Original subtitles

Joy of Life 2

How should we handle this situation?

I will investigate thoroughly

and definitely expose the traitor of our tribe...

and bring them to justice

Fan Xian is the key.

At this point...

There's no other choice.

We can only side with Li Chengze and Li Yunrui now.

The three major workshops...

Must never be handed over.

Who can we not give it to?

We can't give it to Fan Xian.

Nor to Li Yunrui.

Or Li Chengze.

We must make them

fight each other.

Only then can our Ming family

survive in the cracks between them.

We must keep the three great workshops...

firmly in our grasp.

Stop

Thank you for your grace, Mother

Hand me the needle

I'll go right away...

Keep Li Chengze steady

He won't stay long

Once he leaves

Jiangnan...

Will still belong to our Ming family

You're the family head

You decide for yourself

Understood

Mother is taking a nap

Child...

I won't disturb you then

We've kept Your Highness waiting

The Ming family truly has far-reaching influence

Even the tributes meant for the palace end up in their hands

Their grasp of etiquette still lacks refinement

Have you reached a decision?

The entire Ming family

swears to stand together with Your Highness through thick and thin

No one's here anymore

My mother has indeed taken her afternoon nap

Get up

They didn't suspect you, did they?

Not yet

But she ordered me to thoroughly investigate the family

to find out who secretly pledged allegiance to His Highness

This needs careful consideration.

We need to decide who to pin the blame on.

I'm not familiar with the Ming family.

Find some distant relatives to take the fall.

They're not enough

To take the blame...

It has to be my sworn brothers

Men are not grass or trees, how can they be heartless?

Just think

About sending my own flesh and blood

To their deaths with my own hands

It fills my heart with sorrow

Being kind to others is a good thing

I try to be kind once or twice when I can

But sometimes giving them a good outcome

and making them seem grateful is enough

- Right - But you shouldn't overthink it

Everyone has their own fate

Take your time sighing over it

I'm returning to the capital first.

Your Highness is leaving already?

The discussion is over, why stay?

But here in Jiangnan...

We still need Your Highness to oversee matters.

The capital is keeping close watch too.

If His Majesty learns I came to Jiangnan, everything would be ruined.

If Your Highness can't stay long...

What about the Eldest Princess...

My aunt is receiving guests and can't come either.

Fan Xian's power is overwhelming.

If neither of you are present...

The Ming family alone probably can't compete with him.

I'll leave Xie Bi'an with you.

Understood

How should I conduct myself from now on...

I'll always seek Mr. Xie's advice

No need, make your own decisions

What if I lose to Fan Xian?

That's to be expected

Don't overthink it, just protect the three workshops

Just do your best

Set your mind at ease

What I promised you won't change

Once this matter is settled

The Ming family will only have its head, no more matriarch

Thank you, Your Highness

Old man, take a rest

Have some food

- There are steamed buns... - Old man

Here are some steamed buns

Rest first...eat something

Slow down... there's enough for everyone.

-There's plenty... -Drink slowly...

If you haven't had enough, shall we get another bowl?

Can we really have another bowl?

-Of course -Thank you

Another bowl please...

Sir, eat slowly.

There's more here.

What did you want to ask? Go ahead.

Are you Lord Fan Xian from the capital?

That's right, I'm Fan Xian.

Thank heavens.

Lord Fan Xian.

Wait a moment.

Old brothers.

It really is Lord Fan Xian.

We didn't make a mistake.

Thank you.

-Thank you, Lord Fan Xian -Thank you, Lord Fan Xian

Thank you, Lord Fan Xian.

Thank you, my lord.

Drink slowly.

Thank you. Actually...

We were afraid we'd made a mistake.

And caused trouble for nothing.

So how does the reward work for hijacking ships?

There are people watching from shore.

Just sink a ship, and you get paid.

So you're saying when you return to shore...

You'll get your silver?

We'll all lose our heads.

We can't go back.

You knew you'd be executed, yet you still came?

We're hijacking an official ship.

Certain death awaits us.

Wait, then I don't understand.

Don't you want the reward money?

What good is money without your head?

Don't worry about that.

Our families will collect it.

We just hope they'll be safe.

And have some savings.

If they can return north...

Wouldn't they have hope for the future?

What about you?

You're not going back?

I want to go back.

But can we really go back?

Or perhaps...

Let the children find another way to survive.

This is better than holding them back on the road.

Look at you, barely surviving like this.

Why not appeal for justice?

What?

You don't need to hijack ships here.

Just stop someone on the road and plead your case.

Young Master Fan wouldn't ignore you.

Sir, that was a natural disaster.

We have no grievances to report.

Elder.

The Ming family has driven you to this state.

Don't you feel any injustice at all?

Sir.

You shouldn't say that.

They saved our lives.

Without the Ming family,

most of us would have starved to death.

Doesn't that mean the Ming family...

You can't even survive like this.

Why not seek help from the authorities?

Can't blame them either.

We're not from Jiangnan.

They have to protect their own people.

When you think about it, they're not wrong, right?

The way you put it...

makes me feel no one is at fault here.

This is a natural disaster.

What's there to blame?

Young Master Fan.

Isn't that right?

That's right.

Want to seize power

Or do you want her dead?

My mother has managed the Ming family for decades

With immense authority within the clan

Understood

Do you want to do it yourself?

Mother and child share a bond.

-Better not. -Be particular.

The mother swallow feeds her young, a bond of nurturing love.

Tell me,

between humans and beasts,

who values affection more?

I prefer Magical Beasts

Look, I've been talking too much

Time to get to work

They're watching over there.

I need to hit you once.

Fine, go ahead and hit me.

Here it comes.

Let's take a couple of steps this way.

Can see clearly.

As long as it's visible here.

Then I'll do it.

My lord

Why didn't you dodge?

I had to let you hit me a couple of times.

I was just putting on a show.

I even raised it just now.

You could've just finished me off.

Wouldn't that have been simpler?

Yet you all just stood there watching.

Young Master Fan

The southern rivers are full of bandits.

Your guards...

aren't great. You should pick better ones.

to protect you properly.

Fine.

I’ll replace them with better ones later.

Make sure you do.

Then I'll smash it again

Remember

Make them use real blades, no holding back

How about we have another bowl?

Well...

Sure, why not? One more bowl.

Thank you.

Thanks.

What if there were no Ming family in Jiangnan?

My lord,

It's all the same.

Without the Ming family,

there would still be the Zhang, Zhao, and Li families.

These three great workshops

are like treasure troves.

Whoever controls them

will become the next Ming family.

Exactly.

In fact, once I return to the capital,

the outcome will be the same.

Without the Ming family,

another family will rise.

Old Wang,

Yes, my lord.

Give them some silver and send them ashore.

Understood.

Keep accepting gifts over there—take whatever they offer.

Yes.

My lord,

You're sending us back?

Go home. Things will get better.

But, my lord,

we've already smashed the boats.

You forbade us from using force,

and now you're sending us back.

What about your authority and dignity?

Where will you put them?

An official's dignity...

is you.

This is a family heirloom of mine

Lower the sedan

The Ming family head has also arrived.

Yeah

Isn't this...

This is also a good thing you have

Look

Sect Leader Ming

Greetings, Sect Leader Ming

I didn't expect Sect Leader Ming to come as well

Magistrate Zhao, your gift is far more valuable than mine

Indeed

Sect Leader Ming, you've come too

Today marks Young Master Fan's arrival in Suzhou

With all the prefectural officials jointly welcoming him

How could I possibly be absent?

Quite right, as it should be

Nearly all Suzhou officials have gathered

For the welcome

Young Master Fan has been receiving gifts throughout his journey

Now he's finally arrived today

We in Suzhou mustn't fall behind others

Don't you agree?

Lord Fan

Daring to join without official status

These troublemakers grow bolder by the day

Lord Fan

-Lord Fan -Lord Fan

Has Lord Fan disembarked yet?

Coming down...

That's the one

This is Lord Fan's vessel

-Come down -Lord Fan

Old brother, my apologies...

Lord Fan

Lord Fan

-Lord Fan -Lord Fan

-Why hasn't he arrived yet? -Not yet

Are you here to greet Lord Fan?

Indeed

Let me tell you, hearing Lord Fan was coming

I couldn't sleep all night

What a commotion this is...

Do you know Fan Xian?

No, I admire him

His poetry is excellent, and so is his character

You too?

You don't know who this is?

Should I?

You're not from Suzhou, are you?

No

My surname is Xu

A clerk from Fuchun County

Just a minor official

Daring to join the gathering

As an official

You should maintain proper decorum

How improper you're being

Enough...

Are they all from Fuchun County too?

No, clerks from all Jiangnan counties are here

You're not worthy to join

We're here on official business

What official business?

Let me tell you...

Lord Fan has arrived

What are you doing? Get down, this is improper

Is that Lord Fan?

Look! He's coming, it's Lord Fan

Finally arrived...

-We welcome Lord Fan -We welcome Lord Fan

-Make way... -Everyone, make way

What is this thing?

Several truckloads

This box

is full of jewelry.

It was gifted by Prefect Yao Qinglian of Shazhou.

And this cart—

contains gifts from officials along the way.

The names of the gift-giving officials

are all recorded in the ledger.

So much

This entire cart

was brought from Dong Jing

One hundred thirty-eight thousand eight hundred eighty taels in total

This money

is both travel expenses

and a declaration of intent

I’ve got wealth

so I have confidence

As for the gifts from officials

they’re all evidence of crimes

Originally I thought

after returning to the capital, I'd follow the names on the list

and investigate them one by one

But later on my journey south

I witnessed something

I don't understand why none of you could see it

After witnessing these events,

my perspective changed.

My 130,000 taels,

along with the gifts from officials,

will serve as travel expenses

to send the disaster victims back home.

Gentlemen,

I’ve just arrived in Jiangnan,

so I’m unfamiliar here.

This task

is something I can’t handle alone.

But entrusting it to you all doesn’t sit right with me either.

Don’t ask

why I don’t trust you,

just as I won’t ask

how you had the energy to greet the ship

yet turned a blind eye to the suffering of the victims.

Between us,

let's preserve some dignity.

Since I can't trust you gentlemen,

I, Fan, must overstep my authority

and handle this matter through alternative means.

Where are the county clerks?

- Here! - Present!

Right here, right here!

Here! Fuchun County's official historian present!

I've come as requested.

Greetings, Young Master Fan.

My county magistrate sends his regards.

And who might your magistrate be?

Our magistrate is none other than Yang Wanli, Lord Yang.

He's also your former student.

Yang Wanli has become a magistrate already?

He assumed office recently.

The magistrate asked me to convey:

Your teachings -

"Be a good person, be a good official" -

he hasn't forgotten a single word.

Now the disaster victims north of the river have hope

all thanks to your kindness, Teacher.

Don't thank me.

These gifts all came from those gentlemen.

We should thank those gentlemen.

Many thanks to those gentlemen.

I believe none of you present would be stingy,

We should also thank these officials,

Thank these officials.

The gifts...

were all given by officials.

Everyone,

we must avoid any appearance of impropriety.

So I took the liberty

to summon county officials from Jiangnan to Suzhou.

These funds will be entrusted to them

to distribute across counties and relieve the people's suffering.

Honorable officials,

what do you think?

- A good deed... - A good deed...

- A good deed... - A good deed...

Young Master Fan handles affairs meticulously.

We will certainly contribute generously.

Yes... contribute generously.

Contribute generously...

County officials, step forward.

Everyone,

Clerks are not officials,

but you are closer to the common people.

The task of distributing silver

is now entrusted to you.

Do not fail Young Master Fan's trust.

- We won't fail Young Master Fan's trust. - We won't fail Young Master Fan's trust.

Let me say this bluntly upfront:

If any of you are greedy or corrupt,

hold yourselves back.

Ask yourselves:

Can you evade the Inspection Committee's scrutiny?

Your surname?

Humbly, it's Xu.

I've prepared ledgers,

but you are the local clerks.

Act according to each county's needs.

Rest assured, we'll get it done.

If any officials wish to contribute,

I welcome all.

But don't give it to me—

give it to them.

That's all. No welcome banquet is needed.

You may go about your business.

And act with integrity.

Ming Qingda, head of the Ming family

We respectfully welcome Lord Fan

Even in the capital, people have heard of the Ming family of Jiangnan

Our humble Ming family name

is hardly worth mentioning

Please wait a moment, my lord

Sir

This is my mother

Are you two also here to welcome someone?

The Ming Family of Jiangnan

We come to beg forgiveness from Lord Fan

What crime have you committed?

My lord,

Today in Jiangnan, there were rumors of a bounty issued by the Ming family

which caused difficulties for Lord Fan and his party

My mother and I came immediately to apologize

to slightly ease our guilt

"Rumors"?

The bounty notice was pure fabrication

The Ming family only learned of this

after the incident occurred

Assassinating a court official

violates Daqing law

If it's fabricated

without the culprit, the case cannot be closed

The Ming family will surely investigate the culprit for Lord Xiao Fan.

There must be a time limit

That would be today

If Your Excellency would grace us with a visit

Before nightfall…

We will surely give Your Excellency an answer

It's settled then

The entire Ming family

awaits Young Master Fan's arrival

I look forward to

today's explanation

We won't disappoint you, sir

Don't push...

What's your name?

-Don't push, come here. -What's your name?

Got it

The teacher is highly respected

Seems the Ming family is about to yield and pledge allegiance

Don’t jump to conclusions—let’s wait and see

What’s the good stuff?

You have to pay for things you buy on the street.

Take this and go play by yourself.

That's great, Wanli can also be of help to you now, teacher.

Not helping me, but helping the disaster victims.

Yes, teacher is right.

I'm just feeling a bit emotional.

Wanli has now surpassed me.

You can save people too.

What matters isn't one's status.

But how one conducts themselves.

I humbly accept your teachings.

This student will never dare forget.

- It's just that I still have some doubts. - Speak.

Teacher doesn't trust officials.

So you had those clerks handle the accounts and distribute funds.

But those clerks aren't necessarily good people either.

What if they take desperate measures...

To profit secretly?

As for these clerks...

Most likely want to bridge the gap and enter officialdom.

I'm having them aid disaster victims.

This isn't just giving them work.

But also giving them an opportunity.

So they must perform their duties well.

This student has learned.

But won't those bribe-taking officials benefit?

They were supposed to be arrested.

Now they've instead earned merit.

Not impeaching them now doesn't mean never.

Their names are all recorded.

We'll settle accounts after autumn.

Teacher, I've learned.

Where's Old Wang?

Went ahead to the restaurant to order.

He said you were showing off and missed the welcoming banquet.

You must be hungry by now.

I think it's him who's greedy.

The silver is sufficient

The second floor is cleared now, come

Try this yogurt

Suzhou's style is more refined

They even put fruits in the yogurt

Better than Dong Jing's

Quite a few experts came looking for me today.

Really? Where are they?

Look.

That one.

This side, and this person here, all of them.

Teacher, what do you mean by this?

Those two over there are swordsmen.

This one probably has a spear hidden in his carrying pole.

This person.

Appears unarmed, follows fist techniques.

All at least eighth-rank masters.

So many experts, truly unprecedented.

Your Highness is impressive.

Remains calm in danger, quite courageous.

What kind of person is our teacher?

Surely this was all within expectations.

Right, Teacher?

No one can foresee everything in this world.

This one...

I didn't anticipate.

This one is a Ninth Rank expert.

And among the top-tier of Ninth Rank masters.

How could such a figure exist in Jiangnan?

He's not fishing here.

This is swordsmanship.

A Ninth Rank swordsman.

There are only a handful in this world, so this must be...

Sect Leader

Sect Leader

Sect Leader, Fan Xian is idly sitting in the tavern

Experts are closing in

Lower the sedan

Mother

Mother

The Second Prince left Xie Bi'an behind

I'm not planning to stay idle either.

Since Xie Bi'an won't talk,

let's just pretend we don't know.

Given Fan Xian's status,

ordinary people probably can't kill him.

But there are always those who don't care about status.

Surely it couldn't be a Grandmaster?

He did offend that person from Dongyi City...

Sigu Sword?

If...

we really killed him,

all our preparations today would be wasted.

But thinking carefully,

if the Four Direction Sword left Dong Yi City,

wouldn't it cause a huge sensation across the land?

Most likely,

it's his disciple.

I don't know...

Who is it?

Yun Zhilan

The first disciple of the Four Glances Sword

We met at the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests

His sword intent remains unchanged - it's definitely him

This Yun Zhilan won't be easy to deal with

Sir, give me some reassurance

That master who's been protecting you all along

He's here, right?

There's no master anymore

Only the Black Cavalry remains by my side

The Black Cavalry won't be enough

If we really have to fight later

I'll use my qinggong to get us both out first

Then let's agree on a meeting place

I'll come find you all by myself later

Your Highness truly has remarkable courage

My teacher has been teaching me how to handle all matters

The first lesson is to distinguish priorities

So what takes priority now?

Yun Zhilan holds a grudge against his teacher.

This is serious.

I am the prince of Daqing.

If Dong Jing City dares to harm the prince,

the consequences would be unbearable—that's putting it mildly.

At least they wouldn't dare touch a legitimate prince.

Good.

Yun Zhilan.

If I hadn't lost my Fight Qi, I'd love to face you.

My lord, what did you say? Your Fight Qi is gone?

Old Wang, I actually forgot to tell you this,

but on our journey south,

you're the strongest fighter among us.

No way.

Glutinous rice cakes for sale!

Here, give me two portions of glutinous rice cakes.

If the fish hasn’t bitten, why reel in the line?

This...

Who's this?

The Holy Maiden of Northern Qi

Haitang Duoduo

No wonder the teacher didn't bring his wife to Jiangnan

I misspoke

The teacher must have a clear conscience

Your mouth really...

You should learn to weigh your words carefully

This young lady is...

Haitian Duoduo, the Holy Maiden of Northern Qi

Why are you poking your head out to look over there?

I'm just admiring the beautiful scenery of Jiangnan

Let me make this clear to you first

This matter has nothing to do with me

I'm also curious

Why is she appearing here?

How about I compensate you for the fishing rod?

Northern Qi's Holy Maiden

Setting foot in Qing Kingdom

Can't we just go on an outing?

Today's matter has nothing to do with you

Make way

I've long wanted to experience the Four Glances Sword School's ultimate techniques

How about today?

Lord Shadow

Fly so high

Those below the ninth rank, disperse.

Disperse...

You can't go up there

Step aside, I know everyone up there

One of us...

Miss, please

-Can I join for a meal? -Have a seat

And these two are…

-We are students of Lord Fan -We are students of Lord Fan

Sit…

Come...

It's clean, you can use it

This dish looks quite exquisite

The taste is okay, but the portion is a bit small

Are you here in Jiangnan for business?

Didn't you ask me to come?

What do you mean by that?

Didn't you write to me about exchanging our nations' cultivation techniques?

I knew you were in Jiangnan

I've brought everything with me

Wait a moment

Here you go

"The Heavenly Unity Mind Technique"

Isn't this the secret technique of Northern Qi's Kuhe?

I did write to you about exchanging techniques

But I never expected you'd deliver it personally to Jiangnan

How generous! I'll send you one in return

- What will you send me? - My Tyrannical True Qi

- What? - Didn't we agree on an exchange?

Give and take

Fine...

I truly appreciate this

Haven't seen you in ages, when did you get so sentimental?

No

I know how precious this "Heavenly Unity Mind Technique" is

I never thought my simple letter

would make you give it to me

Our friendship...

I heard you got married?

Consider this my wedding gift

Isn't this too valuable?

I thought so too

I was reluctant, but my teacher insisted I give it

Master Kuhe told you to give this to me?

What else? You think I stole it for you?

Do masters always give such extravagant gifts?

Well, you are Ye Qingmei's son after all