Original subtitles

I made all this salt myself.

You made it?

Not bad, kid.

It's all the Emperor's fault.

He just had to cut off our supplies.

Otherwise, you wouldn't need to find a way.

Uncle Zhang,

be careful what you say.

Loose talk could get us killed.

Who is this?

He's one of us.

Uncle Zhang,

he's with us. These days,

the soldiers have worked hard.

Let them relax tonight.

Thank you, Young Duke.

Let's go.

Brother,

you've worked hard.

It's nothing, really.

Need any help?

No need, no need.

I'll head over first, then.

Go ahead.

Come for skewers tonight.

Sure, sure, sure.

Eight horses, that's lucky!

Come, drink up!

You're too slow.

Drink faster.

A bet's a bet.

Come on, fill it up!

Here, Uncle Zhang.

Here.

Have something warm.

Alright.

For you.

I'll take it.

No going back.

The old days are gone.

Last time we drank like this was in Shu Zhou.

Now, everything's changed.

Uncle Zhang means Ren Gengyao, the former Shu Zhou magistrate.

That's right.

Old Ren was an honest official.

No idea who set him up.

The Duke and I arrived too late.

The whole Ren family was killed.

Could there be more to it?

When do we make a move?

If you're scared, I'll go alone.

Feifan, say a few words.

Soldiers,

this cup

is for the Shi Family Army.

You've all worked hard.

Loyal to our country, sworn to serve.

Loyal to our country, sworn to serve.

Loyal to our country, sworn to serve.

Loyal to our country, sworn to serve.

Cheers!

Cheers! Cheers!

Come on, everyone, eat and drink well!

Alright.

Feifan, you're not young anymore.

They say, settle down first.

Start a family first.

Uncle Zhang, I'm not done having fun.

I can still play for a few years.

I understand.

Ziyan from Cangxiang Pavilion,

a beauty known across the land.

Come.

Drink, Uncle Zhang, come on.

Young man, come, drink.

Uncle Zhang, she can't drink.

I'll drink with you.

Looks like that's not needed.

Fill it up.

You've got guts.

Good kid, I like you.

Come, drink.

Uncle Zhang,

You haven't really drunk with me yet.

Why do I feel a bit dizzy?

Drink.

Alright!

Thank you, everyone.

Cheers!

Cheers! Cheers!

Darn it, darn it.

Uncle Zhang,

I'll leave this person to you.

Don't worry.

If you hurt my soldiers,

you'll come in standing

and leave lying down.

Someone, drag him over there.

Young Duke,

Something's wrong.

The Duke went to the palace and hasn't returned.

What?

Whenever the Emperor summoned him,

even if it was late,

the Duke would always come back.

This time, something's happened.

Is there any way I can enter the palace now?

Unless the Emperor summons you.

Entering without permission means execution.

Your Majesty, it seems I've won again.

Imperial Brother,

Minister Shi, it's been all night.

Go on home.

Your Majesty, I take my leave.

That was close.

Good thing Feifan was so foresighted.

Take this.

If there's danger,

it could save your life.

With a son like this,

what more could I ask for?

You, you...

At least you came back.

Imperial Brother,

Zhi'er went on your mission, didn't he?

I think you

just used my name

to enjoy yourself outside the palace.

Imperial Brother,

I heard last night

the Duke of Nan didn't go home.

So he was here playing chess with you.

So you came for the Duke of Nan.

Imperial Brother,

Imperial Brother,

Last night,

were you really playing chess with the Duke all night?

Minister Shi,

the Duke's manor made fake private salt.

Do you have anything to say?

Salt-making method

Imperial Brother

Salt is just like grain,

A long shortage will surely cause big trouble.

That's exactly why

it gives unscrupulous merchants

a chance to profit.

That's why illegal salt keeps resurfacing.

Illegal salt is so expensive

because official salt costs too much.

So the people can only buy illegal salt.

But now things are better.

The court now controls this technique.

We can produce fine salt endlessly.

I will no longer be at others' mercy.

Imperial Brother,

you've always cared for the people.

The people will surely praise you.

You always say what I want to hear.

Imperial Brother,

Shi Feifan presented the salt-making method.

Shouldn't he be rewarded?

Merits and faults offset each other.

Imperial Brother,

After days of observation,

the Duke's residence has no hidden agenda.

Since the Duke's residence is loyal,

Zhi'er doesn't need to return.

I...

Ping'an, if my father doesn't return,

I'll take poison into the palace.

Then you all must run quickly.

Father!

Father!

The Emperor didn't trouble you, right?

His Majesty didn't make things difficult.

He even said Feifan foresaw everything.

He has a righteous heart.

I'm glad you're safe.

Father,

Now the time is ripe.

Why not hand over the tiger tally?

Feifan has finally matured.

But now is not the right time.

Court factions are not yet purged.

The court seems calm,

but there are hidden currents.

His Majesty is the Son of Heaven,

and has the talent to rule.

But lacks great deeds to win all hearts.

If we hand over the tally now,

it seems the Emperor regains command,

but it also puts His Majesty

in an even more dangerous position.

Put the poison away.

It's fine.

It's just for scaring people.

Young Duke!

Young Duke! Young Duke!

Duke!

Bad news! Something happened at Fan Lou.

Someone...

Is causing trouble at our gate!

Someone's making a scene!