Original subtitles

'I'm Just a Commoner' - GAI

♫ I'm just a mere mortal under the sky ♫

♫ Countless people talking my ignorance ♫

♫ I aspire to fly high ♫

♫ My hands cannot conceal the light ♫

♫ Witness how the gavel untangles countless conflicted hearts ♫

♫ Looking back, it's like one of those story plots ♫

♫ I will become a thing of the past ♫

♫ I'm curious about what you covet ♫

♫ I accidentally uncovered a secret ♫

♫ The politics upon my lips ♫

♫ Has overthrown it all ♫

♫ It is not steadfast ♫

♫ When standing there ♫

♫ You must follow the rules I made ♫

♫ Apply skills to cure diseases ♫

♫ Eradicate the maladies of this vast land ♫

♫ I am just a commoner ♫

♫ Who aims to take steady steps ♫

♫ I am just a commoner ♫

♫ Who never wants to lose my sense of right and wrong ♫

♫ I am just a commoner ♫

♫ Who likes dance and music instead of fighting ♫

♫ I always see lonely souls roaming the mountains ♫

♫ I don't regret my own recklessness ♫

♫ Future generations can read my experiences ♫

♫ My hands cannot conceal the light ♫

♫ Witness how the gavel untangles countless conflicted hearts ♫

♫ Looking back, it's like one of those story plots ♫

♫ I will become a thing of the past ♫

♫ We only have one life so take it easy ♫

♫ My chessboard involves two sides ♫

♫ As I lay out my strategy, you take a hint ♫

♫ When you feel regret, it's too late then ♫

♫ So many tricks and lies ♫

♫ I witness what you've done ♫

♫ May we live and die together ♫

[Guardians of the Dafeng]

[Episode 38]

Notify the cabinet to hold the court session immediately,

discussing the case of Prince Huai's massacre in the city.

Yes.

Lin'an, what is wrong?

Brother, Father won't admit it.

He won't admit

that Prince Huai is the one who massacred the people of Chuzhou, right?

Brother.

As a lady, you should not meddle in this matter.

Why not learn from Huaiqing?

She doesn't ask about it.

Why?

It's true that Prince Huai massacred the people of Chuzhou.

Shut up.

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by ⚔️ Champions of Justice ⚖️ Team @Viki.com

Lin'an.

Father likes you because you talk sweetly,

and do not meddle in court affairs.

Now,

why have you changed?

You meddle in this matter

because of that Xu Qi'an, right?

He asked you to do so, right?

No.

I haven't seen him these days.

I don't dare to see him.

And I feel ashamed to see him.

Prince Huai is my uncle.

He committed such a savage act in Chuzhou.

As his family, how can I get away with it?

So you called me here today,

wanting me to advise Father, right?

He doesn't even see you,

how would he agree to see me?

Lin'an, there is no right or wrong in the royal court,

only gain or loss of interests.

Regardless of whether it would be useful for me to step in,

I am the Crown Prince.

I must stand with the nobles and royal relatives.

You are a princess.

No one cares what you do.

If you were a prince, based on what you just said,

you would already have no chance to get the throne.

But he's killed so many people.

So many people!

Shouldn't he pay the price?

Otherwise, who would respect the Dafeng royal family?

Who would respect the Dafeng laws?

Things like this used to happen a lot.

They are happening now and will continue in the future.

Once Father has made up his mind, no one can change it.

My foolish sister.

Beneath Father's throne

lies countless bodies and blood.

If we do not come now,

the six-hundred-year reputation of the Dafeng royal family

might be ruined by you.

Sir, King of the North massacred people of Chuzhou.

The 380,000 innocent people of Chuzhou need an explanation.

All the citizens of the Dafeng need an explanation.

[Royal Kin, Prince Cheng] After the Battle of Linyuan Pass,

King of the North was asked to go north to guard the border for the imperial court.

He has already been executed.

Are you even not going to spare his posthumous reputation?

His merits do not offset his faults.

Your Majesty, it's a fact that Prince Huai had merits before.

While, he had committed an unforgivable heinous crime,

- should be strictly punished. - Your Majesty.

[Royal Kin, Prince Lu] Wang Zhenwen slandered the prince. A capital offense.

I hope all the princes think thrice before acting on this matter.

[Royal Kin, Prince Li]

A mere eunuch. If not for His Majesty's wise,

you would never get a chance to speak today.

I am grateful for His Majesty's kindness.

However, if it is truly for the sake of the royal family's reputation,

we should not cover up this matter.

Yesterday, three great masters from the Yunlu Academy

wished to come to denounce Your Majesty severely,

and I stopped them.

They said, "Today Prince Huai massacred the people of Chuzhou,

in the future, Yunlu Academy will record this event

in the annals of history and pass it down to later generations."

Including the way the princes covered this event up today.

Everything will be written in the annals of history in detail.

Prince Li.

You've been dashing, with profound knowledge.

As a role model for the royal kin and an exemplar for scholars,

do you really want to be taken note of this cover-up

by Yunlu Academy and be notorious?

How dare you threaten me!

Are you attempting to rebel?

Since when advice becomes a threat?

You!

You all!

Your Majesty, I have something to say.

According to Simu, His Majesty suddenly held court today

to discuss the case of Prince Huai's massacre.

How is it? What was the result?

All the officials were deflated,

but His Majesty didn't get any advantage either.

It was thought to be a prolonged war,

unexpectedly, Duke Cao would step out and call out loudly.

Your Majesty, the imperial court has been suffering from internal and external troubles,

making life difficult for the people, with taxes being in arrears year after year.

Even though you keep cutting taxes

and give the people a break, the people still complain.

During this period, if Prince Huai's massacre case got spread,

what would the people think of the imperial court?

And what would the local clerks think of the imperial court?

Will they think that the imperial court has become corrupt?

Thus, they'd become even more unrestrained

in extorting people's sweat and toil.

Nonsense!

Are you suggesting I am a fatuous and self-indulgent ruler

and that all the officials here are incompetent?

I dare not.

But isn't what the officials are doing right now

such a stupid act?

The officials claim to seek justice for the people,

to condemn Prince Huai immediately.

But has anyone considered the bigger picture?

Being an official in the imperial court,

don't they know that the dignity of the imperial court

is also our own dignity?

But the King of the North

indeed made mistakes.

Your Majesty, the King of the North has already died.

Does it erase all deeds?

Yes.

Chuzhou has suffered long from the calamity of the Kui tribe,

and is now in ruins.

The Kui tribe captured the city, and the King of the North resisted desperately,

fighting the Kui tribe leader alone, and beheaded the Supreme Bone.

He defended the Dafeng until his very last moment.

But the city has been captured and its people gone, he died for the country.

After this battle, Chuzhou will enjoy

even several decades of peace.

Your Majesty, the King of the North died gloriously.

He is a hero of Dafeng.

Your Majesty.

Duke Cao.

Have you forgotten it?

Not only did I witness all of this,

but also all members of the investigation team,

the twenty thousand soldiers of Chuzhou,

and all the people of the Capital City who know about this.

You!

Can you shut all of them up?

Using the dignity of the imperial court and royal family

and the end of executing the Kui tribe as an excuse.

Although Chuzhou is gone, all of this was indeed the doing of the Kui tribe.

It is both reasonable and logical.

In this case, the fall of Chuzhou becomes not that unacceptable.

Everything comes down to war and the Kui tribe.

Prince Huai goes from being the one who massacred the city

to the hero who guards the Dafeng.

He even slayed the leader of the Kui tribe, establishing a magnificent achievement.

Wait.

Qi'an, you go first.

This might work, but it can at most make the officials apprehensive.

Any discerning person can tell that His Majesty was putting on an act.

Correct. The last sentence said by Mr. Zheng is the key point.

Millions know of the Chuzhou massacre.

Merely putting on a one-man show can't possibly shut that many people up.

Moreover, he has been setting up his plans for a long time.

He knows this, of course.

So, all this is just foreshadowing.

His Majesty has a trump card.

After the fall of Prince Huai,

the North lost its support.

The Kui tribe can no longer stir up any trouble.

But if the Wizard Cult

takes a detour past this checkpoint of Chuzhou,

then they are heading straight for the Capital City, coming to slay me.

This support is too tall and big,

difficult to control.

If one day it collapses,

it will hurt many.

Is that so?

Your Majesty, messengers from all the palaces have reported

that no one has encountered danger

and no items have been stolen.

Has the assassin been captured?

Your Majesty.

Not yet.

Then go look for him.

Yes.

An assassin has come to the palace.

Why did I not know?

I told them to keep it low profile.

It happened suddenly.

Everyone in the palace feels endangered.

Even the Empress

was frightened by this.

We must catch the assassin as soon as possible,

letting this matter be settled sooner.

Then the Empress

won't have to worry anymore.

Your Majesty's skill in chess

is becoming more exquisite.

Do you give up?

One more.

[Learn From Talents]

[Imperial Decree: Chief Minister Wang Zhenwen is being negligent. Hereby I remove him from the post.]

[Frank and Forthright]

Court adjourned.

We respectfully see you off, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

I am tired, and you must be tired too.

I sincerely request you to convict the King of the North a crime.

Mr. Zheng, please wait.

Mr. Zheng, you left Chuzhou without permission to file a complaint in the Capital City,

thinking you'd succeed.

Did you ever think it would be like this today?

I'll give you an advice, Mr. Zheng.

Now Chuzhou is in ruins and needs to be rebuilt.

You should stay in Chuzhou to rebuild the city.

As for matters in the Capital City, better stay out of it.

This is also what His Majesty wants.

You are so shameless, and I can't deal with you.

Old folk! Ungrateful.

When the Officials Appraisal ended,

you came to report on your duty,

and I met you once.

I remember your hair was gray,

but you were still energetic.

Mr. Wei, are you also going to give up?

Xu Qi'an, I admire him.

I believe he is a born warrior,

but his temperament is really troublesome.

I told him

you must think three things if you want to survive in the officialdom.

To think of danger, think of retreat, and think of change.

Before acting, you must understand the consequences involved

and the reasoning behind it.

After weighing the pros and cons,

then you decide whether to do it or not.

If the trend can't be stopped,

then consider retreating.

But Xu Qi'an told me,

"Mr. Wei, I understand everything you said.

But I don't care."

What a vulgar warrior.

He can make you say so,

it shows that you are also at your wits' end with him.

Safety only comes with retreating.

Only when safe can one plan to change the situation.

There is still room for change.

Mr. Zheng, it's better to retreat for now

and take it slow.

[Prince Mansion]

I am the governor of Chuzhou, Zheng Xinghuai, want to meet Chief Minister Wang.

He is currently seeing a guest,

so he can't meet you now.

Mr. Zheng, please go back.

Sir.

Go to the Imperial Censor of the Ministry of War.

Yes.

[Ministry of War]

Sir.

[Ministry of War]

[Censorate]

[Supreme Court]

Sir, it's getting dark.

Let's go.

[Jvyi Inn]

Mr. Xu.

Mr. Zheng.

Sorry for disappointing you, Mr. Xu.

How lively today.

Today is the Dragon Boat Festival.

Today I went to meet Mr. Wei.

I also met Mr. Wei today.

Mr. Xu, I'll treat you to a bowl of plain noodles.

Mr. Zheng, I'm not hungry.

But I am hungry.

- Enjoy. - The plain noodles are a specialty of Jiangnan.

I've loved them since childhood. Try it.

Today I've visited the six departments and nine high officials' offices.

Fortunately, Mr. Wei granted me an audience.

Otherwise, I'd be so embarrassed.

All of them are waiting to see the situation.

I know.

Mr. Zheng.

What's your plan after that?

What do you think?

There is a story widely told in my hometown,

called The Tortoise and the Hare.

I would like to tell it to you.

Please.

The hare was racing against a tortoise.

The hare ran fast, leaving the tortoise far behind.

But the hare, being overconfident about running fast,

treated the race lightly,

decided to take a nap before finishing the race.

But the tortoise kept crawling,

crawling and crawling,

and never once stopped.

When the hare woke up,

the tortoise had already reached the finish line.

Although the tortoise ran slow, always made it to the end.

Mr. Wei's advice.

Mr. Zheng, why don't you

try to retreat for now and take it slow?

Mr. Xu, I also have a story to tell you.

Please.

Once upon a time, there was a scholar,

who at a young age passed the imperial exam and entered the Hanlin Academy as a Jinshi.

With fervent passion,

he took his post in Chuzhou in his prime.

Everyone thought he went there out of compassion for the people,

but it was not so.

He had offended the Chief Minister of that time,

and got demoted to that desolate place.

Initially, he didn't like it there.

The demotion made him frustrated.

And he only wished to achieve something,

so one day he could return to the Capital City.

Then why didn't he return?

Initially, he was only after achievements,

but later on, he saw the decline in the people's livelihood there

and the pure and simple customs of the people,

everlasting and ever-growing.

The reason he loved a street

was that they sold a bowl of plain noodles.

But later,

he found that the steamed buns sold on the street corner

were also quite tasty.

He saw the widow to the west whose husband had died

remarried another man.

And he watched the child playing at the street corner

gradually growing up,

helping his elderly father take care of the mutton stall.

It's been over twenty years.

He met many people there

and walked through every street and alley.

Even without the charm of the Jiangnan,

or the prosperity of the Capital City,

but in time, that place also became his homeland.

And he decided not to leave there.

The scholar in this story is you, isn't it?

I am over fifty years old,

having reached the age of knowing destiny.

I have had no grand ambitions all my life,

only wishing to support my elderly mother and spoil my grandchildren,

to keep the peace of Chuzhou.

But overnight,

Chuzhou was gone

and all the people

died.

I also want to live freely.

I also want to take it slow.

But every night,

those who have died come to my dream.

I can't live well, nor can I die.

I can't be at ease, nor can I calm down.

Countless bodies

are still vivid in my mind.

Mr. Wei's advice might be right.

But I

can't stop.

Sir, would you like to buy some water lanterns

to make a wish in the water?

Then you can pray to the heavens for blessings and for your wishes to come true.

I'll have one.

Here you go.

Thank you, sir.

Mr. Zheng.

May your wishes come true.

May my wishes come true.

Any activity in the cabinet recently?

Your Majesty, Chief Minister has not been seeing any guest.

What about Wei Yuan?

After the court was dismissed the other day,

Governor Zheng made a trip to the Guardian Yamen,

and Mr. Wei saw him.

After that, the two had no further dealings.

They are both smart people.

Avoiding seeing Zheng Xinghuai is to give him a way out.

But this Wei Yuan doesn't take me into account at all.

What about Zheng Xinghuai?

Your Majesty, Mr. Zheng did not heed the warnings.

In recent days, he's still been running around everywhere,

trying to bewitch the prominent figures and lobby the officials.

But the others certainly won't meet him.

All the officials are well aware of your mind.

He is seeking his own death.

Who are you?

Back down.

I am the Commander and General of Chuzhou,

Que Yongxiu.

Today, I accuse Chuzhou Governor Zheng Xinghuai

that he murdered the King of the North

and 380,000 people of Chuzhou.

He deceived the investigation team and tried to kill me.

The purpose was to cover up his collusion with the Kui tribe.

He framed the King of the North

and falsely accused the King of the North of massacring the city.

His crime is extremely grave.

Your Majesty, Zheng Xinghuai conspired with the investigation team

and tried to kill me.

In order to cover up his collusion with the Kui tribe,

he even falsely accused the King of the North of massacring the city.

His crime is extremely grave.

Your Majesty, please uphold justice for me,

the King of the North,

and the people of Chuzhou.

Your Majesty.

380,000 people were gone.

The King of the North!

He even dared to deceive me.

My 380,000 people who died tragically

and my brother!

Let everyone see.

Yes.

He dared to deceive me.

Well… Pathetic.

Look, all of you look.

I implore Your Majesty to judge.

Your Majesty, Zheng Xinghuai conspired with foreign enemies

and caused the death of the King of the North.

He even told lies, deceiving you.

His crime is extremely grave and he deserves the severe punishment.

I tried to persuade Zheng Xinghuai.

Unfortunately, he is stubborn.

If he weren't that stubborn,

he wouldn't have been sent to the North by the old Chief Minister.

But now the time is not right,

why can't he just wait?

I have sent people to secretly search and arrest Que Yongxiu,

but failed.

Now he has entered the palace,

I'm afraid there is no way out now.

Not really.

Previously, all the officials complied with His Majesty

because the King of the North had died,

and there is no proof of his death.

Now Que Yongxiu has come back alive,

and things have taken a turn for the better.

I have already sent people to investigate Que Yongxiu.

As soon as he is convicted, the King of the North can be convicted.

This is our chance.

Que Yongxiu has returned.

Indeed, it has given some people hope for a retrial.

Today's minor court session, His Majesty dismissed you and me.

It was to let Duke Cao and others settle this case.

Your Majesty, this matter must be thoroughly investigated.

This case is of great importance,

and we must investigate it clearly.

Supreme Court, thoroughly investigate this case.

- Duke Cao, you will be in charge of the trial. - Yes.

I grant you the golden token.

Go to the inn at once and arrest Zheng Xinghuai.

Those who disobey shall be executed.

Your Majesty is wise.

Your Majesty, take care.

- Go bring me a golden pill. - Yes.

Your Majesty, please take care.

Mr. Yang.

Mr. Wei, Chief Minister.

What is the situation in the Imperial Study now?

The meeting has just ended, and His Majesty is a bit exhausted,

currently taking a break.

He said he will not see anyone today.

His Majesty has already made up his mind

and already sent someone to the inn to arrest Governor Zheng.

Depression turned into illness.

But there is nothing serious.

Some medicine and rest will be fine.

You are from the Bureau of Astronomy, right?

I hear that the physicians of the Bureau of Astronomy are highly skilled.

And Jian Zheng is adept at strategizing and can glimpse the mandate of heaven.

I know what you are thinking.

I also know what Xu Qi'an is up to.

However, if you want to see my master, forget about it.

The Bureau of Astronomy doesn't interfere with court affairs.

That's the rule.

Who are you? Who let you in?

Sir, I'll go out and check.

I'll go myself.

Old man, don't move. I'll go.

Xu Qi'an wouldn't want anything to happen to you.

Thank you.

I have to face what I need to.

Lady, please give this to Silver Gong Xu.

By His Majesty's decree,

arrest and bring Zheng Xinghuai back to the Supreme Court for interrogation.

What crime has Mr. Zheng committed?

The Commander and General of Chuzhou, Que Yongxiu, has returned to the Capital City.

He told His Majesty about the truth of what happened in Chuzhou.

That is Zheng Xinghuai, as the governor, colluded with the Kui tribe,

caused the death of the King of the North and the 380,000 people of Chuzhou.

Slander! All of it is slander!

Nobody can take away Mr. Zheng today.

How ignorant you are!

Take him down.

- Silver Gong, Li Yuchun. - Bronze Gong, Song Tingfeng.

Bronze Gong, Zhu Guangxiao.

We swear to protect Mr. Zheng to the death.

Bronze Gong? You Seventh-Rank warriors, how dare you try to stop me?

And Silver Gong?

Go!

What about the 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 Lvzhong, Gold Gong.

Nangong Qianrou, Gold Gong.

Yang Yan, Gold Gong.

You are all supports of the imperial court with boundless prospects.

Think carefully if you disobey the decree

and oppose the imperial court.

Anyone dares to take a step forward,

I'll let him know the consequences.

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by ⚔️ Champions of Justice ⚖️ Team @Viki.com

Guardians voluntarily protect Mr. Zheng.

OST credit

♫ Sun and moon, I am born of Heaven ♫

♫ Between heaven and earth, the wind moves but shadows stay straight ♫

♫ Delusions in a dark world, entangled and mistaken ♫

♫ Rage sharp as swords ♫

♫ With my own hands, I smite injustice to vanquish evil ♫

♫ Throughout the ages, like an endless night, vast and boundless ♫

♫ Only the heart held throughout life remains unchanged ♫

♫ Stars and myriad forms, like dark smoke, obscure the view ♫

♫ With my heart set bright, I must expel the danger with light ♫

♫ The trees wish for calm, but the wind cannot bear to cease ♫

♫ Until the darkness vanishes ♫

♫ Together with discontent, twisted and tangled thousands of times ♫

♫ Sun and moon, I am born of Heaven ♫

♫ Between heaven and earth, the wind moves but shadows stay straight ♫

♫ Delusions in a dark world, entangled and mistaken ♫

♫ Rage sharp as swords ♫

♫ With my own hands, I smite injustice to vanquish evil ♫

♫ Throughout the ages, like an endless night, vast and boundless ♫

♫ Only the heart held throughout life remains unchanged ♫

♫ Stars and myriad forms, like dark smoke, obscure the view ♫

♫ With my heart set bright, I must expel the danger with light ♫

♫ The trees wish for calm, but the wind cannot bear to cease ♫

♫ Until the darkness vanishes ♫

♫ Together with discontent, twisted and tangled thousands of times ♫

♫ Throughout the ages, like an endless night, vast and boundless ♫

♫ Only the heart held throughout life remains unchanged ♫

♫ Stars and myriad forms, like dark smoke, obscure the view ♫

♫ People go against the world, I make a decisive strike ♫

♫ Slaughter all within this dusty realm ♫

♫ Holding the bright moon, illuminating the vast sky ♫

♫ Throughout my life, returning the world's path to brilliance ♫

♫ Demons and spirits ♫

♫ Live and die ♫

♫ A fervent wish hangs high in the heart ♫

♫ Different realms, same origin ♫