Original subtitles

[The Heir]

[Episode 21]

Manager Shao,

when are the delivery dates?

Is there still time to remake them?

Most of them are due soon.

The earliest order is due tomorrow.

Tomorrow?

I have only managed household affairs,

without knowing anything about business.

Regarding the ink orders, Zhen,

what do you think we should do?

I saw Doggie and the others sort out some boxes of ink sticks

that hadn't been burned by the fire.

They are perfectly intact inside and out.

Should we use them

to fulfill tomorrow's order first?

No.

Once exposed to high heat,

the ink can crack easily.

It might look intact on the surface,

but it's actually unusable.

Our Li Ink can lose anything,

but not our reputation.

Manager Zhen, you're right.

I was anxious and didn't think it through.

For these recent ink orders,

follow the contracts

and pay the penalty in full.

Also, Manager Shao,

please help me arrange a meeting with the ink merchants.

Let's discuss with them

whether we can give up 30% of the profit

to delay the delivery dates

for a few days.

Okay.

I got it.

How is everything going at the ink workshop?

Besides the smoke shed,

is there any damage elsewhere?

Besides the smoke shed and warehouse,

the rest isn't seriously damaged.

It should be usable with some minor repairs.

That's good.

Eldest Aunt,

I once learned ink-making for 3 years at the Li family's old ink workshop.

It might be decrepit,

but it still works fine.

Before the smoke shed is repaired,

let's move the lampblack-making process there.

That's not a problem.

It's just that...

Just what?

It's just that the upcoming deliveries are all large ink orders.

There are about 10,000 ink sticks in total.

If we compensate them all,

the funds on the ink workshop's books

are far from enough, I'm afraid.

With my previous wages

and the revenue from the New Li Ink Workshop

combined,

there should be 500 taels of silver.

Take it for now.

I'll figure out a way for the rest.

I still have my dowry.

If I take out my entire dowry,

it'll cover 1,000 taels of silver.

Eldest Aunt.

Eldest Young Lady, how can we do this?

A woman's dowry

is her lifeblood.

Zhen is right.

Our Li family can lose anything,

except for the reputation of Li Ink.

We won't short them a single penny of the compensation we owe.

Follow the contracts.

At a time like this,

we must work together to pull through.

Eldest Aunt,

Li Ink will surely get through this crisis.

I promise you

I will definitely

earn back your dowry, Eldest Aunt,

without a single penny missing.

I believe in you.

This whole thing started because of us, the Sixth Branch.

So, of course, we should cover part of it.

Third Aunt.

Sister-in-law,

are you distancing yourselves from us, the Sixth Branch,

because of Jingdong's mistake?

Why did you keep

such a serious issue from us?

Ying is right.

We bear unforgivable blame for this.

Even if we have to pay compensation,

we should be the ones to pay it first.

You have all misunderstood.

Given Jingdong's current state,

how could I, as your sister-in-law,

cause you any more trouble?

You've got that wrong, Eldest Aunt.

We are a family.

Now that Li Ink is in trouble,

we should face it together.

There is no such thing as causing trouble.

Sister-in-law,

my dowry isn't as substantial as yours,

but

if I add up the jewelry I've saved over the years,

it should be worth a few hundred taels of silver.

Early tomorrow morning,

I will tally up the revenue from the estate.

It should be around a few hundred taels of silver as well.

I have some, too.

Unfortunately,

I spent it all on pills and talismans.

I-I will sell them all tomorrow.

That should fetch about 100 taels of silver.

Manager Shao, please calculate it.

Is this enough now?

It's about enough.

Probably enough.

Great.

Wonderful.

Give this

to Shao An.

Okay.

Thank you, Grandpa.

Mother?

Zhen.

Send this to him as well.

Over the years, I've held a grudge against the Li family.

But the Li family is,

after all, the roots of your father and grandfather.

Besides, since I married into the Li family,

your Seventh Grandmother has treated me well.

I must return this favor.

You've waited for me this long.

You must have something to tell me, right?

I heard about the fire at the ink workshop.

And those merchants who signed contracts

and placed ink orders

are making a scene, demanding an explanation from Li Ink.

And Zhen, now that you've taken over the position of its manager,

it seems that you can't avoid dealing with the whole mess.

Thank you for telling me that.

But besides this,

you actually want to talk about something else, right?

You want

to withdraw your shares.

Why do you always assume that I want to withdraw my shares?

Instead of withdrawing, I'm indeed adding more.

I call this taking advantage of a crisis

to increase my investment in the Li family.

You have already helped me a lot.

I can't owe you anymore.

What do you mean by owing?

I told you, I'm taking advantage of a crisis.

Come on, do you think I'm a fool?

You think if you put it that way,

I'll feel at ease accepting it?

Zhen,

since I chose to cooperate with you and the Li family,

of course,

I am willing to add more funds

to help Li Ink tide over the difficulties.

Thank you for your kindness, Master Qi.

But in the end,

this is an internal matter for the Li family to solve.

So I won't trouble you.

Alright.

Then just let me know if anything comes up.

Eldest Young Lady, Third Young Lady.

Manager Shao,

have those ink merchants who caused trouble been dealt with?

It's all settled.

Thanks to Manager Zhen's advance planning,

before those head managers could even make a fuss,

they received their full compensation.

As they left,

they kept praising Li Ink's staff for being considerate,

ethical, and trustworthy.

They said once the ink workshop is fully repaired,

they'd come back to place more ink orders.

Manager Shao!

Manager Zhen.

You are really fast on your feet.

I couldn't keep up with you, even though I hurried.

Look at me.

I just wanted to report the good news as soon as possible.

Excuse my manners.

It's fine. I'm just teasing you.

Eldest Aunt, Third Aunt.

Eldest Young Lady, Third Young Lady,

Lord Yan sent someone with a message.

Masters,

the Tribute Ink selection is approaching.

Lord Yan has decided that in 2 days,

the ink worship ceremony will be held by the Xin'an River.

[To Li Ink Workshop, the Tribute Ink selection is near.]

[The ink worship ceremony will be held by Xin'an River in 2 days.]

All participating ink workshops are requested to arrive on time for it

[All participating ink workshops are requested to arrive on time for it.]

and submit their participation document.

Those who arrive late

will be disqualified from the Tribute Ink selection.

Thank you.

Mr. Zhou, please see him out.

This way, please.

Zhen.

You are now the manager of Li Ink.

You should be the one to decide.

Eldest Aunt, regarding the Tribute Ink,

it involves Uncle Jingdong's painstaking effort.

Let's wait until he wakes up.

Mother!

Father is awake! He is awake!

Father, you're awake!

Jingdong.

Be careful.

Take it easy.

Jingdong, you're finally awake.

You really scared everyone!

It's good that you're awake.

Why did you save me?

Why did you save me?

Why did you save me?

Father!

Jingdong, what are you doing?

Go away!

What are you doing?

Let me die!

Jingdong!

Master!

Let me die!

Father!

Can you stop messing around?

Let me die!

-Father! -Jingdong!

Let me die!

If you die, what will Zhengshen and I do?

I don't deserve to live.

Why did you save...

Go away!

Jingdong!

Let me die!

Zhengshen!

Carry your father

and come with me!

Zhen, what are you going to do?

Doesn't he want to die?

Fine.

I'll find him a good place to die.

What...

Carry him!

Let me go!

Where are you taking me?

Zhengshen, put your father here.

Put him down.

Father.

Zhen,

why did you bring me here?

Aren't you determined to die?

Fine!

Today,

in front of the Sixth Master,

smash your head against this coffin and die.

I promise

no one will dare to stop you.

The Sixth Master died for Li Ink.

Even before he died, he still cared about the family's honor.

Today,

I'll let him see clearly

how the son he sacrificed his life to protect

gives up over a little setback

and attempts suicide over personal gains and losses!

But before you die,

you must know one thing.

The fire you set

burned everything to the ground.

You burned more than half of the warehouse!

None of the ink orders the Li family took can be delivered.

Do you know

where we got the compensation money?

We got it from the dowries of Eldest Aunt and Third Aunt,

Aunt Chunhua's estate revenue,

New Li Ink Workshop's income,

Manager Shao's half-year salary,

and the personal savings of my grandfather and mother.

Even Zhengshen

sold his precious golden pills

and talismans!

The whole family barely

scraped together enough money.

Li Ink's century-old foundation

was almost reduced to ashes by a fire.

But in the entire Li family,

from the Sixth Master who died for Li Ink

to everyone who's given it their all

and supported each other through hard times,

no one is a coward!

Only you, Li Jingdong,

gave up easily over a minor setback

and tried to escape it all through death.

You're a coward.

You are so weak!

You think death can end all the pain.

But have you ever thought about your family?

Your wife

and your son,

what should they do?

Third Aunt has been

crying every day because of you.

Zhengshen rushed

into the fire alone to save you

and burned one of his arms.

Do you really want them to feel guilty,

blame themselves, and live in regret

for the rest of their lives because of your death?

Ask yourself.

Do you truly feel no shame?

Uncle Jingdong,

after hearing what I said,

if you still want to die,

no one can stop you.

Your life is

yours to decide.

Father.

L-Let's go back.

Zhengshen...

Where did you get burned? Let me check on you.

I'm fine.

Let me see.

It's nothing.

Show me.

Does it hurt?

It doesn't, Father.

Sorry, I've made you

and your mother suffer.

I apologize

to both of you.

Father.

Father.

Get up, Jingdong.

Ying.

Jingdong,

since you returned from the capital,

crippled

and broken in spirit,

I've been waiting day and night.

I've been waiting for you to recover

and pull yourself together.

I've waited for the whole 13 years for you to sober up.

If you really leave us behind,

I will never let you go

in this life, even if I have to chase you to the underworld!

It's my fault. I was wrong.

[Li Ink]

Uncle Jingdong,

do you still want to die today?

I've already died once.

I can't die again.

Zhen,

I came here specifically to wait for you.

After I woke up,

Zhengshen

told me everything

that had happened in the past few days.

You were right to scold me.

Well scolded.

Your words woke me up

and brought me,

a useless wreck, back to life.

Uncle Jingdong, what are you doing?

Get up quickly. Come on.

Zhen,

for all these years,

I have treated you harshly on various occasions.

I owe you an apology.

I was wrong.

I made you suffer.

When the Li family was struck by a disaster,

I should have been the one to support the family.

But I complained about everything,

dwelled on my resentment,

and left this whole mess to you.

You were the one who supported this family in my place.

On behalf of the Sixth Branch

and the Li family,

thank you.

It's all in the past.

It's over now.

Come on.

Sit down, please.

Fate is cruel.

Your father,

Jingyuan, and Jingqi,

were

far superior to me

in both talent and character.

Yet I am the one who survived.

I failed to support this family for them

or secure this business.

I let them down.

Uncle Jingdong,

you can't say that.

The past few days,

I've visited all the regular clients

of Li Ink.

They all praised us,

saying the quality of our ink is stable,

and the delivery dates have never been delayed.

Over the years,

you have been overseeing the ink delivery.

You have supported this family very well.

Not at all.

I know exactly what I am capable of.

Everyone has their own expertise.

To maintain an ink workshop,

relying solely on ink-making is absolutely not enough.

You also need to deal with those ink merchants.

In the past few days, as the acting manager of the family,

I have already seen how unfathomable the business realm is.

So, Uncle Jingdong,

don't underestimate yourself.

Now,

the Tribute Ink selection is approaching.

During the few days you were in a coma,

Eldest Aunt handed this matter

over to me to decide.

But I know

you've put years of effort into it

through countless bitter winters and scorching summers.

So, regarding this matter,

I can't make the decision on your behalf.

[Invitation to the Ink Worship Ceremony]

Lord Yan is holding the ink worship ceremony.

Has the Li family decided whether to participate or not?

I don't know either.

But I guess

they will.

Li Ink has suffered disasters over and over again,

and it's a troubled time.

Under such circumstances,

if she still holds on without withdrawing,

then Zhen really has guts.

It is precisely because of the repeated blows Li Ink has suffered

and their low morale

that I guess she will participate.

This is exactly the perfect time

to get everyone in Li Ink united as one.

You really know her well.

Sister.

Fine.

I won't tease you anymore.

The invitation to the Chen family's ink testing event?

I heard that the Chen family

also has a peerless ink this time

to participate in the Tribute Ink selection.

So, Sister,

as long as we invest in both the Li and Chen Ink Workshops,

[Dear Madam Wang] [From Chen Ink, Chen Jiru]

our chances of winning will be greater.

This way, it won't delay the important military supplies.

So I'd like to ask you, Sister,

to invest in the Chen family

in your name.

I will pay for it.

You've considered it

quite thoroughly.

Okay, don't worry.

I will do my best.

But if we do this,

how will you explain it to Li Ink?

It's my duty.

I believe Li Zhen will understand me.

It's just that

she will be under more pressure.

[The memorial tablet of my late father, Li Jinhe]

Today is an auspicious day.

We set up an altar for ink worship.

Anyone wishing to participate in the Tribute Ink selection

must present the document

and bow to the Founder's Black Banner.

[Li Ink's Participation Document for the Tribute Ink]

No one from the Li family is participating.

It is considered a withdrawal.

I hereby announce

that it is now the auspicious time!

Start the funeral procession!

Father!

Please rest in peace!

Lift the coffin!

Hold on, Lord Yan!

Please hold on, Lord Yan.

The auspicious time hasn't arrived.

Please wait a moment, Lord Yan.

Master Qi, what do you mean by this?

It is currently the Xinwei hour.

Xin represents Yin Gold, and Wei represents Yin Earth.

Xinwei means Earth generates Gold.

Mutual generation is auspicious.

It is indeed the auspicious hour.

You're right, Lord Yan.

From heaven's perspective,

the Xinwei hour is an auspicious time.

But for the ink, it is not.

You are here today

for ink worship.

And the ink's element is Water.

But the Xinwei hour

contains an element of Earth.

Earth restrains Water. Mutual restraint is dangerous

and detrimental to the ink.

I hold the view

that the Renshen hour is the true auspicious time.

Besides, Lord Yan,

the Tribute Ink selection is of great significance.

I said this

in the hope that the ink worship ceremony could be timed

and executed perfectly.

I hope you will think twice, Lord Yan.

Master Qi has got a point.

Then everyone from the ink workshops and I

will wait here for a while?

Thank you for considering things for the Huizhou ink industry, Lord Yan.

My Lord, the Xinwei ink worship was specifically calculated

by some fortune-teller hired by the Literary Association.

You can't trust

Qi Jiu's one-sided claim.

Just now, every family has presented their documents.

If the ink worship ceremony is delayed or interrupted again,

I'm afraid the Founding Master will be offended.

Lord Yan.

It is the auspicious time!

Beat the drums!

Bow!

Kneel!

Prostrate!

Rise!

The ceremony is complete!

The Li family is late, sorry.

Lord Yan,

today is my father's funeral. So we're late as the Li family's participants.

Please,

forgive us, my lord.

In this case,

the Li family doesn't intend to withdraw from the Tribute Ink selection, huh?

Indeed.

Li Ink will participate.

That's what I've been waiting for.

Li Ink

treats ink with utmost passion and sincerity.

Despite myriad difficulties,

you will never back down.

Bow!

Kneel!

Prostrate!

Rise!

Prostrate!

Rise!

Bow!

Rise!

The ceremony is complete!

Uncle Jingdong,

I've placed all your unburnt ink clumps

right here for you.

Manager Shao and Zhengshen

helped gather them.

Have a seat.

Okay.

These are all useless things.

Thank you for your hard work.

Using almonds as a preservative

and adding borneol for fragrance,

what a good idea.

This ink is truly great.

Zhen,

I only knew before

that you were very talented in ink-making.

I didn't expect you to have reached

the level of knowing the components just by smelling.

I was thinking,

perhaps we should use Fu Jin Ink for the Tribute Ink selection.

It has already gained a reputation

and cured Lord Yan's daughter.

Uncle Jingdong,

my Fu Jin Ink is a medicinal ink.

It might not be suitable for the Tribute Ink selection.

Besides,

you've put so much effort

into this pine soot ink.

How can you give up halfway?

Let's refine it together.

I believe it will definitely turn out even better.

Zhen,

take this.

What's this?

This is the ink recipe for top-grade pine soot ink

collected by us, the Sixth Branch.

By longstanding family rules,

the ink recipe must not be passed to outsiders.

It is the foundation of the ink workshop's survival.

Uncle Jingdong,

after all, I haven't returned to the clan yet.

This is inappropriate.

If I say it's appropriate, then it is.

Since you've let go of past grudges,

how can I still be selfish?

Besides,

this ink recipe

has become my inner demon,

doing me more harm than good.

If you can draw inspiration from it

and add brilliance to the new ink,

that would be a great blessing for Li Ink.

If your Seventh Grandmother were awake,

she would definitely support my decision.

I promise I will

give it my all.

[Ink-Mixing Area]

Please give it to me, sir.

Come on, look.

Didn't he just sweep it?

Now there's none left.

Put it back on again.

No, it's still too thin.

Make it thicker.

T-This isn't that hard.

It's pretty much like making pills.

Shut up,

or I'll hit you with my cane.

Dad, I'll go practice ink-mixing again.

I'll go practice it.

You can keep burning.

The oil soot hasn't stopped yet.

Uncle Jingdong,

I think we succeeded.

Miss Li Zhen, Master,

the Chen family sent an invitation to the ink testing event,

saying they've finalized the ink for submission.

Qi Jiu,

Cuiqiao is also here.

Did she invest in Chen Ink?

Yes.

I asked her to do it.

Doing business needs

to play both sides sometimes.

It's just a deal. Just for business.

This ink is indeed brilliant.

This ink is bright but not gaudy,

with distinct layers.

The lingering charm

is indescribable.

Third Master Chen,

your Chen family successfully produced this lacquer-soot ink

of such an extraordinary quality before the Tribute Ink selection.

It's truly not easy.

You flatter us, my lord.

We're flattered.

Master Li.

My lord.

Come here.

Check out this lacquer-soot ink from the Chen family.

See which one is better compared to your Li family's

ancient lacquer-soot ink.

Yes.

My lord,

this ink...

My lord,

Hui Ink has not been listed among all the trades since ancient times,

but it holds a high status.

All matters in the ink industry are always managed by the Literary Association.

Master ink makers are also scholars.

And in literature,

there is no absolute first place.

The same goes for ink.

I think,

for every master ink maker,

the ink they make themselves

must rank first in their hearts.

Just as the ancient lacquer-soot ink of the Li family

definitely ranks first in the hearts

of Uncle Jingdong and me.

Am I right, Uncle Jingdong?

And this piece of ink from the Chen family

must also be the first in the hearts

of Third Grandfather Chen and Uncle Junshan.

Third Grandfather,

does what I say make sense?

Yes, it makes sense.

What an eloquent girl!

Lord Yan,

Third Master Chen,

since everyone is so interested in this Cloud Ink,

can we try this ink ourselves

to see its brilliance?

What do you think, Third Master Chen?

You are all peers in the ink industry.

Please feel free to give it a try.

It's my honor.

Thank you, Third Master Chen.

Please.

Clouds gather around the sun.

The ink lives up to its name.

Its color is as deep as the night,

and its luster is as smooth as jade.

Nice ink.

It's really amazing ink.

Eldest Young Master Tian,

then I would also like to ask

when I will have the honor to see

the Tian family's ink for submission?

Lord Yan,

this is the newly made Styrax Ink from the Tian family,

which we intend to submit for the Tribute Ink selection.

Please evaluate it, my lord.

[Styrax]

Third Master Chen.

Madam Wang.

Eldest Young Master Tian,

forgive me for being blunt.

One of the standards

for an excellent ink stick is a pure scent.

This ink

has a vulgar scent

and is made from complicated materials.

Compared to the Chen family's Cloud Ink,

it is inferior, I'm afraid.

You are absolutely right, my lord.

The Chen Ink has such a profound heritage.

Our Tian family's Styrax Ink

only looks good on the surface,

but it's nowhere near good enough.

I am so ashamed.

Zhen,

Tian Benchang is a cunning man.

I guess the Styrax Ink he brought out

at the ink testing event just now was just a distraction.

Given Tian Benchang's tricks,

he definitely has a backup plan.

Zhen,

although I don't know how to make ink,

I have...

still evaluated various inks.

The Chen family's Cloud Ink we saw at the ink testing event just now

was truly out of my expectations,

showing great momentum to win.

Are you really

not going to submit the Fu Jin Ink for the selection?

In my opinion,

the Fu Jin Ink can only represent me personally.

Yet the pine soot ink is

the ink that can truly represent the Li family.

Moreover,

in the current situation, whether for Uncle Jingdong

or the Li family,

pulling it off together matters more than the result.

So, for this Tribute Ink selection,

our Li family must participate,

and we must use the ink made by Uncle Jingdong.

Only in this way

can our Li family

really get over it and move on.

And the hearts of the Li family

can start beating again.

I see.

Looks like you are more insightful than I am.

But what about you?

You invested in our Li Ink

to secure military funds for Marshal Qi.

But this time,

no one knows who will win the Tribute Ink right.

Aren't you afraid?

It's okay.

It's the same if Chen Ink is chosen.

No, no.

Don't get me wrong. I didn't mean that.

I heard it clearly.

That's exactly what you meant.

You mean

our Li Ink is not as good as Chen Ink.

In that case,

why don't you

withdraw your shares from Li Ink

and invest all the money in Chen Ink?

No, no.

Do not misunderstand me.

A gentleman's word is his bond.

And I've said before,

it doesn't matter even if you don't participate,

because what I value is you, Zhen.

Let me see.

So this is what a gentleman looks like?

Then take a closer look.

A gentleman looks exactly like me.

Zhen,

it's still not too late

to change the ink now.

Uncle Jingdong,

do you think

there is a problem with this ink?

Our ink

is of excellent quality.

But the only thing special about it is

its deep black color.

It's nowhere as good as the Chen family's lacquer-soot ink.

Let's change it to your Fu Jin Ink.

Today, Tian Benchang was praising the Chen Ink and belittling the Li Ink.

He just attempted to dampen our Li family's morale.

Ignore him.

But what he said is true.

Uncle Jingdong,

my Fu Jin Ink is medicinal ink.

Let's not mention

whether it complies with the rules for the Tribute Ink selection.

Even if we submit it for the selection,

it might not win.

But your pine soot ink

is black enough,

marking the original intention of ink-making,

completing the simplest thing to the extreme extent.

It's the most suitable for the Ink Tribute selection.

Do you still remember

the ink you and my father

made together for the first time?

Jingfu,

[Young Li Jingdong]

what's so special about this ink of ours?

Its color is black enough.

[Young Li Jingfu]

Do you still remember when we went to ask

the scholars and tutors in the studies along the Xuefu Street,

as well as the shopkeeper

of Sibao Restaurant on Sibao Street?

Yes, I do.

The students in the studies said

that normally, when they used ink,

it faded as they wrote.

They always had to distract themselves to grind more,

which affected their concentration.

The shopkeeper said

he rarely used ink on Xuan paper.

He often just jotted things down on scratch paper.

When in a hurry,

he even wrote on his palms or arms.

So, ink needs to be black enough to be useful.

Why did I forget?

It turns out that this idea was

planted in my head long ago

by Jingfu.

This ink

carries my father's original intention,

your persistence,

the techniques my grandfather taught me,

and the spirit passed down through generations of Li Ink—

embrace simplicity and benefit the world.

But my Fu Jin Ink

can only heal the body,

while your pine soot ink

represents the unity

of the entire Li family.

Furthermore, it's the supreme ink

that Li Ink can present for now.

It's perfect for the Tribute Ink selection.

Uncle Jingdong, you made this ink.

Please give it a name.

Zhen,

you should be the one

naming this ink,

because you are the most qualified.

Okay.

"Origin Ink."

Good.