1 00:01:42,480 --> 00:01:43,320 General. 2 00:01:44,160 --> 00:01:45,080 The man is here. 3 00:01:46,920 --> 00:01:49,360 Do you have parents or brothers at home? 4 00:01:50,440 --> 00:01:53,000 Do you have any relatives or friends in your hometown? 5 00:01:53,640 --> 00:01:55,920 General. I am an orphan. 6 00:02:01,600 --> 00:02:02,560 Come. 7 00:02:04,440 --> 00:02:05,280 Come up. 8 00:02:14,240 --> 00:02:16,840 Forget your past and your name. 9 00:02:17,600 --> 00:02:19,080 Remember every word I say. 10 00:02:20,040 --> 00:02:21,760 Your surname is actually Xiao. 11 00:02:21,840 --> 00:02:24,520 A child of the Xiao imperial bloodline who has been lost outside. 12 00:02:24,600 --> 00:02:27,080 The late emperor once ordered me to bring you back. 13 00:02:28,080 --> 00:02:29,320 I searched for years. 14 00:02:29,400 --> 00:02:31,440 At last, you may return to the rightful lineage. 15 00:02:32,040 --> 00:02:34,400 The throne now stands empty. 16 00:02:34,480 --> 00:02:36,320 Chang'an cannot go a single day without an emperor. 17 00:02:36,920 --> 00:02:40,200 Among the Xiao clan, you are the only one left. 18 00:02:40,800 --> 00:02:41,840 From this moment on, 19 00:02:41,920 --> 00:02:44,280 you are the emperor of this land. 20 00:02:45,320 --> 00:02:46,560 Is that true? 21 00:02:47,280 --> 00:02:49,240 Of course it is not. 22 00:02:51,400 --> 00:02:52,760 But if I say it is true, 23 00:02:53,520 --> 00:02:54,360 then it is true. 24 00:02:56,360 --> 00:02:57,600 Zhiying. 25 00:02:57,680 --> 00:02:59,280 Dress him in the dragon robe. 26 00:02:59,360 --> 00:03:01,120 See whether it fits or not. 27 00:03:01,200 --> 00:03:02,040 Yes. 28 00:03:06,360 --> 00:03:07,600 Come with me. 29 00:03:31,280 --> 00:03:33,000 AWAKENING AND RETURNING TO PURITY 30 00:03:33,080 --> 00:03:34,440 Do you know 31 00:03:36,440 --> 00:03:38,440 you and I met when we were very young? 32 00:03:42,360 --> 00:03:44,040 It was about 19 years ago. 33 00:03:45,640 --> 00:03:46,920 Yan Fengshan 34 00:03:48,120 --> 00:03:49,440 had not yet turned traitor. 35 00:03:50,920 --> 00:03:53,160 He was cold, cruel, 36 00:03:53,880 --> 00:03:55,200 and not like he is now, 37 00:03:56,560 --> 00:03:58,400 still able to put on a guise of kindness. 38 00:04:01,760 --> 00:04:02,880 At that time, 39 00:04:04,160 --> 00:04:05,720 he adopted a child. 40 00:04:07,360 --> 00:04:09,200 The child came from the northern border. 41 00:04:09,960 --> 00:04:11,040 He had no parents. 42 00:04:11,720 --> 00:04:12,840 Back then, 43 00:04:15,480 --> 00:04:16,399 I saw you. 44 00:04:17,600 --> 00:04:21,600 Back then, your eyes always looked to the horizon. 45 00:04:21,680 --> 00:04:23,280 Unlike how they are now. 46 00:04:24,040 --> 00:04:26,920 What about me now? 47 00:04:27,000 --> 00:04:28,360 The way you are now, 48 00:04:31,600 --> 00:04:33,320 your eyes see only what's before you. 49 00:04:35,000 --> 00:04:36,000 A man like that 50 00:04:38,000 --> 00:04:39,080 easily grows obsessed. 51 00:04:50,000 --> 00:04:51,520 You asked what tricks I have. 52 00:04:52,480 --> 00:04:53,400 I have none. 53 00:04:54,520 --> 00:04:56,240 You people are the ones who control Chang'an. 54 00:04:58,040 --> 00:05:01,160 But I do have a tale I wish to tell you. 55 00:05:02,200 --> 00:05:06,200 It is about your origins and Yan Fengshan's past. 56 00:05:08,760 --> 00:05:10,240 How many dumplings will you have? 57 00:05:30,680 --> 00:05:33,240 {\an8}HOUSE SAUCES, SWEETS 58 00:05:38,240 --> 00:05:41,680 Your origins are exactly so. 59 00:05:42,760 --> 00:05:44,080 How you choose 60 00:05:45,240 --> 00:05:46,680 is entirely up to you. 61 00:05:48,160 --> 00:05:49,160 How 62 00:05:50,960 --> 00:05:52,640 can I choose? 63 00:05:54,840 --> 00:05:58,080 To avenge your blood kin is only right. 64 00:05:59,160 --> 00:06:00,600 Let the past 20 years 65 00:06:02,880 --> 00:06:04,560 be treated as no more than a dream. 66 00:06:06,200 --> 00:06:07,840 If you carry out this task, 67 00:06:07,920 --> 00:06:09,560 you may live for six more hours. 68 00:06:10,080 --> 00:06:13,000 If you refuse, Commander Wang is right outside the door. 69 00:06:13,520 --> 00:06:15,400 He hides his skill deep within. 70 00:06:15,480 --> 00:06:16,920 His blade is the same. 71 00:06:17,800 --> 00:06:21,200 If you cannot pass that door, you will die here all the same. 72 00:06:26,240 --> 00:06:31,240 AWAKENING AND RETURNING TO PURITY 73 00:06:31,320 --> 00:06:32,400 Xie Huai'an. 74 00:06:34,680 --> 00:06:35,920 Living your whole life this way, 75 00:06:38,000 --> 00:06:39,320 aren't you tired? 76 00:06:40,000 --> 00:06:41,200 What you should ask me 77 00:06:42,400 --> 00:06:44,080 is whether it is right to live this way. 78 00:06:44,960 --> 00:06:46,480 I once believed I was right. 79 00:06:46,560 --> 00:06:49,080 You killed far too many who should not have died. 80 00:06:50,520 --> 00:06:52,120 I will never let you win. 81 00:06:53,600 --> 00:06:54,880 Whatever you intend to do, 82 00:06:56,400 --> 00:06:58,520 I will never let you succeed. 83 00:07:03,240 --> 00:07:05,480 Do you want to see Yan Fengshan die with your own eyes? 84 00:07:11,280 --> 00:07:12,400 Nothing would please me more. 85 00:07:13,720 --> 00:07:14,560 My thanks. 86 00:07:34,280 --> 00:07:37,080 Bamboo baskets. 87 00:07:37,160 --> 00:07:38,320 Pork. 88 00:07:39,040 --> 00:07:41,960 All of it is top-quality pork slaughtered fresh today. 89 00:07:43,720 --> 00:07:45,640 Sir, what would you like? 90 00:07:46,960 --> 00:07:49,000 One and a half jin of hind leg meat, 91 00:07:50,200 --> 00:07:51,680 for making dumplings for two people. 92 00:07:51,760 --> 00:07:53,200 All right. One moment. 93 00:07:53,280 --> 00:07:54,200 I'll give you a discount. 94 00:07:54,280 --> 00:07:55,240 Pack them together. 95 00:07:58,120 --> 00:08:00,560 - Sir. Here you go. - No need. 96 00:08:45,760 --> 00:08:46,760 You are back, General. 97 00:08:47,400 --> 00:08:48,640 I haven't cooked for you in ages. 98 00:08:48,720 --> 00:08:51,480 I shall practice today, so I do not get rusty. 99 00:09:02,000 --> 00:09:04,360 The people you assigned to keep an eye on me 100 00:09:04,440 --> 00:09:05,680 have already been eliminated. 101 00:09:07,800 --> 00:09:09,600 I know. But I did not bother with it. 102 00:09:11,640 --> 00:09:12,760 Xie Huai'an 103 00:09:13,720 --> 00:09:14,560 is laying a trap for me. 104 00:09:14,640 --> 00:09:15,680 That is fine. 105 00:09:16,320 --> 00:09:17,520 I wanted to meet him anyway. 106 00:09:18,760 --> 00:09:19,600 I figured as much. 107 00:09:20,480 --> 00:09:22,640 White Hair is a ruthless man. 108 00:09:22,720 --> 00:09:24,600 For you to return alive 109 00:09:25,880 --> 00:09:26,880 is no small feat. 110 00:09:30,200 --> 00:09:31,840 But I feel he has no tricks left. 111 00:09:35,320 --> 00:09:36,960 He only told me 112 00:09:38,320 --> 00:09:39,720 a piece of the past, 113 00:09:40,440 --> 00:09:41,680 something about my origins. 114 00:09:43,560 --> 00:09:44,800 Then he let me go. 115 00:09:45,920 --> 00:09:46,840 He even asked me 116 00:09:46,920 --> 00:09:49,080 whether I was willing to make dumplings for you. 117 00:09:50,760 --> 00:09:52,240 The dumplings are cooked, 118 00:09:52,320 --> 00:09:54,080 General, do not eat yet. 119 00:09:55,600 --> 00:09:56,480 In strategy, 120 00:09:57,000 --> 00:09:58,280 I am no match for Xie Huai'an. 121 00:09:59,600 --> 00:10:01,360 But I am not foolish enough 122 00:10:02,080 --> 00:10:03,480 to let a piece of the past 123 00:10:04,520 --> 00:10:06,920 erase the years I have spent following you. 124 00:10:11,320 --> 00:10:12,680 I waited for you here, 125 00:10:14,480 --> 00:10:15,840 simply to ask for clarity. 126 00:10:19,200 --> 00:10:22,840 I never spoke of the past to you not because I did not want you to know, 127 00:10:24,760 --> 00:10:27,000 but because I did not want to remember it myself. 128 00:10:28,000 --> 00:10:29,200 Since matters have come to this, 129 00:10:30,400 --> 00:10:31,960 I shall tell you. 130 00:10:33,600 --> 00:10:36,320 Twenty-five years ago, in the northern borderlands, 131 00:10:36,400 --> 00:10:39,440 there was a place called Chen Valley. 132 00:10:42,040 --> 00:10:43,680 We called it Chen Valley, 133 00:10:44,200 --> 00:10:47,920 but the Tiemo people called that place Mingshanzi Gorge. 134 00:10:48,440 --> 00:10:49,840 A tiny patch of land, 135 00:10:50,880 --> 00:10:54,160 yet we and the Tiemo people fought over it seven times. 136 00:10:54,240 --> 00:10:56,480 In the final battle, we lost. 137 00:10:57,520 --> 00:10:59,320 My soldiers and I were captured 138 00:11:00,200 --> 00:11:02,600 and locked inside the Tiemo army's granary, 139 00:11:02,680 --> 00:11:04,320 waiting quietly for death. 140 00:11:25,960 --> 00:11:28,160 The Tiemo people were toying with the prisoners. 141 00:11:28,760 --> 00:11:31,040 Each time they lowered the food, there was less than before. 142 00:11:32,600 --> 00:11:36,120 The last time, they dropped only one steamed bun… 143 00:11:46,600 --> 00:11:48,080 and one knife. 144 00:12:19,640 --> 00:12:21,520 It seemed only I understood 145 00:12:22,320 --> 00:12:24,920 that no matter how much food the Tiemo people gave us, 146 00:12:25,920 --> 00:12:28,840 none of us would survive until the day they opened the granary. 147 00:12:31,200 --> 00:12:33,840 Unless the Tiemo people believed we were all dead. 148 00:12:39,960 --> 00:12:43,640 So I killed every last one of them. 149 00:13:26,640 --> 00:13:30,040 After that, many more days passed. 150 00:13:39,960 --> 00:13:42,240 After I killed all the Tiemo people, 151 00:13:42,320 --> 00:13:44,520 I wandered across the wasteland for a long time. 152 00:13:45,840 --> 00:13:48,520 At that time, I felt like a ghost, 153 00:13:48,600 --> 00:13:50,800 not knowing where I should go, 154 00:13:50,880 --> 00:13:53,560 not knowing whether I even deserved to live. 155 00:13:55,280 --> 00:13:57,040 I walked for a very long time. 156 00:13:57,120 --> 00:13:59,560 At last, I returned to my own land. 157 00:13:59,640 --> 00:14:01,840 A farming couple took me in. 158 00:14:02,560 --> 00:14:03,960 They were not afraid of me. 159 00:14:04,040 --> 00:14:05,960 Instead they gave me a bowl of hot rice. 160 00:14:06,040 --> 00:14:08,720 Here, sir, do not be shy. Eat quickly. 161 00:14:09,480 --> 00:14:10,600 Treat this as your own home. 162 00:14:12,080 --> 00:14:14,000 Yes, sir, I still have some meat here. 163 00:14:14,080 --> 00:14:15,200 It will be ready soon. 164 00:14:17,840 --> 00:14:19,840 Go on, eat. There is more in the pot. 165 00:14:24,240 --> 00:14:25,680 At that time, 166 00:14:25,760 --> 00:14:27,600 or perhaps for many years after, 167 00:14:28,120 --> 00:14:30,600 I had not truly stepped out of that granary. 168 00:14:31,680 --> 00:14:34,760 I believed that only by killing everyone 169 00:14:34,840 --> 00:14:36,640 could I earn a single meal. 170 00:15:01,680 --> 00:15:03,280 That child was you. 171 00:15:09,680 --> 00:15:12,560 This story, is it the same as the one White Hair told you? 172 00:15:18,360 --> 00:15:20,280 If I had died in that granary, 173 00:15:20,360 --> 00:15:22,640 or if your parents had not taken me in, 174 00:15:22,720 --> 00:15:25,640 you would never have become a member of the Huben Army. 175 00:15:26,480 --> 00:15:30,000 The village where you were born stood on a sunny hillside. 176 00:15:30,080 --> 00:15:31,680 You could have been a farmer, 177 00:15:31,760 --> 00:15:35,120 and after a day of work, you could still go home to eat dumplings, 178 00:15:35,200 --> 00:15:38,160 with your parents not yet old sitting beside you. 179 00:15:39,360 --> 00:15:41,360 Such a life would have been blessed. 180 00:15:42,960 --> 00:15:44,400 But because of me, 181 00:15:45,280 --> 00:15:47,040 your entire life changed. 182 00:15:50,160 --> 00:15:51,000 So 183 00:15:51,600 --> 00:15:55,280 today White Hair used you in an attempt to poison me. 184 00:15:57,240 --> 00:16:00,440 To avenge my blood kin is only just. 185 00:16:01,360 --> 00:16:02,680 Let the past 20 years 186 00:16:03,720 --> 00:16:05,160 be treated as a dream. 187 00:16:13,280 --> 00:16:14,600 I do not blame you. 188 00:17:06,800 --> 00:17:08,040 When I was seven, 189 00:17:09,160 --> 00:17:10,599 I learned how to make dumplings. 190 00:17:11,440 --> 00:17:12,880 I even wrapped 191 00:17:14,839 --> 00:17:15,839 a copper coin inside one. 192 00:17:16,920 --> 00:17:18,400 I had hoped you would take it, 193 00:17:20,880 --> 00:17:22,440 and with it I wished you long life, 194 00:17:22,960 --> 00:17:24,599 in peace and in safety. 195 00:17:38,120 --> 00:17:40,040 Xie Huai'an even tried to sway me, 196 00:17:41,080 --> 00:17:43,920 hoping I would come back and poison you. 197 00:17:45,120 --> 00:17:46,600 How could that ever happen? 198 00:17:50,200 --> 00:17:53,080 If not you, how would I be who I am today? 199 00:17:56,720 --> 00:17:58,400 As for those parents, 200 00:18:00,560 --> 00:18:01,800 I never laid eyes on them, 201 00:18:03,200 --> 00:18:04,560 not even for a single day. 202 00:18:04,640 --> 00:18:06,520 Their deaths mean nothing to me. 203 00:18:07,880 --> 00:18:10,520 All these years, the one who raised me 204 00:18:13,920 --> 00:18:15,520 was the General of the Huben Army, 205 00:18:17,400 --> 00:18:18,480 Yan Fengshan. 206 00:18:28,360 --> 00:18:30,080 He wants to watch you die with his own eyes. 207 00:18:31,920 --> 00:18:33,240 He entered the city with me. 208 00:18:44,920 --> 00:18:45,760 Stop. 209 00:18:46,680 --> 00:18:47,720 - Come here. - Move these things out. 210 00:18:50,680 --> 00:18:53,000 - Do you have a travel pass? - Yes. 211 00:18:54,560 --> 00:18:56,680 From Huai'an Commandery. My surname is Zeng. 212 00:19:00,520 --> 00:19:02,360 - Go on. - Thank you. 213 00:19:04,840 --> 00:19:07,880 Only three watchtowers nearby have a view of this courtyard. 214 00:19:08,960 --> 00:19:10,200 A man wearing a fisherman's hat, 215 00:19:10,720 --> 00:19:12,240 with half his face covered, 216 00:19:12,760 --> 00:19:14,480 and a fish maw mask on his upper face, 217 00:19:16,080 --> 00:19:17,360 that is Xie Huai'an. 218 00:19:27,080 --> 00:19:28,560 Before you returned, 219 00:19:29,320 --> 00:19:31,560 I had already sent Zhiying to hunt him down. 220 00:19:32,840 --> 00:19:33,960 This 221 00:19:35,120 --> 00:19:36,680 is the final plan 222 00:19:38,760 --> 00:19:39,760 I offer to you. 223 00:20:08,120 --> 00:20:09,600 The past 224 00:20:11,280 --> 00:20:12,320 has nothing to do with me. 225 00:20:13,720 --> 00:20:14,960 In this life, 226 00:20:15,800 --> 00:20:16,960 I have no regrets. 227 00:20:17,480 --> 00:20:22,080 To die with a father not yet old beside me, 228 00:20:23,080 --> 00:20:24,480 that is a fine life. 229 00:21:06,440 --> 00:21:08,480 May you live a thousand years 230 00:21:11,280 --> 00:21:12,320 in peace 231 00:21:13,320 --> 00:21:14,320 and safety. 232 00:21:50,360 --> 00:21:53,120 Wang Pu, you are truly foolish. 233 00:21:53,640 --> 00:21:58,400 A man like White Hair would never believe you would poison me. 234 00:21:59,000 --> 00:22:00,960 He merely wanted you to return to my side, 235 00:22:01,040 --> 00:22:03,640 so that I could watch you die with my own eyes. 236 00:22:26,240 --> 00:22:27,080 General. 237 00:22:28,040 --> 00:22:31,120 The man wearing the fish maw mask was not Xie Huai'an at all. 238 00:23:04,040 --> 00:23:05,640 Hold your tongue. 239 00:23:07,680 --> 00:23:10,040 We have known each other for quite some time. 240 00:23:11,960 --> 00:23:13,640 Yet I still failed to see your true nature. 241 00:23:15,800 --> 00:23:18,960 You would sell out the loyal and upright and even abet villains 242 00:23:20,000 --> 00:23:21,280 for money. 243 00:23:22,440 --> 00:23:25,240 No wonder this temple has so few devotees. 244 00:23:27,320 --> 00:23:28,840 It is not the location. 245 00:23:33,040 --> 00:23:34,520 It is your wicked heart. 246 00:23:39,640 --> 00:23:41,160 How shall we deal with him? 247 00:23:41,240 --> 00:23:42,840 Mister, spare me. Sir, spare me. 248 00:23:42,920 --> 00:23:43,920 Sir, spare me. 249 00:23:45,920 --> 00:23:46,760 Please stand. 250 00:23:49,680 --> 00:23:51,880 I am but a wanted man. 251 00:23:52,840 --> 00:23:53,880 Your life 252 00:23:54,880 --> 00:23:56,520 is not mine to spare. 253 00:24:00,840 --> 00:24:02,840 You knew my identity long ago. 254 00:24:03,440 --> 00:24:05,080 You waited and observed for a month, 255 00:24:05,160 --> 00:24:06,960 and only when you thought I had gone mad 256 00:24:07,720 --> 00:24:08,640 did you report me. 257 00:24:10,120 --> 00:24:11,960 To have such careful judgment, 258 00:24:12,640 --> 00:24:13,600 sir, 259 00:24:14,120 --> 00:24:16,240 why waste it on a gambling table? 260 00:24:18,480 --> 00:24:19,600 I, Xie Huai'an, 261 00:24:20,600 --> 00:24:21,640 thank you 262 00:24:22,720 --> 00:24:24,080 for taking me in during this time. 263 00:24:26,560 --> 00:24:27,400 Thank you, sir. 264 00:24:27,480 --> 00:24:28,840 Thank you for sparing my life. 265 00:24:28,920 --> 00:24:30,400 - Thank you for sparing my life. - Go. 266 00:24:32,160 --> 00:24:33,760 Go. 267 00:24:41,200 --> 00:24:43,040 - Commander Wang. - Here. 268 00:24:43,680 --> 00:24:45,000 Return to the Capital. 269 00:24:46,120 --> 00:24:47,920 Prepare to gather all available men in the Capital. 270 00:24:48,000 --> 00:24:49,240 Yes. 271 00:24:49,320 --> 00:24:51,640 The Tiemo secret envoy has already set off. 272 00:24:53,120 --> 00:24:54,960 This is our chance to strike back. 273 00:24:55,760 --> 00:24:58,680 For this day, I have waited a long time too. 274 00:25:00,640 --> 00:25:01,960 I await your command. 275 00:25:14,120 --> 00:25:15,080 Mr. Long. 276 00:25:19,160 --> 00:25:20,600 You did not visit before, 277 00:25:21,120 --> 00:25:22,200 nor did you send a letter. 278 00:25:22,920 --> 00:25:25,400 There are many people worried about you. 279 00:25:27,320 --> 00:25:28,760 I was watched too closely this time, 280 00:25:29,280 --> 00:25:30,720 so I dared not write rashly. 281 00:25:31,240 --> 00:25:32,240 Please forgive me, Mr. Long. 282 00:25:34,040 --> 00:25:34,960 Come. 283 00:25:35,680 --> 00:25:38,800 I will take you to see the place your father left behind. 284 00:26:17,240 --> 00:26:18,200 Look here. 285 00:26:18,280 --> 00:26:19,600 I even added a bit more for you. 286 00:26:19,680 --> 00:26:21,120 How is it enough? 287 00:26:21,200 --> 00:26:22,080 Enough. 288 00:26:22,160 --> 00:26:24,240 - That will be seven wen in total. - All right. 289 00:26:24,320 --> 00:26:26,520 - I packed it for you. - All right. 290 00:26:48,000 --> 00:26:49,000 All right then. 291 00:26:49,880 --> 00:26:50,960 Here you go. 292 00:26:51,040 --> 00:26:52,360 - Count it. - Thank you. 293 00:27:28,720 --> 00:27:30,360 You finally showed up. 294 00:27:32,200 --> 00:27:33,680 What? Did you think I died? 295 00:27:33,760 --> 00:27:35,840 No, no. 296 00:27:37,480 --> 00:27:38,440 Sir, 297 00:27:38,520 --> 00:27:40,200 I have something to attend to… 298 00:27:44,040 --> 00:27:45,120 Come. 299 00:28:00,680 --> 00:28:01,520 Well? 300 00:28:02,200 --> 00:28:03,680 This place is nice, isn't it? 301 00:28:04,720 --> 00:28:07,360 You will never see scenery like this in Chang'an. 302 00:28:07,440 --> 00:28:09,240 It is practically a paradise. 303 00:28:10,320 --> 00:28:13,120 But this paradise has one flaw. 304 00:28:13,200 --> 00:28:14,640 There is no sunlight. 305 00:28:14,720 --> 00:28:16,680 Without sunlight, there are no crops. 306 00:28:16,760 --> 00:28:18,880 So rice is more expensive than salt here. 307 00:28:19,760 --> 00:28:22,680 Right. This paradise has another flaw. 308 00:28:23,200 --> 00:28:25,600 You cannot see the sun, so you cannot tell the time. 309 00:28:25,680 --> 00:28:29,400 Rising with the sun and resting at sunset is impossible here. 310 00:28:30,840 --> 00:28:32,200 The salt shop where you work 311 00:28:32,280 --> 00:28:33,880 has a salt hourglass for time, doesn't it? 312 00:28:36,040 --> 00:28:36,880 How do you know that? 313 00:28:37,480 --> 00:28:40,440 And the shops along the street also have hourglasses for timing. 314 00:28:41,520 --> 00:28:42,680 You know that too? 315 00:28:42,760 --> 00:28:43,920 Have you been here before? 316 00:28:44,000 --> 00:28:46,960 Using hourglasses to keep time was an assignment from Mr. Wu Zhongheng 317 00:28:47,040 --> 00:28:48,920 back when we were at the Grand Academy. 318 00:28:49,000 --> 00:28:50,840 If I remember correctly, 319 00:28:50,920 --> 00:28:53,640 you pretended to be sick and never handed in your work. 320 00:28:56,400 --> 00:28:58,280 And you… 321 00:28:58,800 --> 00:28:59,640 Still pretending? 322 00:29:00,240 --> 00:29:03,160 The hourglass in your shop is the result of my assignment. 323 00:29:04,640 --> 00:29:05,880 My father originally 324 00:29:06,480 --> 00:29:08,480 designed this Cangshui River 325 00:29:08,560 --> 00:29:10,120 because there was no daylight here, 326 00:29:10,880 --> 00:29:12,440 which was why he moved everything inside. 327 00:29:13,160 --> 00:29:16,000 Since there is me, why must there be you? 328 00:29:19,360 --> 00:29:21,200 - Zheng. - Look who is here. 329 00:29:24,320 --> 00:29:25,400 Who else could it be? 330 00:29:25,480 --> 00:29:27,160 Isn't that Xie Huai'an? 331 00:29:28,080 --> 00:29:29,480 Why are you so cold? 332 00:29:30,120 --> 00:29:31,240 It has been a long time. 333 00:29:32,680 --> 00:29:33,640 I know. 334 00:29:35,160 --> 00:29:36,800 It is because he came to see me first, 335 00:29:36,880 --> 00:29:37,840 is that right? 336 00:29:40,640 --> 00:29:42,880 Thank you for going to the trouble. We just met. 337 00:29:43,640 --> 00:29:44,560 Yet we spoke of strategy. 338 00:29:44,640 --> 00:29:46,040 Do you want to hear the plan? 339 00:29:46,120 --> 00:29:47,400 Come with me. 340 00:29:47,480 --> 00:29:48,960 I will tell you slowly. 341 00:29:50,000 --> 00:29:51,360 Little one. 342 00:29:51,440 --> 00:29:53,040 No. When did you ever talk about strategy? 343 00:29:53,720 --> 00:29:56,000 - You're the little one. - Little Mo. 344 00:29:56,080 --> 00:29:57,080 Get lost. 345 00:30:03,040 --> 00:30:05,080 Chang'an is now sealed tight. 346 00:30:05,600 --> 00:30:07,920 Yan Fengshan and the Huben Army control everything. 347 00:30:09,160 --> 00:30:11,160 But the civil court is still running, 348 00:30:12,440 --> 00:30:15,840 so the people of Chang'an have not been pushed to outrage. 349 00:30:16,600 --> 00:30:18,400 The troops of Xiao Wuyang outside the city 350 00:30:18,480 --> 00:30:21,160 are surrounded by the four regional military commanders. 351 00:30:21,240 --> 00:30:22,920 But they have not cut off supplies. 352 00:30:23,720 --> 00:30:27,120 Otherwise the Wuyang Army would fight to the last. 353 00:30:27,200 --> 00:30:29,480 Yan Fengshan is truly capable. 354 00:30:30,120 --> 00:30:32,520 He restrains the troops without provoking war, 355 00:30:33,120 --> 00:30:35,840 and controls the city without stirring public anger. 356 00:30:37,320 --> 00:30:38,480 If you ask me, 357 00:30:39,000 --> 00:30:42,280 he is so capable, he might as well make himself emperor. 358 00:30:44,360 --> 00:30:46,320 He has held power for years, 359 00:30:46,400 --> 00:30:49,040 and the people of Chang'an are used to it. 360 00:30:49,640 --> 00:30:52,920 Now, he props up a fake emperor to keep things calm. 361 00:30:53,520 --> 00:30:55,440 If he suddenly declared himself emperor, 362 00:30:56,040 --> 00:30:58,200 it would not benefit him at all. 363 00:30:58,920 --> 00:31:02,080 He can still weigh the scales properly. 364 00:31:03,480 --> 00:31:05,400 Isn't there a large army in the north? 365 00:31:05,480 --> 00:31:06,400 The Baiwenhu main force. 366 00:31:06,480 --> 00:31:08,360 The northern Baiwenhu Army. 367 00:31:09,080 --> 00:31:10,600 They will not march south unless summoned. 368 00:31:11,560 --> 00:31:12,720 This was once 369 00:31:13,400 --> 00:31:15,080 my father's pact with the Gu family. 370 00:31:16,560 --> 00:31:18,800 So when my brother attacked Chang'an back then, 371 00:31:19,560 --> 00:31:21,920 Gu Yu only brought 1,000 personal guards. 372 00:31:22,000 --> 00:31:23,120 But look at the situation now. 373 00:31:27,880 --> 00:31:28,880 Xie Huai'an, 374 00:31:29,920 --> 00:31:31,920 if you need an imperial summons 375 00:31:33,040 --> 00:31:34,080 I can give it to you. 376 00:31:36,680 --> 00:31:38,400 With the situation as it is, 377 00:31:38,480 --> 00:31:41,160 even if you wrote me an imperial edict to summon them, 378 00:31:41,240 --> 00:31:42,880 I would have no way to send it to the north. 379 00:31:42,960 --> 00:31:44,920 If we acted now, 380 00:31:45,520 --> 00:31:48,960 your identity would be exposed and everything would collapse. 381 00:31:50,000 --> 00:31:51,960 Yan Fengshan is colluding with the Tiemo people. 382 00:31:53,000 --> 00:31:55,040 The Tiemo have stationed 383 00:31:55,120 --> 00:31:57,840 a massive army in the northern borderlands to deal with the Baiwenhu Army. 384 00:31:59,040 --> 00:32:00,920 If the Baiwenhu Army marched south, 385 00:32:01,640 --> 00:32:03,400 the entire heartland of the empire 386 00:32:04,240 --> 00:32:05,600 would be opened to the Tiemo. 387 00:32:06,200 --> 00:32:10,120 Yan Fengshan is deeply entangled with the Tiemo. 388 00:32:11,720 --> 00:32:12,840 So next, 389 00:32:13,880 --> 00:32:15,000 how should we take him down? 390 00:32:15,880 --> 00:32:18,560 The Tiemo people and Yan Fengshan 391 00:32:19,440 --> 00:32:21,040 are not perfectly united. 392 00:32:21,880 --> 00:32:23,880 Now that the Tiemo envoy has come south, 393 00:32:24,480 --> 00:32:27,480 he is heading to Chang'an to negotiate with Yan Fengshan. 394 00:32:27,560 --> 00:32:29,640 This is our best chance. 395 00:32:30,720 --> 00:32:31,640 I guess 396 00:32:32,360 --> 00:32:34,320 Yan Fengshan will first cede land 397 00:32:34,840 --> 00:32:36,160 in the far north 398 00:32:37,680 --> 00:32:38,600 and use it 399 00:32:39,800 --> 00:32:41,120 to bribe the Tiemo people 400 00:32:42,080 --> 00:32:44,040 in exchange for their attack on the Baiwenhu Army. 401 00:32:45,000 --> 00:32:46,600 Once the Baiwenhu Army is defeated, 402 00:32:47,200 --> 00:32:50,200 there will be no army left to stand against Yan Fengshan. 403 00:33:02,440 --> 00:33:03,320 Gu Yu. 404 00:33:06,080 --> 00:33:07,000 Is Gu Yu still alive? 405 00:33:08,120 --> 00:33:09,720 If he is, 406 00:33:09,800 --> 00:33:11,680 you must send him to the north at once, 407 00:33:11,760 --> 00:33:15,240 because only then will the Tiemo people fail to defeat the Baiwenhu Army. 408 00:33:16,120 --> 00:33:17,360 As to Gu Yu's life or death, 409 00:33:19,440 --> 00:33:20,440 I am not certain. 410 00:33:27,200 --> 00:33:28,200 And your brother? 411 00:33:35,000 --> 00:33:36,320 Mr. Long says he can wake up, 412 00:33:37,520 --> 00:33:38,960 but no one knows when. 413 00:34:59,960 --> 00:35:03,320 How did you know I was awake? 414 00:35:03,400 --> 00:35:04,960 I could see it. 415 00:35:06,640 --> 00:35:08,120 I just could not guess 416 00:35:08,960 --> 00:35:10,600 why you pretended to be unconscious. 417 00:35:11,720 --> 00:35:12,880 I was not pretending. 418 00:35:15,200 --> 00:35:16,240 Each day 419 00:35:17,520 --> 00:35:19,360 I am only awake for a brief moment. 420 00:35:25,080 --> 00:35:26,720 It feels like being in a dream, doesn't it? 421 00:35:28,040 --> 00:35:28,960 In the dream 422 00:35:30,000 --> 00:35:32,160 it was the road you had never wanted to take. 423 00:35:33,360 --> 00:35:34,760 A brush with death, 424 00:35:37,360 --> 00:35:38,240 I've been there too. 425 00:35:40,120 --> 00:35:42,320 A long palace corridor. 426 00:35:43,760 --> 00:35:46,600 Gu Yu and the Baiwenhu Army 427 00:35:47,960 --> 00:35:51,080 pushed me out the door 428 00:35:52,600 --> 00:35:54,280 and got farther and farther away from me. 429 00:35:55,080 --> 00:35:56,960 The path by which I survived 430 00:35:57,560 --> 00:35:59,000 was the path 431 00:36:00,160 --> 00:36:01,680 I least wished to walk in my life. 432 00:36:05,120 --> 00:36:06,440 Wumei once told me 433 00:36:07,520 --> 00:36:09,280 that back then you were one step 434 00:36:10,960 --> 00:36:12,200 from death. 435 00:36:14,000 --> 00:36:15,000 I do not blame you. 436 00:36:19,560 --> 00:36:20,680 So 437 00:36:21,760 --> 00:36:23,320 Xiao Wuyang 438 00:36:24,600 --> 00:36:26,280 can die after all. 439 00:36:30,120 --> 00:36:31,080 White Hair. 440 00:36:32,960 --> 00:36:36,160 If one day I truly die, 441 00:36:37,240 --> 00:36:39,600 will you, like your forefathers, 442 00:36:41,360 --> 00:36:42,920 support the imperial clan? 443 00:36:56,400 --> 00:36:57,440 I know 444 00:36:59,400 --> 00:37:01,080 that is not where your ambition lies. 445 00:37:02,480 --> 00:37:04,320 But you must care for the realm. 446 00:37:05,360 --> 00:37:08,000 Heaven has given you such wisdom. 447 00:37:08,840 --> 00:37:10,080 You must use it 448 00:37:11,080 --> 00:37:12,320 to serve all the people. 449 00:37:18,840 --> 00:37:20,040 But my father 450 00:37:22,120 --> 00:37:23,800 once did exactly that. 451 00:37:34,520 --> 00:37:35,920 And you must not die either. 452 00:37:36,520 --> 00:37:38,640 Heaven has given you such skill, 453 00:37:39,280 --> 00:37:40,600 and you too 454 00:37:41,720 --> 00:37:43,200 should give back to all the people. 455 00:37:48,760 --> 00:37:50,000 I will not. 456 00:37:52,480 --> 00:37:54,640 Before Yan Fengshan dies, 457 00:37:56,240 --> 00:37:57,840 I, Xiao Wuyang, 458 00:37:58,640 --> 00:37:59,920 will not die. 459 00:38:01,640 --> 00:38:05,400 Do not tell anyone that I wake for brief moments 460 00:38:05,480 --> 00:38:07,200 each day, 461 00:38:07,960 --> 00:38:09,040 including 462 00:38:11,120 --> 00:38:12,720 your pageboy outside the door. 463 00:38:34,880 --> 00:38:37,200 Why did you stay in there for so long before coming out? 464 00:38:38,080 --> 00:38:39,240 Did my brother wake up? 465 00:38:45,520 --> 00:38:46,360 I just figured out… 466 00:38:46,440 --> 00:38:48,000 You'd figured out how to deal with them? 467 00:38:50,800 --> 00:38:51,840 Once the Tiemo envoy 468 00:38:52,880 --> 00:38:54,000 enters Chang'an, 469 00:38:54,600 --> 00:38:57,160 I will make him disappear for one night right under Huben's nose. 470 00:38:58,240 --> 00:38:59,200 During that night, 471 00:38:59,800 --> 00:39:00,640 you will meet with him. 472 00:39:01,960 --> 00:39:02,800 Me? 473 00:39:02,880 --> 00:39:04,640 If Yan Fengshan and the Tiemo can negotiate, 474 00:39:05,160 --> 00:39:06,320 why can't you? 475 00:39:08,640 --> 00:39:09,880 Do not forget. 476 00:39:13,040 --> 00:39:14,040 You are the Emperor. 477 00:39:31,840 --> 00:39:33,080 The detailed plan 478 00:39:33,160 --> 00:39:35,840 will be given to you after you enter Chang'an. 479 00:39:41,760 --> 00:39:42,640 What? 480 00:39:43,600 --> 00:39:44,720 Are you scared? 481 00:39:44,800 --> 00:39:45,880 When the nation is in peril, 482 00:39:46,480 --> 00:39:48,160 even common folk have a duty. 483 00:39:48,760 --> 00:39:49,960 How could I not? 484 00:39:51,760 --> 00:39:52,600 I am not afraid. 485 00:39:53,720 --> 00:39:54,760 You have improved. 486 00:39:56,200 --> 00:39:59,120 Huai'an, we just met again. 487 00:39:59,200 --> 00:40:00,440 Must we leave so soon? 488 00:40:00,520 --> 00:40:01,720 Can't you rest for one night? 489 00:40:06,640 --> 00:40:07,880 Gu Yu's life is uncertain. 490 00:40:09,000 --> 00:40:10,360 I must go and find the truth. 491 00:40:12,080 --> 00:40:15,120 There are other arrangements in the city that cannot be delayed. 492 00:40:24,520 --> 00:40:25,520 Take these. 493 00:40:26,360 --> 00:40:29,320 You need money to buy medicine and salt. 494 00:40:29,400 --> 00:40:30,920 Stop stealing the shopkeeper's salt. 495 00:40:34,920 --> 00:40:36,600 That salt shopkeeper is a good man. 496 00:40:36,680 --> 00:40:39,920 His scale gives 16.5 liang to a jin. 497 00:40:41,000 --> 00:40:42,720 He says it's to help those in need. 498 00:40:44,040 --> 00:40:45,560 And now I too am someone in hardship. 499 00:40:47,520 --> 00:40:49,880 But once life gets better, 500 00:40:49,960 --> 00:40:50,880 I'll repay him someday. 501 00:40:54,040 --> 00:40:54,880 All right. 502 00:40:55,480 --> 00:40:56,360 I am leaving. 503 00:40:56,960 --> 00:40:57,800 Wait. 504 00:41:04,680 --> 00:41:05,560 Look at the time. 505 00:41:06,240 --> 00:41:07,760 It is already dark outside. 506 00:41:07,840 --> 00:41:10,240 The road back to Chang'an is long and dark. 507 00:41:11,120 --> 00:41:12,040 Take a lantern. 508 00:41:14,280 --> 00:41:15,240 Take care. 509 00:41:19,880 --> 00:41:21,080 Thanks. 510 00:41:23,000 --> 00:41:24,440 All of you live well. 511 00:41:41,320 --> 00:41:42,240 You are not going back? 512 00:41:42,320 --> 00:41:43,200 No. 513 00:41:43,720 --> 00:41:44,560 I am going for a drink. 514 00:41:45,680 --> 00:41:47,360 - Come on. - What? 515 00:41:49,280 --> 00:41:50,200 You know, 516 00:41:50,960 --> 00:41:53,520 stealing salt is a job that suits you. 517 00:42:17,400 --> 00:42:18,320 Wuyang, 518 00:42:19,680 --> 00:42:22,880 please have mercy. 519 00:42:24,080 --> 00:42:26,840 Wake quickly, I beg you. 520 00:42:26,920 --> 00:42:28,160 If you wake up, 521 00:42:28,680 --> 00:42:32,280 I won't have to go to that execution trap Xie Huai'an arranged. 522 00:42:32,880 --> 00:42:36,600 I am begging you. I am really scared.