Original subtitles

FUNERAL CORTEGE OF HE JINGYUAN LOYAL AND UPRIGHT GENERAL OF DAYIN

MEMORIAL OFFERING

SPIRIT TABLET OF HE JINGYUAN GOVERNOR OF JIZHOU

-General He, may you rest in peace. -General He, may you rest in peace.

General He, may your spirit rest in peace.

General He…

rest in peace.

WEI QILIN, CRIMINAL OF DAYIN

Wei Qilin!

You treacherous traitor!

He tried to run. Served him right when he went over the cliff

with his whole family!

He deserved it!

And now, even General He has died on the battlefield,

-all because of that traitor! -Beat him!

-Beat that traitor! -Beat him!

Burn him! Send him below to beg the two generals' forgiveness.

What are you doing?

You are the woman general

who killed Prince Changxin, are you not?

-Yes. -That is her.

-Yes, Mrs. Fan. -It's her.

Mrs. Fan, why did you stop us?

We are burning that traitor!

He is not a traitor.

Mrs. Fan,

we respect you.

A woman who faced death and slew Prince Changxin.

But why would you defend Wei Qilin,

that traitor?

-I'm-- -Why?

Why are you speaking for him?

He is not. He is not a traitor.

Today is the memorial for Old General Xie and General He.

What you are doing now

is turning against the entire Jizhou and Yanzhou army!

Forgive me, Generals.

-But that is not the truth. -Enough of your nonsense!

That is enough!

-Marquis. -Marquis.

Let's go.

I haven't paid my respects to the late General Xie.

I truly came to honor him.

If you defend that traitor,

then you have no right to bow before General Xie!

The Xie army will never allow it!

-That is right! -Never!

-Get out! -Get out!

Form ranks!

Marquis, what are you…

-Marquis, she just-- -Xie army! Yanzhou army! Hear my command!

Kneel.

Generals,

may you rest in peace.

ADAPTED FROM THE NOVEL ZHU YU BY TUAN ZI LAI XI ON JJWXC.NET

JIZHOU YAMEN

Changyu.

Are you feeling better?

Commoner Fan Changyu

greets the Marquis.

What did you

just call me?

Marquis.

After all this time,

that is what you settled on?

One word, Marquis…

and suddenly we are strangers.

If the Marquis finds it too distant,

then since we share the same teacher,

you may call me Junior.

Marquis, this is a private residence and my own chamber.

Please keep your distance.

I think I know

what troubles you.

But you should also know

there is nothing in this world that could make us strangers.

And what if the matter

were serious enough

to cost you your command of the Yanzhou army?

Whether I am fit to command an army

depends solely on my own ability.

It has nothing to do with anyone or anything.

Including you.

So in your view,

everything in this world

is like matters of the army…

and in the end, you alone decide everything.

It is late.

I still need to tend to my wounds.

Marquis, please leave.

JINGHE GATE

Chancellor Wei.

Chancellor Wei.

Grand Tutor.

Would you look at that.

I must be getting old.

My student has a mind of his own now.

I can hardly keep him in line.

This matter concerns the military command of Jizhou.

We weighed it purely on merit in battle. There was no personal agenda.

I hope you will not take offense, Chancellor Wei.

If you truly feel your years catching up with you,

perhaps you should follow Grand Tutor Tao

and bow out while you're ahead.

To this day, the court, the officials,

even His Majesty,

remember him with nothing but praise.

Far better than clinging to office well past 70,

throwing around seniority

while unable to keep things in line.

Arrogant, is he?

We lost General He in the Battle of Lucheng.

In his last words, he strongly recommended

Li Huai'an as the military administrator.

Now that the military command of Jizhou has slipped from his grasp,

Wei Yan's arrogance may not last much longer.

As long as Marquis Wu'an continues to station his army in Lucheng,

control of the troops will not pass into other hands.

And that

is precisely where Wei Yan's confidence lies.

HALL OF LETTERS

Mother,

I'll never play the traitor game with them again.

They are only children.

What do they know?

In this world, how many people

can truly tell loyalty from treachery,

or right from wrong?

Dinner is ready.

All right. Let's go eat.

Father. Mother.

What is all this really about?

Come in.

-Fan! -Changyu!

Changyu!

Changyu!

-What is all this? -It has been days now.

-General Fan looks well enough to drink. -Exactly.

We have been waiting all this time.

We have been eager to come celebrate with you. Have we not?

General Fan?

You flatter me too much.

In our eyes, you are a true general.

Killing Prince Changxin was no small feat.

Chongzhou will soon be ours.

After that, there'll be no battles left to fight.

-That is right. -Exactly.

-Come on. Drink up. -Come. Changyu.

-Let me fill your cup. -Fill it up.

Here you go.

Then I thank you all.

Cheers.

-Cheers! -Drink!

Changyu!

-Drink… -Changyu.

Lord Li is here asking to see you.

Let him in.

That may not be appropriate.

Changyu, you should go out and see him.

HALL OF LETTERS

Lord Li, what are you doing?

I am ashamed.

I have come today to beg your forgiveness.

My first offense.

When the rebels attacked the city,

you knocked me unconscious because you feared I might act rashly.

Yet I didn't understand.

Instead, when you were gravely ill, I spoke harshly to you.

That was unjust.

My second offense.

Our dispute led others to misunderstand you,

damaging your reputation.

That was discourteous.

So I beg you

to strike me with these brambles.

Otherwise, I won't be able to face you

or General He again.

Please do not dwell on it.

General He treated me well.

I understand the position you were in.

-Please get up. -I am ashamed.

I thought the northwest had made me wiser.

Yet I'm not as clear-headed as you.

You care too much to think straight.

You're too hard on yourself.

Besides, I was wrong to knock you out.

One fault cancels the other.

We are even now.

Get up.

Counting soldiers, choosing generals, riding horses, going to war.

I will draw this one.

No peeking.

EASTERN OUTSKIRTS OF QINGPING COUNTY

I am drawing the highest card.

Look. Twin Heavens!

I got four pairs of candied hawthorns!

-Look at this. Did I win? -I won!

-I won! -It is me. I won!

-Who won this round? -Mr. Zhao, look.

Tell us who won.

Twin Heavens outrank the great houses.

Bao'er wins this round.

Come on.

-Again. -Let's play another round.

-All right. That is enough. -Thunder God! Boom, you're done!

I want the Empress card.

Come here.

Do not run.

It is one of ours.

THATCHED COTTAGE

Bao'er!

Ning!

Pretty Lady!

Mother, you are finally back!

I missed you so much!

I missed you too.

Ms. Yu.

You are back.

Changyu asked General Xie Qi to escort me home.

She said no one in Lin'an is to be left behind.

And I am

one of you.

Changyu really is something.

First she sent me, Changning, and Bao'er home.

-Now she has brought back another. -It is good you are back.

-That's one missing piece home. -Yes, indeed.

TEN DAYS LATER

JIZHOU PREFECTURAL OFFICE

Why are you still here?

-What? -Come on.

Speak.

Marquis Wu'an sent word that military matters are pressing.

He cannot attend. He said not to wait for him.

Eunuch, if the decree is not announced soon,

we will miss the auspicious hour.

Very well. We will wait no longer.

Then,

we will announce the first two decrees.

HALL OF LETTERS

Where are we going? I have meat stewing.

Come on.

-Where were you? -Everyone is here.

Finally.

-How long does it take to read the decree? -Shh!

In those puppet plays,

it only takes a moment.

Why is it taking so long now?

I didn't even kneel this long for my grandpa.

My legs are completely numb.

Get lost.

My stew…

HALL OF ARMS

Imperial decree!

All soldiers, receive the decree.

"By command of His Majesty.

The rebels of Chongzhou

have thrown the realm into chaos

and oppressed the people.

Governor He Jingyuan of Jizhou upheld the realm,

slew the rebels,

and fell heroically in battle.

Moved by his loyalty,

His Majesty now posthumously grants him

the title Grand General Kuangzheng.

A state funeral shall be held

to honor his loyalty and console his spirit.

Let this be proclaimed throughout the realm so that all may know.

Zhenwei Commandant of Jizhou, Li Huai'an,

rendered great service

in defending the city.

He is hereby appointed Military Administrator of Jizhou.

Two hundred taels of gold and 800 taels of silver

are awarded to Li Huai'an and his troops."

We thank His Majesty.

"Jizhou soldier Fan Changyu."

Fan Changyu!

Where did Changyu go?

Fan Changyu!

-I do not know. -"Fan Changyu.

Jizhou soldier

Fan Changyu,

for slaying Prince Changxin on the battlefield

and rendering great merit,

is hereby appointed Cavalry Captain,

rank fifth class.

One hundred taels of gold and 500 taels of silver

-are awarded to Fan Changyu and her men. -Fifth rank!

As the Jizhou army cannot remain without leadership,

Military Administrator Li Huai'an shall take command,

with Cavalry Captain Fan Changyu serving as his deputy.

Together they shall oversee the military authority of Jizhou

to steady the army's morale.

Let this decree be proclaimed.

All shall take heed."

Li Huai'an, receive the decree on her behalf.

We thank His Majesty.

Congratulations, Military Administrator Li.

Eunuch, you must be tired from the journey.

If you do not mind, please stay and rest for a while.

-This way, please. -Very well.

-Congratulations! -Congratulations!

Changyu is an official!

-This is fantastic! -She made it!

Changyu is an official!

-Cavalry Captain! -Five hundred taels!

I have served in the palace for so many years,

yet I have never seen such unruly soldiers.

Those rabble?

How on earth did they manage to defeat Prince Changxin?

-Captain Fan is over there. -Come on.

Let's go.

Captain Fan.

Captain Fan.

Captain Fan.

Before, we failed to recognize your greatness. Forgive our offense.

-Forgive us. -Forgive us.

What did you just call me?

-Captain Fan. -Changyu!

Where is she?

Congratulations!

-Congratulations! -Congratulations!

-You are an official now! -Official? What kind of official?

Cavalry Captain. An imperial appointment.

-Fifth rank. -Fifth rank.

Since the dynasty's founding, no woman has held such rank.

And that's not all.

Even the county magistrate

will have to bow three times before speaking to you.

Just imagine the prestige.

Really?

-You are truly a woman general now. -As long as we follow Changyu,

-we will be feasting every day. -Exactly.

We will want for nothing!

But remember, all of this is thanks to Changyu.

From today on, I'm no longer Jin Yuanbao.

My new name is Jin Triumph.

The three of them are changing theirs too.

-Man Legion. -Right.

Man Banner and Man Valor.

That sounds great. I am treating everyone to stewed meat!

-Come on. Give her a hand. -Come on.

Sit down. Go sit over there.

All right.

Changyu, let me get you a bowl.

-Triumph, sit here. -I will pour the wine.

Here.

-Pass it over. -All right.

-Here. -Thank you.

-Come on. -All right.

Not too much. Two big bowls will do.

Take it over.

Here.

Everyone,

-enjoy yourselves. -That is a generous portion.

-Please enjoy yourselves. -Bottoms up.

Let me fill your cup.

Administrator Li, you must be rather disappointed.

You thought that once General He passed,

the military command

would naturally fall into the Li clan's hands.

Yet in the end, half of it slipped away.

Such a trivial matter would never disappoint me.

What puzzles me is you.

The military command of Jizhou is never small.

Why would you entrust it to a young woman

with neither experience nor backing?

Was it not you who filed for her achievements to the court?

This is simply the outcome.

I credited her merits to protect her.

And I will continue to protect her.

My wife has no need for protection from an outsider.

Your wife?

If I remember correctly, Fan Changyu married Yan Zheng,

not you, Xie Zheng.

And even as Yan Zheng, you two signed a divorce letter.

As things stand, she has no marriage bond with you at all.

Marquis, why deceive yourself?

Administrator Li, do not forget

your betrothal to the Grand Princess.

A gentleman

doesn't play both sides.

Xie Qi has safely escorted Yu Qianqian back.

As for Grand Tutor Tao, he insists on staying.

No matter what we say, he refuses to return to office.

If he does not go back,

His Majesty may not take kindly to it.

That's no matter.

His Majesty has always been one to sway with the wind,

clinging to whoever holds power.

There's something else.

The court giving Mrs. Fan half the military command

is likely the result of the conflict between Wei Yan and Li Xing.

For years, they've kept

each other in check.

In the end, they simply let go.

To them, Fan Changyu poses no threat.

Better she holds command than I do.

Li Huai'an thought he was being clever,

yet ended up a pawn for both sides.

Those two old foxes.

They are scheming so loudly,

we can hear it all the way in Jizhou.

At this rate,

Fan Changyu is like a child carrying gold

through a bustling market.

Trouble will find her soon.

As long as I am here,

no one will trouble her.

What should we do now?

Split the command in two, and Mrs. Fan gains nothing.

She'll end up taking the fall.

Grand Tutor Li will surely be displeased.

Grandfather intends to use her

to disrupt Wei Yan's plans.

But it doesn't matter. We can simply play along.

I can be the one

supporting Fan Changyu too.

Good heavens!

Cavalry Captain.

One hundred taels of gold and 500 taels of silver!

Ancestors above!

That'll last Fan Changyu and Fan Changning a lifetime.

That is nothing.

Captain Fan now commands half the forces of Jizhou.

Xie Qi,

when you return,

please pass a message to Changyu.

Even if she has become a captain,

there's still a saying, "Don't bite the husband that fed you."

Husband? It's "Don't bite the hand that fed you."

Stop interrupting.

When Changyu was at her lowest,

it was Yan Zheng who stood by her side.

He was even taken away by the draft for her sake.

That kind of bond is not ordinary.

Don't let her turn into one

of those women who climb the ladder and pull it up behind them.

Women? It's normally men who did that.

Why do you keep butting in,

like a water ladle scooping again and again?

If you say something wrong, should people not correct you?

Mr. and Mrs. Zhao,

do not worry.

Changyu is not that kind of person.

I will pass your message to Captain Fan

and to our Mar…

our best comrade.

Tell Yan Zheng to stay safe and come home soon.

A family should all be under one roof.

That is right. All the people of Lin'an are waiting for him.

Your words will be delivered.

THE SEA OF LEARNING HAS NO END

I never thought Your Highness would go so far

for Luyuan Academy's headmaster.

It seems our agreement was also for his sake.

Lingering in Jizhou instead of returning to the capital…

Got your eye on another man's wife?

Captain Fan's marriage to Marquis Wu'an was a sham.

She and I are comrades-in-arms.

Nothing improper between us.

Headmaster and I once fought side by side.

Our bond is simply that of upright comrades.

Captain Fan.

If your intentions are so proper, why did you panic like that?

You care a lot for a comrade.

Your Highness jests at my expense.

-Mr. Gongsun. -A joke told twice loses its charm.

I didn't expect Your Highness and Administrator Li here.

It seems I have intruded.

Wenkan.

I've changed your medicine.

Take it easy and get some rest.

I have a few things to take care of, so I'll be going now.

Do not move. Count to five.

Five, four, three, two, one.

Your Highness, I…

She does not wish to see you.

Your Highness.

Please wait.

Your Highness.

-Please hear me out. -Keep your distance from Her Highness!

Your Highness, I just want to say…

-Shut the door. -Please let me explain.

Your Highness!

Are you leaving?

I am not leaving.

Watch your foot.

-Are you hurt? Let me see. -No, no.

I am fine.

I am fine.

You lied to me again.

I only wanted to talk to you.

Tell me honestly. Do you have feelings for Li--

Not in the slightest!

I have no interest in him.

And none in you either.

You came all this way just to ask that?

Is there anything else?

Actually, I…

Headmaster Gongsun,

if you truly have no feelings for me,

then stop coming to see me.

THE SEA OF LEARNING HAS NO END

This foolish mouth…

Why can't I get the words out?

Changyu, go!

Changyu, why are you so distracted today?

Another round?

Come.

Forgive me, Lord Li.

Captain Fan,

I came to discuss something with you.

That live-in husband was bad enough.

This Li Menkan is even worse.

Please come back another day.

I am not in the mood today.

You've been made captain. You must learn the terrain and military situation.

Everything's marked on the map. Hope it helps.

If anything is unclear,

I would gladly explain.

Some people love swooping in when there's an opening.

Looks like that live-in husband is in trouble.

In that case,

thank you, Lord Li.

If you don't want to be here, leave.

No, no. We cannot leave.

If we left,

who would protect our captain's reputation?

-Well written! -Is dinner ready?

That line is great.

It is getting late. Let's stop here for today.

I've been busy lately.

I may not be able to join you for a few days.

However, I have invited the best instructor in Jizhou

to serve as your advisor.

You will soon grow into the role of captain.

Then thank you, Lord Li.

Among the Enemy Stratagems is one called "Take the Sheep in Passing".

When an opportunity appears, seize it.

Even the slightest advantage must not be overlooked.

I know this one.

It means if I see the enemy's sheep,

I grab it and cook myself a nice pot of mutton soup.

That is… not entirely wrong.

And this one. I know this too.

"Borrow a Knife to Kill."

It means if my weapon gets knocked away in battle,

I borrow someone else's weapon and chop the enemy down.

It means you do not have to act yourself.

Instead, you provoke others to eliminate the enemy for you.

That way, you preserve your own strength.

I see.

I definitely know this one. "Watch the Fire from Across the River."

Back in my town,

rich families could watch fireworks from right up close.

But poor kids like us had to stand far away,

very far away,

to watch them.

It… It is not about fireworks.

It is… Let's move on.

"Point at the Berry and Curse the Ghost." What does it mean?

It is actually "Point at the Mulberry and Curse the Locust."

A man of upright character…

-Sir, what is-- -Changyu.

Sir.

How did the lesson go?

Captain Fan is remarkably quick-witted.

One example is all she needs.

A true talent.

You taught well, sir.

Not at all, not at all.

That will be all for today.

-I will take my leave. -I have learned Sun Zi's Art of War.

Can you teach me some more from Sun Zi's ancestors tomorrow?

Farewell.

Sir!

Find another teacher as soon as possible.

Understood.

Mr. Liu, thank you for coming.

Every one of my pupils has become a distinguished general.

You may rest assured. There is nothing to worry about.

Please.

This way.

HALL OF LETTERS

Mr. Liu, you…

She barely recognizes the characters.

You had better find someone more capable.

-Mr. Liu, please wait. -I truly cannot teach her.

Farewell.

THE SEA OF LEARNING HAS NO END

-My lord, he-- -Find another.

Please rest assured. Anyone willing to learn should be taught.

Sir…

-Sir? -I would rather starve

-than attempt to teach that. -Wait!

Anyone can be taught.

I am inadequate.

-Please have mercy -Get up.

-and spare my life! -Please get up.

HALL OF ARMS

SEEKING A KIND, PATIENT, STRONG MILITARY TUTOR. THREE TAELS FOR TWO HOURS

The student you seek to teach… Is it Captain Fan?

It is.

Sir!

My lord,

her reputation has spread throughout the city.

JIZHOU PREFECTURAL OFFICE

Three taels an hour, and still no takers.

Forget it.

I will teach her myself.

What?

THREE DAYS LATER

What happened?

Captain Fan did this.

Both of you are still injured, yet you are sparring again?

All internal injuries.

It is getting late.

Help me up. I still need to go teach her.

My lord, please rest.

Stop teaching Captain Fan.

Studying military strategy must be done step by step. Right?

Studying strategy?

Never thought

teaching could go so wrong.

Lord Li.

Changyu.

Lord Li, no, please. Please stay seated.

Lord Li, I truly owe you an apology.

Perhaps I should just study on my own.

You see, my adoptive father is quite formidable.

He even wanted to take me as his disciple.

Do you think he is getting old and his eyesight is failing?

You must possess a rare kind of insight.

Grand Tutor Tao must have seen that very quality in you.

It is something I cannot compare to.

I think so too.

Maybe I should just

ask him to teach me instead.

Spare the old man. Do not trouble him.

Why can I not get any of this into my head?

Looks like I am not cut out for studying.

I left some notes in red between the paragraphs.

Read them when you have time.

When storms darken the sky The rooster still crows

Having seen the graceful one How could I not rejoice?

These lines speak

of storm and turmoil, rain pouring,

the world unsettled.

Yet in the midst of all that confusion,

you lift your eyes,

and suddenly, there she is.

Like clouds parting,

a shaft of light falls over you.

Warm. Bright.

And joy rises from somewhere inside.

Why is it that when Yan Zheng teaches me, I remember everything?

I wonder what he is doing now.

NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED IN THE MAKING OF THIS EPISODE

Subtitle translation by: Jiaxin Wang