Original subtitles

Greetings, madam

Did you sing the song just now?

Yes, madam

Nice. I haven't heard this kind of music for a while

I'd like to hear some more

What do you want to hear, madam?

Do you know any of the songs that are popular right now?

Yes, the name of this song is Gallant Li Weihu Captured Dou Wangsun

Gallant Li Weihu Captured Dou Wangsun?

Your Highness, quell your anger. I'll send men to seize these insurgents

- and make sure to capture every one of them. - Come back

What are your orders, Your Highness?

No one asked you to capture anyone

They openly sang subversive songs. They've aggravated and hurt you

Yes, I shed tears and I was hurt

But the reason was your incompetence

and that cursed Dongfang Shuo

- However, I'm finally provided with some reassurance - Reassurance?

I saw that His Majesty has full control of the throne

Jin Wuzi did not die in vain

He helped secure his uncle's regime

Oh right, Dongfang Shuo

Days before, Mother enjoyed the singer's performance at the diner

It alleviated much of her sadness

She adopted a different tone when mentioning Jin Wuzi

and told me his death was deserved

Your Majesty, making an example out of him would work for now

But the effects won't be long-lasting

It's not sustainable for Your Majesty to place justice above family

every once in a while

What do you mean?

Your Majesty, I'd like to point out that

if Jin Wuzi could be led on to the right path

he wouldn't have sought out his own death

Then what do you reckon is the right path?

They should be asked to study

Thank you, Your Majesty

Study? Yes, books instill a sense of goodwill in people

Malice dwindles when people are benevolent

There won't be a second or third Jin Wuzi

Good. I'll issue a decree

to order the youngsters of royal relatives to stay home

and put every effort in their studies

Wise decision, Your Majesty

But I can't imagine assigning an erudite teacher to every household

That would be too much work compared to starting an imperial academy

Assemble all youngsters from royal families and talents in the capital

Hire a team of established teachers and give lectures in turn

When students stay with other day and night

They're prone to mutual advancement

Great idea

I'll ask Gongsun Hong to work on the details

If Gongsun Hong is tasked with this duty

he'll only depose the hundred schools and only revere Confucianism

What's wrong with that?

One should study Confucianism profusely in the early stages of his studies

Confucianism values obedience the most

That's what I want, obedient people

If they have the resource to study whatever they want

there will be more people like you

I can imagine how annoyed I'll be

Then I ask Your Majesty to start running a great school

- The name shall be the Grand Academy. - Grand Academy

That's a good name

It implies the greatness and solidity. What a good name

Dongfang Shuo, what are you thinking? I just asked you a question

Your Majesty, it suddenly occurred to me that

Gan Fu and Wei Qing

have been on the frontlines for over a month

I wonder how the battle has developed

Generals

I just received a confidential report

The Chanyu of Xiongnu has already taken Ni Lv's advice

and decided to send troops to Mount Woniu and go straight to Yelang Valley

They would launch a surprise attack on Mayi and cut us off from behind

That will lead them straight into our ambush

Our ambush in Yelang Valley

must totally annihilate them

so as to not fail His Majesty's trust in us

Yes, sir!

Come

General

Relay my order to General Su Jian. Send a squad out

- and drive out the civilians in the valley. - Understood

Absolutely not. General, Xiongnu are extremely cunning

When they see the valley is devoid of any traces

it will rouse their suspicion instead

It doesn't matter if there are residents in this middle of nowhere

Besides

it will be a disaster if the civilian bunch is infiltrated by

- Xiongnu spies and they get wind of our plan. - But General…

Say no more

I am the chief commander of the ambush forces

Chanyu, Yelang Valley is ahead

After we move through this valley

we'd be able to go around behind Wei Qing's headquarters

Chanyu, I've already sent scouts yesterday

No ambush by the Han forces was found

Chanyu, long before Wei Qing took frontline duties

I've already paid someone to cross this road off the map

for the convenience of our passage

Wei Qing doesn't know about this path at all

so there won't be any ambush

You shall lead with 20,000 men. I'll follow you with the other forces

Alright. Follow me. Ya!

- Have you seen civilians in the valley yesterday? - Yes

But it's so quiet today

No sign of civilians or smoke emerging from the chimneys

Chanyu, I suppose we should enter the valley swiftly

Nothing would go wrong

Forward!

Chanyu!

Chanyu!

What?

It's quite shady in the valley. There's nothing in it

Civilians seen yesterday are all gone today

They must have all escaped out of fear at the sight of

Chanyu's forces

Send scouts to the ridges on both sides and check if there's an ambush

Chanyu, I don't think that's necessary

We should hurry up and enter the valley

If those civilians run to report to the Han forces

then it would be too late for us

Xiongnu have stopped. They must have found something

That's impossible

How did they know something is up in the valley?

Report! Forces commanded by the Left Sage King of Xiongnu

suddenly lashed out from behind the ambush

General Su can't hold them off. He's already retreated

- No, we're exposed. Fall back at once. - No!

Xiongnu riders can only fight us on the ground on the ridge

We should hold our ground and send to the headquarters for reinforcements

We don't have the time. Fall back at once!

We can't retreat, General!

We can't retreat, General!

We can't retreat

Soldiers, hold your ground!

Report! Wang Geng's forces are defeated. They are fleeing in this direction

General, please order your forces to fall back

Otherwise, our formation would be broken up by the defeated troops

Bullshit! It's too late to fall back now

Huo Qubing, do not curse

Give my orders to bring out the Spiked Wagons

- Get into formation and hold your ground. - Understood

Halt!

What is it?

- We're being ambushed! - What?

- Where is General Wei? - He's on the rear side

Wait for me here. I'll go see him

Chanyu!

What's making you fall back in a panic?

Chanyu, we're in big trouble!

Speak. What's the trouble?

We were going to follow up with the pursuit

when the Han forces suddenly laid out a strange wagon formation

2,000 men all died after the smoke and dust were cleared

General, His Majesty has sent General of Guerrilla Jing Kui to our assistance

General, please accept my regards

General Jing, I wasn't expecting you

General, what exactly happened?

- It's complicated. How many men have you brought? - Over 2,000

The situation is dire

General Jing, please command

your forces to station at the northwestern mountain pass

and join General Gan Fu's forces

Tonight, you must get behind the Xiongnu headquarters

We'll set up a fire at midnight to signal you

and we'll attack the Xiongnu from both sides and push them back

Yes, sir!

I am General Huo Qubing of the Han forces

I came today with a meat kebab for the Chanyu of Xiongnu

The Chanyu might as well take it for breakfast

Chanyu, this is King Hun Yu's head

King Hun Yu…

Fall back!

As the commander-in-chief, Wei Qing was decisive to contract the troops

He laid out the Spiked Wagon formation and stopped the Xiongnu attack

Then, Jing Kui commanded 2,000 men behind the enemy lines

and burned the enemy supplies

Gan Fu and Huo Qubing took advantage of Xiongnu's chaos

launched a full-on attack and killed tens of thousands of enemies

Unfortunately, the 2,000 men commanded by Jing Kui

were almost all killed in action

Zhang Tang

Yes, Your Majesty

What's your take?

I reckon Wang Geng should be executed for fleeing on the battlefield

Wei Qing's merit and fault offset, and Jing Kui should be greatly rewarded

Your Majesty, although we enjoyed victory after defeat

I reckon Wang Geng can't escape punishment

while Wei Qing was decisive in laying out the Spiked Wagon formation

and laid the grounds for our victory. He should be rewarded

As the officer in charge, Wei Qing should take responsibility for Wang Geng

Lord Zhang, are you seeking someone to be held accountable?

Then you should look into the people who sent Wang Geng to battle

Wang Geng was recommended by the Empress Dowager and appointed by me

Do you mean to hold me and the Empress Dowager accountable?

I am guilty. It was a slip of the tongue

If you hadn't thought so, how could these words slip from your mouth?

Brother Gan, you should tie me up

Qing, what's the point?

As commander of a defeated army, I should tie myself before His Majesty

Who said we were defeated?

We chopped off the heads of tens of thousands of Xiongnu

General Gan is right

We neither won nor lost this battle

Shut up! If Wei Qing hadn't defended you

- I would have chopped off your head already! - Brother Gan

Summon Wei Qing, Gan Fu, Jing Kui, Wang Geng for an audience

- Regards to Your Majesty. - Rise

- Wang Geng. - Yes, Your Majesty

As the vanguard, you didn't follow the art of war and took unscrupulous

actions. You didn't mend your mistakes and fled instead

You are the reason why 50,000 men have died. Are you aware of your crimes?

I am

Your Majesty, please show mercy and spare my life

Even if I wanted to spare you

the 50,000 departed spirits would never approve

- Come! - Yes, Your Majesty

- Take Wang Geng out of the palace for execution! - Understood

Your Majesty! Show mercy!

- Wei Qing. - Yes, Your Majesty

As the commander-in-chief, you must assume

responsibility for Wang Geng's faults

But you didn't panic in the crisis

and turned defeat into victory. Your contributions can't go unnoticed

I appoint you as Marquis of Guannei. 8,000 households shall reside the land

- Your Majesty. - What else do you have to say?

Your Majesty, I was the commander-in-chief

I should be held accountable for Wang Gen's defeat

Your Majesty, please take back your order and convict me of my crimes

Your Majesty, the battle was only turned around because Wei stayed calm

Otherwise, our troops would all be killed in action

Your Majesty, as the commander-in-chief, I'm as guilty as my subordinate

Enough. Say no more

Dongfang Shuo already said

it was my fault to promote Wang Geng. It has nothing to do with you

Thank Your Majesty for your grace

- Jing Kui. - Yes, Your Majesty

You've earned the most credit

I appoint you as General of Fast Cavalry

I've already ordered men to register the names

of the 2,000 fallen men under your command

The Treasury will compensate every one of them

Thank you, Your Majesty

Where's Shuo?

- Yeah, Where's Shuo? - General Wei, Congratulations

Congratulations, General Wei

I'll make this a great celebration for you

Shuo

Shuo

Why do you look so preoccupied?

Qing is conferred the title of Marquis today

We need to indulge ourselves in drinks to congratulate him

That's right. No return without getting drunk

Your Highness, I can definitely tell that

Dongfang Shuo is ambitious

Ambitious how?

He intends to monopolize the court

and seize the throne for himself

You make it sound so dramatic

but I'm not that convinced

Your Highness, sister, you must not lower your guard

Dongfang Shuo is a man of guile

He knows that within the court of Great Han

His Majesty is already under his charm

The only person he's afraid of is you

In an attempt to curtail Your Highness

he must start with me

Do you have any proof?

Yes

The spooked horse is most questionable

Your Highness, think about it. It was such a docile horse

and Dongfang Shuo handpicked it for me

It was normal all the time

but happened to got spooked during the military parade

When Your Highness wanted to inspect it

he struck first

and cut down the horse

He was covering up the proof of his engagement in conspiracy

Mother, please accept my regards

I heard that the expedition neither won nor lost

Xiongnu is cunning

Of course, I should also be faulted for my negligence in faculty inspection

Your Majesty, this is not about your negligence

This is a vile trick pulled by Dongfang Shuo

Otherwise, you'd let your uncle command the forces

Your uncle was always prudent

He wouldn't have lost so many forces as well as our dignity to the enemy

The battlefield is never predictable

Even if Uncle was in command, he wouldn't have necessarily secured victory

With Wang Xiu's qualifications and reputation

Wang Geng would never disobey his orders

Mother, Dongfang Shuo already discerned for me that

Uncle's motives are too selfish

His petty wisdom doesn't apply to major strategies

which is why he can't be appointed to essential posts

Dongfang Shuo again

Mother, you…

He's the most selfish one when it comes to self-interest

We spared no effort to plot against Wang Xiu

only for the purpose of commanding the forces

and be conferred a noble title

Mother, Uncle fell off

the horse by accident

That only fools you

It can't even fool a 3-year-old kid

I believe that Dongfang Shuo has nothing to do with this

No. He has a wicked nature, and would do anything to achieve his goals

He's a scheming, devious scumbag

But he's loyal to me

The Grand Empress Dowager also believed that

and almost granted him immunity to death

What happened to that?

In the end, the Grand Empress Dowager became

a victim to Dongfang Shuo herself

He was helping me seize power

No. He wasn't helping you. He was helping himself

Rest assured, Mother

If I have the guts to use him, then I know how to put reins on him

I've pondered upon this issue a lot

I am the emperor

I stand at the peak of the mountain alone

The surrounding weather is unpredictable, and I'm always prone to falling

Therefore, I'll never place my full faith in anyone

I will put my guard up against everyone

The closer someone is to me, the more vigilant I am

Because only the ones closest to me

are aware of my fatal weaknesses

As for Dongfang Shuo, I've disciplined him from time to time

I will make it clear to him that

I am the emperor

I've already made arrangements

Again! Tiger, stick, chicken!

Why did you hide this hand?

Your Majesty

- Regards to Your Majesty and the Noble Lady. - No need for formalities

Thank you, Your Majesty

- You've come at a good time. Enjoy these flowers with me. - Understood

Your Father has business to tend to

I'll take you outside to play

Let's go

- Take a seat. - Thank you, Your Majesty

Dongfang Shuo, how do you think of Noble Lady Wei?

Your Majesty, Noble Lady Wei is elegant and virtuous

She has long been a great assistance to Your Majesty

Then tell me, when the little prince ascends the throne in the future

will he be put in the same position as I was in

when I always had to comply with the consort kin

including my grandmother, great uncles, and uncles?

Your Majesty, Noble Lady Wei would never do that

Besides, the influence of the consort kin has already gradually diminished

I'm not worried about myself

I'm worried about the future, worried about my offspring

If my decree to abolish the consort kin of court affairs

is not issued as an explicit law

I'm afraid I won't be able to

shut my eyes after I pass away

Your Majesty, your concerns have solid grounds

Your Majesty, did I once mention to you that

the circumstances are different now

so that there's no need for haste?

Circumstances are indeed different now

I have a strong influence

while Wang Xiu is the only court official among the consort kin

and he's singled out. And that is precisely why

- this is a great timing to abolish the malpractice. - Right

I've also been thinking. After several rounds of contest

Your Majesty are basically free from the interference of the consort kin

And now Your Majesty have a solid say in court affairs

which is why I believe this can be declared

after the Empress Dowager passes away

It protects the grace of Her Highness

and also demonstrates to the state

- that Your Majesty value filial piety. - No

As long as it's not issued as a law

the consort kin will cause trouble any minute

That's why I don't want to be in this dilemma anymore

and I don't want to wait another single day

I'm ordering you to contact the major ministers at once

and jointly submit a memorial during tomorrow's meeting

to demand me to immediately abolish the old tradition of

consort kin interfering with court affairs and monopolizing the court

As long as the major ministers take a stand

the other officials will respond accordingly

Your Majesty, I should obey your decree

There's something else

Go to the Pingyang Mansion at once

Why am I going there, Your Majesty?

Act as a matchmaker between Wei Qing and the Grand Princess

- Shuo, you're here. - Regards to the Grand Princess

- Save the formalities. - Thank you, Your Highness

You three brothers haven't seen each other for days

Enjoy your time together. I'll get out of your way

- Your Highness, please stay. - What is it?

- It's about a great jolly business. - What's so jolly about it?

- His Majesty has asked me to be a matchmaker. - Who are you matching?

That person seems far away, but is as close as in front of you

In front of me?

It's them

Apart from these two

who else is worthy of being granted marriage by His Majesty?

Your Highness, you can't leave yet

You haven't given me your consent

His Majesty is waiting for me to report back

I shall obey His Majesty's orders

Qing, Her Highness has approved

- You wouldn't protest against His Majesty, would you? - He wouldn't dare!

I'll beat him up before His Majesty can punish him

- Gan, Shuo, I… - We need to get ready for a feast

A double blessing has descended upon us. We need to get drunk

It's not time for drinking yet

Brother Gan, His Majesty has other tasks for me

- Dongfang Shuo! - I'm helpless

I was born with the destiny of nonstop labor

I shall take my leave. Qing.

Shuo, take care

Please return

Lord Gongsun, please remember this

After I've submitted my memorial at tomorrow's court meeting

you must be the first to respond

Rest assured, My Lord. I wouldn't dare protest against His Majesty

- Then I shall be grateful. I'll take my leave, Lord Gongsun. - Take care

Yi. Yi

Yes, Your Majesty

Leave the palace at once

Deliver my written decree to Lord Gongsun Hong

and tell him to act accordingly

Your Majesty, it's already late now

- Should you wait till tomorrow morning? - What did you say?

Your Majesty, quell your anger. I'll go right now

Chamberlain Yang, what exactly happened at the palace?

This is His Majesty's written decree. Read it, and you'll understand

Chamberlain, please reply to His Majesty I'll carry out his orders at once

- Hurry! Wake up all the servants immediately! - Understood

Long live Your Majesty

Long live Your Highness

- Rise, officials. - Thank you, Your Majesty

His Majesty's decree. Officials should submit their memorials at once

I, Dongfang Shuo, have a memorial

- Dongfang Shuo - Yes, Your Majesty

Read your memorial again

in front of all the officials

I've joined with some ten officials to submit this joint memorial

We request that Your Majesty issue a law

to declare that the court will permanently abolish

old traditions of the consort kin interfering with court affairs

Dongfang Shuo. What position are you putting the Empress Dowager in?

Her Highness should spend her days in the harem and take care of her health

She should stop dealing with court business

Your Majesty

Your Majesty, you should absolutely not take his advice

Lord Gongsun, what do you have to say?

Dongfang Shuo's request for Your Majesty to remove consort kin from court

is in essence an effort to drive Her Highness away

He is isolating Your Majesty from benevolence

loyalty, and filial piety

Your Majesty, our ancestors have established that filial piety is the top

priority. Dongfang Shuo is enticing you to become an unfilial emperor

This is against the traditions and high treason

I ask Your Majesty to sack Dongfang Shuo for the justice of our state

Your Majesty, Dongfang Shuo is a treacherous official

Lord Gongsun, didn't we have a deal?

Dongfang Shuo, how dare you! You've plotted against

so many court officials

You're plotting against me now, and one day you'll plot against His Majesty

You'll commit regicide and usurp the throne

Your Majesty

Dongfang Shuo is driving a wedge between you and Her Highness

He is attempting to take advantage of the crisis between mother and son

Your Majesty, please bring justice to him

Your Majesty, the traditions can't be violated

Dongfang Shuo, you've said in your memorial that

it was submitted by an alliance of some ten officials. Is that true?

Rest assured, My Lord. I wouldn't dare protest against His Majesty

I'm ordering you to contact the major ministers at once and jointly submit

a memorial during tomorrow's meeting to demand me to immediately

abolish the old tradition of the consort kin interfering with court affairs

That is to say. This is only your personal advice?

Your Majesty, see it as my own words

- However… - Shut up!

You delude yourself in court affairs, attack Her Highness

violate our traditions and hurtle our foundations. Do you admit guilt?

Your Majesty, Dongfang Shuo has committed vicious crimes

the people's anger can only be quelled by his execution

That's right, Your Majesty

Your Majesty, you can't

It's said that words aren't an offense

Dongfang Shuo may have spoken mindlessly

but he's performing the duties of an official

Your Majesty, please acknowledge that

Your Majesty

Dongfang Shuo declared that this memorial was submitted jointly with others

but denies it now

I believe there must be a reason for this

An investigation is required before convicting him according to the law

Dongfang Shuo has contributed in safeguarding the state. Please show mercy

Your Majesty. I would give up my title of nobility for Dongfang Shuo's life

Your Majesty, Dongfang Shuo is too vicious to be pardoned

Enough

- Dongfang Shuo. - Yes, Your Majesty

You delude yourself in court affairs

you should be executed for isolating me from benevolence and loyalty

but since you've made great contributions to the court before

I shall spare your life

Your salary will be forfeited for a year, and you'll stay home for a month

Long live Your Majesty. Thank you for sparing my life

You poked your nose into others' business

This is between them as mother and son. It has nothing to do with you

and you had to step in between

Are you satisfied now?

You've lost a full year's dining money

Shall we live on air now?

Those most heinous officials should be cursed

Usually, they're so sure of themselves with intense passion

But when it comes to court meetings, they all act like timid turtles

and you're the only one taking the blows

Strange

No. Those officials shouldn't take the blame

Then who is to blame?

Someone must have covertly changed their minds

Did the Empress Dowager persuade them into this?

Empress Dowager

She doesn't have that kind of influence now

Then you mean His Majesty?

- It can't be. You're helping him. - That's right

An emperor's mind is always unpredictable

My Lord, My Lady, Mr. Jing and Mrs. Jing are visiting

Why have them suddenly come?

Don't mind the reason

They're your friends. You can't turn them away

When have I said anything about turning them away?

Then ask them to come in

Mr. Jing?

Why are you still sitting here? Go!

Wait, can't I just join you guys? Should I go jump in the lake?