Original subtitles

♫ I spur my horse, a whip in hand, to claim the land ♫

♫ Little did I know, my boldness couldn’t overcome the sorrow of parting ♫

♫ I shed my armor and wear the brocade ♫

♫ The man in the yellow light sighs alone ♫

♫ But no grand ambition can fill this lonely night ♫

♫ With all my courage, I'd hold a paper umbrella high ♫

♫ To shield you from every storm in the sky ♫

♫ On the lakeside of the mortal world ♫

♫ I look back, a thousand ships have sailed by ♫

♫ We drank to our joys and griefs in the endless sand ♫

♫ But let slip the perfect life we had planned ♫

♫ I owe you a lifetime I cannot repay ♫

♫ Only in the next life can this debt be paid ♫

♫ We drank to our joys and griefs in the desert vast ♫

♫ But in love and hate, we stumbled till the last ♫

♫ Though I might walk through history's proud song ♫

♫ My heart still falters where love belongs ♫

♫ I’d have no regrets at all, if only you had asked me to stay ♫

Braveness of the Ming

Episode 03

Greetings, my lord.

- Commander Feng. - Mr. Zhuo.

You've arrived quite punctually.

What are your orders, my lord?

Prince Qi's birthday is approaching soon.

Due to the court's tight budget this year,

the funds from the Ministry of Revenue intended for Prince Qi's mansion construction

will be delayed for some time.

You know Prince Qi loves to show off.

[Zhuo Lun, Bai Yixia's confidant] To ensure the mansion construction continues,

you may instruct Yang Xu

to offer three strategies to Prince Qi.

Please elaborate.

Land enclosure, smuggling, and mining.

Yes, my lord.

How did Zhang Shisan die?

In my humble opinion,

Yang Xu is not in a safe situation.

Within just a few days,

he has cheated death twice now.

The first time,

the assassin mistakenly killed his concubine.

The second time,

Zhang Shisan sacrificed his own life

to protect him.

All our plans hinge on Yang Xu.

This person absolutely must not have any mishaps.

Mr. Feng hasn't visited our mansion for three days.

He's helping me handle Prince Qi's birthday gifts,

so naturally, he won't come.

Give me dried fish, give me dried fish.

Give me dried fish.

Little one.

Give me dried fish, give me dried fish.

(This old man walks quite fast.)

Old man.

Old man.

Hey, wake up, wake up.

Our young master is calling you.

Old man,

are these flowers raised by you?

You're really amusing.

If I didn't raise them, why would I put them here?

If you like them, put more money in.

Alright.

We need someone to tend the garden.

Young Master, could it be that you...

Old man, your luck is about to turn around.

[Yang's Residence]

Old man, let go quickly! It hurts!

Your martial arts haven't improved at all,

and it's much worse than before.

It seems you've been living quite comfortably,

Young Master Yang.

And you're gloating?

Are you even my father?

I was never your father to begin with.

Where are you from?

What about your parents?

I don't know, I don't know any of it.

Ever since I can remember,

I've already been begging here.

Then follow me.

Do you have a name?

My name is Xia Xun.

But,

starting today, you have to call me Dad.

I have to tiptoe around others every day.

Do you know how miserable I feel?

Feeling miserable, huh?

Then, come back with me now.

Let's go home and continue fishing.

Can I really leave?

Of course.

Leaving is easy.

But,

the Imperial Guards have spies everywhere.

If you want to leave,

you have to be prepared

to spend your whole life as a fugitive.

If that's the case, I'd rather not leave.

I'll just keep playing this role of Yang Xu well.

Once I've mastered it one day,

I won't have to listen to Feng Xihui anymore.

Then, the two of us will just live

in this big mansion.

I'll take care of you. How about that?

If you covet the Yang family's wealth and status, just say so.

Don't drag me into it.

I've seen plenty

of your kind of tricks when I was young.

I'm not impressed.

Really?

Let me tell you, now your son is

an Imperial Guard.

You're not impressed?

What's so great about the Imperial Guards?

Even if your current boss stood before me,

he'd have to obediently

and respectfully call me

Senior.

[Guard Division] The Imperial Guards originated from the Guard Division.

I was once the Commander there.

So you're their senior!

With you backing me up,

why should I fear Feng Xihui?

You brat, stop always thinking about promotion.

Do you have any idea what the Imperial Guards are?

That place is hell.

When they point their blades at others,

there are also countless invisible blades

pointing at themselves.

Once you're there, you're no longer a person.

You become a killing tool in the Emperor's hands.

When I was young,

the Commander often ordered us to fight each other.

If anyone showed mercy, they were never spared.

So the slightest mistake could cost you your life.

You corrupt officials!

Let me go!

Let me go, let me go!

Later in the prison,

I witnessed many of their ruthless methods.

Even now, thinking about it sends shivers down my spine.

This is also

the reason I ultimately chose to leave the Guard Division.

Each new emperor brings his own ministers.

I've been away from the Guard Division for so long now,

where would I still have any say?

What, not convinced?

What does their fighting and killing have to do with me?

I was originally playing the role of Yang Xu.

I was a spy planted beside Prince Qi.

If I was good to Prince Qi, wasn't that enough?

I wouldn't involve myself in those Imperial Guard matters.

It seems you

really are determined to be Yang Xu,

aren't you?

To be honest,

I saw Feng Xihui was indiscriminately killing innocents.

He harbors sinister intentions.

I didn't want to just let him off.

Young folks just don't know how the world really works.

I finally managed to get a couple of days of peace.

Now it seems

I have to get these old bones moving again.

The Imperial Guards usually use code words.

For example,

they call a wine cup "lian mi" and government soldiers "meng feng".

Under specific circumstances,

the placement of a wine cup or a pair of chopsticks

can represent different meanings.

You need to learn a set of

secret code words to distinguish friend from foe.

Between you and the colleagues you trust,

you must have a set of

code words only you yourselves know.

The Thousand Character Classic.

Do you still remember this book?

This is the codebook for the Imperial Guards.

To ordinary people, the codes

are just a few numbers.

But to you,

that's your entire life and fortune.

Based on the serial number of the code words,

look up the corresponding content in the book,

and you can know its meaning.

I wondered why you made me memorize this since I was little.

I can recite it backwards and forwards.

Kid, now you understand, right?

So, you're agreeing to help me?

Well, I'm the one who brought you up.

You're the best.

You kid.

Feng Xihui is basically out of people he can use now.

That strange girl in the residence

doesn't seem to be on his side.

But I'm with that girl

under the same roof every day.

What if I accidentally get killed by her?

Retreat in order to advance.

Have her follow you closely.

It would be harder for her to take action.

That's a solution.

Really.

Every night at midnight,

I can hear someone's footsteps,

and see shadows outside the window.

They won't come looking for me

and try to kill me again, will they?

Really?

Aren't pyou just confused from sleep?

Look, look at my dark circles.

I haven't been able to sleep all night.

Luckily, that maid has been keeping me company.

Only with her by my side can I feel a bit at ease.

How about this?

Since Mr. Liu has nothing going on lately,

could you ask him to come and accompany me?

That's one more layer of protection, right?

Alright.

Tonight, I'll have Liu Xu come along.

If an assassin really appears, it might not be a bad thing.

[Yang's Residence]

Such fine hands.

Why pick up a knife of all things?

Who are you?

Who sent you? Speak!

She's dead.

So well-trained.

Don't you think it's a bit like...

Like the style of the Imperial Guards?

How could it be her?

My lord.

How could she possibly be an assassin?

My lord, think about it quickly.

If she is an assassin,

then there will be a second

and a third person coming to assassinate me.

My death is of little consequence,

but who will deliver Prince Qi's gift?

Shut up, and go back to your room.

We'll handle the rest.

Find a place to bury the body.

Yes.

[Guard Command Division]

I heard

the Yang's Residence in Qingzhou has been bustling,

and people have been dying one after another.

You know me.

I can't stand the sight of blood.

It's not that I'm not doing my best.

It's just that

the enemy is in the dark, and we are in the light.

I really can't spare any manpower to protect Yang Xu.

Feng Xihui.

How important is Yang Xu?

You've been in Qingzhou for many years.

Can't you think of a proper way

to ensure his safety?

Tell me all the details

truthfully.

Don't think about playing any tricks.

I can naturally tell

whether you're telling the truth.

For example, after Yang Xu was assassinated,

why didn't you return to Qingzhou immediately

but found another place to stay?

And why,

after Yang Xu returned to Qingzhou,

did rumors spread throughout the city?

I dare not hide anything from you.

The truth is exactly as I said.

I... I was truly at the end of my rope,

and couldn't think of any other way.

If Xia Xun ends up like Yang Xu,

dying at the hands of some mysterious person,

Feng Xihui,

then I'll have to see

if there's anyone new who can take your place.

My lord,

based on my observations,

Yang Xu definitely did not die

at the hands of some mysterious person.

It's highly likely, highly likely that...

Who would be so bold?

One of our own.

Someone daring to sabotage my great cause.

I suspect it could only be him.

Feng Xihui,

since you already know who he is,

I don't need to tell you

what you should do, right?

Yes.

I will guard Xia Xun closely, never leaving his side.

Get up.

Thank you, my lord.

Feng Xihui,

you have truly disappointed me.

You have no one at your disposal.

Why couldn't you leverage the situation to your advantage?

Yang Xu now has three identities,

an Imperial Guard, a Qingzhou gentry, and a retainer of Prince Qi.

Why couldn't you use Prince Qi's influence

to achieve your own goals?

Although Prince Qi relies on him,

he wouldn't go so far as to send troops to protect him.

Yang Xu doesn't hold that much weight in Prince Qi's heart.

You and I both know this.

But the officials at the prefectural and county offices don't know that.

When you can leverage influence, do so.

When you can't, create the appearance of it.

Creating something out of nothing,

turning falsehoods into truths,

these are the usual tactics of us Imperial Guards.

How is it that after just four years away from Yingtian Prefecture,

you've forgotten all these methods completely?

Thank you for your guidance.

I know what to do now.

[Peng's Residence]

Inspector, please.

Peng,

we've known each other for more than a day or two.

I won't beat around the bush with you.

[Peng Wanli, Deputy Master of Peng's Manor] A few days ago, Yang Xu, a gentry from Qingzhou,

was assassinated in broad daylight in his own residence.

Are you aware of this?

What does this have to do with our Peng family?

You're in the carriage and shipping business,

dealing with both the legitimate and underworld circles.

Can you guarantee

that there are no evildoers among them?

If your Peng family wants to clear any suspicion,

you should assist the authorities

in investigating suspicious individuals.

We'll do our best to help.

Again!

Come on!

Stop pretending!

Again!

This is utterly absurd.

It seems this Inspector Feng

is truly desperate because of the assassin.

[Peng Taigong, Grand Elder of the Jiang Family] Fine then, I'll send a few people.

Who among us truly masters the Peng family's legacy?

The old are too old, the young are too young.

It might be better

if I go myself.

No, no, no.

Who in Qingzhou doesn't know you?

Having the Deputy Master of the Peng family running around

just to protect that young man named Yang?

If word gets out,

wouldn't it completely disgrace our family?

Taigong, what about sending Ziqi?

Ziqi? Nonsense!

She's a young lady.

And Yang Xu is notoriously lecherous.

Wouldn't that be like throwing a fish into a cat's mouth?

Why not?

Great-grandfather,

just because the authorities are backing Yang Xu,

he doesn't even take our family seriously,

demanding people as he pleases.

Leave this matter to me.

I will definitely not disgrace our family

and I'll also let that playboy know

what it means to invite a wolf into his house.

What?

You hired a bodyguard for me without telling me?

Do I need your permission to do things?

Young Master Peng, please come in.

Who is this?

This is Peng Ziqi.

Young Master Peng,

this is the person we are asking you to protect,

Young Master Yang.

You must have heard of the Peng family.

This time, for your safety,

we specially went there to request someone to protect you.

Their Five Tigers Gate-Severing Saber technique is highly renowned.

It is generally not taught to outsiders.

Only direct lineage members can learn it.

Young Master Peng is a direct descendant of the Peng family.

He has inherited the true teachings.

Five Tigers Gate-Severing Saber?

With him here, you can rest assured, right?

I'll be in your care from now on.

[Yang's Residence]

What are you looking at?

Are you planning to fool around again,

and get yourself killed?

Young Master Peng.

Have we met before?

Young Master Yang Xu is known

far and wide in Qingzhou

for being a philanderer who frequented brothels.

I've always heard

that the Peng family's saber techniques are fierce.

I never expected the Pengs to be so sharp-tongued.

Maybe you should change careers and become a matchmaker.

For the next few days, you should just stay at home

and act like a spineless coward.

Did you see that? What do you think?

Did Feng Xihui

send him to keep an eye on me?

No.

The Peng family's boxing skills are even better.

But it looked like her strength was insufficient.

She compensated entirely with agility and flexibility.

It seems like,

but not entirely like, the Peng family's style.

I observed her physique and understood completely.

She is not Young Master Peng, but Miss Peng.

You're quite something, still sharp as ever.

You little brat.

Young Master Peng.

I'm just going to the teahouse to relax.

You don't need to be so dedicated to your duty.

What kind of shady business are you up to

that you have to avoid people?

If I go to the bathhouse, will you follow me there too?

Naturally, I will follow you there.

That's great then.

We are life-and-death friends.

We should be completely open with each other.

You!

Move aside!

Get out of the way!

Move aside!

Be careful!

Miss, are you alright?

I'm fine.

Get down here!

What are you doing?

You injured someone and still act so rudely?

I injured someone?

Who saw me injure anyone?

She ran in front of my horse to block it.

How can you be so unreasonable?

Stop it. So what if he's unreasonable?

This man is the tyrant of this place.

We can't afford to provoke him.

Alright, hurry up and leave.

Let's go, let's go.

What's there to be afraid of?

Let's go to the authorities now

- to reason this out. - Are you okay?

To the authorities?

Let me put it this way.

Even if I had broken her bones today,

I can still swagger out as long as my father

sends a document to the prefect's office.

You...

May I ask your father's honorable name?

Don't take it the wrong way.

It's just that I happen to have some connections

with Qingzhou's prefect.

So, you are...

Not me.

It's this young lady.

Presumably, you've heard of

Mr. Feng, the Inspector of Qingzhou, right?

He has quite a connection with this young lady.

It's just that it can't be mentioned in front of outsiders.

And this young gentleman, though having a bad temper,

practices the Peng Family's Five Tigers Gate-Severing Saber.

You must be aware of the Peng family's status

in the martial world, right?

My name is Yang Xu.

If you don't believe me,

you can inquire whether what I say is true.

I don't mean anything.

I'm just reminding you

not to cause trouble for yourself.

Why should I believe you?

Now let's talk about reason.

Bumping into this young lady is no big deal,

but offending Inspector Feng is a major problem.

Think about it.

If Mr. Feng adds fuel to the fire

in front of Prince Qi,

then how will your father

keep his dignity in the prefect's office?

Just now, I was too rude.

I apologize to this young lady. Is that acceptable?

Young lady, do you think it's acceptable?

I...

You must also apologize to her sincerely.

Right.

Sincere. You must be sincere enough.

Yes, apologize, sincerely!

Okay.

Apologize, apologize!

Young lady, just now I was unreasonable.

Don't... Don't tell Mr. Feng.

Alright.

We are reasonable people.

Young man,

please.

It's settled, you may go.

Thank you both.

Don't thank me at all.

Who intended to thank you?

This win was a total cheat.

We righteous people

emphasize acting with integrity.

Acting with integrity?

So what do you plan to do?

Just beat him up directly?

With the Peng family's backing, you'd naturally be fine,

but what about that girl in the future?

Will they let her off?

Can you protect her for a lifetime?

Fool.

My lord, please.

What are your orders?

Tomorrow is Prince Qi's birthday.

I've prepared the congratulatory gift.

You can just take it over.

I've troubled you, my lord.

That's not the point.

Listen carefully.

In the past, two-thirds of the construction funds

came from the Ministry of Revenue.

But this year, the Ministry of Revenue is having some cash flow difficulties.

This allocation has been temporarily suspended.

Given Prince Qi's temperament,

he will absolutely not let this go. He wants to get money,

and it's very likely he will come to you.

Mr. Feng,

what should I do then?

I absolutely cannot come up

with such a large sum of money.

There are three methods

for Prince Qi to rapidly accumulate vast wealth.

You can also use this to become

Prince Qi's trusted confidant.

Please enlighten me.

As for the first method,

the court allowed Prince Qi to choose a site to rebuild his mansion,

but did not delineate a specific scope.

You can offer a plan to Prince Qi,

advising him to expand the new mansion site.

This way, several hundred households in the surrounding area

would need to relocate.

That is to say,

we should forcibly make them move?

How can it be forced?

That leaves too many loose ends.

You choose this new mansion site

right in an area where wealthy gentry and merchants gather.

These rich people

have racked their brains to arrange their homes,

and spent lots of wealth on them.

No one would be willing to leave.

So they'll just

spend money to avoid moving.

I understand.

So we'll use their own money

to buy back their own houses.

(In this way,)

(Prince Qi's reputation would be utterly ruined.)

The second plan

is to ask the Prince to use his privileges

to sell materials like cowhide, animal sinew, and wrought iron.

These items

are important supplies restricted by the court.

Ordinary people wouldn't dare to deal in them.

So the profits are enormous.

But if we transport them under Prince Qi's name,

who would dare to inspect?

Of course,

you can also seek some benefits for yourself

with Prince Qi's influence.

But these are all military supplies.

As for the third plan,

it's mining.

That's even more lucrative.

It's something commoners wouldn't dare to do.

Therefore,

as long as Prince Qi is willing to take the lead,

wealthy gentry and merchants will be eager to cooperate.

He can make a huge profit without spending a single coin.

That's truly wise.

But in doing so,

won't it stir up public resentment?

We came here to capture the rebels.

What if the court investigates?

So that's what you're worried about.

We are creating opportunities

to make the rebels expose themselves.

All of the above

is to make you attract the attention of those rebels.

You don't need to know the details.

I'm going back.

You get things prepared.

Prepare for what?

Play with fire?

The three suggestions from Feng Xihui

seem problematic to me.

The matter of rebellion

is not yet conclusive.

Yet they're so eager to pin a label on him.

What if he's innocent?

Let me ask you,

how can a fallen Imperial Guard

make himself

reappear before the emperor?

Unless the world is in chaos.

I get it.

The Imperial Guards are saving themselves.

They are born for violence.

In times of peace,

they have no use.

They also know

that they're now a discarded pawn.

Only by creating

a rebellion case deliberately

can they have a chance to be seen again.

So they deliberately framed Prince Qi.

Old man,

this time I must not listen to them.

[Prince Qi's Mansion]

Please come inside.

Okay.

Mr. Liu, thank you for coming.

Please come inside.

Please come in.

Please come inside.

Please, this way.

Please come inside.

They're judging people by their status.

Is it because you didn't bring enough gifts?

Don't worry about that.

The congratulatory gifts prepared by Mr. Feng

are absolutely appropriate.

Young Master Yang, here you are.

His Highness has been waiting for a long time.

Please follow me inside.

Okay.

Please.

Your attendants cannot follow.

Alright then.

Peng,

go find a place to cool off for a while.

After I catch up with His Highness,

I'll come find you.

Your Highness, Young Master Yang is here.

Your Highness, greetings.

Spare the formalities.

Yang Xu, the reason I summoned you this time

is to have you think of a plan.

How can I

immediately earn a large sum of money?

Your shops have always been doing very well,

especially these overseas trade routes

with two annual voyages to Korea and Luzon.

The profit generated...

What you're saying is all too slow.

I need a very large sum of silver

to rebuild my mansion.

But your annual stipend

plus the profits from these shops

and the annual allocation from the court

should be sufficient to support it.

Support my foot!

- Your Highness, please calm down. - Get lost.

Haven't you understood yet?

I need a large sum of money!

My mansion has already started construction.

The Ministry of Revenue's silver

hasn't been allocated at all so far.

[Zhu Fu, Prince Qi] What should I do? Leave it there?

I can't afford to lose face like that!

Prince Qi's Mansion can't afford to lose face!

I understand.

The court's allocation is indeed a bit slow.

But your mansion

was only built a few years ago,

so moving shouldn't be urgent, right?

How dare you! How dare you!

When we became feudal princes,

my mansion was the shabbiest and worst.

My fourth brother's mansion was the most magnificent.

I have finally

obtained this chance to rebuild the mansion.

What, should I just let it sit idle now?

I cannot afford to lose face!

Think of a solution for me, immediately!

But I truly have no perfect plan at the moment.

How dare you, Yang Xu!

Don't forget

who gave you your current status and position?

You think you can dismiss me like that?

Dream on!

Think of a solution right now!

Or I will kill you!

There are three methods

for Prince Qi to rapidly accumulate vast wealth.

There's no other choice. I'll tell one first.

Speak!

I do have a plan.

But if this method were to spread,

it would be detrimental to you, Your Highness.

Stop dawdling, speak, speak!

Your Highness,

cowhide and wrought iron

are items prohibited for private trade.

Many people cannot buy them even with money.

You can imagine

how much profit lies within.

Your Highness, why not use your privilege

to transport these goods?

Even if the inspectors find the carts,

upon hearing they belong to you,

who would dare open them to see what's inside?

Your Highness, with this single move,

wealth will flow in endlessly.

Good idea, good idea!

Draft a plan for me,

include where to purchase from, where to sell to,

and when I need to make arrangement.

Write it all out clearly for me.

Go get it done.

Yes.

Why didn't you present all the three methods

I told you about to Prince Qi?

I don't understand, my lord.

What do you mean?

Land enclosure, smuggling, mining.

You have quite the nerve!

You deliberately forgot them?

(Are there his spies in Prince Qi's mansion?)

My lord, forgive me, I only...

Only what?

I only thought that this mining method

is not as good as smuggling,

although the profits are great.

I just hoped to accumulate enough capital

before proposing it to Prince Qi.

You do know how to seize opportunities.

It's not necessarily unacceptable for you to skim some benefits.

But you must raise funds quickly.

Make it quick.

Present the mining method as soon as possible.

Otherwise,

I won't be able to explain it to my superiors.

Yes.

All I need is someone who can work for me

in front of Prince Qi.

Whether he is Yang Xu or Xia Xun,

or even a beggar on the roadside,

as long as he can get the job done for me,

his identity doesn't matter at all.

He must have his plans to conceal

our plan from Prince Qi.

However, being overly cunning is not true wisdom.

If this lowly commoner named Xia Xun

tries to ruin our plans,

you can just kill him.

Yes.

[Yang's Residence]

Mr. Feng.

Young Master Yang.

I just received

a secret order from our commander.

Come with me to see him now.

So late?

Mr. Feng, you're not tired, but I'm a bit sleepy.

This is an order. Come with me now.

Alright, I'll ask Young Master Peng to come along.

No need.

I'll get changed and come out right away.

You didn't follow Feng Xihui's instructions.

Be careful he might harm you.

Mr. Feng.

Where are we going?

Mr. Feng, have you

received a secret order from your superior?

This is the secret order.

But I've finally

managed to get noticed by Prince Qi.

If I die now,

it won't be good for you

or the Imperial Guards.

Actually, you've always been clever.

I underestimated you before.

It's all thanks to your and Mr. Zhang's guidance.

Don't play this game with me.

You've successfully replaced Yang Xu.

In the future, the power in your hands will grow.

Gradually,

you'll start to ignore even my orders.

In fact, you're already doing that.

But if you kill me now,

aren't you afraid your superiors will blame you?

What if this is exactly what the superiors intend?

That's impossible.

You have to believe it.

We can't let Xia Xun escape.

(How could there be steel wire?)

♫ Evening lanterns glow, frost upon the moon ♫

♫ Candlelight flickers red where only few stars gleam ♫

♫ In her tower she sings, dreaming of home ♫

♫ Through wind and night rain, her gaze begins to roam ♫

♫ Sorrow under moonlight, endless are the nights ♫

♫ Dreaming of moments lost from sight ♫

♫ A rising sandstorm veils your face from view ♫

♫ Now worlds apart, with no path back to you ♫

♫ Love and hate, awake then gone like sand ♫

♫ We meet, forget, through lifetimes' shifting strand ♫

♫ Right or wrong, the song ends, but feelings stay ♫

♫ Two worlds apart, too far to see the way ♫

♫ Who knows her silent love, who knows her tears? ♫

♫ Who knows her heart, and whom it truly fears? ♫

♫ Who knows her tender thoughts, her hidden grief? ♫

♫ A beauty's fleeting dream for whom does life seem brief? ♫

♫ I'd give my all, through all the joy and pain, and never complain ♫