Original subtitles

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

[Episode 30]

I heard

she later remarried a merchant,

who is said to be

one of the biggest merchants in Chang'an.

Could it be He Bi?

He Bi also serves as the president of An Society.

The status matches.

But she has moved back to her parents' home.

They couldn't have divorced, could they?

I'm not sure about that.

However,

tomorrow I can visit the Wei Mansion again

to gather more information.

Strictly speaking,

we shouldn't be prying,

but I have a feeling

it's related to our case.

Thank you, then.

Also,

I went to the south of the city today.

I remember you told me

your family has a villa there.

Is it rented out?

No.

Do you remember Little Yang Ji?

I had him stay there to study

and look after the place.

Sometimes he grows vegetables in the yard.

He sent over two large baskets just yesterday.

Yang Ji?

Just tell him

a tall, handsome gentleman

gave you a delivery fee

and asked you to deliver it.

You need that villa?

Not exactly.

But I might need to borrow the person there.

Greetings, Official Lu.

It's unbelievable.

You've grown so tall.

[Yang Ji]

Miss Xijun left the entire villa

in my care.

There's plenty of food,

and I can sell the vegetables for extra.

That's why I've grown so strong

so quickly.

If I ever go to war,

would you like to come with me?

Yes!

As long as Miss Xijun agrees,

I'll go with you anytime.

You mentioned you had a task for me.

It's not going to the House of Sorrow again, is it?

I'm grown up now.

Going to such places

and dealing with women...

It's not the House of Sorrow this time.

There's a larger villa

about 100 zhang from here.

It's being expanded. Do you know about it?

It's An Society's. Who doesn't know?

They're loaded.

Do you know

anyone who works there?

I can't be bothered

with An Society's lackeys.

But I do know

the laborers there.

I always send the vegetables

I can't sell or eat to them.

That's perfect.

When you deliver veggies tomorrow,

pick the freshest ones.

And while you're there,

gather some information for me.

Okay.

[Mortuary of Yongzhou Prefecture Office]

Senior.

Lingfeng.

No need for explanations between us.

Old guy.

So you really are hiding in the Earth God Temple.

Let's see where you can go now.

Old guy, I can see you.

Come out, old guy!

Didn't expect this, did you?

That's what they call "while the priest climbs a foot"

"the devil climbs ten."

Who are you? State your name!

I am the Chicken Master of Tang,

Fei Qiao, courtesy name Yingjun.

I'm your Grandpa Fei!

Such a nobody!

How dare you act senior before me?

I've been in the Ghost Market for decades.

How come I've never seen you?

That's because you're too young.

During those decades you were in the Ghost Market,

I was running my cane shop up

above,

too busy to come down.

Enough talk!

You're...

with the county office, aren't you?

You want to hold me accountable?

You're still too green.

See this?

This is Fengli cane.

If I point it at you,

you'll vanish into dust.

I don't believe a word!

You don't believe me? Let's try it.

Point!

One more time!

Looks like you're the one vanishing into dust.

This was soaked in Fengli beast's urine,

but it's completely useless.

I'll hit you to death!

Lady!

Keep running and you'll lose your head!

I won't run! I won't run!

I won't run.

Put Mr. Fei down now!

In the past three days,

we found one body each in

Xingdao District, Shanhe District,

Chonghua District, Da'an District, Anren District,

and Anyi District.

Their identities have been confirmed—

missing merchants from earlier cases.

Together with Hua Fu,

Ma Kui, and He Qian,

there are nine bodies in total.

I've brought them all back.

Tell me what you found from examining the bodies first.

Except for Ma Kui and He Qian,

who died in unusual ways,

the other 7 were all killed

by a heavy blow to the back of the head.

Also,

all bodies found in Chang'an County

were struck

twice,

and for each body,

one of the strikes was from something very sharp.

But the bodies found in Wannian County

were hit by a relatively flat,

heavy object—

killed with a single blow.

Clearly,

the killer used greater force.

I've found something too.

It's about Jinguang Society.

Lu Lingfeng! Su Wuming!

Come get your delivery!

Hurry up!

Hurry!

Hurry up!

Fei!

What are you doing?

This old man is over 100 years old.

He's a rare centenarian in Chang'an.

How can you treat him like this?

Untie him.

Hurry!

Alright!

He may be over a hundred years younger than me,

but if it were one‑on‑one,

I'd definitely beat him.

Bring the hemp rope!

Fei! Sit down.

What a pity.

That beautiful but wicked lady

turns out to be his accomplice.

Who are you talking about?

You are beautiful.

See? This old guy

has been brought to the county office,

yet he still dares to harass Yingtao.

This man has confessed.

Six months ago,

he sold

a Fengli beast to a woman.

You'll need to draw a portrait of her

based on his description.

Alright.

Describe that woman's appearance truthfully.

If you dare play tricks,

my dagger...

will fly out at any moment!

It would be spinning in circles

and aimed straight at your head!

No, no, no! Don't!

I'll talk. I'll talk.

I never expected this.

That little beggar Yang Ji

turned out to be so useful.

I was intending to disguise myself as a laborer

to infiltrate the Jinguang Society,

but I feared being exposed and alerting them.

So I sent Yang Ji instead.

And now,

the picture is getting clearer.

It's just that…

Let me say it for you.

It's just that the truth

is heading toward

the last place we want it to.

Wuming, Lu Lingfeng.

Xijun.

You finished that fast?

No need to draw.

I already know who it is.

Lu Lingfeng,

you saw her a few days ago—

it's Juniang.

I just remembered something too.

That day I went to Wei Mansion

with Xijun,

I smelled

a very distinct fragrance.

When I asked,

my female disciple,

Juniang,

said it was just ordinary sandalwood.

But it didn't

smell ordinary at all.

Now that I think about it,

it must've been sandalwood

mixed with the scent

of Fengli fluid from afar.

Official Lu! Mr. Su!

Sheriff Du from Wannian is here.

Du Yu?

[Yongzhou Prefecture Office]

Sheriff Du.

We all work for the county office.

Why didn't you come directly to the west hall?

I came too early.

I was afraid of disturbing your rest.

Besides,

I came to deliver invitations today.

It seems more proper to do it here.

Here.

Tonight I'll prepare a modest dinner at my humble home.

I sincerely hope

you'll honor us with your presence.

To view the Du family's merit-record pillar?

An ancestral treasure

has been unearthed in your family too?

Congratulations!

But my background…

It doesn't matter.

I'm not like that Wei

from Chang'an County.

Today I invited

only my friends I value highly.

It has nothing to do

with background.

Lu, of course,

I've admired you for years.

And Su, you recently discovered

several bodies in Wannian County.

I feel both ashamed and impressed.

You truly are Master Di's disciple.

Therefore,

I'm inviting you sincerely.

If that's the case,

I appreciate your kindness.

I will definitely attend.

Thank you for your generous invitation, Sheriff Du.

I'll come.

Well then,

thank you.

I'll take my leave now.

I look forward to seeing you.

[To Follow in the Footsteps of the Wise]

Gentlemen, everyone in Chang'an knows

I don't get along with Wei Tao.

Recently, both the Wei and Du families' merit-record pillars

were unearthed in the south of the city.

I've been busy with official duties

and hadn't had a chance to host a banquet,

but Wei Tao beat me to it.

He invited only the gentry.

I, Du Yu,

proud of my heritage as a member

of the Du family of Jingzhao,

am not so arrogant

as to socialize only with the gentry.

That's why today all the people I invited

are the talents

His Majesty relies on most.

Chancellor Lu,

thank you very much for honoring us with your presence.

You're too kind, Sheriff Du.

The wine of your Du family

is far better than the century‑old brew

from my hometown in Jiangdong.

Palace Attendant, thank you

for visiting my humble home despite your busy schedule.

Lu and Su are new friends.

Although Su currently holds no office,

he used to be

the Vice Minister of the Judicial Review Court.

More importantly, he's a disciple of Master Di.

He has a promising future ahead.

Now that we've had 3 rounds of wine,

I'd like to show you

the newly unearthed treasure

of the Du family of Jingzhao.

Bring it in!

Chancellor Lu, Palace Attendant,

please help unveil our family's merit-record pillar.

I've been waiting for this moment.

Great.

Truly a relic that has survived six dynasties.

How beautiful!

It is indeed a family treasure.

It's just a pity

the pillar is incomplete.

Sheriff Du,

do you know the content

of the missing part?

Of course I do.

Today,

I, Du Yu, will recite it for everyone.

Our ancestor Du Zhou

[To Follow in the Footsteps of the Wise]

served as Imperial Censor

under Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty.

He upheld the law with integrity,

enforcing order so firmly that the court and officials were impressed.

His family later moved

from Nanyang to Maoling in Guanzhong.

In the year of Ziyan, during Emperor Xuan's reign,

they held high office and were honored in the Qilin Pavilion.

Later they moved to Duling.

From then on, the Du family became a prestigious family in Jingzhao.

Ministers Du Ji and Du Shu,

the Governor of Youzhou during the Wei-Jin period,

accumulated great merits.

Du Yu, Colonel-Director of the Capital,

General Zhennan,

was well-versed in the Spring and Autumn Annals,

a master of both literary and military knowledge,

and renowned throughout the land.

Du family of Jingzhao,

an ancient family from Han and Wei-Jin dynasties,

passed down learning and loyalty

for generations.

-Bravo! -Bravo!

Bravo!

I propose that,

in honor of this

"generations of learning and loyalty,"

we drink seven cups in a row!

Good!

-Please! -Here!

Please!

Here.

Please.

Please.

Official Lu.

Long time no see.

Attendant Yang.

His Majesty often speaks of you,

praising your unwavering loyalty

and your many achievements.

Lu Tong is getting old,

and he's lost an eye.

His Majesty's safety

will depend on you in the future.

Everyone, today I've invited

the most popular music and dance troupe

from the Persian House.

We must

drink to our fill

and enjoy ourselves tonight.

Please.

Chancellor Lu,

excuse me for a moment.

Well... Chen Chong is really out of line.

He invited the High Priest for drinks,

and he's not even coming out to greet you.

It's fine.

I heard his ancestors were gentry too.

He even has ancestral portraits at home.

Let's go straight to their ancestral hall

and see what his ancestors really looked like.

[Ancestral Virtues and Legacy]

Chen Chong, where are you?

The High Priest has arrived.

Come out and welcome him.

[Ancestral Virtues and Legacy]

So this is his ancestor?

Looks ordinary.

The painting is ordinary too.

I'm sure I could buy something like this

in the Ghost Market for a few coins.

Exactly.

What do they have to be so proud of?

Sheriff Wei?

Chen Chong invited you too?

Tie yourself up. Don't wait for me to do it.

Run!

Run!

Where do you think you're going?

Shi Qiansui

is a fifth-rank official appointed by His Majesty!

What are you trying to do?

We're writing the word "gentry"

across Chang'an.

Now,

we just need this final stroke in Tongji District.

I invited you here

to add that

final stroke.

Let's fight them!

Mr. Taiqiu,

I'm Wei Tao.

I'm Du Yu.

Please forgive us for shedding blood in the hall

to slay treacherous merchants.

Stop!

Stop this at once!

Wei and Du,

drop the weapons, now!

Are you really going to make more mistakes?

Du Yu, you arranged this banquet

just to keep us occupied

so you could come here and kill, didn't you?

Your scheme

isn't clever at all.

Well, well, Du Yu.

This has nothing to do with you.

So you stalled me until now

just so they could come

arrest me.

Come on then! I, Wei Tao, fear nothing!

Saying that now...

are you trying

to paint me

as disloyal and unjust?

Enough talk!

I killed them all anyway.

Draw your sword.

Draw your sword!

Tao,

when we were kids,

I often quarreled with you.

After we both became county sheriffs,

I even boasted

I'd eliminate you.

That was only because

my sister married you.

She raised me,

and she's the one I loved most.

I was just jealous.

But ever since

we started searching for the merit-record pillars together

and swore to wipe out

all villains of the Jinguang Society,

I've seen you

as my big brother.

And now,

how can you abandon me

and shoulder all this by yourself?

Du Yu!

Tao!

Lu Lingfeng is nothing

to be afraid of!

We can just work together,

take him down first,

and then kill these two evil merchants!

W-wait, wait!

You're all gentry.

What now?

You're going to use force now?

Three days ago, you found that Chen Chong

is from the Chen family of Yingchuan,

so you didn't kill him—

that was you, Du Yu, wasn't it?

It was me. So what?

Su Wuming, you were right.

Du Yu has never killed anyone.

All the evil merchants of the Jinguang Society

were killed by me alone.

Tao!

They tracked us here,

so they must have evidence already.

Why do you

keep trying to take it all on yourself?

Actually, we don't have evidence.

But Official Lu has sent people

to infiltrate the Jinguang Society

and gathered some information.

Be careful! Don't damage it!

Make way! Make way!

Everyone, set aside

what you're doing for a moment!

I've brought you some wine!

Come on, have a drink.

Come on.

Is there more?

A month ago,

the Jinguang Society was expanding their villa.

While digging the foundation,

they found two stone pillars

not far from each other.

Experts later confirmed

that one is the Wei family's merit-record pillar,

and the other is the Du family's.

Both are treasures.

Those laborers came from humble backgrounds,

but even they had heard the saying,

"South of the city live the Weis and the Dus, only 5 feet from Heaven."

That's not right.

Our Tang Empire's Chang'an

and the Sui Dynasty's Chang'an

are the same city.

But the old site of Chang'an

before Sui and Tang lies to

the northwest of present‑day Chang'an.

But the Jinguang Society's villa in the south

shouldn't be far from the old Chang'an.

It's not strange that

that area once held the old residences

of the Wei and Du families.

Yang Ji, keep going.

Not long after, the news spread.

The Wei and Du families

each sent people to negotiate,

willing to pay a high price to buy them back.

Great.

With their ancestors' merit-record pillars,

their families would gain even more prestige.

Smash them!

He Bi,

you married Wei Jia.

That makes you a son‑in‑law

of the Wei family of Jingzhao.

How could you do something like this?

Our Wei family has no such son‑in‑law!

Lu Lingfeng, I respect you.

Su Wuming, I admire you.

Gentlemen,

please wait a moment.

After I kill

these two evil merchants,

I will turn myself in!

The Yongzhou Judicial Official is present!

How dare you kill anyone!

Let's clarify what happened first.

When returning them, He Bi ordered

a piece of each family's merit-record pillar

to be cut off,

saying they would be used

to build stepping stones

for the Jinguang Society's villa.

You two are clever.

Seeing the merit-record pillars incomplete,

you figured out why.

So you sneaked into the Jinguang Society at night

and took back the missing pieces.

[Du]

[Du]

I believe

it was that night

that turned hostility into peace between you.

Our families are like brothers

and have never had grudges.

What hostility?

Tao.

Gentlemen.

Destroying the merit-record pillars

was He Bi's doing alone.

Why did you kill innocent people?

Innocent?

I'll say it again.

I killed them all by myself.

Du Yu had nothing to do with it.

Du Yu,

although you've helped me before,

at most you are an accomplice.

Put down your weapon now!

Ridiculous.

Wei and Du families are one.

We share glory and shame together.

Moreover, you're my brother-in-law,

my lifelong role model.

If I'm not mistaken,

in your agreement,

the merchants of Chang'an County

should be handled by Wei Tao,

and those of Wannian County should be handled by Du Yu.

Du Yu, every time you kill,

it's with one fatal strike.

With such excellent martial skills,

wouldn't it be better for you to fight on the battlefield

and serve the Tang Empire?

Stop wasting words!

Yu,

I'm the one who led you astray.

Answer me!

Why kill innocents?

And why target only the merchants of the Jinguang Society?

Because I wanted to.

I actually want to know

how you

traced us.

A drop of Fengli fluid.

Wei Tao,

this headache has tormented you

for a long time, hasn't it?

Your wife, Du Juniang, sought out famous doctors

and finally found the Sifang Cane Shop.

Lady, what would you like to buy?

Sir,

my husband suffers from a chronic headache.

I heard you have a cure.

Yes, I do.

How much do you need?

She saw the Fengli fluid

that the old owner had preserved for years.

But because of its origin,

your wife would surely find it unpalatable,

so she simply bought that Fengli beast

at a high price.

Ridiculous!

Do Master Di's disciples solve cases

purely by guesswork?

Not entirely by guesswork.

I believe by now

someone has already found

that Fengli beast in your residence.

I really want to see

what it looks like.

What are you doing?

Put down our Fengli beast!

That's for treating my father's headache!

Don't shout.

Stay calm in danger, and unmoved by favor or disgrace.

Qing,

always remember this sentence.

Wei Tao.

Your way of killing He Qian

was extremely cruel.

That can't be just because

he was He Bi's younger brother.

There must be another reason.

What reason could there be?

Since you've figured it all out,

I, Wei Tao, the murderer,

have nothing to say.

Du Yu!

Don't blame me

for using Su Wuming's life to force you.

We're willing to face justice.

But these two villains must die!

Lu Lingfeng from the Lu family of Fanyang, please grant us this!

Hide outside now!

Lu Lingfeng, I'll hold this one back.

You take them down one by one.

Ms. Chu,

please protect these two people.

I can handle

Wei and Du myself.

[Ancestral Virtues and Legacy]

Wei, I also believe

you would never kill so many people

for no reason.

If there's more to it,

you can tell us the truth.

I, Wei Tao, the murderer,

have nothing to say!

Du Yu!

Where is the dignity of your noble background?

Tao,

we didn't finish writing the word "gentry" in Chang'an.

This is our greatest regret

in this life.

Don't do anything foolish.

Won't it be better if we

enter the afterlife together someday?

[Yongzhou Prefecture Office]

Madam, are you beating the drum

to seek justice for Wei Tao and Du Yu?

They

have already confessed to the murders.

Please do not waste your effort.

Official Lu,

I am not beating the drum to seek justice.

I only want the missing merit-record pillars

of the Wei and Du families back.

Though the broken merit-record pillars

of the Wei and Du families

were used as murder weapons,

they are still part of the honor

our ancestors left us.

I ask the office to show mercy

and return them.

This is also the wish of the Wei and Du clans

from the south of the city.

Hand her over!

Everyone, quiet down!

Everyone, please calm down!

[Wei Mansion]

-Hand her over. -My Lady.

Look at these ruffians.

What do you want?

Hand over our lady!

Wei is a murderer,

and he kidnapped our lady.

If you still refuse to return her,

don't blame us for being rude!

-Right! -Exactly.

Why doesn't He Bi dare come himself?

Does our master need to show up

for something this trivial?

Fine.

If you've got the guts,

come into our Wei residence and take her.

You...

[Wei Mansion]

Brothers!

There are no men in their house!

Let's barge in and take her!

Sir He said

whoever brings back that crazy woman

will be well rewarded!

-Okay! -Let's go!

Let's go in and take her!

-Hand her over! -Hand her over!

-Hand her over! -Hand her over!

A few women think they can fight?

Boss!

When villains break into our home,

what should we do?

Kill!

Spare us!

Have mercy!

Lady, spare us! Please!

Lady, have mercy!

We just took the money.

We're not risking our lives.

Please don't kill me!

We'll never dare come back again!

Never again!

We won't dare!

Never again!

Really?

This Du Juniang truly has the spirit

of Lady Xun Guan and Xie Daoyun.

Indeed.

My female disciple is just like that.

She's also good at acupuncture.

Wei Jia's condition

has improved significantly.

She's no longer crying or making a fuss.

If I could continue treating her

for another week or so,

she would recover fully

and remember everything.

Unfortunately...

What?

Juniang said

she's doing well now.

She has decided

to stop treating Wei Jia.

Why?

I see.

She was afraid Wei Jia

would remember the past.

So they really are hiding something.

But Wei Tao

refuses to say anything,

and so does Juniang.

What should we do?

We question He Bi.

Sir,

ever since I became a captain,

my master has been teaching me the law.

At the moment,

He Bi hasn't broken any laws.

How can we question him?

You're right.

What should we do?

Yingtao, why don't you give it a try?

Alright.