Original subtitles

[Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty]

[Episode 22]

[Official Letter]

Su,

you're still a Military Commander after going to Ninghu,

but that's a prosperous place

located south of Chang Jiang River.

It's in Zhongzhou.

You're actually promoted.

Prefectural Governor Xiong,

it hasn't been long

since I came to Nanzhou.

How come I got a promotion so soon?

It makes sense.

Commander Su,

you deserve the promotion.

During the days you've been in Nanzhou,

you've worked very hard

and made sure everything was well-organized.

You're making me ashamed as an Administrator in comparison with you.

Most importantly,

you have someone powerful to back you up.

When you become successful,

don't forget to

put in a good word for me and Administrator Luo.

What?

Lu Lingfeng was impeached and dismissed,

but Su Wuming got a promotion?

Lu, you're back!

You cracked a big case in Ju County.

You were supposed to be rewarded,

but out of our expectations…

You were impeached.

Prefectural Governor Xiong and I

had nothing to do with it.

You mean

someone used me as a stepping stone

to get promoted?

It can't be.

When I was expelled from the capital,

it was Commander Su who took me in.

Impeaching me

would do him no good.

Of course it wasn't Commander Su.

Su,

can I tell him the truth?

Sure.

Lu,

a few days ago,

the court sent

an Imperial Inspector to Nanzhou.

An Imperial Inspector?

Is he working for Her Highness?

I see.

During the months I spent in Ju County,

I missed the liquor and delicacies

of Gourmet Restaurant very much.

Prefectural Governor Xiong, Administrator Luo,

can I have the honor

of treating you to a meal?

A free meal?

Count me in!

Fed.

Lu Lingfeng,

have you taken me as your friend or not?

You left Ju County without telling me.

Fed,

I saw you busy helping

people with headaches in Ju County.

I didn't want to disturb you.

Why did you...

I have disciples now.

Besides Zhai Liang,

I have another four doctors

as my disciples.

I've told them the prescription

and the acupuncture method.

I'm sure they can

cure those with headaches in Ju County.

In my opinion,

we should have a celebration.

It is for Lu Lingfeng who cracked the tricky case,

and for Chicken Fed

who helped so many patients.

Yeah.

Let's invite Headman Huang, Headman Xie,

Ouyang Quan, and the poet, Leng Ji too.

All our friends should come.

Let's go on a spree!

Great!

We'll all drink our fill tonight.

Tonight,

Prefectural Governor Xiong,

Administrator Luo,

Ouyang Quan,

and Leng Qi

were all drunk.

Headman Huang and Headman Xie

were so happy.

They never had the chance

to drink with the Prefectural Governor before.

They thanked me again and again.

Su Wuming,

I want to say thank you.

When I was in Ju County,

the three old books you lent me

came in handy.

I wasn't impressed when I read them for the first time,

but I benefited a lot from them later.

They are indeed some amazing books.

Lu Lingfeng,

you're not an ordinary man.

What do you mean?

For most people,

if they offend Her Highness,

they will be in His Highness's graces.

If they offend His Highness,

they will be thought highly of by Her Highness.

But you,

you was expelled from Chang'an by His Highness

and then dismissed by Her Highness.

I never knew anyone like you.

Not a single one.

What's the point of saying

those useless words?

You drank a lot tonight,

you were so high-spirited.

I wonder

if you really

don't give a damn about being dismissed.

It doesn't matter

whether I give it a damn or not.

Let's talk about you.

It's Her Highness's order

to transfer you to Ninghu, right?

I've underestimated you.

I thought

you would live an idyllic life

and be a carefree man in Nanzhou.

I didn't expect

you to work so hard

that the Prefectural Governor and the Administrator

were left with nothing to do.

No wonder you gained favor of Her Highness.

Fine.

It was Her Highness who promoted me.

Happy now?

Tell me,

Lu Lingfeng,

what's your plan for the future?

How about

going to Ninghu with me

and being

my personal staff again?

I feel at ease

with you by my side.

What you said

is not what I want.

From now on,

I'll live a free and easy life.

Free and easy!

Did Su Wuming you to persuade me?

I'm not here to persuade you.

I'm here to tell you

I'm willing to go anywhere with you.

What did you say?

Pei Xijun

is willing to

wander around the world

with Lu Lingfeng.

I'll follow you to anywhere

no matter what happens.

Excuse me?

I sent you to persuade Lu Lingfeng

to go to Ninghu with me,

but you told him

you would join him wandering around instead?

Xijun, my sister,

are you sure of it?

Yes.

Please let me go with him.

But if one day

your father asks me about you,

what should I say?

Just tell him

that I've left to travel around the world with Lu Lingfeng.

Tell him there's no need to worry.

That day in Chang'an,

I pointed out that the man you fell in love with

is Lu Lingfeng.

But I've never imagined

things would end up like this.

He was born

in a prestigious family.

You're the daughter of a high-ranking official.

Are you two really going

to be wanderers?

Maybe

that is the best destination for us.

Never mind.

I wish you

all the best.

Thank you, brother.

No matter how far I go,

I will never forget you.

No matter where you work in the future,

I will go visit you.

Brother,

please take care of Xuan Huan.

Don't worry.

Sir, Miss,

Mr. Lu is not in his room.

His sword, spear,

and those three old books

are all gone.

Jerk.

He left without me!

Lu Lingfeng did

the right thing.

Brother,

are you taking his side?

The path he chose is dangerous.

He doesn't want you

to suffer with him.

Lu Lingfeng.

Xijun, stop crying.

His choice proves

that he's a mature man now,

that he is able

to control his emotions.

You should be happy for him.

I believe

he won't give up on himself.

Soon,

we'll meet him again

out there somewhere.

Sir,

did you mean that

Mr. Lu will come back?

All right.

Stop asking questions.

Go wake Fed up.

We should set off now.

Okay.

He's long fallen in love with you.

Don't worry.

You'll see him very soon.

Well,

I want to take this opportunity

to let Prefectural Governor Xiong

have you escorted back to Chang'an.

The Imperial Inspector

from the capital

brought a message from your father.

He misses you.

I miss my father too,

but I'll stick with you!

Why?

Lu Lingfeng was expelled from Chang'an.

If I go back,

I may never

be able to meet him again.

But if I stay with you,

once he changes his mind,

he can come to find us in Ninghu.

Okay.

With you traveling with me,

the journey to Ninghu

won't be too boring.

Although I don't like

the Prefectural Governor of Ninghu,

it's said that Ninghu

is a very beautiful place.

You know

Prefectural Governor Li of Ninghu?

Why do you dislike him?

Forget it.

He has nothing to do with me.

Fed disappeared too.

Has he gone traveling around the world

with master?

That's impossible.

Chicken Fed must have

heard of the good wine in Ninghu,

and set off before us.

I'm sure of it.

[The suburb of Ninghu]

We'll arrive in Ninghu in no time

but it suddenly started raining cats and dos.

We are so unlucky.

Be careful not to slip and fall.

Yeah.

It's too slippery.

What's that?

Nothing.

Maybe

it's the monster

in the stories I told you just now.

Brother, don't scare me.

Sir,

tell us more stories.

I love

scary stories.

The ancients said that when crossing rivers and lakes,

one must not leave his or her blood on the bushes.

Otherwise,

once it's licked by the Tuo living in the water,

one will be possessed

by the soul of the Tuo,

and he or she will be doomed.

Tuo?

What's that?

Tuo

means alligator.

According to historical records,

Ninghu was once called Tuozhou, a place of crocodiles.

I guess

there are many alligators here.

Brother, look.

There is a big temple ahead.

Great!

Let's take shelter there tonight.

We'll enter the city tomorrow.

Let's go.

Xue Huan.

Let them go.

We're close to the lake.

The horses might

have sensed something big in the lake.

After the rain stops tomorrow,

they will come back.

What is it?

I don't know.

Will it hurt us?

We'll be safe in the temple.

Let's go.

Miss.

Don't be afraid.

Brother, you are knowledgeable.

Do you know

which god is under the red cloth?

I was in a hurry to take shelter

and didn't notice the name of the temple.

This statue is weird.

I can't tell what god it is either.

This place

is hair-raising.

Let's go somewhere else.

Our horses ran away in fear.

We can't go anywhere.

We have to stay here

and wait for dawn.

Hurry! Hurry up!

Mr. Lu,

what if someone is in the temple?

Those worshipping the evil god

must not be someone kind.

Kill whoever there may be.

Yes.

Xue Huan!

We don't know who's coming.

We should better hide ourselves.

This way.

Hurry up.

There's no one in the temple.

Good.

[Lu Yong, member of Ninghu Chamber of Commerce]

Burn it!

Burn down the Temple of Tuo God.

Sure enough, you're the people from the Chamber of Commerce.

Lu Yong.

You broke into the Temple of Tuo God at night,

[Shen Chong, Chief of the Worshippers of Tuo God]

and attempted to set it on fire.

Do you know how audacious you are?

Shen Chong,

who are you to judge me?

I'll kill you tonight!

Mr. Lu,

we are outnumbered.

Go!

Retreat!

Hurry!

Go after them!

Chief Shen, please spare me.

I'm sorry.

Please spare my life.

What about you?

You Worshippers of Tuo God did all kinds of evil deeds.

The Temple of Tuo God should be burned to ashes!

You left me no choice then.

Tie them up!

Throw them into the lake.

Feed them to the crocodiles!

Spare me!

Chief Shen, spare me!

Please spare me!

Chief Shen!

Please spare me.

Chief Shen, there seems to be someone else in the temple.

It must be Lu Yong's accomplices

who plan to burn the temple after we leave.

Leave no one alive.

Yes.

Who's making all this noise?

Chief Shen,

we must have displeased

Tuo God.

That voice...

Tuo God,

forgive us for disturbing you.

Tuo God,

I've driven away those

who intended to destroy the temple.

Good.

It's a stormy night. I should rest earlier.

You may

take your leave.

What's detaining you?

Sorry.

My apologies.

We're leaving now.

Hurry. Let's go.

Go. Go.

[Temple of Tuo God]

Tuo God?

The god of alligators?

Why does anyone worship that?

Miss.

Who are you?

Who are you?

You're good at hocus-pocus.

Watch your mouth!

How dare you to be so rude to him?

Look at you.

You are just a boy but are brandishing a sword.

I don't think you three

are thieves.

Who are you calling a thief?

-My master is... -Xue Huan.

Miss,

I think you are hiding from

one of the two groups.

They won't be back for the time being.

It's safe for you to go out now.

I know that.

I don't need you to tell me.

How rude.

She's more like a thief.

Alright.

Let's go.

We were in the rain for nights entering the city.

Xue Huan, you must be tired.

Let me carry it for you.

No way.

You are the new Military Commander.

How can you carry it yourself?

Why not?

Take it.

Hurry up.

Tuo God is here.

Tuo God!

Hurry up.

Have a look at Tuo God.

Tuo God is here.

Let's go.

Tuo God is here.

Tuo God!

Get out of the way!

Move! Move!

God bless us! God bless us!

God bless us!

God bless us!

God bless us!

God bless us!

God bless us!

God bless us!

God bless us!

Who are you? Why didn't you kneel?

This is the new Military Commander, Commander Su.

Can the new Military Commander

avoid from kneeling?

Not to mention a Military Commander,

even if the Prefectural Governor meets Tuo God,

he still needs to kneel.

Yes.

That's right.

A Military Commander is nothing.

If you offend Tuo God,

the people will suffer.

Kneel down.

Kneel!

-Yes. -You…

Kneel down.

Xue Huan.

You can't offend Tuo God.

You can't offend the mighty Tuo God.

Kneel down.

Brother.

This place is weird.

We can't afford to suffer losses now.

He doesn't look like a Military Commander,

but a teacher instead.

Look.

He's carrying his own bag.

What are you looking at?

Kneel!

Chief Shen.

Please calm down.

Greetings, Administrator Gu.

Minister Zeng is also here.

Greetings, Chief Shen.

[Gu Wenbin, Administrator of Ninghu]

[Zeng Sanyi, Minister of Warehouse]

Chief Shen.

Commander Su has just arrived at Ninghu.

He must not know the customs.

When he gets familiar with it,

he will worship Tuo God.

As for today,

do you mind excusing him?

I wonder if Chief Shen would

agree to my humble request.

How to excuse him?

Commander,

just simply do a pose.

Don't do that again.

Let's go.

Take care, Chief Shen.

Let's go.

Let's go.

Administrator of Ninghu, Gu Wenbin.

This is the Minister of Warehouse of Zhongzhou,

Zeng Sanyi.

Greetings, Administrator Gu,

Minister Zeng.

Thank you

just now.

Commander was transferred

all the way from Nanzhou.

It must've been a tough journey.

Please settle down first.

I'll hold a banquet tonight

to welcome you.

I should meet the Prefectural Governor immediately.

Fine.

I'll take you there.

I'll take my leave then.

The chief of the Worshippers of Tuo God, Shen Chong

might seem a bit domineering,

but he has done a lot of things

for this city.

Take taxes as an example.

During the collection period every year,

there's no need to send anyone to urge the people to pay.

The Worshippers of Tuo God will help to collect the taxes

from the merchants and the people.

No one dares to deny.

Therefore, every former Prefectural Governor

respected the Worshippers of Tuo God.

Besides,

Tuo God can bless the weather in Ninghu,

and make our city prosperous.

That's all thanks to Tuo God.

[Bishui Pavilion]

This mansion

was built by the Worshippers of Tuo God many years ago,

and was gifted to the government.

Later, it became the shelter

for every Prefectural Governor.

Please.

He's Li Si.

He's a mute.

I once suggested the Prefectural Governor

to hire someone who can speak to serve him.

But he has a strong bond with his old servant.

He refused to change.

Li Si.

Come here.

Let me ask you.

Is the Prefectural Governor here?

The Prefectural Governor is inside the house?

[Li Si, old servant of the Prefectural Governor]

Go knock on the door.

Tell him that the new Military Commander is here.

Hurry up.

The Prefectural Governor lives here

to focus on the public affair.

He never asked anyone to disturb him.

Even for his meals,

he just asked Li Si to place them on the window.

Prefectural Governor!

Prefectural Governor Li!

Quick! Break the door down.

Minister He,

this is the new Military Commander, Commander Su.

The murder of Prefectural Governor Li is a serious case.

Commander Su is an expert in solving cases.

[He Xi, Minister of Justice of Ninghu]

You may request him for guidance.

Commander just arrived today.

Go back and take a rest first.

I'll report to you

if there's any progress of the case.

Minister He.

[Commander's Residence]

Sir,

the Commander's residence here

is not as big as the one in Nanzhou.

It is fine as long as we can stay.

Brother, you are back.

The yard is not big, but it's clean.

Thank you.

Why are you so upset?

I wanted to meet the Prefectural Governor.

But...

He avoided you?

This Li Yu is too arrogant.

He's dead.

What?

Is this the Commander's residence?

Fed,

you really came to Ninghu first.

How is it? Is it fun?

No. No.

Ninghu is not fun at all.

Why?

You didn't find any famous wine?

I did.

The famous Tuo God Wine,

but there's no way for me to drink it.

There is a wine that you can't drink?

Why? Did you spend all your money again?

It's not about money at all.

The Tuo God Wine was initially known as the Nantian Wine.

It's the favorite wine

of the people in Ninghu.

No matter it is a wedding banquet or a birthday banquest,

the Nantian Wine will surely be served.

But now,

it's made exclusively by Yaoyue Restaurant,

only for Tuo God.

Tuo God again?

He doesn't even let us drink,

and forced us to kneel.

This Tuo God is so domineering.

Brother,

I feel

that there's something strange going on in this city.

It's not only strange.

It's very creepy and weird.

Miss Yingtao, don't worry.

[Yingtao, daughter of the Prefectural Governor]

For both public and private reasons,

I will do my best to investigate this case.

The Prefectural Governor treated me well when he was still alive.

[Memorial Tablet of Li Yu, Prefectural Governor of Ninghu]

I became the Minister of Justice

because he promoted me.

I want to be alone for a while

Uncle Si!

Su Wuming,

where are we going?

The Yaoyue Restaurant.

I've been there.

They don't sell Tuo God Wine.

I'm the new Military Commander of Ninghu.

Shouldn't they

show me some respect?

Su Wuming.

You're not

someone who likes to drink.

Are you going there

for me?

Yes.

You're not bad.

It's not bad to be your guest.

[Yaoyue Restaurant]

This wine is made

from the water of the Tuo Lake.

At first,

there were 17 restaurants in Ninghu making this wine.

But now,

they are not qualified.

Every month,

we can only produce 30 jars of it.

Stop talking nonsense.

Get a jar

for Commander Su to have a try.

That is not allowed even if the Prefectural Governor is here.

How arrogant you are!

Don't be angry.

It's not impossible to try it.

On the Double Third Festival, 3rd day of March every year,

Tuo God will make his appearance on his birthday.

There will be a God Sighting Ceremony

held on the Island of Tuo God.

The people who go to the island

will have a chance to drink it.

You are the Military Commander, a high-ranking official.

You will definitely be invited to the island.

But Commander wants to drink it now.

No way.

If we offend Tuo God,

it will be terrible.

The people in the city

enjoying the fine wine in the city,

that's nothing wrong.

If the so-called Tuo God tried to have it all to himself,

I'm afraid

he can't be called a god.

Don't talk nonsense!

If the Worshippers of Tuo God heard you,

I'd be implicated.

You guys worship Tuo God so much,

and even have some sort of God Sighting Ceremony.

Let me ask you.

Have you seen Tuo God with your own eyes?

I...

I'm not that lucky.

But my master has seen him before.

Call him here.

Go.

What's so special about seeing Tuo God?

[The owner of Yaoyue Restaurant]

On the Double Third Festival every year,

when I carried the wine to the island,

Tuo God would

show himself of his several feet high body.

He would also talk to the officials

and the people who came to the island.

There has always been this Tuo God in Ninghu?

Of course.

Tuo God is there since the Later Han Dynasty.

But it was 30 years ago that

Tuo God

made his first appearance.

Fine.

Tuo God will make his appearance.

I believe you.

I'll go to

the Temple of Tuo God to burn some incense later, okay?

You're the one who opened the Yaoyue Restaurant.

You must have a way

to let Commander Su

to have a try of that wine.

Commander Su once

worked as an official in the capital.

Money is no big deal.

This is no joke.

If I sell it to you in private,

I'll lose my life.

You are a government official.

The Worshippers of Tuo God is so domineering.

It's intolerable.

After all, this is not about wine.

This is about the dignity of the imperial court,

and the prestige of the government.

I beg you.

Please give me a few more days.

Please.

-You said the business was bad three months ago. -I beg you.

Please.

Not only did I show leniency,

I also lent you money.

Now,

you can't even pay back the money you borrowed.

How can I explain to the Worshippers of Tuo God?

The interest is too high.

What did you say?

I was wrong.

The inn is not doing well recently.

Please give us a few more days.

[Owner of Lin Inn]

I'll pay you back

no matter what it takes.

I think you're disrespecting Tuo God.

No!

Who are you?

No matter who I am,

I can't just stand aside and watch you

bullying the people.

Do you want to fight the Worshippers of Tuo God?

How dare you!

Let me tell you.

This is the new Military Commander of Ninghu,

the famous Su Wuming.

He's new.

We are not clear about his background.

Since Commander has pleaded for him,

I'll give him three more days.

Let's go.

I can't believe

that there is this group of people

who are running amok in this world!

Where is the dignity of Tang?

Commander,

don't talk nonsense in my house.

Tuo God is almighty.

If he heard those words,

I...

I will be implicated.

Look at him.

I told you that he would speak for Tuo God.

I had a nephew from Qiantang.

He moved here and opened a rice store last year.

He was stubborn

and refused to pay money to the Worshippers of Tuo God,

and refused to pay for the donations to the temple.

He didn't listen to me when I scolded him.

In the end,

he lost his life.

Life is at stake.

The country has its laws.

How can the Worshippers of Tuo God decide life and death?

The law?

It is set by people,

and used to restrict people.

But Tuo God is a god.

The temple donations

and the fees to the Worshippers of Tuo God you mentioned earlier,

what are those things?

In Ninghu, as long as you do business,

you're automatically a member of the Worshippers of Tuo God.

You have to pay the fees once a month.

As for the temple donations,

it depends on how much you earn a year.

It will be 30% of the money you've earned.

Isn't this robbing?

Isn't there anyone who tried to rebel?

Rebel?

Well...

Don't you want the weather to be good?

Don't you want to have a good harvest?

We can't do anything against our conscience.

I don't understand.

Why do people in Ninghu

all believe in Tuo God?

In the Later Han Dynasty,

there was a big flood

in Ninghu.

Some people survived the flood,

because they climbed

on the back of a giant alligator.

So since then,

people in Ninghu have been treating it as a god.

No wonder.

So Tuo God

was your life saviour.

Of course.

We can't be ungrateful.

Sir,

have you seen Tuo God?

Yes.

Three years ago,

my business was good that year.

I paid a lot of temple donations.

I didn't expect that during the Double Third Festival,

I was chosen

to go to the island.

The Ninghu officials and I,

along with some common people who were as lucky as I was,

together saw

the real appearance of Tuo God.

I was so excited

that I cried.

Su Wuming.

Why don't we go to the island

to see

Tuo God too?

Do you think you can see him whenever you want?

Apart from the Double Third Festival,

if you go to the island without permission,

you will be thrown into

the Swamp of Alligators.

Swamp of Alligators?

The descendants of Tuo God

are waiting with their heads up in the swamp.

They will only eat those

who disrespect Tuo God and disobey his will.

And so my nephew died in there.

But in Ninghu,

there are also people who disrespect Tuo God.

For example,

Mr. Lu of the Chamber of Commerce.

You are indeed from the Chamber of Commerce.

Lu Yong.

You broke into the temple at night

and attempted to set a fire.

Do you admit your crime?

Lu Yong?

Yes, that's him.

He is flagrantly against the Tuo God.

I think his life

will end soon.

Greetings, Administrator.

Lu Yong,

I don't know you.

Why are you here?

Administrator,

I can only count on you

for this matter.

I got this by chance.

Administrator.

[Records of Worshippers of Tuo God]

Records of Worshippers of Tuo God?

Although there's no author's name,

it records

all the crimes of the Worshippers of Tuo God.

It's not a false statement.

Everything is reasonable and backed by evidence.

I also heard

that you've gathered some people in the Chamber of Commerce

to fight against the Worshippers of Tuo God.

But respecting Tuo God

and supporting the Worshippers of Tuo God

are the traditions of this city for years.

Administrator Gu,

take a good look at this file.

You will then know how many evil things they have done

in the name of Tuo God.

You are an official of our city.

For the people, I would like to ask for your help.

♫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 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♫