Original subtitles

[Legend of Zang Hai]

[Episode 35]

Mr. Zhao.

You...

Do you remember this?

I took it from you

the night I rescued you.

I always intended

to return it to you

when we could finally meet face-to-face.

Back then, the situation was too uncertain,

so I didn't dare reveal myself to you.

I kept

my identity from you all these years

because I feared our connection

would be exposed

and put your entire revenge plan at risk.

But

now that you've come this far,

I should no longer remain hidden.

This time, it's only right I stand by your side.

Sir,

please accept my deepest gratitude.

Finally, we meet openly.

In the first year of the Zhenshun era,

I was promoted to Vice Director of the Ministry of Revenue,

and your father was already serving as the Imperial Astronomer.

That year, a major construction corruption case broke out.

I petitioned the Emperor to launch a full investigation.

But the case involved many high-ranking officials.

I was framed,

and your father was the only one

who spoke up in court to defend me.

Because he risked his own position to help me,

I got off

with nothing more than a demotion.

That day, I swore

to repay his kindness, whatever the cost.

Ever since then,

we'd kept in touch through letters.

Far away from the Capital,

I relied

on your father's letters to keep up with court affairs.

Thanks to him, I made notable achievements even while demoted.

In the fifth year of Zhenshun,

I returned to the Capital and resumed my former post.

In the sixth year,

your father was sent to Dongxia to oversee Fengshan Altar's construction.

From then on,

we never saw each other again,

but our correspondence continued.

Three years later,

while I was in Yuezhou handling disaster relief,

I received a secret letter from him.

He wanted to flee the Capital with his family

and asked for my help.

I had assumed the altar collapse

had taken his life,

but, to my surprise,

he was still alive.

Though he didn't tell me exactly what happened,

his words revealed his anxiety and fear.

I rushed to his residence through the night,

but I was still too late.

By the time I arrived, his residence had already become a sea of flames.

All I could do

was rescue his son

and make plans for the future.

I took you to Qingquan Town

laid out a plan for your revenge,

and left you in Xing Dou and Gao Ming's care.

Thank you, Master.

That was the last thing I could do

for your father.

Sir,

thank you.

It's been ten years. You're finally ready.

There's much work ahead.

First, we need to find out

whether Shi Yiping is truly involved.

I'll have someone send a visiting card,

and I'll accompany you to the Shi residence to investigate.

[Zang Residence]

Mr. Zhao finally told you the truth.

I'd been dying to tell you myself.

When you went to visit him,

I already wanted to tell you

you shouldn't bother, and that he was your benefactor.

But he insisted

it was too soon.

And he said he just wanted

to give you a bit of guidance.

So, Master,

can you tell me

how you all came to know him now?

Sure.

Mr. Zhao and Xing Dou met

back when he was demoted.

Xing Dou was wealthy

but uptight and eccentric.

He offended an official,

got framed, and ended up with a death sentence.

Mr. Zhao stepped in and saved him.

My story's different.

I was an orphan

raised on scraps from kind strangers.

Mr. Zhao took me in

and gave me

the chance to make something of myself.

What about Master Liuchu?

Her story's not mine to tell.

But let's just say

she, too, owes Mr. Zhao.

If you're upset

I kept this from you, I don't blame you.

But sometimes,

a lie told with good intentions

isn't always a bad thing.

Master,

you're the person I trust the most.

As you know,

there are

very few people in this world

I'd trust unconditionally.

Like I always say,

nothing matters more than staying alive.

I never would've guessed

Tong'er's father is your benefactor.

Maybe the whole Mr. Eight persona

was inspired by her father.

You may be right about that.

Now that you have the Emperor's backing

and Mr. Zhao on your side,

I doubt it'll be long before you get your revenge.

Things are still far from clear.

We mustn't let our guard down.

Be careful when you visit the Shi Residence.

Even if you uncover something,

don't act rashly.

Don't worry.

I'll be careful.

[Shi Residence]

Greetings, Mr. Zhao.

Sirs, please have a seat.

I'll go inform my master.

Mr. Shi.

Mr. Shi.

We're all colleagues in court,

and Mr. Zhao and I both serve in the Cabinet.

There's no need for formalities.

Mr. Zang,

this is your first time

visiting me since taking office, isn't it?

I never thought someone as upright as Mr. Zhao

would take you under his wing.

Since my appointment,

I've yet to pay my respects to you.

That's my oversight.

Zang Hai was just appointed Vice Minister of Works.

I brought him here today to introduce him

and ask that you offer him some guidance moving forward.

You're being too modest, Mr. Zhao.

When it comes to spotting talent,

no one in the Capital does it better than you.

I'm

getting old.

In a few more years,

I'll likely retire to my hometown.

The Ministry of Revenue controls the purse strings.

If I left, the court wouldn't miss me.

But if you stepped down, that'd be a real loss.

You flatter me.

Mr. Shi, please don't say that.

The Great Yong can't afford to lose someone like you.

Aside from His Majesty,

no one is indispensable.

Zhuang Luyin won countless battles

but still died by his own son's sword.

Cao Jingxian once had great sway in court,

but he too met a sudden end.

When water overflows, it spills. When the moon is full, it wanes.

A man in office must never forget that.

Wise words, sir.

Zang Hai,

I heard the Emperor gave you the Sword of Justice

and tasked you with investigating Cao Jingxian's death.

Are you here today

because you suspect the Cabinet?

The Cabinet drafts the Emperor's replies

and handles many state secrets.

Do you really intend to probe into that?

With respect, Mr. Shi,

I don't have any leads yet.

But I cannot defy the Emperor's orders.

Since I've accepted the Sword of Justice,

I will see this through.

This case is full of strange details.

Zang Hai simply hopes to hear your perspective.

Mr. Zhao,

you truly are a fine judge of talent.

With such resolve,

Zang Hai may well serve

in the Cabinet one day.

He's still young

and can be impulsive.

I'll make sure he visits often,

so you can help

shape him.

The younger generation is full of promise.

I think you've

underestimated him.

Zang Hai,

pursue your investigation as you see fit. You have my full support.

Thank you, sir.

Mr. Shi certainly acted like he had nothing to hide,

letting us investigate the Cabinet without resistance.

He's trying to turn you into a blade

that cuts into the Cabinet for him.

So he's ready to start consolidating power.

He won't make

any overt moves.

Instead, he plans to use me to tighten his grip

without getting his hands dirty.

I've worked alongside him for years.

I've seen him silence or sideline

countless officials, both openly and in secret.

He even used that list you submitted

from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau

to stir up trouble.

There's also been long-standing friction

between Cao Jingxian's Surveillance Office and the Cabinet.

But Shi Yiping's attitude

toward Cao had always been

inconsistent.

Their relationship swung

between open conflict and quiet collusion.

By the way, sir,

I've heard Mr. Shi

has a well-known fondness for paintings.

I did notice that the front hall of his residence

was lined with valuable pieces.

Some of them looked

like the ones I'd seen on the market just recently.

Now that you mention it,

I recall something odd.

The prices of calligraphy and paintings in the Capital

have nearly doubled lately,

while antiques and jade have dropped in value.

Sounds like people are using artwork

to get in Mr. Shi's good graces.

If that's the case,

I'll pay him another visit tonight.

I'll bring a fine painting as a gift

and make it seem like I'm eager to build a closer relationship.

That way, he'll lower his guard,

and I can probe deeper.

Greetings, Mr. Zang.

It's quite late.

Is something urgent?

I visited earlier rather hastily and came empty-handed.

This time, I've brought two paintings and would like

to ask Mr. Shi for an inscription.

Please come with me, sir.

"Autumn Colors Among Streams and Mountains."

"Strumming the Zither Under Trees."

Both

are authentic works.

I didn't expect you to have such refined taste.

You flatter me, sir.

You're a true connoisseur of art.

I'm just pretending to be a man of culture.

I've long admired your calligraphy,

so I came hoping you might grace these with a few words.

Apologies for disturbing

your rest.

Mr. Zang, you come to visit this late at night.

Surely it's not just about a few inscriptions, right?

To be honest,

I caught a glimpse

of your "Landscape of Mount Yuren" earlier.

Its depiction of that famed Dongxia peak

was magnificent and extraordinary.

I couldn't resist

coming back for a closer look.

Everyone has their passions.

I'm fond of painting,

just as His Majesty is of carpentry.

The "Landscape of Mount Yuren"

isn't some timeless masterpiece,

but the two you've brought

are treasures I'd be glad to have.

You certainly know how to appeal to someone's tastes.

But I can tell

you don't truly care for art.

Nor do you crave power and status

like most officials.

Your mind is set on something else.

I only wish to ease the Emperor's burdens.

Still, one thing puzzles me.

What is it, sir?

Criminal investigations

are typically handled by the Three Judicial Offices.

You're from the Ministry of Works, not the Surveillance Office.

Yet His Majesty assigned the case to you.

Is there

something special about you that I don't know?

Sir,

His Majesty trusts me.

That's why he entrusted me with this case.

Even if the Emperor trusts you,

I do not.

You've risen so far

in just one year.

Remarkable indeed.

Tomorrow,

I'll advise His Majesty

to hand the case over to me.

You won't have to trouble yourself with it anymore.

If you can persuade His Majesty,

I'll follow his orders.

What,

does the Emperor want more than just the truth behind Cao Jingxian's death?

Is there something else he tasked you with?

What else do you think needs investigating?

Master, what's wrong?

Master!

Master!

Help!

Master!

Lu Yan?

Go after her!

On it.

Go get help.

Now!

Who's there?

Lu Yan,

why did you kill Shi Yiping?

He tricked my adoptive father into giving him the Gui Seal

and made us follow his orders.

But after we carried them out,

he killed nearly all of us.

He deserved to die.

But you deserve it even more!

So the person Cao Jingxian

told you to obey before he died

was Shi Yiping?

Zang Hai,

I should've killed you long ago.

If you hadn't gotten Father killed,

none of this would've happened.

Assassin!

Guards, get the assassin!

Too bad I couldn't kill you.

Father,

I'm coming to join you.

Stop her!

Mr. Zang,

we searched every possible hiding spot

in the residence,

but we found nothing.

Sirs,

what exactly are you looking for?

Without evidence,

we can't prove anything against him.

This is serious.

Either way,

we need to report to His Majesty first.

Mr. Sun,

this matter is of great importance.

Please clear the room.

Everyone out.

Yes, sir.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

It's my Gui Seal.

Your Majesty,

it was found in the residence of Grand Secretary Shi Yiping.

He was killed by Cao Jingxian's close attendant,

Lu Yan,

who then killed herself to avoid punishment.

Before she died, she revealed

that Shi Yiping poisoned all the Surveillance Officers at Cao's Mansion.

So the one

behind it all was Shi Yiping.

My Chief Grand Secretary

was coveting what belonged to me day and night.

I truly misjudged him.

Your Majesty entrusted me with the Sword of Justice

and even helped me take down my third enemy.

Now,

I should return this sword to Your Majesty.

Your Majesty,

may I ask for a painting I saw

at the Shi Residence?

Which famous painting from his collection caught your eye?

It is not a renowned work,

just a landscape of Dongxia's mountain range.

That's it?

You may have it.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

I take my leave.

[Zang Residence]

How is

Zang Hai?

He's fine.

Miss Xiang is looking after him.

He'd carried a heavy burden for years.

Maybe a night of drinking is just what he needs.

He's sharp,

but he's still young.

True.

Do you think

he handed over both the Gui Seal and the bronze fish to the Emperor?

What are you implying, sir?

If he gave up everything,

then I have nothing to worry about.

You think he might've

kept something from His Majesty?

If he really kept the bronze fish,

then like his father,

he must fear that the Emperor might one day use the Gui Seal.

But doing so is very dangerous.

You just lay down. Why are you up again?

You drank so much.

You should rest.

I'm not drunk.

Then what's wrong?

Everything went so smoothly today.

My last enemy is dead,

and I found the Gui Seal.

But something still doesn't sit right with me.

What are you worried about?

It took me a long time to track down

my third enemy.

Both the Marquis of Pingjin and Cao Jingxian

went to great lengths to hide his identity.

But today,

just when I finally got the chance to face him,

he dropped dead right in front of me.

If my third enemy is someone else entirely,

then maybe he made Lu Yan

sacrifice her own life

to put on this whole show for us.

He was even willing to give up the Gui Seal and the bronze fish.

All to make us believe

that Shi Yiping was your third enemy.

If that's the case,

then he's far more cunning and ruthless

than Cao Jingxian or Zhuang Luyin ever were.

Antu,

come with me.

Take a close look at this.

It's a painting of Mount Yuren in Dongxia.

Shi Yiping's steward said

it was put up only recently.

What does that tell us?

His home is filled with works by Great Yong's most renowned artists.

Why did he hang this one

in the most prominent place?

It almost felt like he was trying to signal

his connection to the Gui Seal.

Could someone have sent him that painting

and ensured it was displayed

just to catch my attention?

If so,

that same person likely ordered Lu Yan

to hide the Gui Seal and bronze fish in the Shi Residence.

That person is the one

I'm really after.

But the Gui Seal and the bronze fish

were what he wanted most.

Why would he just

give them up like that?

Maybe he's after the bronze fish I still have.

I see.

Even with two in hand,

he'd still need all three

to activate

the Gui Seal.

Don't push yourself.

Get some rest first.

I'll help you figure this out.

I just can't let go

of this doubt.

I'm not going anywhere.

I'm right here with you.

When everything's finally over,

we'll leave the Capital

and travel the world, just like we planned.

By then,

you won't be able to break your promise.

Antu,

I think I know what to do.

What is it?

I'm going to resign.

You're up.

It smells great.

Not so fast.

Hold your horses.

It's not ready yet.

Wait a bit longer.

Give that back.

Let it sit a bit longer.

Cover it.

All right.

Then I'll help keep the fire going.

No need.

Leave it.

Congee

needs slow simmering.

If you stoke the fire,

you'll burn the whole pot.

All right.

Let me.

Here. Have a taste.

Thank you, Master.

Be careful. It's hot.

It's good.

Do you feel a bit better now?

Now that you've taken your revenge,

I want to have a talk with you.

But you were drunk last night.

We didn't get the chance.

It's all right, Master.

That part of my life is over.

So what are your plans for the future?

I plan to resign and leave the Capital.

Master,

I've got it all figured out.

You, Antu, Guanfeng, Shilei, and I

will leave together.

If Antu wants to bring Fengliu and Yingqi, that's fine too.

We'll find a quiet place

and live out our days in peace.

Of course,

only if everyone's willing.

That sounds perfect.

You've got no ties left in the Capital,

and you don't want to stay in office anyway.

Then let's leave.

I also want to stop by Qingquan Town

and tell Master Xing Dou the news myself.

I wonder if he's still there.

He always said he had no ties,

but in truth,

he just didn't want to be anyone's burden.

We'll see when we get there.

It looks about done.

I'll go call everyone for breakfast

and let them know my plans.

All right. Go ahead.

I'm off.

Go on.

Your Majesty,

Mr. Zhao has arrived.

Your Majesty.

Bingwen,

I summoned you here

to ask you something.

Please, Your Majesty.

I will answer as best I can.

You may rise.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Tell me,

now that Shi Yiping is dead,

would you like to take his place as Chief Grand Secretary of the Cabinet?

I've served many years in the Ministry of Revenue,

but I've never handled personnel affairs.

I fear I'm unfit for the role.

I ask Your Majesty to reconsider.

But the Cabinet needs a chief.

You're already the deputy.

If not you, then who?

If I can't ease Your Majesty's burdens,

then I've failed in my duty.

If Your Majesty approves,

I'm willing to serve as the acting Chief Grand Secretary

until a more suitable candidate is found.

Very well.

Acting or not,

you'll lead the Cabinet from now on.

I will not fail Your Majesty's trust.

♪Conceal the ambition in my eyes♪

♪In my palm, I hold a dangerous desire♪

♪Turbulent waves hidden in my sleeves♪

♪Silent thunder echoes around♪

♪However cunning you are♪

♪I can see♪

♪Right through you♪

♪Schemes are my armor♪

♪Overt plans are my weapons♪

♪With restrained fury♪

♪I purge the world's corruption♪

♪The night is not dark♪

♪Because♪

♪My heart burns bright♪

♪I control the shifting clouds♪

♪I command the falling rain♪

♪The compass of the human soul is unpredictable♪

♪There will always be ups and downs♪

♪I hold the power of life and death♪

♪I grant and I take away♪

♪When faith burns like the scorching sun♪

♪I will sing aloud with you♪

♪I am the sowing season♪

♪I am the autumn harvest♪

♪I am the world♪

♪I am the people♪

♪And you are also me♪