Original subtitles

- Ma. - My Lady. - How did it go?

I found His Majesty and the Lord Commissioner

The entire village is flooded

They're trapped on a large roof

As things stand now

one, the torrents are turbulent, we can't get close

Two, His Majesty has brought many men with him

We need more rafts over there

We don't have any more log rafts left

We need to organize some men to cut down trees to build more rafts

- Hurry up! - Folks, let's go

- Come with me to cut down more trees. - Hurry up!

Dongfang Shuo, Zhang Tang, receive my edict

- Here I am. - Here I am

If I happen to meet an unfortunate end this time

I hereby appoint you both, along with Wei Qing and Ming Fei, as Regents

to support my heir's enthronement

You hear that?

Your Majesty, I'm literally awaiting the death penalty

Zhang Tang

Yes, Your Majesty

If I meet my end

Dongfang Shuo may receive clemency

Are you clear?

I accept and obey

If all of you end up getting swallowed by the waters

- then it's God's will after all. - No!

Your Majesty, any one of us may die

but you alone must not!

I, Dongfang Shuo, will make sure to guard your life

You won't die!

Yes, Your Majesty!

You won't die, Your Majesty

Your Majesty, look!

- Commissioner! - Commissioner!

A boat!

- Steady now! - Closer! - Careful

Folks, this is His Majesty

Your Majesty!

Now, now, get up

- Sorry we're late! - No!

Sir, you're not late in the least

This river, this house

and all of you here

I'll never forget any of it

Your Majesty, we never would've guessed

that in Chang'an City

where you oversee so many things daily

you still remember lowly Shang County folks like us

Once the flood subsides

we'll make sure we burn the best incense

to pray for Your Majesty's well-being

Mister, hurry and help His Majesty get on the boat

Come

Mind your steps, Your Majesty

Careful!

Make way

- Lord Commissioner! - Thank you, sir, thanks

Wait by the side!

You don't get to board the boat first

- Hold me up. - Come

Seeing is believing indeed!

Never in my wildest dreams

would I have thought

that to curry favor superiors and get promotions

the local officials resorted to all tricks they could think of

No abomination is beyond them!

Wang Xiu

Yes, Your Majesty

Someone said

you've got a hand in Yi Zong's matter

I could scarcely believe it

Your Majesty, someone must've deliberately set me up

That's a false charge

I've never had any personal dealings with Yi Zong

Yeah, I thought so

As a trusted courtier

why would my uncle liaise with such an uncouth man?

Alright, I'll believe you one more time. Get up

Thank you, Your Majesty

Dongfang Shuo

Yes, Your Majesty

You impersonated a commissioner to distribute food reserves

and even killed an imperial officer on the sly

Why don't you tell me what punishment I should give you?

I deserve nothing but death, a thousand times over

Well said

Even if I were to kill you a thousand times, it's only what you deserve

Your Majesty

But I'm not a befuddled sovereign either

I know that you did it for the disaster-stricken folks of Shang County

So I won't hold it against you anymore

Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty

Your Majesty, I wish to make a statement

You're not done yet?

Your Majesty. It's understandable that Dongfang Shuo

impersonated a commissioner to distribute food

and that may be overlooked

But him killing an imperial courtier on the sly?

Surely… that's unpardonable!

But I think

in such a tumult

Dongfang Shuo was able to prioritize the people

His life may be spared with his merit making up for his crime

Lord Zhang

Yes

Going by the law, is Dongfang Shuo guilty or not?

By law, he is

- Zhang Tang. - Yes, Your Majesty

Her Majesty the Empress Dowager arrives!

Long live the Empress Dowager

- Dear courtiers, arise. - Thanks, Empress Dowager

Greetings, Mother

Whatever it is you require

you need only send a word and I'll get to it

You needn't have exerted yourself

Your Majesty, am I not welcome here?

I'm worried it'll tire you, Mother

Your Majesty, I just heard

you lot seemingly having a discussion

- regarding Dongfang Shuo's merit and demerit. - Yes

What was the contention?

- Wang Xiu. - Here I am. - Recount it to the Empress Dowager

Empress Dowager. Some courtiers think that Dongfang Shuo's merit

made up for his mistake. But some others disagreed

and demanded his punishment

And what do you think, Your Majesty?

I'm still thinking

Your Majesty

you just returned from the Yellow River, it's a tiring journey

Don't tax yourself unduly over these matters

Don't we have in Zhang Tang

a just, upright official well-versed in law?

Why not let Zhang Tang handle this matter?

It'll take a load off you, Your Majesty

You can rely on Couriter Zhang's competence, can't you?

Zhang Tang

At your service

You'll have full authority over Dongfang Shuo's case, then

No matter who said it

whatever's been said of him in the past

shall be discounted

You must re-adjudicate according to the law

His Majesty and I have faith that you will give fair judgment

and will not disappoint the court

I accept and obey

Your Majesty

Your Majesty

Do you want me to head to the Ministry of Justice

to give Lord Zhang Tang a heads-up?

What about?

Asking him not to put Dongfang Shuo in a spot

I'd clearly given my decree in Shang County, he won't go against that

It's not that I insist on holding it against Dongfang Shuo

His previous attempts might be directed at me

but this time

what he's undermining is your authority as Emperor

Just think

he's gone on to impersonate a commissioner and killed an official

Well, he had his reasons and was forced to do it

Your Majesty. You can become the supreme emperor of all time

But because of that

all the more you cannot allow any courtier to have his own way

Even if you had to make a courtier bleed along the way up

you mustn't hesitate

It's as you say, Mother

But I need capable ministers to support me

You're better off choosing mediocre yes men

than tolerating impertinent talents

But who's mediocre, and who's talented?

As for who I can or cannot employ

I have my own considerations

Are you implying my input in these important things isn't needed?

Sure, I can let go of other matters

but there's no getting me off Dongfang Shuo's case

Over my dead body

Mother, do you remember

that court session when Dongfang Shuo wanted to crush

the conspiracy among royal relatives?

- What are you getting at? - Nothing

It's just that I'm surprised at myself

To think I could turn things around at the flip of my hand

I'm even more surprised

at how all the main ministers

could follow my hand movements

I didn't expect

that I actually have such might

Liu Che. Are you threatening me?

I'm simply saying

what an emperor should say right at this moment

You…

You're my son first and foremost

It's precisely because I'm your son

that I've always held back when it comes to you

You!

You…

Mother

don't force my hand

Really, just don't

Sis

Sis

Sir Jing and his wife are here

Go serve tea

Right on

Lady Qiu

Sir, ma'am, this way please

Here you go

Drink some

- Please. - Thanks

- Let me, thanks. - Please

What brings you both into the Capital?

What's the situation in Shang County?

They're repairing the embankments on the double

The newly appointed magistrate from the court has started work too

There's nothing much we can do there anyway

Luo Qi keeps on worrying

about Lord Dongfang's safety in the Capital

so we rushed here

You truly think far ahead, madam

Looks like Dongfang Shuo

is finally at his wits' end this round

What did His Majesty do to him?

Placed him on death row

awaiting Zhang Tang's adjudication

Don't worry, Lady Qiu

This time we'll definitely get Dongfang Shuo out to safety

Sir Jing, it's not that simple

Apparently, even Princess Pingyang was turned away

Everyone who's trying to appeal on behalf of Dongfang Shuo

was all sent away by the empress dowager

We're not planning to seek Empress Dowager and His Majesty

Then… don't tell me, you thought of another way?

- To remove a charge, one needs the perpetrator. - Who started it?

And who can remove the charge?

This all started because of Yi Zong

Yi Zong was Wang Xiu's pupil

whereas Wang Xiu is Empress Dowager's younger brother

So the man at the heart of the issue should be Wang Xiu

Jing Kui, how dare you trespass into my study!

Your high walls are still not enough to keep me out

Trespassing into official residence is a crime!

I've trespassed so many places, I'm past caring

Don't think it's anything bad either

What's your deal?

I'm saving your life

I thought the great Sir Jing's out to end my life

If I'd wanted to do so

I needn't even lift a finger

someone else would've come

Who?

- Bearer of the imperial insignia, Zhang Tang. - Zhang Tang?

I didn't do anything illegal

Even if Zhang Tang had a giant beating rod

he can't touch the back of my bum

If he knew that you incited Yi Zong

so you rise up the ranks and engage in corruption

while inflating taxes and extorting for personal gains

you still think he can't beat you?

Nonsense! I have no ties to Yi Zong at all!

Is that so?

But why would Yi Zong confess

that if he falls, he's taking you down with him?

This is fake! A fabrication!

Sharp eyes you've got there, Lord Wang

It's a fabrication alright

Because the original is with me

I won't just hand it out so easily

What evidence have you got

proving that the confession is genuine?

You shouldn't have killed Yi Zong

By killing him

you're just helping me create

a hopeless case without a witness

How clever of you, Lord Wang

You haven't spent decades of indulgence for nothing

But those letters you wrote to Yi Zong

were so cherished by Yi Zong, he kept them all

You have those?

Of course

you can say that your own handwritten letters are fake too

So long as Zhang Tang believes you, that is

Lord Wang, cat got your tongue?

What do you want me to do?

Make Dongfang Shuo not die

His fate is up to His Majesty and Empress Dowager

Why would I have a say?

You do. You can persuade Empress Dowager

And if I don't?

Then tomorrow morning

those letters you wrote to Yi Zong

will all land on Zhang Tang's desk

Greetings, Empress Dowager

It's you

How many times have I told you?

Don't keep coming to the Palace for no reason

Spend more time in your office

Let your colleagues see your hardworking persona

Yes

Sister

I spent all of last night thinking back and forth

I think

it's truly a waste to kill off a talent like Dongfang Shuo

H… how come you're speaking up for him now?

- Empress Dowager, I think… - Stop

Whenever I think of the late imperial guard

my heart throbs with pain

Sister, I hate Dongfang Shuo

as much as you do

I, too, wish to avenge that guard

But internal and external ministers are all talking

about how Dongfang Shuo killed the guard to help His Majesty

You hate him in your heart

so by wanting to use this chance to vent your hate

- you're basically airing dirty laundry! - So what if I am?

My dear sister, a chancellor can stomach anything, so the saying goes

Not killing Dongfang Shuo

will not only appease the gossip within and outside the court

but it'll also let the major ministers

admire your compassion even more

Find another reason to kill him in the future

and no one else would bring it up

Your Majesty, I have made a decision on Dongfang Shuo's case

What is to be done?

Impersonating an envoy and killing a courtier are punishable by death

Zhang Tang

Your Majesty. I wish to make a statement

What is it?

I beseech Your Majesty to grant Dongfang Shuo clemency from death

Wang Xiu

Yes, Your Majesty

Dongfang Shuo has invariably been at loggerheads with you

How come you thought of pleading for him now?

Allow me, Your Majesty

What Dongfang Shuo and I share is but a personal vendetta

I seek to preserve Dongfang Shuo

for the well-being of the Great Han country

Dongfang Shuo had achieved great merits for the court

Killing Dongfang Shuo may just crush the goodwill of the land's talents

Of course, killing Dongfang Shuo can serve as a deterrent

But not killing him

and simply stripping him of his post can achieve the same effect

Well said, Uncle

I now declare to waive the death penalty for Dongfang Shuo

From now on he's relegated to a citizen, never to officiate again

A wise decision, Your Majesty

Your Majesty, Dongfang Shuo is here to proffer his thanks

- Let him in. - Yes

Your disgraced minister… I mean

Greetings from your subject, Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty!

Dongfang Shuo

So you managed to escape the gallows this time, too

You sure have your ways

Out with it, what trick did you use

to make even Wang Xiu step out to defend you?

Your Majesty, His Highness and I were teacher and student

What?

- You're teacher and student? - Yes

Your Majesty, I once taught the royal uncle horseriding

The saying goes, once a teacher, always a parent

When one's teacher is cornered, a pupil will naturally lend a hand

Shut your trap

- Get up. - Thanks, Your Majesty

Now that I've demoted you to common folk status

do you have any complaints?

Your Majesty, I am beyond grateful

why would I even have any complaints?

Now then, I'll pack up and move out immediately

Move out? Where to?

Back to my old home in Shandong

Back to Shandong? You wish!

Stay put in the Capital now, I say

Your Majesty, I'm literally unwanted filth now

No matter how I strive, I can't do anything

If you force me and my family to stay in Chang'an

what are we going to eat?

That's no different from starving us to death

I don't care. You can do street performances, can't you?

Set up your stall like you used to

and go showcase your bag of tricks

Here, young mister

Take this home and consume a bowl each, mornings and evenings

- In three days your body will recover. - Thanks, sir

Take care, young sir

My turn

Sir

are you here for face-reading, divination, literomancy or fortune lots?

- Fortune sticks, I suppose. - Please

You got yourself the best of luck here, mister

Lord Zhao the Marshal rides a black tiger, a match made in heaven

Avoid construction when dragon and serpent meet; spring is the best time

Sir, aside from avoiding construction work this year

your business will prosper

Any marriage will be harmonious, blessed with many sons

Any long trips will be smooth-sailing too

Great! I was just planning to get a wife for my son this year

Then everything is set!

What did I just say

A marriage this year

is a match made in heaven!

Do you know how rare such things are?

Isn't that a sure sign that once your son marries a wife

they'll be blessed with sons and grandsons?

Alright, may those be prophetic words

Take care, sir

Interpret a divination for me too, I'll pay more

Lord Qiankun!

Who said I'm leaving? Whoever leaves is a loser!

Fine, go get water. I've got cooking to do

Always maligning me

Brother

You're here

Qiu, look who's here

- Lady Qiu. - Qiankunzi?

Oh my, my hands are dirty

And our house is pretty shabby, there's no proper place to sit

But we'll soon change our dwellings

once we spot a good one

Lady Qiu, Dongfang Shuo

had told me all about your circumstance

Even with all the unpredictable ups and downs

he'll live

Dongfang Shuo has said that

a skillful all-rounder can trade with kings

Every expertise of Dongfang's

is fit for emperors

I get it

Qiu, just hurry and cook some food

Yes, dear

Stop chewing the fat here

So in the Capital, she listens to you instead?

Yeah, what's so strange about that?

Who d'you think I am? Come, let's talk in the study

You're now…

- Come, have a seat. - Sure

What's that you're writing? And who's it for?

Still writing to His Majesty?

It's for myself, to practice my penmanship

Equal parts rain and dew? What's that mean?

You sprinkling some drizzle on everyone's heads?

Wicked humor you've got there

How about we sit and talk

Back in Jingchu

Princess Liu Nan and I had multiple talks

about the relationship between vassal kings and our court

Back then, I had many ideas

And now, I'm idling around at home

So I took those ideas

and tidied them all up

Who knows, they might be useful one day

You're right

Dongfang, tell me

what do you mean by this rain and dew principle?

Qiankun, you've come all the way here

Can I ask you first?

What brings you to Chang'an?

I'll be frank with you

Right now, I am extremely unsure

Wow, there's actually something you can't decide on?

You do know

that Liu Hao, son to King of Jingchu

looks up to me and regards me highly

But he's young and brash

while Jingchu is rich in resources and people

I'd long noticed that this Liu Hao

isn't a weakling content with slim pickings

If one day he gets up and starts something

anything can happen

But if he wins

won't you become a leader among officers?

But what if he loses?

There's nothing in this world that isn't a gamble

Get your bets right, and you win

Miss your bets, and lose every last bit

That is why

the most crucial thing is to know where to place the bet

So you came to Chang'an to gauge the situation, huh?

Qiankun

Dongfang Shuo, you're no longer in court now, just a neutral bystander

Help me figure things out

If and when Jingchu and the empire collide

which side will win?

What a no-brainer, definitely the empire

Why

From times immemorial good triumphs over evil

Even with Jingchu's huge army, numerous generals and ample rations

once they stage a mutiny

that's treachery of the highest order

Help comes to the morally upright, but the immoral loses allies

With one single decree from His Majesty

the respective vassal kings will respond

and send troops to protect the ruler

At that moment, the King of Jingchu

will have a target on his back, to be defeated and derided

Good point. But the imperial court…

The imperial court has a fatal weakness too

You see, each vassal king rules independently, there's no consistency

If things drag on

the country is bound to deteriorate and perish

Take a look. The rain and dew principle: a fair distribution of gains

This is a sound prescription for statesmanship I'm presenting

to His Majesty

- Bro! - What is it?

- Excuse me, I'll be right back. - Sure, please

What is it? Can't you see I'm…

Bro, my sis is asking

if we're letting Qiankunzi stay on for dinner

Let him. Just another mouth and another pair of chopsticks

We won't go broke just from this meal

But then…

Go buy some drink and dishes

That's it

just go

Qiankun

Dongfang Shuo, I say!

Truly, you're an incarnate of master philosophers and strategists!

Such an advanced scheme

could only have come from that brain of yours!

Is that so? Goes without saying

I mean, Qiankun, you flatter me

But then, I'd like to tell you a secret

Mountains can only converse with mountains

How could a mountain communicate with a valley?

Dongfang Shuo. You're making as if to praise me

- but in fact you're commending yourself. - I wouldn't dare!

As long as you present this essay to His Majesty

he'll be elated

Then your fortunes will be set forth in motion once more

Right now I'm not in a hurry to give it to His Majesty

Why?

Now's not the time to execute it

If it's forcefully implemented, it would cause huge chaos instead

Then when are you planning on presenting it?

Let's just wait and see

I'm aiming for the most opportune time

Alright

Sure

Princess, I've brought him here

Princess

Surprised, huh?

Yes, I am

Why have you come to Chang'an too, Princess?

My brother's worried that you can't persuade Dongfang Shuo

so he let me follow up

I already told His Highness back in Jingchu

Dongfang Shuo is haughty and full of himself

He won't go to Jingchu

That was then

He's now kicked out of the imperial court

An invite to be an official in Jingchu is his only way out

But I just came from Dongfang Shuo's house

He's not planning to leave Chang'an at all

Then you'd better make it clear to him

that Jingchu is asking him to be Chancellor. That'll move him, no?

I did. That made him even haughtier

He said compared to His Majesty, the King of Jingchu

is but a mere pebble beneath a high mountain

a shrub underneath a pine tree

- a drop in the ocean… - Enough

A petty man like you

definitely won't say anything good to Dongfang Shuo

And he most definitely won't say such things to you

That's why I've rushed here especially

You'd best return earlier if there's nothing else

I'll take over everything in Chang'an

I'll take my leave

- Morning, sir. - Miss

- The princess is here. - Where is she?

She wants to see you

Now's not a good time

I'm a convict

There are spies monitoring my every move around here

The princess had said that no matter what's your status now

she wants to see you anyway

Then tell the princess

to go to the city's southern suburb, and wait for me at a forest there

- Go on now. - OK

I'd have to trouble you again

- Here. - It's okay

Just put it at the usual spot like before

Thanks

Hey

How come the stall's not even here?

Well, well, Dongfang Shuo!

You're Qiu Hu, Sir Qiu, aren't you?

I am Qiu Hu, Sir Qiu, yes

Someone's asked me to tell you

to stop looking for Dongfang Shuo

He's been called away by a woman

Woman? Where?

It's a very young woman

They're heading toward the southern gate

Very young, you say?

Dongfang Shuo!

Greetings, Princess

May I ask, your sudden arrival in Chang'an is…

Are you alright?

Thank God, this head of mine is still intact

Believe it or not

since we parted ways last time

I often dreamed

about the times we spent together

Princess, who am I Dongfang Shuo

to merit an intrusion in your thoughts?

What are you retreating for?

Scared I'll eat you up?

Stand closer

Closer!

Surely this is already close enough?

Again, Princess

What brings you to Chang'an all of a sudden?

I'm here on my brother's request

to especially get you genius to return to the fore

I'm a guilty convict and in no position to act rashly

Dongfang Shuo, you are no longer an official at the imperial court

You can go wherever you want

But the problem is that His Majesty has ordered me

not to leave Chang'an, not even an inch

That doesn't make sense!

Then I'll go to the imperial palace right away to ask His Majesty for you