Original subtitles

[Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty]

[Episode 25]

Fed!

Rack your brains! Think of some way to defeat that beast!

That drunkard knows nothing.

Tianzhu Incense is its favorite.

The scent of it can quickly lull it to sleep.

Go find it.

Where are we going

to find that thing now?

Tianzhu Incense.

Tianzhu Incense.

We can surely find it near the alligator statue.

I'll go.

Yes!

That's it!

Luckily, you

found the back door of Goodwill House.

That was close.

He Xi.

You've planted a spy in the Worshippers of Tuo God?

Yeah. I've been the Minister of Justice

of Ninghu for years after all.

They planted spies

around you too.

This was found

on the body of Officer Ma.

He'd been reporting everything

to the Worshippers of Tuo God.

What made you suspect him?

Judging from his reaction,

he wasn't

going to get Prefectural Governor Li back,

but was going to kill him.

He was beside me for many years.

Who would have known he was a spy?

I had never suspected him.

It's hair-raising thinking about it.

That Officer Ma ended up

being shot to death by the Worshippers.

It served him right!

Seems that the Worshippers of Tuo God

are determined to kill us.

If that's the case,

Xijun and Xue Huan might be in danger.

Miss!

Xijun!

Xue Huan!

Xue Huan!

Are you okay?

Thank you for saving me.

Is she

the one in the Temple of Tuo God?

It's you.

Her name is Yingtao.

She's Prefectural Governor Li's daughter.

Surprised?

Brother,

General,

may I have a word with you?

Minister He.

Yeah.

Please

keep Miss Yingtao safe.

She can't be

Li Yu's daughter.

Do you have any proof?

I don't need proof.

Three years ago in Chang'an,

I met Li Yu once.

He was in his early thirties.

How's it possible

that he had a daughter this old?

Are you sure the man you met

was Li Yu who was about to take office in Ninghu?

He could be someone else.

My father told me

Li Yu didn't become an official through the imperial exams.

Instead, he was an informal official who bought his post.

An informal official?

You've heard of that before, right?

When Queen Wei was in power,

informal officials came into being.

Anyone could get a government post

as long as they have money.

It resulted in a bunch of useless,

and even corrupt officials.

Li Yu was one of them.

After he became

the prefectural governor of Ninghu,

he came to visit my father to thank him.

It was at that time

that I met Li Yu by chance.

So that girl

isn't the daughter of the prefectural governor.

Su Wuming,

you were fooled by her from the very beginning.

Let me think about it.

Yingtao is Prefectural Governor Li's daughter.

It's ture.

Li Si can prove that.

As Xijun said,

the man called Prefectural Governor Li

is not Li Yu.

He's an imposter.

Su Wuming,

you should take what Xijun said

with a grain of salt.

What if she had a lapse of memory?

Before coming to Ninghu,

Xijun has mentioned that to me already.

Although I don't like

the prefectural governor of Ninghu,

it's said that Ninghu

is a beautiful place.

Do you know

Prefectural Governor Li of Ninghu?

Why do you dislike him?

Forget it.

It has nothing to do with me.

Xijun,

draw a portrait of Li Yu

from your memory now.

Fed.

Knockout

incense.

I forgot that she could use knockout incense.

I should have

tied her up.

Minister He.

You're awake.

I'm so sorry.

As the the Minister of Justice,

I should've been more careful.

There's nothing to be sorry for.

Commander Su and I

were once set up in the same way too.

Minister Lu,

I was dismissive of you

when we met yesterday

because you are Commander Su's personal staff.

But you have saved me many times in Hanshan.

My apologies.

That's not worth mentioning.

Have a look

at this portrait.

Who is this?

Li Yu, the prefectural governor.

This is...

This isn't Prefectural Governor Li.

No wonder Gu Wenbin said

that Prefectural Governor Li had

barely talked with his subordinates

and preferred communicating with them by letters.

Minister He,

are you all right now?

Yeah.

Go to the government office

to check the official certificate and imperial edict

that Prefectural Governor Li brought with him when he took office.

[Imperial Edict]

Yes.

The stamp of the Ministry of Personnel Administration is authentic.

Li Yu's birthplace and parentage

are still the same.

But his age was rewritten.

His age on the imperial edict was rewritten too.

To take office here,

he should have the official certificate with the stamp of the Ministry of Personnel Administration,

and the imperial edict issued by the Imperial Secretariat.

Besides, he should have the right half of the fish tally.

Yingtao's father

successfully took the place of Prefectural Governor Li.

That means he had

the half of the fish tally belongs to Li Yu.

Does that mean that

the real Li Yu is dead?

It's possible to do so?

If I had known this method earlier,

I could have replaced Su Wuming

to be the Military Commander for several days.

Master Fed,

it's not funny.

The dates were rewritten carefully,

but anyone can notice it

after taking a close look.

Why…

He was the prefectural governor.

No one had the guts

to examine and doubt his credentials.

You made a great point, Minister He.

The false Li Yu

took advantage of that.

So now one case

has become two cases?

You are right.

What we are facing now

is much more complicated

than cracking one case.

In my opinion,

we shouldn't

be distracted by the new clue.

Our priority

is still finding Yingtao's father

and getting the Records of Worshippers of Tuo God.

We can then eliminate that evil gang.

To wipe them out,

we must scout their lair first.

But the Island of Tuo God is heavily guarded.

Only their own ships

are allowed

to pull ashore.

Why are you staring at me?

You want me

to swim to that island?

I'm not capable of doing that.

How did you find me?

When you stayed

in He Xi's detective house,

you often came

sitting here and staring into the air.

Your men have been watching me?

No.

I have.

I just want to keep the daughter

of the prefectural governor safe.

The daughter of the prefectural governor?

You know that's not me.

Tell me then.

The prefectural governor is a high-ranking position.

I want to know

what on earth has happened.

Eliminate the Worshippers of Tuo God first.

After that,

I'll tell you everything.

I don't understand.

Why are you so hellbent

on eliminating them?

Because I don't want to let my father down.

He's a good man,

and a good prefectural governor.

Where is Li Yu?

He deserved to die.

Who killed him?

You?

Your father?

Or Li Si?

I won't tell you.

I think

your father will tell me.

You can find my father?

[Grave of Li Si]

Li Si killed himself

in order to cover up for your father.

We can say

that he died for your father.

They cared for each other.

I believe your father

will definitely come to pay his respects.

Dad!

I'm Su Wuming, the new Military Commander of Ninghu.

I've heard a lot about you.

I'm Chu Xiaosheng.

Mr. Chu,

you must have a lot

to tell me.

What about you?

What do you want to say to me?

I want to say,

if I let you go today,

I'm breaking the law.

Su Wuming.

I dare you get in my dad's way!

Behave yourself!

Let me kill him

and take you out of Ninghu.

I've heard about him

many years ago.

He is the disciple of Detective Di,

and is a wise and decent man.

I respect him.

Don't do anything stupid!

Dad.

I came to pay my respects to Li Si

so that I can meet him.

Put away your sword!

Dad,

are you sure you want this?

This is our best chance

to escape.

Escape?

I'm afraid there's no turning back for me now.

Dad!

Back off!

Li Si said

it was him who killed the Chang'an woman

in the coffin.

Chu Si,

you were such a fool.

Even if you said that,

who would've believe you?

His name is Chu Si?

I should have thought of that.

The woman in the coffin

was a singer

Li Yu met in Pingkang Fang in Chang'an.

Although Li Yu was mediocre,

he treated that girl well.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have come all the way to see him.

But she didn't expect

the current prefectural governor of Ninghu

to be someone else.

Yingtao met her too, right?

I killed her.

It has nothing to do with my dad.

I'm a wanderer.

I kill a lot.

Su Wuming,

you've seen it too.

Yingtao,

at this point,

what's the point of you

taking the rap for me?

Dad!

I must kill that woman.

Because if she made a scene,

my identity would be exposed.

My plan of leading troops to the island

to annihilate the Worshippers of Tuo God

would be ruined too.

You planned to lead troops to that island?

Li.

Li.

Li.

After we parted in Chang'an,

I've been missing you day and night.

I finally found you.

Li.

You are...

Li Yu, the prefectural governor.

Li Yu?

You're not Li Yu.

There's a secret passage in the mansion.

I only discovered it recently.

That day, I suddenly found that

the Records of Worshippers of Tuo God

on my bookshelf

was gone.

I asked Chu Si about it.

He said no one came in from outside.

I suspected that there was a secret passage in the room.

I searched for two days

and I finally found it.

I later got to know

that not only my room was broken in,

the whole prefectural governor's mansion

was searched thoroughly.

The Worshippers of Tuo God

seemed to be aware

of my plan against them.

But I was already one of them by then,

and Shen Chong trusted me.

Have you ever told anyone

about writing the Records?

No.

I didn't tell anyone.

Luckily, the two scrolls of Records

I hid in the compartment beneath my desk

were not found by them.

I hid one scroll

in the Temple of Tuo God in the suburb.

[Records of Worshippers of Tuo God]

That was the scroll

you gave Yingtao.

Yes. I came up with two plans.

Plan A,

I'll lead troops to attack the island.

Plan B,

Yingtao will bring the Records

to Chang'an.

But unfortunately,

the person who wanted to kill me

came too soon.

I've just killed that woman from Chang'an

and the assassin arrived.

At first, I thought

the left-hand swordsman

was sent by the Worshippers.

But when that giant alligator appeared,

I realized that

the real killer they sent was that beast.

I hid in the coffin.

That assassin

died for me.

That's how I survived.

I realized afterwards

that the Worshippers of Tuo God trusted me no more.

That meant

I lost

the opportunity to lead troops to the island.

So you dressed that assassin

in your uniform

to fake your death.

But I don't understand

why didn't you leave

the mansion by the lake immediately.

There are spies of the Worshippers

everywhere in Ninghu.

Nowhere is safe for me.

So I might as well

hide in that tomb temporarily.

I never thought

my career as the fake prefectural governor

would end like this.

Dad,

the scroll in the temple

has fallen into the hands of the Worshippers.

I knew that.

Luckily, I made two copies of them.

This is the last copy

of the Records of Worshippers of Tuo God.

Please keep it safe.

I will.

Yingtao,

Commander Su

is trustworthy.

You should

work together with him

to wipe out the Worshippers.

Dad,

it's his business to wipe out them.

I just want

to travel around the world with you.

You fool!

If I run away,

what I did will be brought to light.

I'll become a murderer.

Think about it.

Who would believe

the records written by a murderer?

What else can you use

to bring the Worshippers to justice?

But dad…

Enough.

Commander Su,

the Records have to be written

by the prefectural governor

if they are to be used

to wipe out the Worshippers

by righteous people

like you.

I bet you know what to do.

I will do my best.

Besides,

I want to ask you for a favor.

Go ahead.

I want to entrust my daughter

to you.

Dad!

Will you kindly

grant my wish?

Well…

I can see benevolence and wisdom

in your eyes.

I'll take that as a yes.

Father,

the lakeside is moist and cold.

Let me take you to somewhere else

to have a rest.

Yingtao,

I'm tired.

I can't walk anymore.

I don't want to walk either.

In Ninghu,

I've done something for the people.

Building the dam,

dredging the river,

and countering the flood.

My biggest regret

is that I didn't

get rid of the Worshippers of Tuo God.

Father!

Father, what's wrong with you?

Father!

Father!

Father!

Mr. Chu.

Father!

Father!

C-Commander Su.

Father.

You must

protect

Ying...

Father!

Father!

Father!

Fed,

don't drag me.

Steal wine from Yaoyue Restaurant?

This is not what a gentleman should do.

I'm not going.

Can you bear looking at me having no wine?

Didn't you drink the Tuo God Wine

at Hanshan last night?

That is the reason

why I'm addicted.

Then drink at Hanshan again.

I...

I've heard something.

Something happened at Hanshan last night.

The Hanshan Banquet will be cancelled in the future.

I won't be able to drink it even if I want to.

Fed,

is wine really your life?

Well...

Cut the crap.

Are you

afraid of the Worshippers of Tuo God?

What did you say?

I'm not afraid of them.

This...

Are you trying to provoke me?

No, no, no.

Listen to me.

I'm not doing this for myself.

I'm doing it for the people of Ninghu.

I'm defending against the injustice for them.

Think about it.

They worked so hard

to make the wine,

but yet they are not qualified to drink it.

If they want to drink it,

they have to thank

and worship

the Tuo God.

Does that make sense?

You are right.

Let's go.

Delivering wine at night,

we should be careful.

What are you afraid of?

Who dares to steal the God Wine?

Do they want to die?

Let's knock on the door.

Keep quiet,

or I'll send you to hell.

Sir,

how many will you take today?

T-T-Ten...

Ten jars.

Ten?

Didn't it use to be seven jars every time previously?

How dare you question the drinking capacity of the Tuo God?

No, no.

I dare not.

Carry them!

Help!

Help!

Kneel!

The wine of the Tuo God was stolen.

Is there anything more concerning than this

in Ninghu?

W-W-We...

We were wrong.

We deserve to die!

We deserve to die!

We deserve to die!

You think you deserve to die?

Please spare me!

Then die!

Throw them into the Swamp of Alligators!

No!

-Please spare me, Tuo God! -Please spare my life, Tuo God!

Tuo God!

Please spare me!

Please spare my life!

Shen Chong,

from now on,

you will take over Yaoyue Restaurant

and find out

who is going against me.

Yes, Tuo God.

Please spare me.

We don't want to die!

Here, Fed.

Come on.

Cheers!

Drink it! Drink it!

Brother has not been back all night.

You still have the mood to drink?

He has not been back all night.

That means he has found Yingtao.

That Yingtao

is a woman from the martial world.

But Su Wuming still thinks

she's the daughter of the prefectural governor.

How ridiculous.

Maybe

he's playing dumb.

He has fallen in love with Yingtao.

Right?

That makes sense.

Right?

It would be good

if Mr. Su were here

when you said those words.

I really want to see him getting awkward.

Awkward?

I'm sure he wouldn't.

He

is too thick-skinned.

Who is thick-skinned?

You've cooked so many dishes.

What day is today?

We just felt that it must be exhausting for you

to hang out all night.

Here.

I found Yingtao's father.

The fake Li Yu?

He has committed suicide.

He was a scholar,

but became a criminal.

He pretended to be the prefectural governor,

but he had political achievements.

What about Yingtao?

She's keeping vigil for her father.

Fed,

did you really get the wine?

Is there anything I can't do?

Wait.

How did you know about

the things we have done?

I'm the one who asked Fed

to bring you to get the wine.

So it was your idea.

This is not like you.

Why not?

The good wine is made in the city,

yet the commoners can't drink it.

Neither can the officials.

Why?

Besides,

I used the word "get".

I didn't use the word "steal"

or "rob".

You've asked him to get the wine

for a reason.

Firstly,

it is for us to drink.

Secondly,

it is to draw the attention against ourselves.

[Commander's Residence]

Hurry up.

Hurry up. Let's go.

Let's go.

Let's go.

Su Wuming!

The Tuo God Wine in Yaoyue Restaurant was stolen.

I suspect

that it was your subordinate.

If you don't hand Lu Lingfeng over,

Ninghu will be punished by Tuo God.

Chief,

I've found out

that the wine was indeed stolen by Su Wuming's subordinate,

Lu Lingfeng.

This Commander Su

doesn't know how powerful the Tuo God is.

Is the person you planted

in the Worshippers of Tuo God reliable?

Absolutely.

You want to use him?

Please ask him to convey the news of Lu Lingfeng stealing wine

to Shen Chong.

Anyone disrespectful to the Tuo God

will die for sure!

Hand over the wine thief!

Su Wuming, get out of Ninghu!

Su Wuming, get out of Ninghu!

Xue Huan!

Come back!

Su Wuming, get out of Ninghu!

Su Wuming, get out of Ninghu!

Su Wuming, get out of Ninghu!

Su Wuming, get out of Ninghu!

Su Wuming, get out of Ninghu!

Su Wuming,

you have drunk

this wine too.

What are you talking about?

Even if he hadn't drunk it,

he wouldn't hand you over.

Wait.

Fed asked me to steal the wine.

Why didn't they want him?

You're curious about this, right?

That's because I'm a person of good character.

Of course, you're not bad.

You're just unlucky.

No matter who they want,

I must hand over to them.

Really?

Brother,

the Worshippers of Tuo God are not good.

It's dangerous to hand him over.

Didn't you hear the people outside

surrounding the Commander's residence?

If I don't hand him over,

how can I get through this?

Sir,

please don't hand over

my master.

Should he hand me over then?

I'm an old man who is old and weak.

Hand me over then.

Let's see what they can do to me.

You're still young.

You have to wait for a few years to be able to bear this responsibility.

Stealing the so-called God Wine

is a serious crime

for the Worshippers of Tuo God.

They will take you

to the island for execution.

I knew it.

Before we go to the island on the Double Third Festival,

we need someone to scout the way.

I

am the most suitable.

Right.

I disagree.

Even if it's a countering trick,

it's too risky.

I love to take risks.

Don't worry, Xijun.

-Brother. -Wait.

Why is it so troublesome?

One more thing.

Let Xijun draw a leaf

on your arm.

After you reach the Island of Tuo God,

look for a tree with these leaves.

A tree?

Su Wuming, get out of Ninghu!

Su Wuming, get out of Ninghu!

-Su Wuming, get out of Ninghu! -Lu Lingfeng is here.

You stole the wine?

Yes.

Where's the wine?

I drank it, of course.

How dare you!

This matter

has nothing to do with the others in the Commander's residence.

Commander Su knew nothing about it.

Not bad.

You're a good servant.

But don't think that I will let Su Wuming off

just because I caught you.

What crime have I committed?

Commander Su,

your crime is

not disciplining your servant well.

So what?

Are you

taking me

to the Island of Tuo God too?

You...

Chief.

Su Wuming

is the Military Commander of the city.

Commander Su, you're on your own now.

Let's go.

Stealing anything is fine,

but stealing the God Wine?

You are digging your own grave.

What can you do to me?

After we arrive at the island, you will be handed over to the Guardian,

and then thrown into

the Swamp of Alligators.

Swamp of Alligators?

I want to see the Tuo God.

Can you send my request?

See the Tuo God?

Who do you think you are?

Keep an eye on him.

We're almost at the center of the lake.

The wind is strong.

Don't let it blow him away.

Yes.

Let's go.

This tree is called Hitholon Tree,

and is also known as Blood Silkworm Tree.

It's Tianzhu's specialty,

growing around swamps

where alligators can be found.

Although alligators like to consume humans,

they prefer

eating the leaves of this tree.

Did they steal

the Tuo God Wine as well?

They are not as bold as you.

They are just some

disobedient commoners and merchants

who refused to pay the temple donations and the fees.

Why does it sound like

I've done nothing compared to them?

It's just a few jars of wine.

That's because the only thing that the Tuo God likes,

is wine.

Let's go.

Someone will escort you up the mountain later.

The Tuo God River by the mountain road

is your only way to escape.

Who are you?

I sent letters to you

at Hanshan.

He Xi.

Someone outside asked me to give it to you.

Hurry up!

Keep up!

Lu Lingfeng, the criminal who offended the Tuo God

and stole the God Wine.

He shall now be handed over to the Guardian.

The Tuo God wants to see

what you are like.

How dare you steal his wine!

Since he's a god,

why is he so stingy?

How dare you!

You'll be thrown into the Swamp of Alligators.

You'll have no bones left then.

Take him up the mountain.

Yes.

Go.

Let's go.

Congratulations, Mr. Zeng.

Congratulations, Mr. Zeng.

Thank you.

Congratulations, Mr Zeng.

Congratulations, Mr Zeng.

Thank you.

Mr. Zeng.

Congratulations, Mr. Zeng.

Mr. Zeng,

I'm sorry

to be late.

Commander Su,

I thought you weren't coming.

Didn't Administrator Gu

tell me about it long ago?

Minister Zeng has worked hard for Ninghu half of his life.

I wouldn't dare to be absent

at your retirement banquet.

Thank you, Commander Su.

Please take a seat.

I heard that you went to Hanshan that night,

and there was some accident.

Yes.

I dare not to go

to Hanshan again.

Speaking of Hanshan,

Minister Zeng is the most experienced.

Back then,

I worked in Hanshan Department.

So I know very well

what's going on there.

It's complicated.

It's not only the shelter for the homeless,

but also the hiding place

of many criminals.

But Commander Su,

if you have any trouble in the future

where you need to go to Hanshan,

just tell me.

I'll go with you.

The people there

will have some respect for me.

That's great. Thank you, Minister Zeng.

Let's drink.

To Minister Zeng.

To Minister Zeng.

To Minister Zeng.

Shen Chong, Chief of the Worshippers of Tuo God,

came to celebrate Minister Zeng's birthday.

Look

what have I brought you.

This is...

This is the Tuo God Wine.

Tuo God Wine?

Minister Zeng,

you're so honored.

The Tuo God specially told me

to present the wine to Minister Zeng.

Have a seat.

Sit.

Have a seat.

Administrator Gu.

Yes.

The God Sighting Ceremony on the Island of Tuo God tomorrow

will be held as scheduled.

The number and list of people you reported

are fine.

By then, all officials in Ninghu

should be present.

I will obey the order of the Tuo God.

Our boat will be waiting for

all of you tomorrow morning.

I'm afraid I can't make it.

The Tuo God showed respect to you,

but you didn't show respect to the Tuo God.

Even if you've retired,

you can leave after

the God Sighting Ceremony.

I'm really sorry.

My schedule is set.

I can't do what you said.

Zeng Sanyi!

♫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♫