Original subtitles

Ladies, Mr. Qiu is here!

Sir, you're here

Come up here

Sir, come over here

Mr. Zhao, he's here

You're here, Mr. Qiu

My fellow townsman

And this mister is?

Mr. Qiu, this is Chunlan

Mr. Zhao booked her especially for you

- Serve Mr. Qiu well, Chunlan. - Of course

Be sure to give him a good time

- Mr. Qiu, come sit! - No

I'm not up for that today

I'll just have a seat

Can't let my wife know about this

Look at you, my!

Relax, Mr. Qiu. I'll guarantee no one will know

Everyone here

has their lips sealed tight!

- Exactly! - Yeah

Let's go, Mr. Qiu

Then… then I'll…

- Here, Mr. Zhao. - Come sit here. - I'd say

- Sit well, now. - Sure

Look at Mr. Qiu's cute face, what a blessed look!

Me, cute?

Mr. Zhao, can we serve the food and drinks now?

No rush, wait a moment

Why don't you both go out for a while?

Mr. Qiu and I shall have a quick word

Let's go

Mr. Qiu

Mr. Qiu

Mr. Qiu!

Mr. Sun

It's not that I don't respect you

As you know

our very own Lord Ming

is famous in court for his brashness and explosive temper

He's the last person you can negotiate with

Yeah

All the civic and military courtiers

know very well Lord Ming Fei's as clean as a chalk

and full of righteous pride

That's why, concerning this matter

don't expect His Lordship to do it

If he so much as hears it

he'd be blowing his top

Actually, there are more than a few ways

to perform a task

Sir Butler

when the waterways are blocked, we can take the roads

If the straight road won't do, then we'll make a detour

Detour?

Yes. For example

if we can't talk your master into it

then we might as well not tell him

I'd say! It's good that you came

why bring stuff and all? We're fellow townsfolk

But… I don't think

we can do this without telling Dongfang Shuo

about it

You see, who in Chang'an City will believe me?

Don't panic. Hear me out, why don't you?

Go on, go on

You're Dongfang Shuo's brother-in-law

Who doesn't know that, right?

But of course. Even His Majesty knows

That's it

As long as you speak on behalf of Dongfang Shuo

while asking for help, won't people believe you?

But if this goes out

and Dongfang Shuo got wind of it

By that time, what's done is done

At most, he'd admonish you with a few lines

Yeah. By then, I'd have taken these ingots

and used them all up!

Even if Dongfang Shuo found out

there won't be any gold to return you

Sharp one, Mr. Qiu, you catch on quick

We're from the same hometown, I got you

Ming Fei's butler didn't agree to it initially

Then I added a hundred taels of gold for him

and that sold him

You told him how to do it?

I did. He's to act on behalf of Ming Fei

and go to Lord Wang directly

Greetings, my lord

Are things at your end settled too?

My lord, I went by your instructions

and settled things with Qiu Hu too

OK. Now both of you need only wait for your turn

to step into office

This Zhao You

He's not just a fellow Shandong villager

There's a time when our family was poor

Dongfang Shuo was a lazybum who couldn't work

and only knew how to eat

Back then, Zhao You

often helped to cover our expenses

Now that he came with a request

there's no way we can turn him down, no?

The appointment of officials

has always been handled by Gongsun Hong and Wang Huai'e

as proxies to the Prime Minister

Gongsun Hong spends all his days

teaching at the Grand Academy

So in fact, it's really just up to Wang Huai'e alone

See, that's the thing

It's all Dongfang Shuo's fault

So much for receiving a prized sword from His Majesty

Not content with baring his fangs all day

he even killed Lord Wang's father

Now look at him

he's got to ask favors from who else?

My goodness. He made himself unwelcome

so how could he speak up?

This Zhao You you speak of

If Dongfang Shuo nominates him

Wang Huai'e will surely cuss him out

Well, that's why

Dongfang Shuo has thought of you, Brother Gan

This fellow townsman of yours, is he literate?

Yes

If he's illiterate, where'd he get the guts

and become a nominee?

How about

I let him stay with me

as an attendant in charge of manuscripts?

Great, just great!

I'll get someone to write a recommendation letter right away

to be sent to the Palace

Don't worry

Although Wang Huai'e finds me a nuisance as well

- he still won't ignore me. - Right

Right

Thanks!

Your Majesty, within just a few days

I already found evidence

of several courtiers selling venal offices

Qiankunzi

I don't need these facts now

What's urgent for me now is insufficient funds in the treasury

Yes. But I need these facts to stuff their mouths shut

Just think, Your Majesty

If these senior courtiers are themselves dishonest

they wouldn't dare meddle in other's business

This idea of yours

may suffice to stuff the mouths of wayward senior courtiers

But not for men like Dongfang Shuo and Ming Fei

Oddly enough, Your Majesty

among the senior courtiers I caught engaging in bribery

these two sanctimonious, upright men are included

- The two of them? - Yes

Dongfang Shuo, Ming Fei?

My words don't bear weight

Your Majesty may order Zhang Tang to investigate

Your Majesty, I'm wrongly accused!

This was all done by Ji Xing behind my back

I didn't know a thing about it

- Zhang Tang. - Yes, Your Majesty

Have you interrogated Ji Xing?

Your Majesty, I have not

Then get Ji Xing to the Minister of Justice for interrogation right away

I'd like to see

if it's a case of Ji Xing doing things behind Ming Fei's back

or if Ming Fei was behind it and is denying involvement

I accept and obey

Dismissed

Thank you, Your Majesty

- Your Majesty, I have another report. - Speak

This time, I am reporting Superior Grand Master Dongfang Shuo

Dongfang Shuo?

What about him now?

I'm also reporting Dongfang Shuo for accepting bribes

and sneaking in a crony by way of venal office

Who did Dongfang Shuo nominate?

Your Majesty, Dongfang Shuo is sly by nature

He did not step out in person

but sent Gan Fu to do it

Gan Fu

Yes, Your Majesty

Did that happen?

It's like this

His brother-in-law, Qiu Hu, requested me

Dongfang Shuo did not know of the matter

Your Majesty

The man Gan Fu nominated is called Zhao You

He's now working as an attendant

Dongfang Shuo

Yes, Your Majesty

What do you have to say about this?

I…

I still bear some guilt

Be specific. What should be done to you?

Be stripped of my post, and expelled from court

I'll proffer my trade on the streets… or do hard labor

Planning to escape? Not so fast!

I've decided

to demote you to Halberdier

You'll stand guard in court for me every day, halberd in hand

And you can't talk. Just stay still

If you dare make a sound, you'll get a hundred slashes of the whip

- That's… as good as stifling me to death. - Shut up

From now on, if you dare make a sound

my whip will immediately be brought forward

Come back. Where are you going?

Go

Your Majesty

- I wish to make a statement. - Speak

I think, it's better to guide than to suppress

better to boost income than restrict spending

If Your Majesty wishes to eliminate

venal offices once and for all, the best way

is to let the court take charge of the sales

Openly name the price for the post, and get the court to sell publicly

Your Majesty

So you've come to this!

Look at him, Your Majesty

- Qiankunzi. - Yes, Your Majesty

Continue

Your Majesty

Your Majesty. Right now, the country is plagued, the treasury is empty

In my opinion, since venal offices cannot be eliminated

the imperial court should put them up openly

Announce the trading prices for the various post ranks

Abundant funds will flow into the treasury

while there'll be no more officials selling posts for personal gain

Seems reasonable

Well, that way

I will have the funds to attack the Xiongnu while ensuring

- disaster relief. - Yes

But this so-called sale of offices

No, Your Majesty. I think this shall not be called a sale

It can be called voluntary donations

- How about that, voluntary donations? - OK

- So the court is neither forcing nor selling. - Yes

- Whether one wishes to donate is fully voluntary. - Yes

Your Majesty

Your Majesty, I do have some worries if that were the case

What are you worried about?

Since a post can be confirmed by way of donations

I am worried that no one will study anymore

Your Majesty, I think both policies can be run in tandem

Those who excel in studies can still rise as officials

OK

Then I'll approve the proposal

Thank you, Your Majesty

You both are to draft a set of specific regulations

We'll discuss about it in the next morning court

I accept and obey

Court dismissed

I don't know what to make of you!

You happy now?

Halberdier

One month's stipend

gets us two meager meals a day or the whole family

and that won't even last for half a month!

You want us to starve to death?

How would I know someone will snitch?

- Don't you use your brain? - My lady

- You! - Don't get mad

You can't put the whole blame on our brother

Someone had deliberately set a trap

to lure him into the pit

Why did they do that?

Because of me

For me and my priceless mouth that no money can buy

In any case, flies don't target good eggs

If you weren't so blinded by money, you wouldn't fall into the trap!

Calm down, don't fret now

Bro

Where's that 500 taels of gold?

In… in my room

Go get them out here

Go

You don't want to? Planning to keep it for yourself?

Aren't you afraid your sis will rip off your ear?

What's there to discuss? Hand it over!

That… that 500 taels of gold… is no more

You spent it? How much of it?

- I used up fifty taels - Fifty?

You spent 50 taels in just a few days?

Whatever did you do?

That's 50 taels of gold

If you bought food with it

it would stuff ten Qiu Hus!

Buy necessities and it would fill two whole houses

How wasteful is that?

That doesn't sound like you too!

Out with it, where'd it go?

That time, you were with that guy called what, Zhao You?

Where did you meet again?

The Hidden Haven

Enough. Ask no more

Bro!

Those 50 taels of gold

have all gone into the pockets

of all those ladies at the Hidden Haven

No, I didn't do it!

You still denying? You really didn't?

- I really didn't! - Fine!

I don't want your sis to accuse you either

Go with me and pay a visit to the Hidden Haven

We'll head to the Hidden Haven. Let's go

- Go! - Bro! - Let's go!

I beg you, can we not go to the Hidden Haven?

- Bro! - Great

So you've grown a pair, huh? That's how low you've gone, huh!

- Sis! - You! - I beg you

Please don't ever let Lüyu know about this

I won't do it again!

I'm an ass!

Fine. Go get the gold first

I'll get it right away

Hurry up

What now? There's a fifty-tael gap

What else? He spent what he spent

I mean, how are you going to face Zhang Tang?

He'll come to confiscate the money very soon

Zhang Tang? Ignore him!

- Can you? - Why can't I?

Those 500 taels of gold

are what cost me my post of Superior Grand Master of the Palace!

Five hundred taels of gold, you say?

I won't even part with a jot of it! None!

Your Majesty

Yesterday, I had sent men to both residences to collect the bribes

Ming Fei's butler

had handed in 500 taels of gold in full

But Dongfang Shuo had refused to hand it over

Your Majesty, please hand Dongfang Shuo to me for his crimes

Dongfang Shuo. Why didn't you hand it over?

Dongfang Shuo, I'm asking you a question

Why didn't he pay up?

- Dongfang Shuo said that the gold is gone. - Nonsense!

There's no way 500 taels of gold can all be spent in a few days

He said he'd been riddled with trials and debts these past years

Once he got the gold

- all the debtors pounced on him and grabbed all of it. - All?

Even so, that won't do

As long as it's bribe money, it's got to be pursued

I accept and obey

Alright, that's it for Dongfang Shuo's case today

- Qiankunzi, Wang Huai'e. - Yes, Your Majesty

How's the regulation draft coming along from you both?

Your Majesty, according to your decree

I have drafted detailed regulations to be implemented

for your perusal

- Qiankunzi. - Yes, Your Majesty

You stated here

that every donating officer

- must be recommended by a Capital official. - Yes

And then

- report to Wang Huai'e at his office. - Yes

Why is that?

Your Majesty

I am worried there will be too many donators

and if all of them head to the Defender-in-chief

Lord Wang might be overwhelmed

So I suggested

that all the Capital officials made a preliminary screening

and root out those who look indecent or weak-willed

Afterward, Lord Wang and I will apply due consideration

to prevent those without the capacity from being employed

Your Majesty, this two-tiered selection process

will greatly aid the upholding of standards. I agree with it

Look, Your Majesty

so many senior courtiers are willing to step up

It is a testament to how your wise decisions

sit well with the officials, Your Majesty

Your Majesty, I have another suggestion

Why not go one step further, and give

the authority to select candidates

to the various senior courtiers?

Let them bear more responsibility

Lord Wang and I will simply heed their recommendation letters

collect the funds, then distribute the licenses

Alright. I approve the proposal

A wise decision, Your Majesty

Long live our emperor!

Lord Dongfang, hurry! His Majesty's calling you. To the Xuan Hall!

Don't tease me, please

I can speak now?

I'm just a Halberdier

And court's already dismissed

What is he calling me for?

Enough, just hurry!

Get up

Dongfang Shuo, this isn't Weiyang Palace

You're allowed to speak

So speak all you want

Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank God and heavens above

Finally, I'm given the chance to speak

Your Majesty, the past few days have ingrained in me

that when a man who can talk is forced to play the mute

it's more agonizing than when a mute is forced to speak

Cut the nonsense

Let me ask you

What's your insight on Qiankunzi's proposal today

where the courtiers screen potential officers?

It's an awesome thing that brings great merit

Meaning?

That way, Your Majesty can get the lion's share

Qiankunzi and Wang Huai'e can get mid-sized pickings

and those courtiers can get tiny morsels

It fits perfectly

with Qiankunzi's ideal of everybody getting a post

and if I may add

everybody sharing their wealth to strengthen the country

Are you mocking me now?

Your Majesty

Didn't you see today

the zeal and excitement of those courtiers?

How their voices

were so much louder when they chanted "Long live Your Majesty"?

It's apparent that Your Majesty's policy for rich officers

are so well-received by the incumbent officials

Of course, I know

that it's not quite right

But you must know

attacking the Xiongnu and disaster relief both need money

I can completely understand your earnest dilemma

Alright, let's stop talking about this

Dongfang Shuo

From your next main hall duty

if you hear any wrongful proposals

and I happen to be unsure

you've got to alert me immediately

Your Majesty, I'm afraid that's unwise

Didn't you just recently

seal up my slippery mouth?

And now you're asking me to speak up all of a sudden

That would undermine your authority

I didn't say you're to speak

Just make some movement and give me a warning

What movement?

How about this

For the matters you disagree with

pretend to have a slip of hand, and let the halberd fall on the floor

Sir Wang sure is rich

It's all Sir Wang's isn't it?

Can't I have a look?

What's up?

Come to think of it, Sir Wang's usually so stingy

Then once there's this donor's office thing

Look at it, all these carriages big and small

- All sorts of goodies have come out. - Yeah

Sir Wang may be dragging in these carriages today

but with this donor's office

I guarantee that in two years he'll reap it all back

I heard sir Wang's not even that literate

How's he going to govern?

You don't know what you're saying, do you?

What do you need to be an official anyway?

When required

just get the assistants and professionals under you to do it

while you sit in the main hall

slap on that officer's wood slab, and give a grunt!

You can do it too, right?

I've got to have money, though

- I'll donate for a magistrate seat, at least. - Right?

That's nice

So beautiful

I'm no officer now

If I were one

we wouldn't need these fake toys

I'll get you an agate one

I guess I'd have to wait till God knows when. You, an officer?

So you say

Let me tell you

just now

I heard them talking in the streets

You can purchase office seats as long as you have money

I'll get to be one then!

- Then get Dongfang Shuo to donate one, why don't you? - Him?

He'd never agree to it

Why won't he agree?

Dongfang Shuo is now a Halberdier

so his stipend's much lower

You can help toward expenses too if you earn money as an officer

Why won't he agree?

He… he'd surely say I'm not cut out to be an officer

What's the cut anyway?

If you ask me, this officer thing

It's a deep trench alright

Even one as capable as Dongfang Shuo

stumbled a few times while he's at it

But at face value

it's not that deep either

Anyone able-bodied can do it, I think

Yeah, dear

That sir Wang guy

Isn't he as good as illiterate?

- Even he gets to be one. - Exactly

What's more

once you become one

when you're stumped at the yamen

ask Dongfang Shuo back home and it's settled, no?

No way you can't be one

Why had I never thought of this aspect? Right

Me, an officer

No, it won't work

What now?

When I was outside just now

I heard people dissing these office donors

saying

saying that they're ruining the nation and leaving a bad legacy

You can simply refute them like this

The office donation is decreed by His Majesty

Donating for an office seat is responding to His Majesty's summons

a patriotic move

I bet if you told them what I said

no one would dare jeer at you

Yeah

My wife is so clever

- I was just going to comb your hair. - Fool

Is that a new skill you picked up from the frontlines?

Dear

What is it, who are you upset with?

I'm stifled by anxiety

I'm no less stifled than you

Why is this emperor brother of mine

so blindsided

that he made such a preposterous blunder?

Right now

Ming Fei is punished with contemplative confinement

Dongfang Shuo's mouth is sealed and he can't speak

The current court is…

And you? Have you also lost the guts to step up and speak?

It's not guts I don't have, it's ability

As the court stands now

I simply can't outwit Qiankunzi and the lot

One wrong move

will not only fail to convince His Majesty, but also makes things worse

Looks like we still have to turn to Dongfang Shuo for this

No money?

What about that gold?

Are we just letting it take up space at your sister's?

Don't fret, my dear

Right now, we no longer have so much

Only left with 450 taels

What? She spent fifty taels so fast? She!

N… Not spent

It's… to pay debts

If you ask me

get them to hand over 400 taels of gold to buy you an office

Ask her? She'd never agree

You're really a useless, parasitic pig!

In other families the sister looks up to the big bro

You Qius are the only one where the elder bro's scared of his sis!

You reversed the natural order of things

where's the logic?

You'll be the death of me!

No, my dear… you can't put it like that

All these years

haven't we been living out of their pockets?

Then why can't you think this way

You brought them up too

If you hadn't worked like a horse back then

would they get to where they are? They'd long have starved to death!

That's right! Why hadn't I thought of this aspect?

No, it's a definite no

Yes I can! My word counts! I'm the eldest in the family

What's with you today?

No buts and ifs, that's it!

And I'm telling you

if you don't agree to it, I'll…

- Or you'll what? - Or I'll set this house on fire!

- No you won't! - I will!

I'm on it!

- Knock it again, I dare you. - I am!

- Again! - There!

See who's louder!

My lady!

Bro, what are you doing? We're a family, what's this about?

He… he's insisting on buying a post

Yes! So I want to buy a post, so what?

And I'm telling you

this office donation is His Majesty's summons

If you won't let me do so

then you're defying His Majesty!

- A rebellion. - Yes, a rebellion!

Bro, when you shout like that

- there's a semblace of the officer. - Is it?

Even those words spoken by our sis-in-law

carry the vibes of an officer's wife

Hear that?

Even my bro Dongfang Shuo

says that I can become an officer

Bro, now! Rendition me, now!

Rendition letter

Rec, recommendation letter

Recommend, your foot! I'm just fooling around with you

Who's fooling around!

Dongfang Shuo, I'm telling you

Don't act the master in front of me

Fool around elsewhere! Lüyu has told me

If it weren't for me, you'd long starve to death

Don't, don't step on my foot!

I'm not finished!

I'm the master of this house! I decide things here!

Great, now I know

that you're the one instigating him, Sis-in-law!

W… Why'd you say so?

Look at him, he's such a big guy

He's so big he'll make a crater

when he falls on the ground

How am I the inciter here?

It's obviously his own idea

Brother, why not talk things out

Stand aside!

You're the youngest here, you've no right to speak!

Bro, why are you speaking like that?

Die, you!

Bro, run! Now!

Calm down and talk!

Dongfang Shuo, let go of me!

I'll beat him to death today!

Bro, hurry and run, now!

- Dongfang Shuo! - Calm down, hear me out!

Dear, hear me out, alright?

These days

I've been racking my brains

and have yet to think of a foolproof solution

What d'you know

once our brother kicked up that fuss

my mind suddenly cleared up

You can't enter!

Who's causing a ruckus outside the gate?

It's an office donor, he's not willing to queue up

and insists on entering in advance

So presumptuous, who's that?

I asked, and he said he's your uncle, my lord

My uncle?

That's Dongfang Shuo's elder brother-in-law

My nephew, hope all is well since… what's that…

- since… - We parted! - Yes, parted

Qiu Hu!

Qiankunzi, don't get mad, now

If I didn't say I'm your uncle

the guard wouldn't have let me in

Some nerve you have!

How dare you come here and make a scene

Scene? I didn't make a scene

I'm simply here to buy a post like a decent citizen

Nonsense! What post-buying, it's a donor's office!

You're here to donate for an office? - Yes

Recently

we've had to tighten our belts at home

and food's lacking

That's why I came here, thought I'd buy a post

I mean, donate for a post. To cover house expenses, see

Do you have a recommendation letter?

Yes, of course! I have it

Let me tell you

Dongfang Shuo has now become a Halberdier

He's unqualified to recommend officers

I know that

better than you do

Look, I brought it

Grand Princess Pingyang?

How 'bout it? Qualified enough?

If she's unqualified, I'll exchange for another one

Enough

that's fine

How much are you planning to donate to His Majesty?

A hundred taels of gold

No need to look, there won't be false ones

Sure

A hundred taels of gold, it's a magistrate post

Magistrate?

Magistrate? I'm not gonna be a magistrate

Not a magistrate? Then what do you want to be?

I wanna… I want to be an officer in Chang'an City!

A Chang'an official?

Don't you know

the stipend for a Chang'an official is a thousand Bushels

Your meager offering is only enough for a low-tier magistrate

I'm telling you

Before I came, the princess had told me

Her letter alone is worth five hundred taels of gold

For an officer post in Chang'an City, it's enough!

- You! - Forget it

Chang'an posts aren't for sale

Let's see

Considering Grand Princess Pingyang and Dongfang Shuo's standing

we'll let you be a Chang'an magistrate under Chang'an's jurisdiction

Lord Wang

Take this to the Office of Public Carriage and claim your official seal

I was just testing

- It's quite sonorous. - It sure is

Have a seat, my lord

Come

Get those two guys outside in here

My lord, you can't speak that way

Can't speak that way? Then what's the right way?

You should say

bring the plaintiffs outside into the hall

That so?

Guards!

Bring the plaintiffs outside into the hall

On His Lordship's orders, bring the plaintiffs into the hall!

Your Honor, please decide on my behalf!

- My lord, get them to first report their names. - Right

Your lord here is letting you report your names

I am Zhou Wen, I reside in Sanliqiao, outside the city

I am Yu Zheng, I reside in Sanliqiao, outside the city

You live in Sanliqiao

You live in Sanliqiao too

You must be neighbors

What's there to charge neighbors for?

If there's anything

just go back to discuss about it and it's settled isn't it?

This matter isn't up for discussion, Your Honor

Your Honor, this matter cannot be discussed

Rogues!

My lord!

My lord

Your lord here knows

In this world, the only thing that cannot be mediated

is lending and borrowing money

Nuff said

Some nerve you have lying to me. Can't be discussed, you say?

Your Honor. Yu Zheng's been occupying my land

and unwilling to budge

Your Honor, that piece of land has always been ours

Please look into it

- You're saying he's the one occupying your land? - Yes

- And you're saying that land's always been yours? - Yes

Interesting

It's your word against his, both sound valid

How do you expect me to decide for you?

Your Honor, I have the land deed as proof

I, too, have the land deed as proof. Please verify it

I can't see clearly. You read it, go on

My lord, these two families' lands are right by each other

It's written clearly on this deed, the tree's shadow marks the boundary

There shouldn't be any disputes

Why're you asking me? Ask them

Yes, Your Honor

- Is the tree between both your lands still there? - It is

Since it's there, then refer to the tree's shadow as the boundary

What's there to dispute?

Yeah, what's there to dispute?