Original subtitles

[Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty III: To Chang'an]

[Episode 26]

The poets' contest in a tavern

showed the spirit of Tang poets

in every stroke.

Poets are scholars, but they also value martial prowess,

and above all, righteousness.

Wang Youbo, Gao Da, and Ruan Daxiong

all showed unwavering loyalty to their friends.

And Leng Ji risked his life for the one he loves.

All who joined the poets' contest

are heroes.

Didn't you and I take part as well?

Heroes include people like us.

Su Wuming.

Tell me,

what defines the Tang Empire?

What defines the Tang Empire?

Swords and poetry

define the Tang Empire.

Then tell me,

what is Chang'an?

A place where poetry and danger coexist—

that is Chang'an.

I believe

poetry matters

to the Tang Empire

and to Chang'an.

But more importantly,

one must have a poetic heart.

As Tang people,

no matter the hardship,

we must never lose

our ability to sense poetry,

just like we are now.

Lingfeng, your understanding

of a poetic heart is so profound.

I'm enlightened.

Senior, you used your network of investigators

to help me capture the two ringleaders.

Thank you.

Sister-in-law,

am I pretty?

Yes.

Come, sit here.

Sister-in-law,

who am I marrying today?

No rush.

Drink this tea first.

It's so bitter.

Though bitter, it's good tea.

Drink more and you'll grow even more beautiful.

Brother, you're here!

You...

You don't want me to get married.

What should I do?

[In Virtuous Company]

Honey.

Why are you dressed like this again?

Honey, please don't be angry.

You always have to coax Jia

to take her medicine.

If I had known it would be like this,

I might as well have let her die.

How can you say such things?

What do you want me to say?

Master!

[In Virtuous Company]

Master, bad news!

Captain Feng sent word

that someone died in Fengle District

and asked you to go quickly.

You fool! Why are you shouting?

If you scare the young lady,

I'll break your legs!

Jia!

[Wei Tao, Chang'an County Sheriff]

Jia, don't be afraid.

I'm here with you.

[Five Feet from Heaven]

The captain of Chang'an County is here.

The coroner needs to examine the body.

Please make way.

[Qianzi Florist]

Make way. Make way.

-Sheriff Wei. -Sheriff Wei.

Sheriff Wei.

Sheriff Wei

Sheriff Wei

How is it?

Sheriff Wei.

The body has been examined.

The wound is on the right side of his neck,

and the edges are serrated.

He was likely hacked to death with a sharp weapon,

such as a sickle.

What about the blood under his head?

It seems he fell on his head

after being struck.

Nonsense.

The neck wound isn't deep.

It may not be fatal.

The injury at the back of his head

is likely the actual cause of death.

Sir, I'll examine it again.

Step back.

Yes.

Why didn't you call

an experienced coroner?

I'll go find one right away.

No need for that.

What a coincidence.

Although I'm not a coroner,

I can examine it.

I didn't expect to see you here, Lu.

Excuse my manners.

No need for formalities, Sheriff Wei.

Let me introduce you.

-This is... -Su Wuming.

My predecessor.

Of course I know him.

I know you hold a position

in Yongzhou Prefecture Office.

Since you are willing to graciously

take on the role of coroner,

I, Wei Tao, sheriff of Chang'an County from Jingzhao,

offer my thanks in advance.

No need for thanks.

This should be an ordinary homicide case.

I didn't expect you to arrive before me.

So how do you want to handle the case next—

should Yongzhou Prefecture Office investigate it directly,

or should Chang'an County handle it?

The Judicial Office is handling cases on-site in the districts.

We just happened to be at Fengle District today.

This case was unexpected.

No one reported it.

So,

it would be more appropriate for you to handle it.

Then I won't stand on ceremony.

Who is the deceased?

Hua Fu, the flower shop owner.

This shop isn't small.

Is there a manager or any clerks?

Yes.

Bring them here for questioning.

Yes.

My surname is Zhang. I'm the manager.

You discovered the body first?

Yes.

Our shop closes at 12 PM

and reopens at 1 PM,

all because our boss was especially kind

and gave us an hour

to eat and rest.

Our boss was in a good mood today.

He said during this one hour,

he would personally go to the front hall

[Manager Zhang of Qianzi Florist]

to arrange those newly arrived peonies.

So we went to the back room,

and when we returned, we found…

Sir,

the food and wine are ready.

Please go eat now.

Sir?

Sir?

Sir!

Sir!

Make way! Make way! Make way!

Hurry!

The body has been examined.

As you suspected,

the blow to the back of his head came first

and was more fatal.

The wound on the neck

was likely caused by this sickle.

For easier harvesting,

sickles have serrated edges.

This is clearly visible on the victim's wound.

So, although the coroner is young

and inexperienced,

he's not entirely useless.

Then what kind of weapon

caused the wound to the back of his head?

I'm not sure yet.

We need to shave the victim's hair

for further examination.

Then we'll take the body back to the county office.

Chang'an County still has skilled coroners.

Official Lu, please rest assured.

Of course I will.

This area is a busy market.

The killer must have left traces

when sneaking into the flower shop.

I plan to look for clues by visiting the neighbors.

Official Lu, what do you think?

Good idea.

And what's your opinion, Mr. Su?

It's a good idea.

Any suspicious persons?

Come here.

I saw Qingcong come by,

right around noon.

That's right. I saw him too.

And he came twice.

He had a sickle tucked at his waist.

Yes.

A sickle?

Yes.

Who is this Qingcong?

He's a lackey of An Gang,

mainly working as a debt collector.

Right.

Did your boss

owe An Gang money?

Well...

He did.

Why didn't you mention this earlier?

Here's the thing.

My boss's original surname was Wu.

He used to

sell charcoal,

but he kept losing money.

Eventually,

with little left,

he borrowed 50,000 coins from An Gang

and then went to the information shop in the Ghost Market

to buy a tip.

It said peonies were popular in Luoyang.

He immediately converted

the charcoal shop into a flower shop.

He even changed his surname.

And he put all the borrowed money

into it.

His gamble paid off.

Recently, the debt to An Gang came due

and needed to be repaid.

Our boss had the principal

and interest ready

and was just waiting for them to come collect.

Where's the money?

Well...

How could I know where our boss

keeps the money?

Time to arrest.

Arrest that guy called Qingcong.

Yes.

[Qianzi Florist]

Something's up?

The owner of the flower shop is dead.

The manager's surname is Zhang.

He's suspicious?

Got it.

Sirs,

this way, please.

You're Qingcong?

At noon today,

I did go to Qianzi Florist.

Hua Fu borrowed money from our An Gang

and it was time to repay.

Early this morning, I went to find Dou.

We both work for An Gang.

We're responsible for Tongyi District, Tonghua District,

Xinghua District, and Fengle District.

We're known as the "Debt Collection Duo,"

[Debt Collection Duo, Qingcong]

and we're somewhat famous in Chang'an.

Get to the point.

Let's go.

I want to see how lucky I am today.

I'll play a couple of rounds.

What are you thinking about?

My girl.

She still hasn't agreed to marry me.

That's because you have no money.

I suppose.

Dou, how was it?

[Debt Collection Duo, Dou]

Did you win or lose?

When have I ever won

at gambling?

You always lose.

Where does the money come from?

Easy.

Let's see...

where we should collect debts today.

[Hua Fu from Qianzi Florist, Chang'an County]

Qianzi Florist?

That's where the money will come from.

I heard Hua Fu got rich

selling Luoyang peonies.

Today, when we collect debt,

we can ask for an extra 20 percent interest.

Then we'll get the money.

Can we do that?

Why not?

We're members of An Gang.

Exactly because we're from An Gang,

the High Priest keeps strict watch on us.

Have you ever met the High Priest?

Actually, no.

See?

You've never met him.

How could he know about us?

If we secretly charge an extra 20 percent interest,

who would know?

By then, let's split it,

and your girl

will marry you for sure.

Let's go.

What happened next?

Later,

I went there alone.

On the way, Dou…

Wait.

What's wrong? Why are you so jumpy?

The woman I'm seeing's husband

went to the countryside to sell umbrellas today

and won't be back until tomorrow.

She arranged to meet me

at noon today.

How could I have forgotten about this?

Qingcong, go to the flower shop by yourself.

What are you talking about?

Are you kidding me?

We're a duo.

You want me to go alone?

How am I supposed to get it back?

What's there to be afraid of?

You work for An Gang.

As long as you're tough enough,

no one

can disobey you.

If he doesn't,

just pull out that weapon from your waist.

If you never use it, it'll rust.

No.

Let's collect the debt together,

and then you can go see your girl.

She rarely takes the initiative to meet me.

Do me this favor, will you?

I...

Remember to charge the extra 20 percent interest.

If he refuses, use your weapon.

Is this yours?

Indeed it is.

Where did I drop it?

At the murder scene.

Confess everything now!

I-I didn't kill him.

At that time, I did show

the sickle,

but I just wanted

to scare that Hua guy.

If you don't repay the way I told you,

don't blame me for what happens next.

I'll only pay what I owe.

[Hua Fu, Owner of Qianzi Florist]

Not a cent of the extra interest.

If you want it,

[Lender: The High Priest Borrower: Hua Fu]

sign here

and take these 6 silver ingots.

Give me seven.

I borrowed 50,000 coins,

which is 5 ten-tael silver ingots.

Plus 20% interest,

that's six ingots in total.

You don't have a say in this.

Have you forgotten who I work for?

An Gang.

Your High Priest, Shi Qiansui,

is both a 5th rank court official

and the leader of the foreign merchants in the city.

He always sides with merchants.

Why would he suddenly raise the interest?

Why don't you take me to him

and let him judge?

You probably don't know

I've already joined Jinguang Society.

You are a member of An Gang,

and so am I.

The extra interest you added behind their backs—

I'm not paying it.

And I'll report you.

You want to die, huh?

Stop shaking.

Come on.

Do it, if you dare.

Just you wait.

And then?

Then I left.

Someone saw you go to the flower shop twice.

If you still won't confess,

we'll resort to torture.

Hear ye!

Yes.

I did go back.

Mainly because as soon as I left the flower shop,

I saw Berry.

[Qianzi Florist]

Make way. Make way.

Berry.

What are you doing here?

What's wrong?

Are you stalking me?

No.

I really like you.

I wish I could follow you—

stick with you all the time.

Berry,

please marry me.

I swear I'll treat you well.

Who would believe a man's vow?

[Berry from the Persian House]

Get ten thousand coins first

before you talk about liking me.

Do it soon,

or it'll be too late.

I was thinking,

forget about 6 ingots or 7;

I should go back to the shop and get the money first.

Once I had the money,

I'd go find Berry.

I didn't care how I'd explain it

to my superiors.

I was afraid someone else would marry her

before I did.

[Qianzi Florist]

Hua Fu! I'm back!

This matter must be settled today!

If you dare stick your head out again,

I won't hesitate at all!

Where are you?

I was so scared

I dropped the sickle

and tried to run.

But then I thought,

since he was already dead,

those silver ingots…

After I took the silver ingots,

I went straight to the Persian House to find Berry.

Silver ingots?

I saved them for marrying you.

I didn't expect…

you truly cared about me.

Is it just one silver ingot?

If I wanted more, it wouldn't be hard,

but I know my limits.

We'll have plenty of good days ahead.

I won't let you down if you marry me.

Where is the silver ingot now?

Qingcong.

The county office will find out your whereabouts

before and after the incident.

Lying is pointless.

Understand?

I understand. I do.

Take him away.

You're not letting me go?

But I told you everything!

I told you everything, Officer!

I really told you everything!

[Righteousness]

Lu,

was there anything wrong with my interrogation?

Not at all.

It seems that

what Qingcong said is true.

But during the on-site examination,

we didn't find the other 5 silver ingots.

His accomplice, the one called Dou,

is suspicious.

You're absolutely right.

Then I'll continue with the arrests.

Okay.

[Righteousness]

This Wei Tao truly lives up to his noble family background.

He's well-versed in the law

and handles cases efficiently.

What impressed you

is that this Chang'an County Sheriff

is doing the job even better than you did

in your day, right?

What are you talking about?

Back in my day, I...

Official Lu, let me ask you.

Have you ever been to the Persian House?

That kind of place?

What kind of place?

As the Yongzhou Judicial Official,

you need to go to such places.

You said it yourself.

It's all for the investigation?

That's right.

Isn't this for the investigation?

Well then,

lead the way.

[Persian House]

This way, gentlemen.

This way.

Come on.

Cheers.

This way.

This is where Berry lives.

Thank you.

Isn't it rude to walk straight in?

What if she has a guest inside?

If there's a guest inside,

we can just leave.

Berry,

I'm here.

Remember me?

Lu Lingfeng!

Come on.

She escaped through the window?

Hurry up!

A good dog doesn't block the way.

Get out of my way!

What if I don't?

I'm with An Gang.

Are you tired of living?

An Gang?

Don't tell me you're Dou.

Since you know my name,

then get out of my way now!

So it really is you.

Is the foreign dancer next to you

your friend

Qingcong's lover?

Isn't this betraying your friend?

I'm only pretending to be with Qingcong.

Dou and I are truly in love.

Shut up!

You know Qingcong too?

Who exactly are you?

You don't even know him?

And you are making a living in Chang'an?

Take my advice:

surrender now and beg for mercy.

Otherwise,

you'll regret it!

Kneel!

Berry?

Dou?

What are you two doing here?

I went to arrest this person,

but you ended up bringing him back.

I'm ashamed.

No need for such words.

I just happened to run into them.

You're being too modest.

Master Di's disciple truly lives up to his reputation.

I'm impressed.

But I'd also like to ask—

what clue led you

to investigate this foreign dancer?

Well...

Su Wuming,

perhaps you should explain.

When Qingcong recalled what happened earlier,

he said—

Is it just one silver ingot?

For Berry to ask that,

it means she knew

the amount Qingcong was collecting.

Dou saying he went to meet his lover

was just an excuse.

And Berry showing up near the flower shop

wasn't a coincidence.

You knew Qingcong was weak,

so you purposely sent Berry to provoke him.

Is that correct?

Dou,

is that true?

You and Berry...

Behind my back, you...

Berry?

I'll kill you!

How dare you!

What are you doing in court?

Kneel properly!

Qingcong is timid.

Usually I'm the one collecting debts.

But I know

he still has

some backbone deep down.

I figured if Berry provoked him,

maybe he'd manage

to get all 7 silver ingots.

And even if he only got 6,

I could take them,

and they'd be enough for me

to run away with Berry.

I wouldn't be the one collecting the debt,

so An Gang

wouldn't come after me.

Wouldn't that be perfect?

You bastard, Dou!

If An Gang doesn't come after you,

I'll be the one to die, won't I?

We're brothers!

I'll kill you!

Again?

Let go!

See? These two brothers

really do know each other.

Qingcong does have a bit of backbone.

Dou,

how did you murder Hua Fu?

Confess!

I didn't...

kill him alone.

When Qingcong went to find Berry,

I was hiding in the room.

Is it just one silver ingot?

If I wanted more, it wouldn't be hard,

but I know my limits.

We'll have plenty of good days ahead.

I was after

7 silver ingots.

I thought there would be at least 6.

But he only came back with one.

Didn't that ruin the plan?

So I decided

to go to the flower shop myself.

I had no idea

Qingcong had actually killed Hua Fu!

I mustered my courage to look for the silver ingots,

but I didn't find a single one.

So you're saying

the wound on the back of Hua Fu's head

wasn't caused by you?

Of course not. It was him!

Qingcong!

What did you hit him with?

Couldn't you have just killed him with one blow?

Now I've been dragged into this

-as a murderer too! -Nonsense! I didn't hit him!

Officer, it was him!

-He killed him! -Officer, it wasn't me!

You still won't confess?

Insolent criminals!

Repeatedly showing contempt for this court!

Guards!

Take them out

and give each of them 20 strokes!

It really wasn't me!

Officer, I didn't kill him!

Officer!

Officer, he did it! Officer!

Officer!

Are you Berry?

Yes.

Are you sure Dou didn't bring back

any other ingots?

No.

He even said

that after we fled to Luoyang,

he still wanted me to work as a songstress to support him.

You are so flustered.

Where are you going?

Who are you to act so boldly?

What's in your bundle?

Open it.

Why should I show you?

Because of this.

Are you insane?

Get lost!

How dare you....

How dare you hit me!

You...

Mercy, lady! Please spare me!

So many silver ingots?

I'll talk! I was just greedy for money.

Just you wait.

Since the guy from An Gang didn't take the silver ingots,

I hid there to see

where the boss

kept them

so I could steal them later.

But...

He didn't take any ingots.

I was overjoyed.

But...

But before I could make a move,

Qingcong came back.

Hua Fu! I'm back!

This matter must be settled today!

If you dare

stick your head out again,

I won't hesitate at all!

Where are you?

I'm telling the truth!

I was just greedy.

I didn't kill my boss!

I wouldn't dare!

Please, Officers, have mercy! Spare my life!

Please!

What the manager said

[No Harm Shall Come]

matches Qingcong's words.

It seems the person wearing the white mask,

likely a Zoroastrian,

is the murderer.

How should we proceed with the investigation?

Please advise us, Lu.

The Tang Empire embraces all cultures.

In Chang'an,

besides Buddhist temples and Taoist shrines,

there are also Persian temples, Zoroastrian temples.

These Zoroastrian temples are also called Xian temples.

There's not just one, right?

If I remember correctly,

there are 5 Xian temples in Chang'an.

One is in Jinggong District,

and the other 4 are in Chang'an County.

Mr. Su, you have a good memory.

There are indeed 4 Xian temples in Chang'an County,

located in Liquan, Puning,

Buzheng, and Chonghua.

I'll go investigate these 4 districts first.

As for

Jinggong District in Wannian County,

as Chang'an County Sheriff,

it's not appropriate for me to go there.

I'm willing to do it for you.

Thank you, then.

[No Harm Shall Come]

Sheriff Wei, please wait.

So far, the only one who has seen the murderer up close

is Qingcong.

My sworn sister Pei Xijun is skilled in painting.

She could sketch the killer's appearance.

Could she be allowed into the Chang'an County prison?

Of course.

Thank you very much.

[Jinggong District, Wannian County]

Official Lu, I wasn't expecting your visit.

Please forgive the poor reception.

I am the district head of Jinggong District.

Please forgive me for not being able to accompany you.

You see, as soon as it gets dark,

the deity procession will begin.

The Seven-Saint Blades are all dressed up.

Go on with your business.

We'll just enjoy the festivities.

Then I'll take my leave.

What is the Seven-Saint Blade?

It's a ritual with illusions

to summon the gods.

During the ritual,

7 people each wield a sharp blade,

stabbing each other or themselves,

showing devotion through the bloodshed.

At the same time, they perform illusions,

blurring the line between reality and deception

to invite the gods to descend.

This... this is...

I know what you want to say.

Emperor Gaozong thought it was too bloody

and banned it.

But later I heard

that after the Cantian Tower Illusion Convention,

there was some relaxation.

The current god summoning ritual

no longer uses

real weapons.

They use paper or wooden ones.

The so-called stabbing and self-stabbing

are just a performance.

The blood on their heads, faces,

and necks

is animal blood

applied to the "wounds."

Just makeup.

That's more like it.

Here they come.

Here they come.

Monthly deity procession!

Today, the deity procession begins again!

Fire God,

descend at Jinggong today!

Seven-Saint Blades! Seven-Saint Blades!

Seven-Saint Blades! Seven-Saint Blades!

Seven-Saint Blades! Seven-Saint Blades!

See, I told you,

the Seven Holy Blades are the most popular.

It is said that during the ritual,

the person under the flame cloth

is possessed by the Fire God.

There's also a saying

that anyone who crawls under the flame cloth

will have good luck for a year,

and everything they do will succeed.

Seven-Saint Blades! Seven-Saint Blades!

Seven-Saint Blades! Seven-Saint Blades!

Seven-Saint Blades!

Seven-Saint Blades!

Let's crawl under the flame cloth!

Bravo!

This...

Mr. Ma?

What's wrong with you?

Ma Kui is dead!

Mr. Ma!

Step back!

I, Lu Lingfeng, Yongzhou Judicial Official,

am here!

Everyone, step back!

I, Du Yu, Wannian County Sheriff, am here!

[Du Yu, Wannian County Sheriff]

Everyone, step back!

Official Lu.

Sheriff Du.

Who are you?

The coroner hasn't arrived yet.

Why are you touching the body without permission?

This is Su Wuming.

He works for Yongzhou Prefecture.

So you're Master Di's disciple.

However,

the coroners in Wannian County are quite capable too.

What?

The case happened right under my nose.

Is the Yongzhou Prefecture Office going to investigate it directly?

Not exactly.

We were just here to see the festivities

when the sudden murder occurred.

This case

should indeed be investigated by Wannian County first.

Official Lu.

Sheriff Du is right.

I was being hasty.

My mistake.

Who is leading today's deity procession?

Make way! Make way!

-Move! Move! -Sir, it's...

It's me!

He Bi?

[He Bi, Zoroastrian Priest from the High Priest's Residence]

According to custom, crawling under the flame cloth

is believed to bring good luck.

Many people did crawl under it

just now.

That makes it hard

to determine who the murderer is.

Zoroastrian Priest He,

finding the murderer is the office's responsibility.

What do you mean by that?

I mean nothing.

Since the office is going to investigate the case,

I'll continue leading the deity procession.

A murder happened,

and you still want to continue the deity procession?

The ritual must not be stopped.

Stop.

Where were you when the murder happened?

When the murder happened?

Didn't you see that

I was at the front of the procession?

How often is this deity procession held?

The Seven-Saint Blade deity procession happens once a month.

This time, it's the Fire God who descends in Jinggong District.

Who are the members

of the Seven-Saint Blades?

Don't you know?

I'm asking you!

They are merchants from the two markets

and followers of Zoroastrianism.

They rotate monthly.

The deceased

was the biggest pepper merchant in the East Market.

He's Mr. Ma,

Ma Kui.

Do you have any more questions?

If not,

I'll continue the deity procession.

The timing of the ritual

cannot be delayed.

What if

I don't allow you to continue the deity procession?

Sheriff Du, why such a show of force?

Don't forget,

I'm not only the priest of the Zoroastrian temple,

but also the Zoroastrian Priest of the High Priest's Residence.

I'm an official too.

An unranked official counts as an official?

You're arrogant!

You're overbearing!

This is Chang'an!

Let alone

a minor Zoroastrian Priest,

even the High Priest

in the High Priest's Residence

must behave properly

before the laws of the Tang Empire!

How did I not behave properly?

Leading the deity procession

is to pray

for good weather, prosperity, and peace for the people.

Not a single member

of the Seven-Saint Blades under the flame cloth

may leave!

You heard that.

Then cooperate

with this Sheriff Du in the investigation.

Everyone else,

follow me and continue the deity procession!

Captain Xu.

Take these 6 people

and Ma Kui's body

back to the office.

Yes.

Come on!

-Go! -Go!

Hurry up! Move!