Imperial Examination?

More than ten thousand perhaps.

However, there are only a handful of people who will be chosen.

There are so many rumors out there.

The important officials will choose a few.

The palace chooses a few.

The imperial academy chooses a few before famous scholars are chosen.

How many of the rest can be chosen?

They start to choose people before the exam even begins?

The rich scholars with a background can meet the officials

to swear loyalty first.

Since they will be working together in the future,

they must promote one of their own.

What's the use?

Isn't it about one's talent and knowledge when it comes to the exam?

Having someone to take care of you

is better than a brain full of good ideas.

If what you say is true,

that means this Spring Imperial Examination

is a place where the officials can choose their dogs.

Wan Li, mind your words.

Be careful of your life.

Mr. Fan, you too. Just forget what you heard

and don't bring trouble to yourself.

The result is decided before the exam

and the exam is just a formality.

Isn't that cheating?

- It is! - Not so loud.

I'm thinking as well.

If that's really the case,

why is no one complaining?

Who can they complain to?

The one in the court

is still an official?

Where's the fairness?

- What? - Fairness.

There's no such thing.

Without fairness,

the Spring Imperial Examination

is just a farce.

Perhaps

we might be able to change everything

when we are chosen.

Where's Cheng Jia Lin?

He's knocking rocks at the rear courtyard.

I ordered him

to keep his mouth shut.

Now that I think about it,

it's so meaningless.

I'm going back to work.

Chan Li.

Be careful of your words and actions.

Mr. Fan,

help me out.

Hou Ji Chang,

you are great.

You've made so many trips alone.

- It's what I should do. - You've worked hard.

Why don't you take a break? You haven't taken a sip of water.

It's fine. It's what I should do.

Are you sure?

Let me help you with a few more trips.

Sure. That's good enough.

- Is that good enough? - Yes.

- Should I... - No.

Mr. Fan, here.

- Have a pastry. - No need.

- Save it for yourself. - I'll buy you a drink next time.

- Sure. - Thank you.

- Lord Fan? - Minister Guo, do you recognize me?

I've seen you at work in the imperial court.

Well...

You are the main invigilator of the Spring Imperial Examination.

- Don't call me Lord. - Lord Fan, you have a bright future ahead of you.

You will be successful one day.

Lord Fan,

why did you come to the exam hall?

I was passing by and wanted to meet you, Minister Guo.

I want to know you as well, Lord Fan.

Quick. Sit down.

There's no need.

Minister Guo, I only have one question.

Please tell me.

The repair of the exam hall

uses low-quality goods to replace the good old ones.

Do you know about that?

They are not low-quality.

They are all durable.

That means you know about it, Minister Guo?

Isn't it a joke

if I say I don't know?

Did the Minister of Revenue provide funds?

Of course.

Without funds from the Minister of Revenue, who would begin work?

After purchasing these durable materials,

how much money do you have left, Minister Guo?

I think there's still some balance left.

The metal bricks and Phoebe Zhennan pillars removed

are not cheap.

The materials removed are in the warehouse of the Ministry of Rites.

The remaining money has also been recorded in the ledger.

I know you are ambitious

and wants to fight corruption.

I praise your actions

and will never be corrupt.

This time,

there's not a single cent

that comes into my pocket in the repair of the exam hall.

I have a clear conscience.

Lord Fan, if you don't believe me,

you can investigate in detail.

The Ministry of Rites will cooperate with you.

- The money is recorded in the ledger? - Yes.

- The old materials are in the warehouse? - Nothing is lost.

I don't get it then.

Minister Guo, what are you planning to achieve

- by doing this? - As the Minister of Rites,

I can't do nothing in my position.

As an official,

we should do more work.

I get it.

Repair is work.

Work

is your political achievements.

Political achievements.

A great term.

I've never heard of it.

Political achievements.

You even drew portraits of yourself.

It's proof of what I've done.

It's a good souvenir for the future.

What about the money you saved?

There are many people in the Ministry.

It's difficult to feed the family.

Buying wine and meat for them during festivals is justifiable.

- What do you think? - What about the materials in the warehouse?

We are upright officials.

Our residences have cracks and leaks.

They need to be repaired.

Using the materials in the warehouse.

It complies with the rules

and not against the law.

It's all within the rules.

Definitely.

As an official for so many years,

you are clear about the rules of the imperial court, Minister Guo.

As an upright official,

I still need to survive.

Are you not afraid that these scholars will find out?

It's no use even if they find out.

If they get chosen to become an official,

you'll be in trouble if they make a complaint.

Lord Fan, I told you

it's all in compliance with the rules.

Besides, the people out there

won't be chosen.

What do you mean?

In the Spring Imperial Examination, the names on this list

will be disqualified.

Why?

These scholars are cunning.

Why did they come and work here?

They just want to leave an impression on me.

How can we accept scholars

who are opportunistic?

Can't they even think about it?

The most important thing for a scholar is a noble character.

Someone like me

will never accept these flies and dogs.

Is there a retainer of yours

among these scholars?

I just want to give these scholars

a way out.

Lord Fan, character is important.

Just like me.

I believe in your character unconditionally.

I have no objection

to what you do.

I'll follow your orders.

Hou Ji Chang!

You are so impressive.

Yes, Hou Ji Chang.

You are so hardworking.

It's what I should do.

Why are you so good, Hou Ji Chang?

You've been doing a thousand trips at least!

You're so amazing, Hou Ji Chang!

Hou Ji Chang!

Let's change sides.

Hou Ji Chang!

It's not cheap

for these scholars to rent a room in the capital.

The ones from poor families

are trying to make some money.

There are many of them indeed.

Indeed.

Everyone who studies

is in the capital now.

There's even a candidate of his age?

I'm sure he participated in many exams.

They came with hope every time.

It's a fierce competition.

There will always be someone who can't get their wish.

For them,

what is the Spring Imperial Examination?

It's a grace from the kingdom.

What else?

It's the opportunity to change their fates

as you mentioned.

Yes.

Studying hard for years

just for this opportunity.

An opportunity that is supposed to be fair.

Have you heard about the cheating at the Spring Imperial Examination?

Look at that fat pigeon.

It's from the Overwatch Council. It's not for long-distance flying.

I don't have anything.

- Otherwise, I would've... - Don't interrupt me.

I was simply asking.

Just simply answer me.

I'll just simply talk about it, Lord Fan.

Before the Spring Imperial Examination,

many scholars have visited officials

to swear their loyalty.

These people

have their future decided without even taking the exam?

The exam

is just a formality.

What about them?

Fate is

not on their side.

Does the Overwatch Council not know this?

They know a little.

Isn't it used to watch the officials? Why aren't they investigating?

Those who can accept disciples

are true big shots.

It's not easy to investigate them.

Some are even afraid to investigate them.

It has been an unspoken rule for years.

Everyone is used to it.

However, this is

a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them.

There's a quota for the exam as well.

This is unfair.

- What was that inn called? - Tongfu.

- Did Fan Xian go there? - He did.

The person wasn't there, so he went to the exam hall.

To find that man. What's his name?

Shi Chan Li.

They met each other.

However, they didn't talk much.

Our men watched from afar

and said Shi Chan Li didn't show any pain.

I don't think he knows

about Shijia Town's annihilation yet.

He didn't tell him anything?

Why did he go there then?

Right.

A trip in vain.

I wonder what Fan Xian

is thinking.

Lord Fan, what are you thinking about?

It's nothing much.

The examination begins in a few days.

How can Shi Chan Li do the exam

when he finds out his hometown is gone at a time like this?

Let's wait.

The First Bureau is guarding the place.

Let's decide what we should do after the exam.

Lord Fan,

you are different indeed.

How so?

Other officials

won't care about this.

We still need to see them as humans.

(Fan Residence)

Have we arrived?

You should come outside and take a look.

It's to show respect for Lord Fan.

Please accept it.

- Isn't that Xin Qi Wu? - That's right.

Some of them look familiar.

I've seen them in the hall.

All of them are wearing plain clothes now.

It's not nice if they wear an official's uniform.

My thoughts are clearly written inside.

Farewell.

Lord Fan doesn't accept gifts. He doesn't!

He really doesn't. Just take it back!

Make way.

We can't accept the gifts!

- He's coming. - Stop it! We are just servants.

Stop giving gifts.

Farewell.

I'll leave them here.

Please pass it to him!

This is all for the Spring Imperial Examination.

Indeed.

Let's go. We'll enter through the back door.

Your Highness, something's not right.

Why is the Fan Residence empty?

We entered through the back door after all.

It still can't be empty.

What does it mean?

It means

there's a change in the Fan Residence.

It means we've never been here before.

Where is Fan Xian's courtyard?

Why don't we search the place?

Just leave it here.

Return from where we came from and wait for me outside.

It's spinning.

Dear,

the crown prince is visiting.

Why did you ask all the servants to leave?

Did he enter through the back door?

Regardless, isn't he still the drown prince?

It's fine if you ask the servants to leave

but shouldn't you meet him?

He's not here for me.

I shouldn't meet him.

What is the most important word

in a political scene?

Which word?

Stability.

Care for our own and not mind other people's business.

We should meddle less

in other people's matters.

Dear,

why does the crown prince visit

to see Fan Xian?

What else?

The Spring Imperial Examination begins soon.

He's here to greet him.

Why did he use the back door?

Think about it yourself.

It can't move anymore.

Oh no!

Your Highness, are you here to wreck my house?

Fan Xian, sorry.

It stopped spinning just now.

I tried to help it but perhaps

I used too much force.

Well... How much is it? Why don't I compensate you?

I was joking. You should come out, Your Highness.

Sure.

Your Highness, what makes you visit in person?

Do you want to hear the truth or a lie?

Anything's fine.

I'm here to advise you to stop fighting.

Whom did I fight?

You fought Cheng Ze

and got him grounded for half a year.

Do you think I'll feel well as his brother?

I'm here to persuade you.

Is this a lie?

Can my lie be any worse?

What about the truth?

The truth?

Coming!

Did someone call him?

You got your wish now.

The truth.

You made Cheng Ze suffer.

I'm very happy because of that.

So, I came here to give you some gifts.

Your Highness, you don't see me as an outsider.

Those who go against Cheng Ze are not an outsider for me.

However, I don't know what you like.

I prepared everything including jewelry and precious herbs.

Thank you, Your Highness. I like them all.

I like that!

Your Highness, I'm sure you are not here to send gifts.

My main purpose is to send gifts.

- Main purpose? - There's one more little thing.

How little?

A few names.

In the Spring Imperial Examination,

you are in charge of sealing the exam papers, right?

Help me keep an eye on these names.

What do you want me to do, Your Highness?

Nothing.

Not doing anything while sealing the papers

is good enough.

There's nothing else. I'll be leaving.

My servants were supposed to do this.

Later, I figured you were one of my own

and I missed you so I came on my own.

It shows my sincerity as well.

Your Highness is really sincere.

There's someone from Shijia Town who is still alive?

You even heard about that?

This is related to Cheng Ze's smuggling.

Naturally, I care about it.

What happened after that?

He is a candidate. I haven't told him yet.

I wanted to wait until the exam was finished.

Do it according to your plan.

I'll be leaving.

There's no need to send me off. I can find my way out.

Just go in the opposite direction of the arrows.

Lord Fan,

someone from Chancellor Lin's residence sent a letter

asking you to visit him.

(Chancellor Lin's Strategist, Yuan Hong Dao)

Chancellor,

do you think this is fine?

Yes.

Uncle.

Don't stand on ceremony.

Come.

Help me take a look.

Recently,

I'm starting to grow more gray beard.

A little.

Why don't you help me pluck some of them?

Me?

It's hard to do it myself.

It hurts.

Come. More.

Do it.

Come. Keep going.

Pluck it.

Stop. Stop it.

Uncle,

I don't think it hurts that badly.

I can't suffer and I'm afraid of pain.

If you're afraid of pain, just cut it.

It'll still grow after cutting.

Plucking will get rid of it once and for all.

That's all for today.

Chancellor,

- this guy has a clean background. - Sure.

Fan Xian,

look.

Does my beard

look tidy?

Exquisite.

Great.

Being an official is the same as being a person.

You need to care

about the details.

The most important thing

is not to show any flaws.

Uncle, what are you doing?

Da Bao likes to eat the red fruit.

I'm picking some good ones for her.

Da Bao eats quickly.

I'm afraid she might choke on the seed.

Lord Fan,

Chancellor Lin

doesn't trust servants to do this.

Did the crown prince visit you?

News travels fast.

Did he give you a list of names?

Yes.

He said I didn't have to do anything

while I seal the papers.

You don't need to do anything indeed.

Someone else will do it.

Just turn a blind eye to it.

Turn a blind eye to what?

What else?

Let the chosen people

get chosen.

The people are chosen when their papers are sealed?

The people who are on the list will definitely be chosen.

What if the article is badly written?

Won't people doubt the result?

There will always be a way.

So, your position is extremely important.

Do you know

how many names will be sent to your hands

by officials, noble families, and the royal family?

I know.

They came to send gifts recently.

No one left names

but every box has a note inside.

Those people are not important.

The important ones

are all here.

Why do you have it?

I stopped them

and asked Hong Dao to filter them.

Many names have been removed.

You just need to remember these people.

Isn't this the Spring Imperial Examination?

Can't they depend on their abilities?

These are not just names.

They are also the ways of the world.