Original subtitles

Yi Sheng and Jin Buhuan are so disappointing

It's hard for me to accept this

That's why I never mentioned them

I knew they were just two losers

You are the only one of my relatives who are doing well

Don't fail me

I'm honored to serve you

Your status means everything to me

I will never fail you

That's why I've thought it through. I will make you

the prime minister even if it's just to make me look good

Or people will laugh at me for coming from a family of idiots

Madam and my master have yet to return today

Do you have any idea when they might be back?

I'm not sure. They don't operate on a fixed schedule when they go out

Well… When they return

could you kindly relay to them that

Dongfang Shuo urgently needs to discuss something with them?

As soon as they return, I'll pass on the message

I appreciate your help. I'll take my leave now

Farewell, Lord Dongfang

Madam, what exactly did you say to him?

He keeps coming here every few days

I'm doing this for his own good

I want him to understand that

no one can claim to be the best

Only when he grasps this

can he safeguard his own life in the future

I was right, he did enter this forest

Where's my donkey?

Where's my donkey?

Dongfang Shuo?

Where's my donkey?

Come over

Come in

I'm calling you! Didn't you hear me?

Come here! Kneel

Where have you been all day?

I was tagging along with Dongfang Shuo!

Why are you following him?

This time

I will catch him red-handed when he's cheating

Qiu Hu

you're the one who did something so shameful

And now you want to drag others down with you, don't you?

- Today, I'll… - Alright, dear, listen to me

Dear, hear me out

Last time, I saw it clearly that

he went in with a woman

Dear, I'm innocent

Who knows if you're innocent or not?

I don't understand

Why are you always at odds with him?

Dear, you have no idea

I followed him before

because I was afraid he would do something to wrong my sister

Now, I have to follow him even more

- as I want to clear my name. - How dare you!

It's all true that you drank with other women and visited brothels!

I was framed!

- You're talking back, aren't you? I'll beat you to death! - Help!

Enough

Sis, help me! Help me! I did it all for you

Brother, if you're not at ease with Dongfang Shuo

why don't you become his attendant?

You follow him wherever he goes

This way, you can monitor him openly

and also help him with some physical work

Don't tail him sneakily anymore!

Then, from now on, I'll openly follow him!

Get up

Get up

I… Dear, sis, here's the deal

I lost the donkey I rented

Get up. Your brother-in-law already brought the donkey back home

Really?

Mum, what official position did Uncle Emperor appoint Dad to?

Appoint your ass!

How did you learn these bad morals at such a young age?

You're only thinking of becoming an official

Aren't you afraid you won't be able to walk on those feet?

Your Granduncle speaks wisely

Being an official is no better than education, let alone butchering

You better learn from me how to slaughter pigs properly

so that you'll have plenty of pig intestines and haslet to eat

Dad, Uncle, you guys are really rustic!

Do you even realize how good it is to be an official?

Once you're an official, you can go to the brothel without paying

You can go to the tavern and drink with women on credit

You can take other people's things without anyone stopping you

You little rascal! Do you want to be a bandit?

Bandit is nothing compared to an official

Even bandits are afraid of officials. Comparing the two

being an official is way better!

- I'll beat you, you bureaucratic junkie! - Enough, hold still

You don't want to be officials, right? Fine, I'll be one

I'm going to find Grandma and Uncle right now

This little bastard!

Grandma!

- Jin Wuzi, here you are! - Let me help

Granduncle, are you here to see Grandma, too?

What are you doing here, kid?

- I come to ask Grandma to get me an official position. - Nonsense!

You little kid

Do you think an official position is like a piece of candy

that you can take easily?

I am not a kid anymore. I'm turning eighteen soon!

I want Grandma and Uncle to get me an official position!

Jin Wuzi, don't trouble your Grandma

I will take you to the West Market to have some fun

- Jin Wuzi, do you genuinely aspire to be an official? - Absolutely!

Then, you don't need to bother your Grandma. I can get you appointed

- Really? - How would I lie to you?

Granduncle, then please appoint me quickly!

Sure, however

you'll need to do a few things for me first

I want to see if you're suitable for an official position

No problem, Granduncle

I'll handle anything you want me to do

As New Year's Day approaches, the Empress Dowager

has been pressuring me regarding the Prime Minister's appointment

It's still some time before New Year's Day

- Your Majesty, no need to be so anxious. - How can I not be anxious?

The Empress Dowager has urged that if I can't finalize the appointment

she'll personally announce it

Once she intervenes, I'll be in a disadvantageous position

Your Majesty, in my view

the Empress Dowager won't want to

clash with you until necessary

I still believe that

things will eventually sort themselves out

A'hui, I'll see Dong Zhongshu without you

Mind your step

Can you stop doing this?

I'm just strolling on the street

Why do you keep following me?

Stop!

Stop right there! Stop!

Get out of the way! You want to die?

Beautiful girl, like a flower

How dare you stop His Lordship's carriage? Don't you want to die?

- How dare you push me? - So what?

- Dare you push me one more time? - I surely dare to!

You scoundrel, stop pretending to be dead!

- I'll kick… - Stop. - My Lord?

- Turn the carriage around. Let's go back. - Don't leave!

- My Lord, this brat, he is… - Go back

Gongsun Hong, if you have the guts, come back!

Gong Sunhong, you coward

Come on, run over me! I'm not afraid!

I am following you and monitoring you

so that you can't cheat with another woman

Yeah, my sis asked me to do so

Wherever you go, I'll follow

Gongsun Hong, you old bastard! Come back!

Gongsun Hong, you bastard!

If you have guts, confront me!

I'm waiting for you right here!

Jin Wuzi?

- Uncle Dongfang. -What's going on?

Come on. Move away. There's nothing worth seeing. Step back

Wake up

Kid! Stand up straight!

Stop drinking!

Jin Wuzi, causing a scene like this on the street

will bring shame to your noble family

Do you understand?

If your Granduncle knows

- he'll give you a good spanking! - That won't happen

My Granduncle told me to pick on him

He said once he becomes the Prime Minister

he'll appoint me to be a high-ranking official right away

Do you think others will fear you just because of what you did?

Today, I'm just giving him a heads-up

If he still doesn't get sensible, I'll give him a good stab!

No more nonsense. Murderers will face the death sentence

That's for others

I'm the Emperor's nephew. Who dares to sentence me to death?

Jin Wuzi, you reckless kid!

Dongfang Shuo, you can't ditch me!

No way!

My Lord, something's wrong! A'hui died!

What? Died?

A'hui, I'll see Dong Zhongshu without you

How did A'hui die?

I don't know. But judging by Ahui's condition

it might have consumed something poisonous

My Lord, the stable is ablaze!

Lord Gongsun?

Greetings, Lord Dongfang

Are you suffering from a minor illness?

- Not at all. - That's not right

I've observed your complexion these past few days

and something must have gone wrong

- Lord Dongfang, you're not playing a trick on me, are you? - No

You're seriously ill, in a critical condition

but you seem unaware

That fire last night is like a fever, and it's just the beginning

If you don't address it promptly

I'm genuinely concerned for you

Your life may be at stake

What should I do then?

In military strategy, there's a tactic

you could retreat in order to advance

- Thank you for your guidance. - You're welcome

- Begin the court! - Let's go

Lord Gongsun, what's your proposal?

I've received immense favors from Your Majesty

and should wholeheartedly share Your Majesty's burden

but I've been ill, experiencing shortness of breath and chest pain

Many tasks have become beyond my capacity

which I fear may jeopardize the affairs of state and Your Majesty

I beseech permission

to take some time to recover at home

Once I'm restored, I'll serve Your Majesty with devotion again

Very well, if you're truly unwell, then go home and recuperate

Your Majesty

Lord Wang Xiu has been meticulous and competent in his duties

He's diligent, willing, and dedicated

I recommend Lord Wang for the position of Prime Minister

If Your Majesty agrees, it would be a great fortune for the Great Han

Gongsun Hong, I said you could go home to rest if you're sick

Why are you making such a speech

in the court?

I am deeply sorry

Your Majesty, please calm down. Lord Gongsun is indeed unwell

The words he spoke just now

displayed signs of his illness

Recently, I've also noticed

this pattern of behavior from Lord Gongsun

When it's appropriate for him to speak

he always remains silent

When he's not supposed to speak

he becomes verbose and garrulous

If this condition isn't addressed promptly

it may lead to a disoriented state of mind

Gongsun Hong, go home immediately

- Recover, and then we can discuss further. - Thanks, Your Majesty

Greetings, Mother

Your Majesty, I heard that

in the court, Gongsun Hong has voluntarily asked for leave

and strongly recommended your uncle to be the Prime Minister

Now, you should acknowledge that

I haven't recommended you the wrong person

However, I think

we should discuss the matter of the Prime Minister after the New Year

Son, why do you always hesitate about

your Uncle entering the cabinet?

Even now, you still don't believe in your uncle's capabilities

That's not what I mean

Mother, truly, that's not what I mean!

Then what do you mean? Speak up, let me hear

I'm worried

Worried about what? Tell me

I'm worried that the ministers will object

Which ministers? I'd like to go and ask them myself

Ming Fei, Gan Fu, Wang Hong

Guan Zhiyong, and also Hu Chengyi

well, quite a few!

Very well, tomorrow, I will accompany you to the court

and personally hear their opinions

Madam and my master came back three days ago

- but… but they left again yesterday. - Left again?

Where could they have gone this time?

I don't know, they still didn't tell

Didn't you tell her that I've looked for her twice?

I really have an urgent matter to discuss with her!

Madam said, for you, the most talented man in the world

no obstacle can't be overcome

Luo Qi, Luo Qi, you're being too cruel to me!

By the way, before she left, Madam left a message

What did she say?

She said, when you come again, I should convey that

if you haven't figured out that matter yet

you should immediately consult Sima Qian

Consult Sima Qian?

Your Majesty

Has Dongfang Shuo arrived?

Your Majesty, Dongfang Shuo hasn't… hasn't been found

Where could he have gone?

His families said they didn't know

He must not have gone far. Send out more people to find him

Even if you have to dig three feet into the ground, you must find him

Understood

Why do you close the door when you see me? Please open the door!

Open the door!

Open the door!

Bastard!

Useless servants, you can't even find a living person

I am sorry for being useless

Dongfang Shuo, where did you go?

Luo Qi, Miss Luo, is this how you care about me?

Ministers, as the New Year approaches

His Majesty has decided to change the reign title

So it's time to finalize the personnel arrangements in court

Prior to the morning court, let's discuss

the selection of the Prime Minister in Xuan Hall

so that His Majesty can make the announcement during the court

Mother, maybe we should wait. Dongfang Shuo hasn't arrived yet

No need to wait. Let's proceed with the discussion

- Yang Deyi. - At your service

Wait outside. When Dongfang Shuo arrives, bring him in immediately

Understood

Has Minister Dongfang arrived?

Three out of the six ministers have agreed to appoint Wang Xiu

We have passed the halfway mark and can make the decision

Mother, however, three other ministers support Gongsun Hong

- But I also count as one minister. Is that not sufficient? - No

Actually, Mother is not a minister and cannot be considered as one

- Servants. - At your service

- Lead the way to the Weiyang Palace. - Understood

Halt!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty, Your Highness, Dongfang Shuo has arrived

Hurry, summon him in

Dongfang Shuo, please present yourself before His Majesty

Greetings, Your Majesty and Your Highness

Dongfang Shuo, where have you been hiding?

I am deeply sorry

I shouldn't be late

Enough, we'll discuss this matter later

Dongfang Shuo, His Majesty is choosing the Prime Minister

Please promptly share the idea you discussed with me earlier

Dongfang Shuo, currently, Guan Fu, Ming Fei, and Sima Xiangru

endorse Gongsun Hong

while Li Cai, Zhao Yu, and Yan An endorse Wang Xiu

We are now waiting for your opinion

Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, does this mean

my opinion will be the deciding factor?

Exactly, your opinion will hold the most weight

Dongfang Shuo, since your words hold such weight

you must think carefully before speaking

Your Highness, Your Majesty, for the position of Prime Minister

Lord Wang

might be suitable

Very well, Your Majesty, please issue a decree in the Weiyang Palace

Wait a moment. I haven't finished speaking yet

Then go on. Why do you keep sneezing?

Your Highness, I caught a cold last night

I'm sorry, another sneeze is coming

Why are you all staring at me?

- If you're not sneezing, keep talking. - Your Highness

I just said Lord Wang might be suitable, not that he is suitable

How so?

The ancestral tradition was established during the beginning of Han

Anyone appointed as Prime Minister must first be ennobled

That's wahy I said Minister Wang might be suitable

as he will certainly be granted a noble title in the future

Once he is entitled, he'll be eligible to become Prime Minister

What kind of ancestral tradition is this?

How come I've never heard of it?

Dongfang Shuo, you're not deceiving me, are you?

Your Highness, would I dare to deceive you?

If Your Highness still has doubts

you can summon Sima Qian, the official historian, and ask him

Quickly summon Sima Qian

Sima Qian, please present yourself before His Majesty

Greetings, Your Majesty, Your Highness

Sima Qian, let me ask you, has our dynasty ever

regulated that one must hold a noble title to become a Prime Minister?

Your Highness, according to all historical records

this tradition has been in place since the time of Emperor Gaozu

All the Prime Ministers were ennobled before assuming their positions

Since such an ancestral tradition exists

I shall certainly adhere to it. Strictly adhere to it

Good, Your Majesty, please confer the title of Marquis upon Wang Xiu

- Your Highness, this is not advisable! - Why?

Anyone without significant military accomplishments cannot be entitled

Is this also part of the ancestral tradition?

It is indeed, and it is documented in historical records

For example, Dou Wangsun quelled the rebellion of the Seven States

and was entitled the Marquis of Anping before being the Prime Minister

Wang Xiu's diligent handling of the mourning affairs

for the Grand Empress Dowager can be considered a merit, right?

Mother, while his efforts in the mourning affairs are commendable

they do not qualify as significant feats required for the entitlement

Nonsense! Wang Xiu can be entitled as the Marquis of Wuan for that!

- Mother, I don't think so. - Your Majesty!

Only those who with military merits are eligible for ennoblement

Lord Wang has only achieved political merits, not military ones

Is this also part of the ancestral tradition?

It is, Your Highness

I won't believe it. I will confer the title of Marquis upon Wang Xiu

Your Highness, Sima Qian, the official historian, is here

He will undoubtedly record in historical annals that

in the sixth year of Jianyuan

the Empress Dowager forcefully appointed her brother as Prime Minister

which marked a departure from the established traditions of the Han

Sima Qian, do you truly intend to record it this way?

As an official historian, it is my duty to record facts faithfully

Sima family has been known for stubbornness for three generations

Even the late Emperor couldn't do anything about them

Dongfang Shuo, I finally see your true color now!

Your Highness, please don't be angry

In my view

there are signs of the Xiongnu mobilizing troops again near our border

Why not, at this opportune moment

let Lord Wang lead the army to defeat the Xiongnu?

He can achieve military merits, secure a noble title

and later become the Prime Minister rightfully

What do you say, Mother?

- After the morning court, let Wang Xiu meet with me. - Understood

Farewell, Your Highness

After all these years, hardly anyone speaks for you in the court

Where has your influence gone?

Now, I even have to step up and defend for you!

I am sorry for my uselessness

His Majesty deems you useless, and it seems he's right

Stand up, don't disgrace me

This isn't about you anymore

It's about my own dignity

I'll give you one more chance, the last one

I heard His Majesty plans to mobilize troops against the Xiongnu

If you have the least courage, take on this task

achieve a great feat, and I guarantee you'll be ennobled and appointed

I… I never even considered leading troops into battle!

Your Majesty, this is the only way I can think of

I can't just stand by and watch

you and Her Highness fight on the spot, can I?

Your method can only offer temporary relief

As long as Wang Xiu leads troops out for a casual battle

Mother will have him ennobled and become a Prime Minister

My goal of abolishing the misrule of Empress Dowager's relatives

still seems unattainable

Your Majesty, rest assured

Wang Xiu is as timid as a mouse. He wouldn't dare to ride a horse

let alone go into battle

But he can always ride a sedan to the front lines

Your Majesty, things will eventually sort themselves out

You're a man!

It's a shame to wet your pants at the mention of a battle!

Sister, I am not a coward

But when I was young, I only rode a donkey at most once or twice

Later, thanks to your blessings, I became an official

and rode in carriages and sedans. I don't know how to ride a horse

How can I lead troops into a battle?

That's… that's like sending me to die

If you don't know how to ride a horse, learn!

If you can ride a donkey, you can, of course, ride a horse

As for how to fight the battle

your subordinates will take care of it for you

You won't have to go into the fray personally

Your Highness is always the smartest, and I'll do as you told, Sister

Greetings, Your Highness

Dongfang Shuo, you do know how to handle things

Thanks, Your Highness. I feel extremely flattered

You think I'm praising you?

Your Highness, are you blaming me?

Let me ask you

did you promise to recommend Wang Xiu as Prime Minister?

Yes, I certainly won't forget

But Wang Xiu didn't become one

Didn't I say it before?

You did?

First, let Lord Wang Xiu lead the troops and achieve a great feat

Then, he can rightfully be ennobled and appointed Prime Minister

This is not only for Lord Wang Xiu

but also for Your Highness, who strongly recommended him

We absolutely cannot let His Majesty

catch Your Highness violating ancestral traditions

I was just kidding

However, Dongfang Shuo

you're even more shrewd than a monkey!

Your Highness, His Majesty once said that

if I cover myself in fur like a monkey, no one will be smarter than me

Dongfang Shuo, I have a task for you

Within one month, you must teach Wang Xiu how to ride a horse

Your Highness, teaching horseback riding is not my expertise

I don't care. Regardless of how you do it

- you must accomplish this within a month! - Well

I guess I'll have to set my teeth and accept it

Don't pretend to be all distressed

Everyone knows that nothing can stump you

Rest assured, as long as you successfully teach him to ride

I'll let you join him to go out to the battle

achieve military merit, and be ennobled

That's wonderful! Thanks, Your Highness

But

what if I fail to teach Lord Wang Xiu?

Then you'll never make a rise again in your life

Very good

Tighten your feet, come on. Go, hit the horse's butt

Hit

I told you to hit the horse's butt, did you hear me?

Good, excellent! Spin, keep hitting

You two move away, then he'll be able to ride

Give it a smack! Come on, Lord Wang, smack its butt

How does it feel, Lord Wang?

- Feels great. - Not bad, right? - Not bad, it's great

Clench your legs and ride faster

Well done!

You are really devoted in teaching him how to ride a horse!

It's my duty. I should do my best

Give you an inch, and you try to take an ell, huh?

Your Majesty, please don't be mad at me. You don't know

these days, Her Highness and Lord Wang

frequently reward me with good things

If I don't do my best

how can I justify all the good food and drinks?

They can reward you, and I can punish you

I can deduct

double the amount from your salary

Don't, Your Majesty, please don't do this

Wang Xiu hasn't led the troops yet

If he really leads the troops, it will be too late for everything

It will be in time. I promise it will be

Anyway, when the time comes, if you can't stop him

I'll deduct your salary for two or three years!

- Your Highness, Lord Wang Geng is here. - Bring him in

Wang Geng, please present yourself before Her Highness

Greetings, Your Highness

Please rise

I heard that you have a brilliant plan for defeating the Xiongnu

so I summoned Lord Wang here

to listen together

Understood

A few years ago, I was stationed in Mayi on the northern border

and I had deep connections with a merchant from Luoyang named Ni Lv

Ni Lv?

Brother Dongfang, why don't you tell me

where did this Miss Luo go?

As for that matter, it's better if you don't know about it

Why don't you tell me why General Wang Geng summoned you to Chang'an

General Wang ordered me to return to Chang'an

because the Empress Dowager wants to fight the Xiongnu

By the way

I helped His Majesty against the Xiongnu last time

yet I haven't received any rewards

You can't blame His Majesty for that. Blame yourself!

You came all this way just for an audience

and then you disappeared again

I had to return to the Xiongnu for business!

- I was too busy making money to think about anything else. - Right

This time, I came back to Chang'an specifically for Miss Luo

Miss Luo promised me that

she would become my concubine

That's not possible

How so?

Is Miss Luo really that untrustworthy?

I told you

it's better if you don't know about it. She got married

Got married?

Well, I don't care. I'm going to confront her and ask why

Brother Ni, it's not wise for you to barge into her husband's house

Who is he? How can he be so overbearing in Chang'an?

Have you never heard of him?

Jing Kui, the man who can go wherever he wants and fight thousands

Luo Qi is married to him

Brother Ni, aren't you doing well now?

You come and go as you please, like a bird in the sky

I'm almost jealous!

Alright, don't dwell on this matter

Let's talk about

why General Wang Geng summoned you to Chang'an

Maybe after I hear it

I can go to His Majesty and speak a few good words for you

and you might get more rewards

I wouldn't go to Weiyang Palace at will

but I can occasionally visit Xuan Hall

Since you are reporting important state affairs to the Emperor

go ahead, I feel like listening, too. It's good to broaden my horizons

Your Majesty, I received a report from General Li Guang at the border

The Xiongnu are mobilizing their troops extensively

and they may have noticed our intentions against them

What wise strategies do you have?

Didn't Your Majesty already want to

engage the Xiongnu in battle?

Moreover, this time, we have the initiative

Your Majesty can command a capable general to lead 200 thousand troops

to crush the Xiongnu and avenge our nation

Which one of you is willing to lead?

Your Majesty, I am willing

Are you capable?

I will defeat the enemy below the Helan Mountains

and present the head of the Chanyu to Your Majesty

Do the rest of you have any opinion about Wang Xiu leading the troops?

Your Majesty, I have a suggestion

Go ahead, Ming Fei