Original subtitles

=Royal Upstart 2= (Based on "Zhenguan Foolish Son-in-Law")

=Episode 10=

(You Think Your Great Clans Are That Great?)

They are eyeing the glaze workshop.

This is an open challenge.

It's just the sale of a little glaze.

Is it really that serious?

If they wanted to handle regional sales, they should have come to me.

I would have just given it to them.

But now they're using the clans' power.

In the business world,

I've always welcomed everyone from all over the world.

Whether we can strike a deal is another story.

But look at them.

They bypassed me to pressure the Clan Leader.

They even want to teach me a lesson?

Just them?

They aren't worthy.

Then, how about

mentioning this to Her Highness?

No need.

Aunt,

go to the Clan Leader's house now.

Tell them I'm coming...

I'll go to the Clan Leader's house.

If a fight breaks out,

it'll be the Clan Leader's house getting trashed.

I'll just pay for the damages.

Don't be reckless.

You have no idea how powerful these great clans are.

Aunt,

I am a Lord.

What is there to fear?

Should I let them bully me?

When you arrive tomorrow,

don't go looking for trouble.

Just listen to what they have to say.

The connection between these great clans is very tight.

We can't afford to offend them.

As long as they don't provoke me.

Either way, I'm not someone to be trifled with.

You're here.

Sit.

Since everyone is here,

let's speak openly.

It was indeed a mistake by a member of our Wei clan

not to inform you in advance.

However,

now that Wei Hao is here,

it means he is willing to talk.

If you have any suggestions,

feel free to speak up.

This matter

is actually a small thing.

A small thing?

Clan Leader Wei,

do you know how much profit can be made

by selling this glaze elsewhere?

I really don't know.

The glaze from the capital,

when transported to the South,

the price immediately rises by 20 percent.

Transport it to the North,

and it's 30 percent.

If it's taken to Wanzhou,

the price doubles.

Those Hu merchants

take the glaze to the grasslands,

and the profit is at least three times.

Three...

All of our clans have caravans to the grasslands.

Although we don't go often,

we go at least once a year.

If we were the ones selling the glaze there,

how massive

would the profit be, you think?

It's actually that profitable?

Exactly.

Wei Hao can produce 30,000 guan

worth of glaze in a single kiln.

If we take all of it to the grasslands,

we could bring back at least 120,000 guan.

That much?

Wei Hao,

how much can we have

of this batch?

This batch?

Yes.

You finished two kilns yesterday,

and there's another kiln tomorrow.

Is that right?

For this batch, I've already promised the first four kilns

to the Hu merchants.

The fifth kiln is for the local merchants.

You can take

the fifth kiln.

You'd rather give it to the Hu merchants than us?

Well, it's first-come, first-served.

All I can say is,

as for selling in your clans' territory,

I can grant you that.

But this batch of goods

is not included this time.

(He's being so patient.)

(It seems he took my words to heart.)

No matter what,

you must give us fifty percent of this batch.

Only then can this matter be settled.

Otherwise, don't blame the great clans for punishing you.

All crap.

Who do you think you are,

punishing me?

Who the heck are you to punish me?

You...

You...

"You" what?

Let me tell you,

I only came to talk today

out of respect for the Clan Leader.

For the sake of the great clans' interests,

I've already yielded several areas to you,

yet you still want a 50 percent cut?

What kind of thing are you?

Do you believe that I...

Clan Leader Wei.

Hao...

Aunt, don't stop me.

Hao...

- Don't be impulsive. - What a joke.

Sit down and talk.

Fine, fine.

Sit down.

Well, he has a bit of an impulsive personality.

Don't lower yourselves to his level.

Aunt,

you don't need to mind them.

What are you acting all high and mighty for?

"Great clans' interests?"

"Must?"

I've never even heard of such things.

Now that you've spoken,

I agreed, but you still won't drop it.

Fine.

I'm not giving

those areas to you anymore.

I want to see what you can do to me.

This...

Wei Hao,

since that's the case,

we won't negotiate with you.

Then don't.

Wait...

You think your great clans are that great?

Don't push me.

If you push me, within ten years,

I'll wipe out your great clans.

What are you posing for?

Wipe out our great clans?

You're quite the big shot, huh?

I forgot you are now a Lord of the current dynasty.

Aside from

Dukes, Commandery Dukes, and County Dukes,

Commandery Marquises, and County Marquises,

all that's left is you, the Dynasty-Founding County Lord.

Even without the title of Lord,

I'll still take you down.

Stop being a Lord anymore, then!

How dare you say you will strip our Lord title

here in the Wei ancestral home?

Is this the authority your Clan Leader gave you?

We can decide

matters in the capital.

Can you decide

the relationship between the two clans?

You actually dare to threaten me with the relationship between our clans?

The Clan Leader has finally grown a backbone.

Fine.

Clan Leader Wei,

since Wei Hao

doesn't understand the rules of our great clans,

if you don't teach him, someone else will.

But Wei Hao,

Lord Wei,

I believe it won't be long

before you come looking for us.

At that time, it won't be just 50 percent of the goods.

You'll have to beg us

to accept a 50 percent share of your glaze workshop.

I'll fix that mouth of yours first.

Hao.

Don't stop me.

I've been sick of him for a long time.

Are you even great clans?

You're robbers.

You think you're so great?

This fool is out of his mind. Let's go.

Don't run!

Bring on whatever you've got!

Do you think I was born yesterday?

All right.

Clan Leader,

is there really such a rule?

Does our workshop really have to give them 50 percent?

Fifty percent? They're asking for too much.

However, the great clans do take a 30-percent share.

Our Wei clan

only has influence in the capital area.

Once you leave the capital,

we have none.

The other great clans are even more powerful.

They control a large number of officials.

The number of Wei clan sons in the imperial court

is only about fifty or so.

We simply cannot compare to them.

Hao,

let's

just give them 30 percent.

I'd rather close the glaze workshop

than give it to them.

The world doesn't just belong to those few clans.

They already control the court.

Do they want to control all the world's wealth too?

Wei Hao,

a Lord is nothing

in their eyes.

They have many ways to deal with you,

like having His Majesty strip you of your title.

Even

imprisonment is not impossible.

I think

petitions for your impeachment will be sent up this afternoon.

Impeaching me this afternoon,

and they still want my goods?

In their dreams.

If they impeach me,

as for my glaze,

those great clans won't have a chance to sell a single piece.

I'd rather smash it all.

I'm leaving.

Hao.

You still have an appetite?

It looks like we won't be able

to keep our glaze workshop.

The great clans want to buy a 50-percent share,

and they said if I don't, I'll be in for it.

Who knows how many impeachment petitions

have already reached His Majesty?

The people from those great clans have some nerve.

How dare they try to steal our things!

I just went to talk to them.

If my aunt hadn't stopped me, I would've beaten them up.

They even said

I'd eventually be begging them to buy our shares.

Arrogant, indeed.

So darn arrogant.

If they push me too far,

within ten years,

I'll wipe out those great clans.

(The great clans are a thorn in Father's side.)

(But right now, Great Yong)

(has no choice but to rely on them.)

Fool,

wipe out the great clans within ten years?

Do you even know what the great clans represent?

What's there to fear?

Isn't it just that commoners have no books to read?

Doesn't the Imperial Family have plenty of books?

Give them to me, and I'll print them.

I'll make sure everyone in the world has books to read.

Wei Hao,

printing?

Do you know how much printing costs?

That's because they don't understand it.

So now,

what do we do?

It's fine.

Don't worry.

I'll protect you.

You'll protect me?

You'd better help me figure out how to find His Majesty

and have him intervene for us.

Girl,

tell me,

what if we

give a 30-percent share to those Dukes?

Would that work?

With the Dukes involved,

those great clans wouldn't dare sue us, right?

No.

What do you mean by "no"?

You stingy brat.

With just me and a penniless princess like you,

how could we protect this fortune?

Dream on.

Do you know

how much profit the glaze workshop makes in a year?

You dead fool.

You're the stingy one, you cheapskate.

You're going to be the death of me.

Anyway, I'm not giving it.

If you want to give, use your own share.

Fine.

Let's eat first.

After dinner, I'll go check the glaze workshop.

And you?

Try to find a way

for me to see His Majesty.

I really can't hold out much longer.

Father,

someone is bullying Wei the Fool.

What do you mean?

Regarding our imperial glaze workshop,

the great clans want to take a 50-percent stake.

Wei the Fool didn't agree,

so they threatened to send him to prison

and told him he'd have to beg them for mercy.

Father,

the great clans have gone too far.

Not only do they want to rob Wei Hao when they see him making money,

but they're also getting officials to impeach him.

No wonder.

I received many memorials impeaching Wei Hao yesterday.

Father,

you must stand up for Wei the Fool.

What is there to fear?

So, they dare bully someone under my protection?

Just tell him to rest easy.

But he's very worried right now.

He'll likely go talk to the Dukes.

Those great clans are far too arrogant.

Can they not stand to see anyone make a profit?

What can be done?

Those great clans

are all tightly bound together.

Who

could compete with them?

Father,

Wei the Fool said

that if given ten years,

he would take down those great clans.

He also mentioned something about printing books.

If we had books,

it could shake the foundation of the great clans.

But is printing books really that easy?

With woodblock printing,

does he have any idea how much it costs?

Does he know how many blocks one book requires?

Well...

That brat...

Father,

I've said those same things to him before,

but he just asked what I know about it.

Could he really have some sort of plan?

I'll have to ask him properly another day.

No need.

There's no way.

Your Majesty,

the great clans acting this way is not a good sign.

I am aware.

But what can be done?

If I killed them all,

who would help me govern the world?

I believe

Wei Hao does have a way.

Your Majesty might consider summoning him for a detailed talk.

Have him come to the palace?

I feel

that Wei Hao is indeed a guy with some ability.

It would be beneficial for Your Majesty to see him.

Fine.

Let's meet, then.

It'll keep him from getting so scared that he starts running to the Dukes.

The day after tomorrow, have the Ministry of Rites notify him.

Those great clans

all want me to deal with Wei the Fool.

In their dreams.

I support Wei the Fool.

♪Everyone says I'm a big silly fool♪

♪When things happen, I only know how to count on my fingers♪

♪They shake their heads and say I'm pitiful♪

♪Sigh and walk away♪

♪Little do they know, I am sharp and bright♪

♪With a heart like a mirror, I understand the world's♪

♪Colors and darkness♪

♪But I keep my edge hidden♪

♪The day I become famous is just around the corner♪

♪In the hotpot restaurant, skewers boil in the broth♪

♪People come and go, with few worries or troubles♪

♪The clacking of the abacus rings out♪

♪See me differently. Who dares to challenge me?♪

♪The world mistakes me♪

♪For an ignorant and stubborn fool♪

♪As the storm approaches♪

♪I just shrug and watch with a smile♪

♪This foolish image is convenient♪

♪I use it as a protective shield♪

♪Navigating with ease, I attract♪

♪A lucky star to accompany me♪

♪In a peaceful golden age♪

♪I hold my lady's hand to watch the world♪

♪Pouring youth and fireworks♪

♪Into a precious glazed cup♪

♪Having experienced life's changes♪

♪And tasted its highs and lows♪

♪My wish has finally come true♪

♪To stay by your side♪

♪In this fleeting world♪

♪We are free and happy♪

♪From a nobody♪

♪To someone now famous♪

♪Ordinary people laugh at me♪

♪But I laugh at how they cannot see through it all♪

♪Let others plot and scheme♪

♪I will keep my heart unchanged♪

♪In this vast world♪

♪I find my own leisurely freedom♪

♪The world is bustling, and things constantly change♪

♪Everything ends eventually♪

♪All that remains before my eyes♪

♪Is this street wandering, still tinged with pity♪

♪No matter how time flies♪

♪Even if the falling snow♪

♪Dyes the hair at our temples white♪

♪All I want now♪

♪Is to pray for my lady's peace and safety♪

♪Year after year♪