Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available]

[Palace of Devotion]

[This drama is based on historical data and legends]

[The story and characters portrayed are fictitious]

[Episode 54]

Mother.

Though I'm involved in court affairs following the late emperor's final wish,

but my role is just to assist Your Majesty.

Hence in this court you are still the one above all.

Take the seat.

The Empress Dowager is wise.

Long live the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager is wise.

Long live the Empress Dowager.

[Three years later]

I want this horse.

[Guo Qing Wu, daughter of Guo Chong Xin]

Take good care of it.

Yes, Ms Guo.

Young Lady, you must be tired.

I'm still good.

Young Lady, where are you going?

You're not returning to the palace?

I'm off to see His Majesty.

♫ What night is this ♫

♫ As I float upon this stream ♫

♫ What day is today ♫

♫ That I share this boat with Your Highness ♫

[Cao Ru, daughter of Cao Li Yong]

♫ I'm ashamed as I'm of low status ♫

♫ My heart flutters endlessly ♫

♫ When I know you're a prince ♫

♫ There are trees on this hill ♫

♫ I'm fond of you but you don't know ♫

Here.

♫ There are trees on this hill ♫

♫ I'm fond of you but you don't know ♫

♫ You do not know ♫

That was

Song of Yue Boatman.

The ending I remember was that

the prince was touched by the maiden's voice.

According to Chu border etiquette,

his hands hovered over her shoulders

as he placed a beautifully embroidered silk

on her.

I don't like that ending.

Why?

The Yue maiden's personality

is passionate and innocent.

If she went with the prince

and entered the perplexing Imperial Harem,

not only will she lose her elegance,

but it'll hard to survive there as well.

If it were you,

would you stay

and accompany the prince?

I don't know.

His Majesty has been frequently leaving the palace of late

to see the Cao Clan's youngest daughter.

Romance of the young.

Have you noticed how similar

His Majesty is

with the former emperor?

I understand

why you had the daughter of Guo family stay in the palace.

I also fear that unnecessary problems would arise in the future.

His Majesty is loyal and affectionate.

That makes him very similar to the late emperor.

Your concerns are valid too.

Empress Dowager.

Ms Guo sent a message to say

she is feeling unwell

and won't be coming over for dinner tonight.

She's throwing a fit again at His Majesty?

Your Majesty knows Ms Guo well.

I heard that

amongst the new tribute horses from Tangut,

she selected a superior stallion

which she intended as a birthday gift for His Majesty.

But when she went to meet him,

His Majesty was not there.

She was already cranky while waiting for His Majesty.

When His Majesty finally returned,

he wouldn't see her.

She just returned and is still mad over it.

It's my fault

for trying to set them up together.

What are your plans now?

Would you go along with His Majesty's wish?

Being affectionate is a virtue indeed.

But since he's the emperor,

being overly affectionate will be problematic for him.

I still hope

his journey as a ruler will be a smoother one.

[I think]

the Yue maiden is more suitable living the simple Baiyue lifestyle.

[To live amongst nature and its sceneries.]

[But she fancies the prince.]

[And the prince feels the same way too.]

It will be a pity for them to be apart.

Then may the prince eventually find her in the end.

Wang Jian.

What are your orders, Your Majesty?

Ready my brush and ink.

Yes, Your Majesty.

My Majesty, your painting of Ms Cao

looks so surreal.

Seeing my dear on Huanhua River.

She has pretty eyes and light brows.

Her black hair tied up in a tall bun,

with a dangling golden hairpin.

I couldn't help but to ask her for a date.

But she laughs and told me not to flatter myself.

Your Majesty.

I don't understand what you wrote.

You don't have to understand it.

That's true. As long as Ms Cao gets it.

Once the palace gates are opened tomorrow,

send this painting to Cao Residence.

Yes, Your Majesty.

His Majesty, the Emperor. Her Majesty, the Empress Dowager.

Your Majesty, Empress Dowager.

All rise.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

What do you want to bring up today?

I have a matter

that I'd like to discuss with Your Majesty and the ministers.

Go ahead.

Before Lord Kou passed away,

he mentioned two strategies in managing state affairs.

Eliminating loafers and recruiting talents.

What do Your Majesty and the ministers

think about this?

The latter pertains to absorbing talented individuals

into the administration.

As for the former,

what do you ministers think of it?

Your Majesty. Empress Dowager.

In my opinion, eliminating loafers

should be about the setting up of government posts.

Please elaborate, Lord Su.

Song Dynasty's government posts are

bureaucratic and redundant.

Our departments are messy, unorganized and overly large.

This allows for more loafers to breed within.

Lord Su is right.

These dispensable posts

not only drain our national treasury dry

in the form of additional wages paid,

but most importantly,

many officials end up under-performing

and feeding at public trough.

This doesn't benefit in assisting His Majesty

nor does it benefit the people.

I plan to investigate those who fail their duties

and purge them.

What you said is true, Empress Dowager.

Government officials should prioritize their country and its people.

Those who are self-serving, expendable

and under-performing should be eliminated.

I'd like to volunteer myself

to share the burden of Your Majesty and Empress Dowager

by identifying these loafers.

We'll have

Lord Su to handle that.

I accept the decree.

Any ideas

about recruiting talents?

Empress Dowager.

It has been years since the late emperor

abolished the imperial examination.

I suggest that we reinstate the imperial examination

to select talented candidates for the state.

The resurgency of the state relies on talents.

It is a pity

if they aren't recruited by the state.

Imperials examinations should be restored indeed.

Empress Dowager.

I suggest we add an imperial martial arts examination.

Imperial martial arts examination?

Yes, Empress Dowager.

Though the state is free from war now,

we must be remain vigilant

and strive to stabilize the country

by fortifying our armies.

The imperial martial arts examination

can help us recruit capable leaders for our troops.

Lord Guo's suggestion is in accordance with mine.

I think the idea is not bad too.

It's just that

we've never had one before.

As for the assessment content,

what do you have in mind, Lord Guo?

Empress Dowager.

It will naturally assess one's martial arts ability.

Your Majesty.

Empress Dowager.

If the imperial martial arts examination is to enlist potential leaders,

I think that

apart from martial arts abilities,

we ought to assess them on military strategy and war craft.

That is a reasonable suggestion, Lord Su.

The matter of these two imperial examinations

will be overseen by Lord Cao and Lord Guo.

Both of you

are to draft an assessment program as soon as possible

to show His Majesty and myself.

What do you think of it, Your Majesty?

So be it.

Yes, Your Majesties.

Where is Ms Cao's reply?

Inside, Your Majesty.

Putting on my hairpin and make up.

Even if it was only for a brief meet up,

I'm grateful he knows my feelings.

Only the heavens know how deep my affections are.

It seems Ms Cao really gets your feelings for her.

She's extremely intelligent.

Moreover, we're...

You wouldn't understand even if I told you.

How am I to know if you never told me?

It's always about

securing the other's heart and never being apart.

You know quite a bit.

I've learnt from being around Your Majesty.

I'm feeling good today.

Ready my clothes.

I'll show them some real skills on the football field.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Where are you heading, Your Majesty?

Off to play football again?

Why are you here?

I want to show Your Majesty something.

As you can see,

I'm playing football today. Another time.

Another time, again?

Let's go, Wang Jian.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I'll follow you to the football field then.

It's full of men over there.

It won't be suitable for you as a lady.

You're better off being with Mother

to learn some needlework.

Your Majesty.

Yi Jian.

Do you have any good plans

to identify those loafing officials?

I have yet to come up with a sure-fire one.

Eradicating redundant posts will be cumbersome

as it is associated with political corruption.

The officials will cover up for one another.

Hence the problem can't merely be resolved

by streamlining administrative structures.

That's true.

In comparison with recruiting talents,

discarding inefficient officials will be a more complicated task.

However I believe

you will come out will a strategic plan to resolve this issue.

Since you have faith in me,

I'll do my best.

Eunuch Zhang.

Have His Majesty meet me now.

I'd like to listen to his opinions on this matter.

Your Majesty.

His Majesty is at the football field now.

Should I still get him over here?

Why has he gone over there again?

A few elite football players have been brought in by Chancellor Wang again.

I heard they are Bashu's

brightest football players.

His Majesty is curious about them.

Ever since Shou Yi started to like football,

Chancellor Wang has played up to this

by importing a bunch of top footballers

into the palace to train with Shou Yi.

I suppose this is already the seventh batch of players?

Seems like Chancellor Wang is trying his best

to avoid being discarded as a loafer.

Eunuch Zhang.

Why have you brought along these letters

and official documents?

Your Majesty.

These are

past letters between the ministers and Ding Wei.

These were found in Ding Wei's residence

before he was exiled from the capital.

As for these documents,

they describe Ding Wei's interactions with his minister cronies

in the capital and other regions.

These letters and documents

have yet to be read by me.

Before this very court,

I intend to publicly incinerate them.

Today onwards,

I shall forgive those all parties involved

with Ding Wei's case.

Eunuch Zhang.

Yes, Empress Dowager.

Burn all of these.

I shall do so. Bring it over.

Over here.

Lord Wang.

Yes, Empress Dowager.

After the court has adjourned,

you shall inform ministers of all departments

to submit a list of their family ties

within the capital

for His Majesty's perusal.

I shall do so.

Why is the purpose for that?

Your Majesty.

For generations, these ministers have come from families of scholars

and are well educated.

Hence amongst their kin,

there ought to be those who are able to assist Your Majesty.

Should there be anyone willing

to pledge their loyalty to the state,

their names can be submitted to me

and I shall deliberately consider them.

That is wise of the Empress Dowager.

Thank you for your grace, Empress Dowager.

I object, Empress Dowager.

If all these ministers recommend

their families and friends,

wouldn't it breed nepotism then?

As the saying goes,

as one rises to power, his family and followers will benefit too.

The late emperor has always practised openness in recruiting officials

to absorb all possible human talents.

Essentially, this sustains our state's prosperity.

Please reconsider this, Empress Dowager.

One doesn't avoid family when it comes to appointing competent individuals.

I shall make the final decision with much deliberation.

Is Grant Tutor implying that

the Empress Dowager's evaluations are short-sighted?

I wouldn't dare imply so.

I'm just taking precautions

and considering viable preventive measures.

Family and friends are often tied with benefits.

After being in authority,

they might confederate and conspire together against the government.

This will not bring any benefit at all.

You're incorrect, Grand Tutor.

Should there be incompetent individuals recommended,

the Empress Dowager will know how to deal with them.

What is the matter with that?

The Empress Dowager has long attended state affairs.

She has a keen eye for selecting competent individuals.

Thus, I agree with the Empress Dowager on this.

We agree with Her Majesty too.

Since many of you agree with me,

I guess Lord Cao was worrying too much.

Please forgive me for not sharing the same opinion.

Lord Cao.

Hold on, Lord Cao.

Hold on.

Lord Wang, what is it that you'd like to enlighten me with?

No, I wouldn't dare.

Lord Cao.

The thing you said

at the hall back then

was indeed true and reasonable.

Didn't you also agree with Her Majesty?

Yes. This is my understanding.

Her Majesty must have trusted us ministers deeply

to actually come up with that decree.

So I don't understand why

you would disagree with Her Majesty's decision?

Lord Wang.

Do you really not know why

or you're simply trying to test me?

I wouldn't dare. I really am clueless.

Hence, please enlighten me.

Once Her Majesty has gotten that list,

those family and friends on the list

will probably never be successful in their political career ever again.

This...

How does it translate to that, Lord Cao?

The reason Her Majesty

burnt those letters and documents

was to reassure the ministers.

What she really seeks is that list.

Once the list is submitted,

all family and friends in the capital

of those ministers

will practically be

under her absolute control.

So that's what it really is.

Lord Wang.

Lord Ding is your son-in-law, isn't he?

Yes, precisely.

Now that he's in exile,

do you think Her Majesty would ever appoint

any relative of yours after this

to replace Lord Ding's position?

It does seem like...

Cao Jian is always against me.

He can't wait for me to renounce my regency sooner

and leave the Imperial Court.

Back then,

I've advised the late emperor numerous times

to release Grand Tutor from his post.

But due to his loyalty towards Emperor Taizong,

he couldn't do it.

Yi Jian.

Guo Chong Xin and you must both hold the Bureau of Military Affairs.

You two must work together

and grab hold of military power.

With that, Cao Jian and his cronies wouldn't dare to act rashly.

Only then will the Imperial Court continue to stand firmly.

Yes. Guo Chong Xin was a soldier that guarded the state borders.

The late emperor had a keen eye

and made him the deputy commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs.

Guo Chong Xin is grateful for that

and remains loyal to his emperor.

Even so,

I'm still worried.

We must truly bind his loyalty to us.

I've been thinking a lot about it

and it seems like only marriage would do so.

You mean for

His Majesty to marry the eldest daughter of Guo Chong Xin?

I watched Qing Wu grow up since she was young.

Though occasionally impatient,

she'll do fine with some guidance.

I plan to appoint her as the empress.

What do you think?

I think it's feasible.

If Your Majesty has identified the suitable candidate,

then I shall bring this matter up

in front of court tomorrow

to allow Your Majesty to determine the marriage of His Majesty.

Empress Dowager.

According to your orders,

the ministers have written

their name lists onto the screen.

Yi Jian.

Let's have a look at it together.

Yes.

Here it is.

Empress Dowager.

This is the list

as requested of the ministers

regarding the names of family and friends?

Precisely.

I wanted the list to be illustrated as a chart.

Your Majesty is planning to appoint officials according to the names or...

Yi Jian, take a closer look

and see if you noticed something about this chart.

Should they be appointed or not.

Ding Wei.

These here are families of Ding Wei.

Followed by disciples of their family members.

These disciples come from the same town as Ding Wei.

Therefore,

if we trace them,

it'll lead us back to Ding Wei.

The Empress Dowager is indeed very wise.

A single chart

is enough to review the entire structure of the Imperial Court.

Ding Wei

may have been exiled to Suzhou,

but his influence within the court has never waned

and is still capable of weighing on our state affairs.

The chart

can also be known as

Ding Wei's relationship diagram with others within the capital.

I must never

underestimate him.

I've placed ears and eyes in Suzhou

to keep a close watch on Ding Wei.

We'll immediately hear from them should there any movement.

In the future, any form of recruitment, promotion or appointing of officials

should first refer to this chart.

Names that are on the chart

must never be used.

This can defer Ding Wei from initiating a rebellion once more

and prevent the ministers from conniving

to form a collusion.

Young Lady.

Young Lady.

Young Lady.

Young Lady.

Young Lady. You're here for...

This mandarin just arrived from Jiangnan.

It was for His Majesty.

Where is he?

Unfortunately I don't know as well.

You don't?

You're His Majesty's personal servant.

But you don't know where he is?

I really don't.

His Majesty left the palace without me knowing.

I'll tell on the Empress Dowager and

let her punish you. Perhaps you'll be more aware next time?

[Making practical use of truth]

A just cause attracts much support, an unjust one finds little.

When support is extremely lacking, friends and family turn their backs.

When support is abundant, people naturally submit to one.

When these two battle against one another,

victory will be definite for the one who has the people's allegiance behind him.

This is the main idea of Mencius' Gongsun Chou.

A king that practices benevolent governance

will gain more supporters and followers.

A king who rejects

benevolent governance

will lose his supporters and followers.

When a king

loses many of his supporters and followers,

even his family

will eventually betray him.

A king who cherishes his people

and practices benevolent governance

will have the hearts of his people.

Such a king

will win his battles without going to war.

This king will be invincible.

That is true, indeed.

You are the king and I'm your subject.

Hence I should fear and

worship you.

But there is one

that you and me both

have to revere and honour.

Who is this person that you speak of?

It's not who,

but the concept mentioned in my class earlier,

the central thought in Confucianism.

What is that?

It refers to benevolent governance.

That is the essence of Confucianism.

I genuinely hope it lives on

and will not perish in the Song Dynasty.

Please pardon my frankness.

In my heart, this essence of Confucianism

is more important than Your Majesty.

That's great.

To have such a considerate and sympathetic subject like you

is something that I wish for.

Your Majesty.

After the late emperor's passing,

Empress Dowager has attended state affairs all these years

and has yet to hand power back to Your Majesty.

This goes against the late emperor's last will.

This is not a practice of good governance.

I was still young and gullible

when the late emperor passed away.

Fortunately, Empress Dowager was there to assist me.

The reason she's holding onto it

is her worries that I'm not ready yet.

The Empress Dowager cherishes the people and always selects the right personnel.

The peace and harmony that our people

experience today

is all thanks to the Empress Dowager.

Just now you said she picks the right personnel for the job.

But just days before,

she asked ministers for names of their family and friends.

Do you believe

she'll appoint any competent individuals from that list of names?

I doubt those on the list

will ever be appointed again.

Doesn't it break the practice of nepotism?

We'll then be able

to openly recruit talents in a fair manner.

But the Empress Dowager is trying to eliminate dissidents instead.

If I'm correct,

she has yet to reveal that list to Your Majesty?

The Empress Dowager has definitely contributed to the state.

But she should never have seized political power for herself.

Now that Your Majesty has come of age,

you should take over and decide it for yourself.

Qin Shi Huang sat on the throne at thirteen.

Emperor Han Wu ascended at the age of sixteen.

They are all great emperors.

The late emperor along with ancestors of Song

had already achieved great things

at your age.

The Empress Dowager has been seizing that power for too long

single-handedly,

which causes people to only know of

the Empress Dowager but not you.

You're the rightful owner of the throne

that people look up to.

After listening to your explanation,

I am enlightened now.

Hopefully we'll have similar conversations in the future.

I would certainly do so.

May Your Majesty choose to

take over the throne completely as soon as possible.

It will then benefit the people of Song.

Your Majesty. Empress Dowager.

All rise.

Thank you, Your Majesty,

What do you want to bring up today?

I have one.

Your Majesty has come of age

and has completed the crowning ceremony.

I think it is the right time for Your Majesty to get married.

Lord Su is right.

The marriage of His Majesty is an important state affair.

Producing royal offspring

will ensure Great Song has an heir.

Lord Guo...

Lord Guo is right.

Does anyone of you have in mind

the candidate for empress?

Empress Dowager.

I'd like to recommend Lord Guo's eldest daughter.

Lord Guo has taught his children well.

His eldest daughter has long been known for being kind, virtuous,

and talented.

She has shown excellent qualities of being the empress at such a young age.

I think

that she and His Majesty are

a match made in heaven.

I also recommend Lord Guo's eldest daughter.

How is it a match made in heaven?

Qing Wu was brought up in the palace since young.

Just like innocent playmates,

I treat her like my real little sister.

How am I suppose to marry her?

On the other hand,

Cao Ru is elegant, demure and has motherly characteristics of an empress.

I'd like to...

The marriage of Your Majesty is a crucial affair of the state.

We must think through it thoroughly.

We shall discuss this in the future.

Court is adjourned.

Court is adjourned.

I pay my respects to My Lord.

Xiang Han.

What do you have there?

It's a letter for Young Lady.

[To Ru'er, private and personal]

My Lord,

it's a letter from His Majesty.

Send it to the her.

In future, whenever there is any letter from His Majesty,

you must inform me first.

Yes, My Lord.

Father.

Hold on.

What's the matter, Father?

Do you know that

Ru'er has been interacting frequently with His Majesty recently?

His Majesty even writes her letters.

I know about it.

They've known each other since young.

When you entered the palace to teach,

Ru'er would tag along too.

It'd be normal that they developed feelings for one another.

But he has yet to take over the throne.

There are still many pressing matters in the Imperial Court.

It's better for Ru'er to distance herself from His Majesty.

Father.

His Majesty only has his eyes on Ru'er.

Once Ru'er enters the Imperial Harlem,

it will bring honour to our family.

Why would you oppose to that?

Being with a king is as dangerous as being with a tiger.

Upon entering the Imperial Harlem,

she'll turn into

one of the pawns in this court.

She will forfeit her right in deciding her own fate.

With the change of political situation,

she could end up being discarded at any moment.

She won't as happy and fortunate as you picture her to be.

Father.

I'm not after happiness and fortune.

It's the honour she would bring to our ancestry.

You're worrying too much.

The Empress Dowager's agenda

is to bind Guo Chong Xin's loyalty through marriage

and seize the military force.

She'll be able to monopolize state affairs to her will.

Father, what you've mentioned is not important.

What is important is that His Majesty is in love with Ru'er.

So what?

An emperor is not an ordinary person.

In order to consolidate his throne,

he'll have to readily betray his loved ones at any moment.

Are you really willing

to let Ru'er live like that?

Father,

Ru'er has fallen deeply for His Majesty.

To split them apart

is to hurt Ru'er.

Then make the split immediate.

A shorter suffering is better than a longer one.

Your Majesty.

I'm here to see you, Your Majesty.

What's the matter, Qing Wu?

Why are you crying?

I heard rumours in the palace today

about His Majesty wanting to make Cao Ru his empress.

Hence I am here

to congratulate Your Majesty and His Majesty.

What nonsense is that?

The marriage of His Majesty is an important state affair.

I have yet to make any final decisions.

How would anyone know who it is going to be?

Your Majesty.

I have always been by your side

to serve you

as well as His Majesty.

This I know.

Come, stand up.

Quick, have a seat.

Don't be sad.

The marriage of His Majesty is decided by me.

I've never said that

I'm appointing Cao Ru as the empress.

Pay no attention to the rumours of the palace.

Your Majesty.

I don't want to leave you

or His Majesty.

[End of Episode 54]