Original subtitles

♪I'm just a common man under the sky♪

♪Among all living beings, they speak of my recklessness♪

♪Above the sky, my heart yearns♪

♪The light that these hands cannot hide♪

♪The justice gavel strikes and releases countless burdens♪

♪Looking back, it's the same old story♪

♪Time and space brought me to another yellowed page♪

♪Curious about the greed in the world♪

♪I tore the sky's curtain apart♪

♪The powerful words♪

♪Spilled this golden soup♪

♪It is not very firm♪

♪Standing here♪

♪I set the rules that shackle me♪

♪Learn to cure♪

♪Eradicating the diseases of this land♪

♪I am just a common man♪

♪I wanted to take things step by step♪

♪I am just a common man♪

♪Never want to be a confused fool♪

♪I am just a common man♪

♪Listening to the songs without dispute♪

♪Yet I always see the lonely souls♪

♪But I always rush ahead♪

♪Leaving my scribbles behind for future generations to study♪

♪The light that these hands cannot hide♪

♪The justice gavel strikes and releases countless burdens♪

♪Looking back, it's the same old story♪

♪Time and space brought me to another yellowed page♪

♪Sunlight pierces through♪

♪One comes and goes as one pleases♪

♪My Go board holds both sides♪

♪When I set the game, learn to see♪

♪Don't be a sore loser♪

♪So many lies and deceits♪

♪I can see through every play♪

♪May I live and die with the sun♪

=Guardians of the Dafeng=

=Episode 38=

Summon the Cabinet

to the court immediately

for Duke Huai's Bloodshed Case.

Yes.

Lin'an,

what's the emergency?

Brother,

Father won't admit...

He won't admit

Uncle created

the bloodshed in Chuzhou, will he?

Brother...

Don't forget who you are.

This isn't your concern.

Can't you be like Huaiqing?

She's been silent.

Why?

Isn't it true that Uncle killed those people?

Shut up!

Lin'an,

Father adores you

because you're a sweet girl,

and you never interfere in state affairs.

But now,

how come you've changed?

Are you getting involved

because of Xu Qi'an?

He incited you, didn't he?

He didn't do anything.

I haven't seen him for days.

I can't see him.

I feel guilty.

Duke Huai is my uncle.

He committed such atrocities in Chuzhou.

We're family.

How could I stay out of this?

So

did you ask to see me

to make me

remonstrate with Father?

Father wouldn't see you,

let alone me.

Lin'an,

there's no right or wrong in court.

Only gains and losses matter.

Whether or not my words carry weight is one thing.

As the Crown Prince,

I must stand four-square

with the nobility and imperial clansmen.

You're a princess.

No one cares about what you do.

Were you a prince,

those words of yours would cost you

your chance of coming to the throne.

But he murdered so many people.

Hundreds of thousands of them!

Shouldn't he pay for their deaths?

Or who'd be in awe of the Dafeng royalty

and the law of the Dafeng?

There were, there are, and there will be

tons of such things.

Once Father makes the decision,

no one can change it.

Listen, silly,

Father's throne was

built on bones and blood.

If we didn't come,

our imperial image built in the last 600 years

would be ruined by you.

My Lord,

Duke Zhenbei killed all the people of Chuzhou.

Those 380,000 souls need justice.

Everyone else in our state needs justice.

(Duke Cheng, Imperial Clansman) After the Battle

of Linyuan Pass, Duke Zhenbei was ordered

to guard the northern border.

Now that he's dead,

can't we keep

his posthumous name intact?

His merits can't offset his crimes.

Your Majesty,

it's true that he safeguarded our state,

but it's also true that he was guilty beyond forgiveness.

He shall be punished.

Your Majesty, Wang Zhenwen

(Duke Lu, Imperial Clansman) is defaming a duke in public.

That's a capital crime.

Dukes,

think carefully about this case.

(Duke Li, Imperial Clansman)

You're a lowly eunuch.

Without His Majesty's appreciation,

you wouldn't have the right to speak here.

I'm grateful for Your Majesty's kindness.

However,

for the sake of the imperial image,

the Dukes

shouldn't try to cover up this case.

Yesterday, the three masters of the Academy

meant to come

to rebuke Your Majesty.

I stopped them.

They said

now that

Duke Huai killed the people of Chuzhou,

the Academy

would write down his crimes

in history

to warn future generations.

How the Dukes

covered for him today

would also be engraved in it

in full detail.

Duke Li,

you've always been proud

and erudite.

You're a role model for Imperial Clansmen

and every student in the state.

Would you rather see

the Yunlu Academy write down

how you covered for a murderer

and be condemned forever?

How dare you threaten me!

Are you being rebellious?

When did advice become a threat?

You...

All of you...

Your Majesty,

permission to speak.

Simu said,

His Majesty held a sudden meeting earlier

to discuss Duke Huai's Bloodshed Case.

How did it go? What's the conclusion?

Officials didn't win,

but neither did His Majesty.

The debate would drag on and on.

Unexpectedly,

State Duke Cao stepped forward

to speak up.

Your Majesty,

over the years, we've been having internal and external troubles.

People have been struggling.

Tax arrears keep building up.

Despite your unceasing tax cuts

to ease people's burden,

complaints are heard everywhere.

At this time,

if they knew about the bloodshed,

what would they think about the court?

What would squires and petty officials think?

Would they think

the court was hopeless

and do worse

in exploiting the people

even more brazenly?

How bold!

Are you calling me fatuous

and the officials

blind and incompetent?

I wouldn't dare.

But aren't the officials

acting as if they're blind and incompetent?

They keep shouting

to uphold justice for the people

and convict the culprit now.

Has anyone considered the bigger picture?

As court officials,

don't you know the image of the court

also represents your image?

But Duke Zhenbei

was indeed guilty.

Your Majesty,

Duke Zhenbei is...

is already dead.

Can death erase everything?

Yes.

Chuzhou was harassed by Kui for years.

The city fell into ruin.

When Kui seized it,

Duke Zhenbei put up a desperate struggle,

battling the chief of Kui alone.

He killed the Mighty Bone

and guarded the gate of the Dafeng

to the end.

He fell with the city

and died heroically!

After that war,

Chuzhou will enjoy over ten years

or tens of years of peace.

Your Majesty,

he died a worthy death.

He's a hero of the Dafeng!

Your Majesty!

State Duke Cao,

did you forget

not only I witnessed the bloodshed?

The...

the mission,

those 20,000 troops in Chuzhou,

and the people in the capital all know it!

Can you...

can you...

can you keep all of them quiet?

They used the images of the court and royalty

and the chief of Kui's death as leverage.

Although Chuzhou fell,

that was all Kui's fault.

What a wonderful chain.

It sounds reasonable.

In that case,

the fall of Chuzhou wouldn't be intolerable.

It happened all because of war

and Kui.

Duke Huai would turn from a murderer

to a hero and guardian of the Dafeng

who even killed the chief of Kui.

That was a great merit.

- Wait! - Wait!

You first, Ningyan.

This plan wasn't too bad,

but it'd hold the officials back at most.

The sharp ones could easily tell

that was His Majesty's show.

Correct.

Mr. Zheng's last line is the point.

Many people know about the bloodshed.

Could such a self-deceiving show

silence everyone?

He started paving the way a long time ago.

He knew it couldn't.

Was all this

also to lay the groundwork?

Does His Majesty have

more cards up his sleeve?

After Duke Huai died,

the North lost the sky-propping pillar.

Kui can't stir up more trouble,

but

The Witcher's Sect

can go around

Chuzhou

and head straight to the capital

to deal a death blow.

The sky-propping pillar is too big

and hard to control.

Once it falls,

it'll be

lose-lose.

Is that so?

Your Majesty,

reports from every palace said

no one was harmed.

Nothing was stolen.

Has the assassin been seized?

Your Majesty,

not yet.

Keep looking.

Yes.

An assassin broke in?

Why

didn't I know?

I kept it quiet, telling them

not to make a fuss.

It happened suddenly,

causing panic in the Palace.

Even the Empress

was frightened.

The assassin must be caught quickly

to put an end to this matter.

The Empress

can stop worrying.

Your chess skills

have further advanced, Your Majesty.

Are you giving up?

Another around.

(Edict, Prime Minster Wang Zhenwen)

(is guilty of malpractice.)

(He's removed from office. The end.)

(Looking up, one can face the heavens. Looking down, one won't disappoint...)

Court adjourned.

Good day, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty...

I'm tired.

So are you.

I implore you to convict Duke Zhenbei!

Mr. Zheng.

Wait, Mr. Zheng.

Mr. Zheng,

you left Chuzhou without permission

to seek justice in the capital,

thinking you'd win for sure.

Did you think

you'd end up like this?

Here's my advice.

Mr. Zheng,

Chuzhou has been destroyed.

You should stay there

to rebuild the city.

Stay out of

the things in the capital.

That's also His Majesty's thought.

You're shameless.

What can I do?

That old geezer.

How stupid!

When you came back

to report on your work after the inspection,

we met once.

Back then,

you were gray-haired

but vigorous.

Lord Wei,

are you also giving up?

Xu Qi'an

is a valuable talent.

I believe

he's a born Fighter.

His temper and character can give me a headache, though.

I told him

to survive in the official circles,

think about three things.

Danger,

retreat,

and change.

Before taking action,

think about the consequences

and what's involved.

Weigh the pros and cons

before engaging in

or giving up.

If you can't stop what's coming your way,

then retreat.

Take a step back.

But Xu Qi'an said,

"Lord Wei,

I understand all that,

but

I don't care."

What a boorish Fighter.

If you call him "boorish",

that means you can't change him.

Step back

to be safe.

When you're safe,

you can think about

how to change the situation.

There's still room to turn the tide.

Mr. Zheng,

why not take a step back

and take things slow?

(Wang Mansion)

Commissioner of Chuzhou, Zheng Xinghuai,

would like to see Prime Minister Wang.

He's with a guest at the moment.

He won't be able to see you soon.

Commissioner Zheng,

you should go.

Sir.

Go to the Secretary of War's Mansion.

Yes.

(Wang Mansion)

(Ministry of War)

Sir.

(Ministry of War)

(Censorate)

(Court of Judicial Review)

Sir, it's getting dark.

Let's go.

(Court of Judicial Review)

(Juyi Inn)

Mr. Xu.

Mr. Zheng.

Sorry,

I disappointed you.

The streets are packed.

It's the Dragon Boat Festival.

Earlier today,

I went to see Lord Wei.

So did I.

Mr. Xu,

how about

we eat plain noodles? My treat.

(Noodles)

Mr. Zheng,

I'm not hungry.

I am.

- Enjoy. - This is a specialty of Jiangnan.

It's been my favorite since childhood.

Taste it.

Earlier today,

I went to the Six Ministries and other offices.

Thankfully, Lord Wei let me in.

Or I'd be even more embarrassed.

The officials are waiting.

I understand.

Mr. Zheng,

what are you going to do next?

What do you suggest?

There's a well-known tale

in my hometown

called The Tortoise and the Hare.

I'd like to tell you about it.

Go ahead.

The Tortoise and the Hare are racing.

The Hare is faster,

leaving the Tortoise far behind.

The Hare is

proud of its speed,

thinking it'll win for sure

and going to nap halfway.

Meanwhile, the Tortoise

keeps crawling and crawling,

crawling and crawling.

It hasn't stopped at all.

By the time the Hare wakes up,

the Tortoise has reached the finishing line.

As slow as it is,

it'll get there eventually.

Why not consider Lord Wei's advice

to think about those three things?

Take a step back

and take things slow.

Mr. Xu,

I'm going to tell you a story, too.

Please.

Many years ago, a scholar

became an official at a young age.

He was full of political ambition.

At the age of 30,

he went to Chuzhou.

Everyone thought

he volunteered to serve the people there,

but actually,

he was exiled to that remote barren land

for offending the then Prime Minister.

At first,

he hated that place.

That exiled official

was frustrated.

He was eager to make achievements

to return to the capital someday.

Why didn't he go back to the capital?

In the beginning, he put his career first.

Later,

he saw how poor the locals were,

but he also saw

their kindness

and vitality.

He loved to go to one street.

Originally, he went there only to eat plain noodles.

Then

he found the coarse buns sold in the shop on the street corner

also flavorful.

He saw the widow on the west side

marry another man

and a boy with snot playing games on the street corner

grow up

and help his father run the lamb stall.

In 20 years' time,

he got to know many people there

and walked down every street.

That city wasn't as beautiful as Jiangnan

or as bustling as the capital,

but as time passed,

it became his hometown.

He decided

to stay.

Is the scholar in that story

you, sir?

I'm over 50 years old.

I should know the mandate of heaven.

I became unambitious a long time ago.

I just wanted to look after my mother,

children, and grandchildren

while keeping Chuzhou safe.

But the city was destroyed

overnight.

All those people

ended up dead.

I wanted to live a carefree life.

I wanted to take things slow.

But the deceased

came to haunt me every single night.

I couldn't live

or die.

I couldn't give in

or give up.

Bones piled up.

I saw them all the time.

Their wail was echoing.

Lord Wei said to take things slow.

He might be right,

but I...

cannot stop.

Sir, would you like some water lanterns?

Float them with your wishes

to pray for heaven's blessing

and your wishes to come true.

I'd like one.

Here you go.

Thank you, sir!

Mr. Zheng,

may your wishes come true.

I hope so.

What's going on in the Cabinet lately?

Your Majesty,

Prime Minister Wang didn't see anyone.

What about Wei Yuan?

Two days ago, after the court meeting,

Commissioner Zheng went to the Guardian Yamen.

Lord Wei received him.

Since then,

they haven't crossed paths again.

Both of them are smart.

Rejecting Zheng Xinghuai

is to give him a way out.

But

Wei Yuan

respects me even less.

What did Zheng Xinghuai do?

Your Majesty,

he didn't take Lord Wei's advice.

He's been running around

to incite the high-ups

and persuade the officials.

But they won't see him.

They know

what you're thinking.

He's digging his own grave.

Who are you?

Step back.

I am

the Commander of Chuzhou,

State Duke of Protection, Que Yongxiu!

I'm here to sue

the Commissioner of Chuzhou, Zheng Xinghuai!

He murdered Duke Zhenbei!

He killed 380,000 people of Chuzhou!

He

deceived the mission

and hunted me

in order to cover up the truth

that he colluded with Kui

to frame Duke Zhenbei,

accusing him of killing those people!

He is unforgivable!

Your Majesty,

Zheng Xinghuai sided with the mission

to go after me.

He framed the bloodshed against Duke Zhenbei

to cover for his collusion with Kui.

He is unforgivable!

Your Majesty, please uphold justice for me,

for Duke Zhenbei,

and for the people of Chuzhou!

Your Majesty!

380,000 people

died tragically.

Duke Zhenbei!

How dare he lie to me.

Those poor souls

of 380,000 people.

And my poor brother!

Let all of them read it.

Yes.

He fooled me.

What...!

What a tragedy!

Take a look.

Look, everyone!

Please, Your Majesty!

Your Majesty,

Zheng Xinghuai colluded with Kui,

killed Duke Zhenbei,

and twisted the facts to deceive Your Majesty.

He is unforgivable!

His entire clan shall be executed!

I tried to stop Zheng Xinghuai,

but he was too stubborn.

Weren't he stubborn,

he wouldn't have been exiled by my predecessor.

It's too soon to act.

Why couldn't he wait a bit longer?

I had men look for Que Yongxiu in secret

but didn't find him.

Now that he's in the Palace,

there's no more wiggle room.

Not exactly.

The officials obeyed His Majesty's thought

because Duke Zhenbei had died.

Dead men tell no tales.

Now that Que Yongxiu is back alive,

things can take a favorable turn.

I've had people check out Que Yongxiu.

If he's found guilty,

we can convict Duke Zhenbei.

This is our chance.

Que Yongxiu's return

did give someone hope to reverse the case.

During the meeting earlier,

His Majesty made us leave

to have State Duke Cao and others

conclude this case.

Your Majesty,

a thorough investigation is needed.

This case

is huge.

It must be thoroughly investigated.

Have

the Court of Judicial Review investigate it.

State Duke Cao,

you're the Lead Investigator.

Yes.

Take the Gold Badge.

Go to the inn to arrest Zheng Xinghuai now.

Kill him if he resists!

You're wise, Your Majesty!

Thank you, Your Majesty!

Your Majesty,

your health is most important.

Go...

Go fetch me

- a Golden Pill. - Yes.

Take care of yourself, Your Majesty.

Eunuch Yang.

Lord Wei,

Prime Minister Wang.

What's the situation

in the Imperial Study?

The meeting just ended.

His Majesty is a bit tired

and taking a nap.

He won't see anyone else today.

He's made his decision

and had men go to the inn

to arrest Commissioner Zheng.

You fell sick from grief.

It's nothing too severe, though.

Take some herbs

and rest, then you'll be fine.

Are you with the Bureau?

I heard Physicians there are highly skilled.

The formidable Supervisor can tell fortune.

I know what you're thinking

and why Xu Qi'an asked me

to treat you.

However,

if you wish to see my master,

just give up.

The Bureau never interferes in state affairs.

That's the rule.

Who are you?

How dare you break in!

Sir, I'll go and check.

I'll go.

Stay put, Mister.

I'll go.

Xu Qi'an doesn't want you to get hurt.

Thank you, Miss.

But I need to face

what comes my way.

I have to trouble you

to pass this to Silver Gong Xu.

We're ordered by His Majesty

to take Zheng Xinghuai to Judicial Review for questioning!

What is Mr. Zheng guilty of?

The Commander of Chuzhou, Duke Que Yongxiu returned.

He told His Majesty

about what really happened in Chuzhou.

The truth is

Commissioner Zheng Xinghuai

colluded with Kui,

causing the deaths of Duke Zhenbei and 380,000 people!

No! None of that is true!

No one can take Mr. Zheng away!

So weak and ignorant.

Don't overreach yourself.

Seize them!

Silver Gong Li Yuchun!

Copper Gong Song Tingfeng!

Copper Gong Zhu Guangxiao!

We'll protect Mr. Zheng to the death!

Copper Gongs?

Are 7th-Rank Fighters trying to stop me?

Plus a lowly Silver Gong, huh?

Go!

What about Gold Gongs?

Gold Gong Peng Yuan!

Gold Gong Fang Wuyan!

Gold Gong Sima Qing!

Gold Gong Wu Lei!

Gold Gong Yan Ming!

Gold Gong Huo Juncheng!

Gold Gong Jiang Lyuzhong!

Gold Gong Nangong Qianrou!

Gold Gong

Yang Yan!

All of you are the pillars of the court

with a limitless future.

Before you defy His Majesty's order,

think about

the consequences

of challenging the court.

If you take one step forward,

you'll know

the consequences!

The Guardians

are here to protect Mr. Zheng!

♪Heaven and earth gave birth to me♪

♪With determination, the wind can't sway the shadow♪

♪Errant thoughts entangle the dark world♪

♪Out of fury, I wield my saber♪

♪To cut down injustice and triumph over evil♪

♪Across eternity, this realm feels like an endless night♪

♪Only my steadfast heart remains unchanged♪

♪Stars and constellations scattered like murky smoke♪

♪Yet my resolute will shines through to dispel the peril♪

♪The tree longs for stillness, but the wind will not cease♪

♪Darkness disintegrates before me♪

♪Entwined with injustices again and again♪

♪Heaven and earth gave birth to me♪

♪With determination, the wind can't sway the shadow♪

♪Errant thoughts entangle the dark world♪

♪Out of fury, I wield my saber♪

♪To cut down injustice and triumph over evil♪

♪Across eternity, this realm feels like an endless night♪

♪Only my steadfast heart remains unchanged♪

♪Stars and constellations scattered like murky smoke♪

♪Yet my resolute will shines through to dispel the peril♪

♪The tree longs for stillness, but the wind will not cease♪

♪Darkness disintegrates before me♪

♪Entwined with injustices again and again♪

♪Across eternity, this realm feels like an endless night♪

♪Only my steadfast heart remains unchanged♪

♪Stars and constellations scattered like murky smoke♪

♪One's arrogance deserves execution♪

♪Slaughter all confusions♪

♪The moonlight illuminates the sky♪

♪Bringing justice back to the world♪

♪Demons and spirits♪

♪Born and perish as one♪

♪A resolve hangs high in my heart♪

♪Worlds apart, yet sharing the same origin♪