Original subtitles

[Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty]

[Episode 10]

Yesterday, Prefectural Governor Xiong mentioned

to have you escorted back to the north.

When will you set off?

Has my being here annoyed you?

Don't get me wrong.

I just don't want your father to worry about you.

You're actually afraid

that people will gossip

about me living with you.

To tell you the truth,

Xue Huan and I

have found a house

next to the Commander's residence.

I'll go rent it tomorrow

and move in immediately.

That's not what I mean.

I know.

I don't want to put you in a dilemma.

How's that a dilemma?

I'm the Military Commander of Nanzhou.

Who lives in my residence

is not Lu Lingfeng's decision

to make.

Ridiculous.

I'm not surprised he's behind it.

If you moved out,

Lu Lingfeng would think

he bested you and me.

He'd be even cockier

in the future.

We can't let that happen.

I have an idea.

What is it?

I'm actually a bit embarrassed to say it.

Hope you don't think

that I intend to take advantage of you.

Xue Huan.

Take this sword.

It's for me?

Thank you, sir.

This sword...

It's not sharpened.

To sharpen a sword means to kill.

Killing is too brutal

for a young lad like you.

Hone your skills first.

We'll practice a little longer today.

It may be the last time

I train you.

Why?

You've been in Nanzhou for days.

Don't you need to go back to the capital?

If Miss Xijun decides to go back,

you'll have to escort her.

Xue Huan,

forget the crap

you learned before.

What I teach you tonight

will definitely come into handy in the future.

[The Commander's residence]

Glad to see you, Prefectural Governor Xiong.

I didn't know you were coming,

or I'd have waited for you by the gate.

Sheriff Su invited me here.

He hasn't told you

the great news yet?

Look at this.

I ordered this delicacy from Gourmet Restaurant.

How is it?

All the famous delicacies of Nanzhou

are on this table.

I'm so good at arranging celebrations like this,

aren't I?

Of course. You did a great job.

May I know what are we celebrating?

I've thought about it.

Miss Xijun is leaving soon,

so I bet this is a farewell meal.

Why did you call it a celebration?

Who told you Miss Xijun is leaving?

This celebration is specially

held for Miss Xijun.

Su Wuming.

You...

What?

You object to

me becoming Xijun's sworn brother?

When did that happen?

In just one day,

you found clues

for two long-pending cases.

Everyone working for you

is so impressed and excited

that they've been focusing all their attention on the cases.

No wonder you haven't heard of this great news.

Come on, Minister Lu.

Raise your glass.

Let's propose a toast to Commander Su and Miss Xijun.

Congratulations.

Congratulations.

Lu Lingfeng.

Why are you sitting still?

Devious.

Who are you referring to?

Ask Commander Su.

He knows the answer.

Miss Xijun is the daughter of Assistant Minister Pei,

who is in charge of

the Ministry of Personnel Administration.

It's very likely

that he'll become the Prime Minister in the future.

Su Wuming,

by becoming Xijun's sworn brother,

you're actually

paving the way for your career.

So that's what it is.

I never knew you were so scheming.

You successfully fooled me.

I thought

you're doing this for Lu Lingfeng.

-You get him wrong. -Xijun.

Lu Lingfeng.

Every man has ambitions.

Even if I truly mean to ride on

the coattails of Assistant Minister Pei,

what's wrong with that?

Su Wuming.

Do you mean it?

See?

You don't believe it yourself.

Wait a second.

I'm not following you.

What are you talking about?

I'm so confused.

Su Wuming.

I'm grateful for all your efforts,

but you're just

making things harder for me.

How does my having a sworn brother

make things harder for you?

Prefectural Governor Xiong,

I and my brother

invited you today

to be our witness.

Master Fed prepared

so many delicacies for us.

Let's start eating.

You're right.

Let's start eating.

Yeah.

I can't wait.

Minister Lu, let's drink.

We have two things to celebrate today.

Two things?

What's the other thing?

Minister Lu has accepted me as his disciple.

He'll teach me martial arts.

Last night, he gave me an amazing sword.

Lu Lingfeng.

You have a disciple

at such a young age?

That's very meaningful.

Why didn't you tell us?

Yes.

I took Xue Huan as my disciple.

As you can see, Mr. Xiong,

there's only a handful of people

living in this humble place,

but we have two pieces of great news today.

How wonderful!

Lu Lingfeng.

Now you can lift your glass, right?

Yeah. That's right.

Prefectural Governor Xiong,

you're the witness to this memorable moment

for me and my disciple Xue Huan.

My honor.

Congratulations!

Let's drink!

I didn't know tea was so prevalent in Nanzhou.

Everyone from commoners to officials

is enjoying it.

Yeah.

Nanzhou is abundant in tea.

Zhong Boqi, one of Nanzhou Four Scholars,

is famous for his mastery in tea ceremony.

From planting tea, picking tea, making tea,

to the water used to brew tea,

the cup used to contain tea,

all these

etiquettes and rules

were set by Zhong Boqi.

By the way,

I've heard that Chang'an black tea

is very famous in the capital.

Yeah.

It is very famous.

Prefectural governor!

Prefectural governor!

Prefectural governor,

a letter from Zhong Boqi arrived just now,

saying that Lu Gongfu, the Master of Guqin,

succumbed to illness last night.

The mourning hall is set

in his hut in the suburbs.

When do you plan

to extend you condolences?

Lu Gongfu?

[Thank you for coming on such short notice.]

I'm Ouyang Quan.

Greetings, officers.

You came to offer your condolences too?

Why didn't you go inside?

I'm a merchant.

I don't want to disturb the peace of the respectful scholar.

I'm taking my leave.

Lu Gongfu died of illness.

Ouyang Quan must

be as sad as

as Zhong and Leng.

What do you mean by that, sir?

The painting of the Stone Bridge he owns

becomes worthless now.

Worthless?

[Memorial Tablet for Lu Gongfu, the Master of Guqin, one of Nanzhou Four Scholars]

Thank you for coming.

How did this happen?

After Yuanfu died,

Gongfu wouldn't eat or drink.

He was overwhelmed by grief.

On the day of Yuanfu's funeral,

when playing the Guqin in front of Yuanfu's grave,

he actually broke the strings of that ancient Guqin.

Everyone could see

that he was grief-stricken.

Last night, he fell ill all of a sudden

and died very soon.

He's gone with that broken Guqin.

What illness took his life?

Chest pain.

Gongfu died of heartache.

Gongfu.

Yuanfu.

You were so cruel.

How could you leave me and Boqi

alone in this world?

Do you know anyone

who may harbor resentment against Lu Gongfu?

Who are you?

What do you mean?

I'm Lu Lingfeng, the acting Minister of Justice.

I suggest

that we open the coffin for an autopsy.

Open the coffin?

No way!

Gongfu just drew his last breath.

He'd rather be left in peace!

I saw Lu Gongfu a few days ago.

I heard him playing the Guqin.

Judging from his music,

I don't think he suffered from any old illness.

His sudden death

doesn't make any sense.

Do you mean

Gongfu was murdered?

Leng Ji,

you call yourself a well-educated scholar,

but I only see impertinence

in your behavior.

Besides, there're other exalted officials here

in the mourning hall.

You can't threaten me with that.

I won't flinch even the Prime Minister is here!

Listen carefully,

Gongfu died

because he was heartbroken

after Yuanfu's death.

That's the truth.

You don't understand

the friendship we shared.

You shouldn't be surprised

even if I and Boqi

died with them.

Leng Ji.

Calm down.

Calm down.

So you won't let me

perform the autopsy?

To do that,

you'll have to

kill me first.

As you wish.

Minister Lu.

Take it easy.

Minister Lu,

Nanzhou Four Scholars

are as highly esteemed in Nanzhou as officials like me.

Yeah.

Don't push them so hard.

Lu Lingfeng is the acting Minister of Justice,

conducting local criminal investigations.

Lu Gongfu died so sudden a death.

It's his job

to carry out an autopsy.

His request is justifiable.

You...

Mr. Leng is overcome with grief

after Lu Gongfu's death.

It's indeed too much for you

that Minister Lu asked to do the autopsy right now.

I understand you, but…

Who are you?

The new Military Commander of Nanzhou.

We met him

on Yuanfu's funeral.

There's nothing you can do here.

Leave please.

Gongfu,

you should've taken me with you.

Well...

My condolences.

We'll leave now.

I'll leave too.

That Minister Lu thought

the death of Gongfu is suspicious.

Ji,

do you really think he was just making a fuss?

Minister Lu,

before you asked

to do the autopsy,

You...

You should've discussed it with me.

Yes.

You took me unawares.

I didn't know what to say.

There are no fixed rules

in investigations.

You...

You can't just ask that

without any good reason!

I believe Minister Lu has a good reason

for asking that.

Right?

Nonetheless, you were still at fault

in not letting the prefectural governor

and the administrator know your doubts.

Yeah.

Otherwise,

how can they trust you in further investigations?

Fine.

Gentlemen,

did you see

Lu Gongfu's Guqin just now?

It's an antique from the Three Kingdoms Period.

It's priceless.

Even if its strings are broken,

we should be able to see its intact wooden plank.

Ji,

I somehow have the feeling

that something is missing in this room.

Missing?

What's missing?

I can't find the Guqin

Gongfu used to play.

Well…

Ji,

you're the first

to find Gongfu deceased.

Are you

holding out on me?

I...

You do have an eye for good stuff.

Sir,

this is the shoe that Confucius

once wore when traveling around different countries.

But as far as I know,

the armory in Luoyang once caught on fire in the West Jin Dynasty.

The shoe

Confucius once wore,

together with the sword that Emperor Gaozu of Han

used to slash the serpent before the uprising,

were both consumed by the fire.

It's recorded clearly

in history.

You think I'll pay you

for this counterfeit?

Are you taking as a fool?

Get out!

Go!

Only morons believe they can sell

counterfeits to Treasure House.

My master

is an expert.

He has never made a slip for decades.

Let's go.

The whole Nanzhou knows I, Lu Li, am rich.

But they don't know

that I travelled all the way here from Chang'an

merely for the other half of a treasure.

Now I've gained the first half,

all I need is the painting of the Stone Bridge.

Well…

I should not ask about it but…

That Guqin...

You know you shouldn't ask about it,

but you asked anyway?

Master,

you've been in Nanzhou for four or five years.

That's a long time.

That Ouyang Quan

is so tough and stubborn.

You visited him so many times.

The price you offered him

made me shudder.

But he still wouldn't sell

the painting of the Stone Bridge to you.

That painting will be mine sooner or later.

It won't take long.

I'll never

visit him or beg him

to sell me that painting again.

He will come to me

and offer me that painting willingly.

How...

I finally found you.

Ouyang Quan came again.

How are you today?

It's an effort for me to find you.

Scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants.

You are in the lowest class of the four classes.

Why are you, a merchant, so hellbent on

seeking the company of the four of us?

Please accept me.

Make me the fifth scholar.

If you agree,

I'll offer you free booze

until the end of your lives.

No one in Nanzhou

can hold his liquor as well as I can.

I think I should be

the reincarnation of

Liu Ling, the one known for drinking in the Seven Sages of Bamboo Grove.

Liu Ling was a sage enjoying drinking.

But you

are merely a drunkard.

Who are you to laugh at me?

Mr. Lu,

you are a kind man.

Please,

say something for me.

What do you expect me to say?

Who's it?

Master, it's me.

A man who introduced himself as the new

acting Minister of Justice

came to Gourmet Restaurant.

He wants to have a drink with you.

Send him away.

What?

I'm not high-ranking enough to drink with him?

No. That's not the case.

My master is very hospitable.

I'll treat you to a good meal

on his behalf.

Alright.

Bring me some good booze.

Sure.

What are you doing, Headman Xie?

I'm filling your glass.

Who told you we're here for drinking?

Have we made any progress on the case?

[Headman Xie, a Constable of Nanzhou]

Didn't you just

ask for booze?

Ouyang Quan will pay the bill.

We can't leave without hurting his pocket.

Have you forgotten

the old alcoholic in the Commander's residence?

The booze is for him.

You have objections?

He has not.

[Headman Huang, a Constable of Nanzhou]

You're right.

We haven't caught the criminal yet.

How can we drink?

Come on, Xie.

Let's replace alcohol with tea

and propose a toast to Minister Lu.

Headman Huang.

Are we here to eat and drink?

Well…

We came here

to meet Ouyang Quan.

Since he's not coming,

we can only "have" him

in our place.

You two do it now.

Yes.

Yes.

Wait.

Call a waiter for me

to send the dishes

back to the Commander's residence.

Look!

We just had a feast at noon,

and they sent us another tableful of dishes at night.

If I had known

I could be well fed at this age,

I wouldn't have tried to kill myself

when I was young.

Well,

Lu Lingfeng said

he's not coming back for dinner.

Let's eat.

Looks like you

have a lot of stories to tell.

Tell us when we have the chance.

This, this wine is good.

Let's drink.

The wine, we have to leave aside.

Tonight,

I may need your help

with something.

What is it? Name it.

This is as far as I can tell you.

After dinner, go to bed early.

I'll call you when I need you.

You...

Move.

What are you...

What...

Get in.

This...

What are you...

What do you want?

You are here.

Have a seat.

Sit down.

Greetings, Minister Lu.

I'm just an acting minister.

I came from Chang'an.

When I first arrived in Nanzhou,

I had a drink in your restaurant.

That's right, right.

Yan Yuanfu's funeral

took place on that day.

Since I'm new here,

many things I can only inquire secretly.

I've heard that the Nanzhou Four Scholars

enjoy a high reputation.

Many people want to join their group

and become the fifth scholar.

The most desperate one among them

is you, Mr. Ouyang.

But they thought highly of themselves,

and turned their nose up at everyone.

So, it's natural

you held a grudge against them.

I...

I didn't!

But the day before yesterday, you went to Lu Gongfu

and tried to replace Yan Yuanfu

to become the new member of the Nanzhou Four Scholars.

But you were kicked out of his house

by him.

Is that true?

How did you know?

It was a child cowherd

who told me.

I saw him

going through there.

You mean there?

Get lost.

Mr. Lu.

Get out! Get out!

-Mr. Lu. Mr. Lu. -Get out!

-Mr. Lu. -Let me tell you!

None of the Nanzhou Four Scholars is replaceable.

Stop dreaming.

Lu...

I didn't want anyone

to know such an embarrassing thing about me.

But I didn't expect Your Honor to be so perceptive...

Cut the flattering.

Because of this, you held a grudge against him

and you killed him, right?

When did you do it?

What weapon did you use?

Say it!

No, no!

I didn't kill anyone.

Mr. Lu died last night.

But I was at home at that time.

If you don't believe me,

you can ask the people in my house.

They can all testify for me.

Your Honor,

have you found it out?

Yes.

You were home all night.

Then please let me out of prison.

When did I put you in prison?

I wanted

to ask you these at dinner tonight

to rule you out.

But you didn't come,

so I invited you here.

It's my fault.

All right. You can leave now.

Next time, if I want to question you…

I'll come to you immediately.

I won't hesitate a bit.

Keep an eye on him.

What's the use of keeping an eye on him?

He's definitely not the murderer.

I never suspected him at the first place.

But I have my reason for you to watch him.

No negligence.

Otherwise,

I'll punish you.

Yes, yes.

By the way,

there was another person who wanted to be their disciple

but was humiliated in public.

What is his name again?

Lin Bao.

Have you found him?

Not yet.

But that person is very suspicious.

On the day of Yan Yuanfu's funeral,

someone heard him say something.

Lu Gongfu,

it's fine you wouldn't teach me

but you humiliated me.

Wait and see.

I, Lin Bao,

will take revenge on you.

I sent someone to Lin Bao's house,

but he wasn't there.

He seemed to be hiding.

But he has a lover.

The top girl of the Zixia Building.

I've sent guards

to surround the brothel.

How can you catch him that way?

Tell them to leave! Now!

Yes.

Brother?

What's up?

Come on in.

No need.

I need a hand tonight.

I wonder

if you can help me?

Sure.

Brother.

Go back and rest now.

I can't.

I can't leave Gongfu here

alone.

I am here.

Before we bury him,

you and I

can't fall apart.

How about this?

Tonight, I'll stay here for his wake.

You go back and rest.

Tomorrow night, you'll stay here for him.

Okay.

I hope he won't blame me.

Be careful.

Are you alright?

They left.

It's our turn now.

This is so fun.

Wait, Master Fed.

Let me give your make-up a final touch.

Okay.

Lu Gongfu.

Come with us.

Who's there?

Am I hallucinating?

Lu Gongfu.

Come with us.

Lu Gongfu.

Come with us.

Are you humans or ghosts?

Stop! Don't come over!

Under the order of the King of Hell,

tonight, we're here

for Lu Gongfu's three souls and six senses.

Now we have the souls and senses.

We will take our leave.

You two evil spirits!

Give me back my brother's souls!

Stop!

Sir, please come again.

Of course, sweetheart.

Go back quickly.

Young Master.

Mama.

What took you so long?

Girls, come out.

We have guests here. Hurry up.

Alright, beauty.

Come to me.

Okay, come here.

This one is good.

Come, come.

Alright, alright.

Have a seat inside.

Come in.

Aman.

Aman.

Leave Nanzhou with me now.

Come. Get up.

Lin Bao!

Surrender now!

Who do you work for?

Everyone!

Whose child are you?

Stop messing around and go home.

I'm not a child.

I'm here to arrest you under my teacher's order.

How?

Your knife doesn't have a cutting edge.

Stop!

I've checked

the whole Zixia Building.

There are no officers.

You're just a kid.

Get lost if you want to live.

Don't ruin my business.

Fine.

Let me tell you.

Your knife has no cutting edge,

but my dagger has.

I have killed someone.

I am here just to catch you,

murderer!

Thank you for saving my life.

How should I repay you?

Give me your head

as a thank you.

Hero.

Don't be afraid.

Not here.

If I cut your head off right here,

no one will pay me.

No, hero.

Let's go.

Hero!

Stop!

Stop!

Stop!

Freeze!

Freeze! Stay where you are!

After him!

Teacher!

He is Lin Bao!

I know.

I've been watching him.

Why couldn't you catch him in the room?

My knife!

My knife is still a piece of scrap metal.

To catch a Guqin Player,

one bamboo stick is enough.

Take it.

I will watch you catch the thief.

Yes.

Attack him!

Check him out.

I told you.

He has some martial arts skills.

He sprained his ankle.

Attack him below his waist.

Yes.

Remove his knife.

Teacher.

I caught him.

Stop!

Freeze!

Let's see where you can run!

[Nanzhou Prison]

Let go of me!

Why did you arrest me!

I really didn't kill anyone!

You admitted it yourself in Zixia Building.

You said you had killed someone!

No.

I didn't.

That's...

I was just trying

to scare you.

It's not easy

to have you, a Guqin Player, here.

Let him taste

all the punishments here.

Otherwise,

it's not worthy of his hard resistance.

I, I'll confess.

That day,

I failed to become his disciple,

and was humiliated.

So I wanted

to take revenge on Lu Gongfu.

He didn't want to teach you so you killed him.

Your name

tomorrow will fill

the entire Nanzhou.

Minister Lu,

without an autopsy,

you could confirm that it is a homicide

and arrest

the murderer.

I admire you so much.

If the prefectural governor gets the news,

he'll reward you handsomely.

Do you think I did it for the reward?

Well...

Lin Bao.

Where's the Guqin?

What, what Guqin?

Cut to the chase.

Of course it's the one from the Three Kingdoms Period

in Lu Gongfu's room.

I don't know!

You're a Guqin Player.

You killed Lu Gongfu,

but you left his Guqin aside?

I really didn't steal it!

I...

I even regretted it.

Guqin.

Guqin!

I was too scared,

so I didn't dare to go back.

You're lying.

If you didn't steal it,

then why is the Guqin gone?

But I really didn't steal it!

Your Honor!

Looks like you won't confess

without torture.

I'll leave him to you.

Until he confesses

where he hid the Guqin.

Yes.

Your Honor,

I really didn't take that Guqin.

Your Honor!

Your Honor!

I really didn't take it.

Let go of me!

Your Honor.

Headman Huang,

did we also catch another man?

He was a hitman, hired

by someone.

Please, don't torture me.

My name is Tu Yanpi.

I was hired by Zhong Boqi and Leng Ji.

They hired me to catch Lin Bao,

and find out

the fact that he killed Lu Gongfu.

At midnight in five days,

if I can bring him

to Lu Gongfu's mourning hall

and to them,

they will pay me 4,000 coins.

Zhong Boqi, and Leng Ji.

I thought you refused to open the coffin

because

you were worried about disrespecting the dead.

I didn't expect

you to try to cover up the truth, avoid the government,

and hire people to commit murder.

How dare them!

Then why does it have to be five days later?

Because they want to,

the night before the funeral,

in front of his coffin,

kill Lin Bao themselves.

These gentries' minds

are really twisted.

How can they call themselves gentries

after they did something like this.

Arrest them!

You got up so early, brother.

So did you, my sister.

You were up all night, too?

How did you know

I stayed up all night?

Lu Lingfeng just assumed his office,

and he hasn't returned for the night.

I was worried about him too.

I wasn't worried about him.

It's just that Xue Huan

hasn't come back yet.

He's still young.

How am I not worried about him?

Don't laugh at me, brother.

How dare I laugh at you?

Thank you for your help last night.

To express my gratitude,

I'll take you to visit

Ouyang Quan

to see the painting of the Stone Bridge he collected.

Great!

You are all here.

Why didn't you invite me?

I'm the God of Wine, Ouyang Quan.

Ouyang Quan!

Give me back my life!

It is you, a drunkard merchant,

who killed my two brothers.

I will kill you!

No.

My lord, you had a nightmare again?

Nonsense.

I didn't dream at all.

Why are you here?

Commander Su is here to visit.

Commander?

How many guards did he bring with him?

No one.

Only one person.

And it is a woman.

It is really an honor

to have you, Commander Su,

in my humble house.

Mr. Ouyang,

are we

being abrupt?

It's my honor to have you here.

Not abrupt at all!

OK.

This is my sworn sister, Xijun.

Nice to meet you.

I'm sorry to bother you.

The reason I am here with my sister

is that we want to appreciate

one of your collection, the painting of the Stone Bridge.

Why? We came at a bad time?

Unfortunately,

I just sold that painting

yesterday.

Sold?

May I ask who you sold it to?

I sold it to a Persian merchant

who is going to Luoyang via Nanzhou.

♫The storm rises with no reason♫

♫In the night of illusions♫

♫I go into the maze♫

♫In a world of prosperity♫

♫A heart burns with obsession♫

♫With the darkness rising♫

♫I can't stop wandering through the night♫

♫With light in my heart, I'm not afraid of the storm♫

♫It's because of justice♫

♫That I seek a truth for this long, lonely night♫

♫The heaven and earth are held together by a strong will♫

♫The people are in peace♫

♫Carving right and wrong into a clear heart♫

♫The truth♫

♫Will reinterpret this justice♫

♫Even if there is a fog♫

♫Even if there are invisible waves♫

♫I'll tell the story of the fate♫

♫Tell the love of the world♫

♫For the memory of grace♫

♫And the resentment is not yet over♫

♫The rivers and mountains are immortal, the clouds are overturned♫

♫To be consoled by the truth, even with thorns on my back♫

♫Only for justice♫

♫That I seek a truth for this long, lonely night♫

♫The heaven and earth are held together by a strong will♫

♫The people are in peace♫

♫Carving right and wrong into a clear heart♫

♫The truth♫

♫Will reinterpret this justice♫

♫Even if there are a thousand sails, it's not a waste of time♫

♫What I am afraid of is the unrighted wrong♫

♫What is the meaning of life and death?♫

♫I'll paint the sunshine into the landscape♫

♫The spirit of righteousness♫

♫Exists for the one I care♫