Original subtitles

(Guardians of the Dafeng)

(Episode 5)

Don't be afraid. This is a gift from the Imperial Astronomer.

Since you've taught my disciples for me,

I will give you a present too.

Hurry up and thank your tutor.

He is everywhere within the realm of Dafeng.

You can face anywhere you want.

Thank you, Imperial Astronomer!

I think he has gone back to work.

- Did he hear me? - Yes.

I heard you loud and clear. I'm sure he did too.

- Why are you standing there? Pack this up. - Okay.

(So, this is alchemy.)

(I'm sure the Imperial Astronomer didn't do)

(those things just to give me a gift.)

No.

That old man was mocking me.

No.

No.

No. I was wrong!

(Wei Yuan, Night Guardian)

Weapons don't know what's right or wrong. Be careful with it.

I think he's a powerful person.

I should run.

Lord Wei.

Our master has some work to deal with.

Please wait here for a moment.

Just now,

I saw someone downstairs.

He didn't look like a disciple of the Astronomical Bureau.

You must be talking about Xu Qi An.

Do you know who I am talking about?

He's the Xu Qi An who solved the tax case.

Yes.

He's an interesting man.

Interesting?

Tell me about it.

Xu Qi An

is a genius.

A genius in alchemy, Lord Wei.

If he didn't enter the wrong cultivation path,

if he joined the Astronomical Bureau,

his name would go down in history.

That man is just an ordinary man.

When has the Astronomical Bureau become so generous?

You gave him a magical weapon.

We were not being generous.

It's an exchange for something of equal value.

An exchange for something of equal value?

Interesting.

I went to the mountain today

and heard a disciple reciting a poem that went like this.

Fear not the path ahead,

for the world knows your name.

It's a beautiful poem.

I like it a lot.

I wonder who's the poet.

The author of this poem

is not a scholar.

He's a clerk in Changle County.

Three years ago,

the Northern Kui Tribe destroyed our pact

and attacked our borders.

The Southern God of War

destroyed the post roads

and ambushed the military towns.

The kingdoms in the celestial realm watched coldly

and tried to take advantage of it to attack the Central Plains.

The ministers only cared about the internal strife between parties.

There were many who gave empty talks.

Isn't it the perfect timing

for you to make a move?

Now, we have Lord Wei

guarding the imperial court.

He is the best mender

for this empire.

He's in Wang Zhen Wen's party.

The party has always been against us.

This time, we finally got something against him. We can get rid of him.

No.

Li Zhi.

Get it done without worries.

Roger that.

Ci Jiu.

You didn't have to come with me.

Have you finished copying the Sage Quotes?

You are a warrior.

This is your first time visiting Yunlu Academy.

If you accidentally offend my tutor, I can help you out.

At least the relationship won't be ruined.

I'm not trying to complain. But you are overthinking this.

Look. Mount Qingyun is a huge place.

But we are sitting on the same horse. When can we reach Yunlu Academy?

- How about you go down? - No. You go down.

- You don't want to get down? - No.

Sit tight.

I took the wrong step.

You can't change your mind now.

That's the rule.

According to the sage, there's no greater virtue than righting a wrong.

The sage? Did the sage say that?

Mu Bai.

Talking about the sage,

too few disciples in our academy talk about the sage now.

It's disappointing.

We shouldn't indulge too much in pleasure.

You cunning man.

- You are a sore loser. - Master.

Your disciple, Xu Xin Nian, is here.

Why is he back? Ask him to go back.

He's here with his cousin.

Xu Qi An.

- Invite them to join us now. - Hurry up.

Yes, Master.

He must have brought us some great poems again.

Greetings, Masters. I'm Xu Qi An.

Greetings, Masters. I'm Xu Xin Nian.

Have you finished copying the 300 Quotes of the Sage?

No. I'll get it done now.

Forget it.

Go and make us a pot of tea.

Did you not hear him? Make us a pot of tea.

- He can do that. - Just do it. Stop talking. Go now.

Yes, Master.

Ning Yan, you said that you had many poems yesterday.

Can you show them to me?

Yes.

I have many good lines.

But I'm in no mood

to create new poems today.

Why?

I'm here today

because I have a favor to ask.

Go ahead.

He has a sister too.

She's beautiful.

I'll send her to the Imperial Music Bureau.

I need to find a way to save our Xu family.

About that...

That's difficult.

You can't stay here unless you are a disciple here.

It's a rule set by the dean of this academy.

Before this, even those royalties

couldn't stay here, right?

Yes.

Looks like I've asked for the impossible.

I'll take my leave now.

Wait!

- What is it? - Well...

Did you say

that someone from your family wants to study here?

Yes. My second sister.

- Look. - How studious.

How studious.

How can Yunlu Academy give up on such a determined disciple?

We can't let her down.

How about

we find a solution for you?

Thank you.

Mu Bai.

Mu Bai.

I remember

that Dean Zhao will give a lecture tomorrow, right?

- Yes. - Doesn't he need a poem

to exhort people to study for his lecture

to encourage his disciples?

But we haven't come up

with a great poem yet.

If you can write us a poem that can satisfy us,

I guarantee you

that I'll convince the dean to let her stay.

Okay.

I see.

- A poem to exhort people to study. - Wait.

One poem is not enough.

Look.

Dean Zhao needs a poem for tomorrow's lecture.

I need another one the day after tomorrow.

Mu Bai, you need a poem for your lecture too, right?

- Yes. - If you count it that way,

we need 13, 18, 17...

- We need 20 poems. - Yes.

We need 20 poems.

Ning Yan, you can't create poems

in a short duration of time.

- Yes. - Creating 20 poems is not an easy task.

But you need to stand in our shoes too.

You are asking a lot from us too.

I can't help you

if I can't convince others, right?

Yes.

I understand.

Can you lend me a study room?

Let me think for a moment.

For a moment?

Ning Yan, go ahead.

Masters, the tea is ready.

Twenty poems?

How could you agree to such a ridiculous request?

No. This is too much. Let me take this up to them.

Diligence is the path to success.

Without hardship, there'll be no success.

- That's a great poem. - Don't just stand there.

Note it down.

Knowledge can bring you wealth.

Knowledge can bring you the fairest.

Note it down.

If you don't study young,

you'll regret it when old age hits.

Time is money.

But time can't be bought with money.

- Note it down. - I have.

Moon.

Dancing under the moonlight.

Featherlight steps.

Baby, I love you.

No. Don't note that down.

One can only be successful through diligence

and independent thoughts.

- Note it down. - Note it down.

The path of knowledge is never-ending. But I will never give up.

Done.

It really just took you a moment.

The poems are great. But...

But all the poems have only the first part.

Not the second part.

There's only the first part.

The rest is empty.

Wait. Qi An.

This...

What are you...

I did my best.

But I can't write more in such a short time.

I hope you understand.

Forget it.

You can leave now.

About what you promised me...

Don't worry.

I will do my best.

When I'm no longer busy,

I'm sure inspiration will hit me again.

Be careful

on your way back.

- Thank you, Master. - Go.

Ci Jiu.

Hurry up.

Be careful on your way back.

No matter how good a poem is, it's useless

if it's not a complete poem.

What a pity.

- Where are you going? - What do you mean?

These are useless poems. I want to throw them away.

Don't think I don't know what you are plotting.

You have half of the poem already. You can just complete it

and have your name written in the Book of Life.

- I... - You thief.

We are scholars.

How can you call me a thief?

Are you aloof from fame and gain?

Why aren't you letting me go?

I won't let you go.

- What are you doing? - I won't let you go.

Fine. Are you not going to let me go?

No.

I won't let you go.

Dean Zhao, something bad has happened!

Zhang Shen and Li Mu Bai have gotten into a fight.

What's the reason?

Enough.

Zhang Shen, you shameless man.

Not only you stole my disciple,

you even did something so shameless today.

Have you forgotten all about the sage's teachings?

As his master,

why can't I add some colors to my disciple's literary work?

In the past, I had been humoring you

because we were schoolmates.

If you are going to be so heartless, don't blame me for being ruthless.

You old man. Get this right.

I'm the one humoring you. Not the other way around.

Do you think you are the only one with tricks up your sleeves?

I'm not afraid of you. Come at me.

- Come at me. - Come at me.

- Come at me. - Come at me.

We are not allowed to fight against each other here.

Greetings, Dean Zhao.

Dean Zhao.

- Greetings, Your Highness. - Greetings, Your Highness.

What's going on?

Nothing.

Mu Bai and I

have different opinions regarding an academic topic.

We can't come to an agreement.

- Right? - Yes.

So, we switched to another type of discussion.

- We agree to disagree. - We agree to disagree.

Dean Zhao. They were fighting over Xu Qi An's poems.

Who wrote these poems?

My disciple.

"Mianyang Pavilion, Sending off Yang Gong to Qingzhou"

is his poem too.

The clerk of Changle County?

Yes. His name is Xu Qi An.

He's my disciple too.

(Even if he just knows how to write poems, )

(I can hire him)

(to be my aide.)

You fought against each other for a poem collection.

Don't you feel ashamed as elders?

You've reached

the fourth level of the Scholar Realm.

If you can't overcome your greed

for fame and gain,

how can you be an educator?

Enough.

Go back.

Remember.

Don't forget that you are the elders of Yunlu Academy.

Then...

We'll take our leave now.

Goodbye.

(Exhortation to Learning Poem Collection)

Ning Yan, what you did today was smart.

You just gave them the first halves of the poems.

That way, they couldn't steal your poems.

But at the same time, you helped my sister.

Killing two birds with one stone.

Ci Jiu, I'm not trying to lecture you.

But you think too much again.

Are you saying

that you didn't give them half the poems on purpose?

Let me be honest with you.

Actually, I didn't write those poems.

I read about them from an ancient scroll.

I only gave them half because I only remember half.

I still regret it now.

If I had known,

I would've memorized all those poems.

An ancient scroll?

Ning Yan.

Are you saying this on purpose so that I won't steal your poems?

Don't worry.

I have no interest in your poems.

Finally, I have resolved this matter.

After we bring our female family members here tomorrow,

we can focus on fighting against Zhou Li.

There's something I have to remind you.

Don't let our female family members find out about Zhou Li.

I don't want them to live in fear.

I know what to do.

I don't need you to remind me.

Okay.

By the way,

you've worked hard

these few days.

I thought about many things yesterday.

If it wasn't for you,

my father would be interrogated and killed.

Our female family members would be sent to the Imperial Music Bureau.

If it wasn't for you,

Ling Yue would be in danger that day.

She would be taken advantage of by that Zhou.

If it wasn't for you,

the Xu family would've let our guard down, thinking that we were saved.

That could lead to the destruction

of our entire family one day.

Thank you.

Sit down.

Sit down.

Give me your hand.

Give me your hand.

Don't you know how to give me your hand?

Did you hear what I said?

I did.

You didn't hear me.

Ci Jiu, this horse is too lazy. Help me pull him along.

I'm angry.

Greetings, Imperial Astronomer.

You are here.

The Astronomical Bureau

has been watching over Dafeng for 500 years.

Are you feeling bored yet?

Bored?

It's indeed boring.

If it's boring,

why don't you consider my suggestion?

Twenty-five years ago,

I asked you to consider my suggestion too.

I loved the wrong person

and lost the will

to pursue the path of sorcery.

Why didn't you pursue the academic path?

Wouldn't it be boring to spend all my time with the scholars

at Yunlu Academy?

When you chose the warrior's path,

I predicted that Dafeng would give birth to a second-rank warrior.

But in the end, you destroyed your own cultivation.

Actually, it's not a difficult task to ask me to come out of my seclusion

and restore your cultivation.

As long as you want...

I know what I want.

I met you for the first time 25 years ago.

I thought that you were the one who could protect Dafeng.

A lifetime of glory was within your reach.

But you gave it up.

And I

had to continue waiting.

If I could turn back time,

I would make the same choice.

But

today at this moment,

I can finally understand

how you felt back then.

Are you

waiting for someone too?

What Dafeng needs right now is not a mender.

But someone who can bring about a radical change

in the current world.

Unfortunately,

that person

hasn't shown up.

I should've left you behind on the mountain.

I would leave with the horse.

You are so annoying.

What do you want to eat later?

Depends on what my mother cooked.

- Why are you so picky? - (Someone is following us.)

(Zhou Li.)

How dare you block me.

- Destroy him! - Yes, Young Master Zhou!

What's wrong, Ning Yan?

We were being followed.

By Zhou Li's man?

Looks like paying a visit to Yunlu Academy is the right move.

The three of us can protect ourselves.

But I'm worried that our female family members will be in danger.

Open the gate. It's me.

Hurry up.

Why are you locking the door in the middle of the day?

- We were followed by a man from Zhou Residence. - So fast?

Keep it down.

Luckily, we've talked to Yunlu Academy.

We can send my sisters and mother there tomorrow.

It's all thanks to you, Ci Jiu.

I knew that the best thing I did in this life

was sending you to the academy.

It's all thanks to Ning Yan.

It has nothing to do with me.

Ning Yan?

Ning Yan.

The worst thing I did in this life

was sending you off to learn martial arts.

Stop talking, Second Uncle. Inform your fellow comrades.

Ask them to petrol this area more.

Another thing. Just tell them that there are thieves here.

Don't mention anything about Zhou Li.

Okay. I'll do that now.

Use the back door.

Yes. I should use the back door.

Be careful.

Time to eat.

Ling Yue, this is for you.

Thank you, Ning Yan.

Eat.

Open your mouth.

Ning Yan, look at you.

You should support the family if you have money.

Why did you buy something so impractical?

Open your mouth.

Aunt.

This is for you.

Take a look.

Eat by yourself.

It's real.

Where did you get so much money?

From gam...

From studying the case files.

You brat.

At least you are not ungrateful.

By the way, Mother,

my master told me

that the academy is expanding to take in more disciples.

I managed to get two spots

for Ling Yin and Ling Yue.

That's a good thing.

Aunt.

This is absolutely fantastic.

Look. By sending them to the academy,

maybe the Xu family can have another scholar.

Then our family will have many talented people.

And you can feel proud about it.

Ning Yan is right.

But

I'm worried about sending just the two of them there.

How about

you go with them to take care of them?

Indeed.

Mother, I don't want to go there.

I don't want to go there.

Ling Yue, take your sister back to her room.

I don't want to go.

Let's go. Let Mother talk to Ning Yan.

Why are you just standing there? Wipe the plates.

Is it because of Zhou Li?

Yes.

Is it serious?

No. It's just a minor matter.

Stay in the main room for the next few days.

You can better take care of each other if you stay close together.

I've left some food in the cellar for you.

Remember to eat.

I left some money too.

If you don't have enough money,

you can use it.

Don't worry.

I'll take good care

of Ling Yin and Ling Yue.

I'll leave the two men

to you.

Don't worry, Aunt.

I've sent someone to strengthen the patrols around here.

They haven't found anything strange.

Are we being too paranoid?

If the man who followed us just now

was really from Zhou residence,

they had missed the best chance to get rid of us.

But it's also possible that for Vice Minister Zhou,

we are just nobody who he can get rid of at any time.

So, he can take his time with us.

But there's something that we can be sure of.

If we don't get rid of Vice Minister Zhou,

we'll die.

Second Uncle.

What did you find out today?

I followed Zhou Li the whole day today.

Today, he had been behaving himself.

I think Vice Minister Zhou must have warned him.

But while following him,

I found out that he kept entering a mansion.

And that mansion was not labeled.

It was probably his private mansion.

There was a maidservant, an old woman,

an old man who was guarding the gate,

and a woman.

That woman

was probably his mistress.

After noon, he went back to Zhou Residence to greet Vice Minister Zhou.

Then he went to the Imperial Music Bureau.

I found out

that Zhou Li

has taken an interest in Miss Fu Xiang,

the oiran of the Imperial Music Bureau.

He's spending so much of her.

But Miss Fu Xiang is not interested in him at all.

Who is Fu Xiang?

You don't know Fu Xiang?

Fu Xiang is the highest-ranking courtesan at the Imperial Music Bureau.

She's known for her poems and music.

Her fame spreads far and wide.

Plus, Miss Fu Xiang

is interested in erudite scholars.

Wait. How do you know her so well?

I heard it from others too.

But I think this is our way in.

Do you think

that Fu Xiang will have some information against Zhou Li?

Yes. People often expose themselves in the face

of alcohol and pretty women.

I suggest we visit the Imperial Music Bureau to look for Fu Xiang

to get information from her.

Don't look at me.

I'm a scholar.

I don't go to that kind of place.

Why are you looking at me?

Do I look like someone who will visit that kind of place?

Miss Fu Xiang likes erudite people.

I can't even read.

How can I get her to tell me anything?

Also,

you know how well I treat your mother.

How can I go to a place like that?

No. Don't look at me.

I am the constable of Changle County.

It's not appropriate for me to go to that kind of place.

Besides, I'm a righteous and honest person.

I have a good reputation at the yamen.

If my colleagues find out about this, I'll be doomed.

I'll lose my job.

Forget it.

We'll put a stop to this plan for now.

Okay.

Good.

Do you want to go to the first or the second floor?

You are so generous.

30 taels of silver. Send him to a private room on the second floor.

This way, please.

Please stop right where you are.

I'm a scholar of the Changle County, Yang Ling.

I'm here to meet Miss Fu Xiang.

Look at their faces.

I'm sorry. I have to line up.

I'm sorry, everyone.

- Here you go. - 20 taels of silver.

Give him a table on the first floor. Welcome.

Young Master Zhang, I haven't seen you in a while.

Where do you want to sit today?

You are so generous.

30 taels of silver. Send him to a private room on the second floor.

I hope you win today.

Young Master Li, 20 taels of silver.

Give him a table on the first floor.

May victory be yours tonight.

Young Master Wang.

10 taels of silver.

Give him a random seat on the first floor.

You'll sit with others. Welcome.

I came out too quickly today. I didn't bring much money.

How about you give me a small stool?

I'll just sit for a while.

Next.

No.

Next.

10 taels of silver. Give him a random seat on the first floor.

10 taels of silver.

Give him a random seat.

This is not the Imperial Music Bureau.

It's a black hole for money.

10 taels of silver.

If I get one coin per day,

it'll take me months.

Two coins.

I stumbled upon more money now.

On the left. Get in.

Are you sure you can do it?

Get in.

Last one. Get in.

Old man.

My master wants to buy everything from your stall

with 600 taels of silver.

Rules are rules.

You...

Let's go.

Old man.

How much is it per round?

Two coins.

Close your eyes and turn around.

Good!

Good!

(Pitch-Pot)

(I got a perfect score with my eyes closed. I'm lucky.)

(Is this my buff in this world?)

Old man, I got a perfect score. Give me my present.

Wait.

Mister. This is yours.

No. Wait. I want the gold and silver. What is this?

If you get one arrow in, you'll get silver.

Two arrows in, you'll get gold.

Only the one who got all three in

can get this.

No. I don't need this.

I just want the gold and silver.

How about this? Consider the last arrow an extra, okay?

Rules are rules.

This is called the Jade Mirror.

It's a rare treasure.

It's more precious than gold and silver.

Mister.

Don't be blinded

by money.

A Jade Mirror?

(Why does it look like a mobile phone?)

- What's the use of this? - I don't know.

I just know that it's waiting for its rightful owner.

Take it back.

First, I'm not its rightful owner.

I just want the gold and the silver.

Cut the nonsense.

Are you scolding me?

Are you trying to scam me?

- I'll get the money myself. - What are you doing? Rules are rules.

- What rules? - You have to stay outside.

- For three arrows... - Rules are rules.

- It's written that if I get three arrows in... - Mister.

Our master wants to ask you for help.

If you can help our master get a present,

our master willing to pay you 600 taels of silver.

How much?

600 taels of silver.

Our master also said

that you can play as many rounds as you want.

We'll pay for you.

It's okay if you fail.

What do you want?

That Bodhi beads rosary.

(Bodhi Beads)

If you can get all five arrows in...

Take your foot out.

Can get this rosary.

Good!

Congratulations.

Here.

I'm glad I didn't let you down.

Can you change them to silver certificates for me?

I can't carry them like this.

Mister, here are 600 taels.

Thank you. Find me again if you need help.

(Where is he?)

I'm sorry.

Just now, I said

that I didn't bring much money because I came out too quickly.

Sorry about that.

What's the more expensive seat here?

No.

- No. - Next.

No. Wait. The money was in my sleeve just now. It's the truth.

Next.

Come. First floor.

I'm with Li here.

You'll sit on the first floor too. Welcome.

You swallowed my money.

No. Spit it out.

Open sesame.

Pen, pineapple, apple, pen.

Spit it out.

Spit it out.

Spit it out.

Do you still want a table?

Welcome, Young Master Yang.

This way, Young Master Yang.

This is fantastic.

My fellow friends, I'm a scholar in Changle County, Yang Ling.

- Nice to meet you. - Nice to meet you.

Ice the wine.

One,

two,

three ice cubes.

The plum blossoms.

Hundred, thousand,

ten thousand blossom.

Amazing.

Amazing. What a fantastic couplet.

You are too kind.

My friend. I'm new here. I don't know the rules.

May I ask when the oiran, Miss Fu Xiang,

will show her face?

If you want to see Miss Fu Xiang,

it all depends on your luck.

If you can win the Tea Party Game, you'll get a chance to meet her.

It has been many days.

There are many players playing the game.

But none has seen the one they are here for.

Move aside.

What a coincidence.

What a coincidence.

Do you know each other?

Not only do we know each other,

but he's also

a young friend of mine.

Xu, I am Yang.

We've met in Changle County before.

I am Xu

Ping An.

A scholar in Changle County.

- Nice to meet you. - Nice to meet you.

(Is that)

(a combination of my name and Second Uncle's name?)

My friend, let's switch our spots.

Why are you here?

I asked you to escort our female family members, right?

How could you say that?

You said you would come up with a solution.

I'm doing that now.

You came here to think?

Master Li.

Hello. 10 taels of silver. Please take a random seat!

Master Li, this way, please.

Deng, you are here early.

I can tell that you are Li based on your voice.

Yan Liang, Cong Kai, long time no see.

You haven't been here for a long time.

I went traveling a few days ago.

I came here right away

after I returned to meet all of you.

You have to drink more today.

What a coincidence.

What a coincidence.