Original subtitles

in order to select talents from our royal family, we therefore designed this test

whoever pass the test, will be honored the title of "Chengxin Lang"

and will be entitle for life-long salary

just to make up a test

is it necessary to ask the police to catch me?

embarrassed me so much in front of my friends and brothers

this platform of imperial government, should be for those people with real talents

but not for those who have some knowledge

but problem carriers and makers

they spend 30% of their energy working,

however, I have to clean up their mess using 70% of my time

how can people like that, serving for our country?

what a significant day that your test results is to be released,

what is she doing in the military camp?

Ye Zhao, I hate you

I hate you very very much!

since you return to capital city, you have been acting strangly

come and leave without any trace, acting suspiciously

why?

do you prefer to die than tell me the truth?

even Minister Fan said, my writing

can hardly be differentiated (from the person who wrote it.)

it is nearly the same

brother Fan, do you know what kind of people living in your residence?

there is no one living with me apart from my adopted daughter Hong Qiang

don't be like Shang Yang (who initiated a reform), die in pieces

episode 26

my ministers you all know, our government has been ruling the country for over 80 years

there are problems and drawbacks that our government can no longer bear

therefore, it is essential and urgent to conduct a reform to eliminate drawbacks

now, Minister Fan Zhongyan

will explain the reform plan to you

I hope my ministers you can listen carefully

and collaborate to complete the plan

Minister Fan, please explain to us.

yes, my highness

I feel great honor for given the chance to participate in the political reform

and will not step away

today,

I summarized my years of working experiences to my highness

and to my colleagues, hoping to receive your great support

to complete the reform plan

1st item of reform

clarify officer's promotion and demotion system

now for administrative officers, they will be promoted every 3 years, and 5 years for military officers

without questioning their efficiency

performance

but years of working

therefore officers tend to act according to books, to avoid any mistakes.

they try no effects to innovate or conduct any improvements

their non-behaving is a method of being safe, but such method will breed greedy people

not solving problems , therefore emperor's name has been hurt

i therefore, sincerely ask my highness, to announce your edict

from now on, officers' promotions should consider their political performance

exceptions can be made for those with great contributions and performances

demote or replace incapable officers and guilty officers

2nd reform item

strictly prohibit short-cut promotion routes and easy posts

nowadays, ministers in capital city can

recommend their family members to work in the government

and work in the capital city

as soon as there is a post

dozens of people will fight for that position

for decades

such team is getting enormous

up to million numbers

most of them are man-about-town, or not talented people

in order for our government to have a cleaner and transparent future, reduce financial expenditure

we have to limit and minimize high rank minister's privileges

to avoid their children or grandchildren taking up important roles in the government

brother

sister, here you are eventually, i have been waiting for you for a good while

it has been a while since I saw you last time, you have grown higher

yep. I have heard that

although you

didn't perform well in the imperial exam

but you helped Jingzhaoyin, and solve a case of telling fake test questions

very true, my sister

sister, i don't have much chances to be in the palace

why don't you ask me what I am here for?

my brother, apart from eat, drink play and have fun

what else can you do?

sister, that is not quite correct. can't I grow up?

then, tell me

look, well, the Prince is in the patrol department

he has been doing a great job

I hope, sister, you can speak for me in front of the emperor

to get me a job in the government

I also wanted to work as ....

a vital government officer

my brother, you are growing up

you even want to be a vital government officer to serve the country

yes. Sister I am so happy for you

but

the timing

Minister Fan is initiating a reform

if I ask a position for you now

that is ...

not a good timing

sister,

you are loved by the emperor

it shouldn't be a difficult thing to ask for a position for me

in addition, who is going to set barriers for you...

sister, please help me please please

alright, alright

please help me!

i will try I will ask Minister Fan for you

great! thanks sister these 10 reform items

should be settled one by one

things beneficial to the public should be enhanced

illness of people must be cured

drawbacks of the politics must be eleminated

problems in the regulations must be amended

everyone regulates themselves, to make our country better

my ministers

what do you think?

my highness

these 10 policies are all responding to

our governments' fundamental benefits

if they can be implemented, they will bring great development to our country

through this simplified and corruption free system

to achieve the gold of simplified administrative system and good army system, reduce company burden

strong country, strong army, his opinions are very direct and clear

I, strongly support General Ye Zhao's opinions

we agree

these 10 reform items suggested by Minister Fan

clear political performance, reduce opportunists, more attention on imperial exams, select good officers

equal distribution of farm lands, more subsidies to farmers

promote trusted officials, repair weapons

underline orders

reduce taxes

these are all great and favorable politics to develop out country

they are all doable

I hope my ministers you can all act supportive and help to implement these policies

my emperor, you show your wisdom , long live my emperor

Minister Fan

Noble consort

is there anything I can do for you, noble consort

I know that you are busy at work

I will not be wordy

today, i have one business to discuss

and hope to get a favor from Minister Fan

I would like to serve you for things I am capable to

this business, requires no time from Minister Fan, you only asking you to,

not to intervene

then, what is the business you are talking about?

I have a brother, called Zhang Gui

I always hope that

he can have a proper job

so that he can serve the government one day

however, he is now wasting his time at home

hasn't got a proper job

then what official posts do you wish him to get?

Minister

what do you think of ... Xuanwei Shi

I understand

although Xuanwei Shi is not an important post

however, I can not make the decision I have to get the permission from the emperor

I will remember this

what is the meaning of you, Minister Fan?

noble consort, you will soon know

excuse me my highness,

is everyone equal under the reform?

without a doubt

is the reform to be implemented synchronously between royal family and the citizens?

without a doubt

then, shall my highness, you, lead the implementation?

Fan Zhongyan

what is the problem with you today?

my highness, please ask the noble consort

Noble Consort Zhang? what's the matter with her?

she wants to give her brother, the position of Xuanwei Shi

my highness, shall I pretend I don't know about this?

Xuanwei Shi is just a tiny post

my minister, you don't have to worry so much

Xuanwei Shi is not an important post

however, I am promoting this reform, trying to improve human resource system

if I give this Xuanwei Shi post to Noble Consort today as an exception

there will be people asking for a Yuanwai Lang post

don't my highness you know, lower rank people will learn from higher rank Ministers' behavior ?

ants are small, but they can shake a sky-high tree?

Fan Zhongyan, YOU!

unbridled！

my highness. quick, prepare me some hot bath water

what is the matter, my highness

someone spitted me and I am covered in saliva

hurry up to prepare the hot bath

yes

who is so brave

spitted on you my highness

who else can it be apart from Fan Zhongyan?

he told me that you were about to give Zhang Gui a Xuanwei Shi post

my highness

I thought, Xuanwei Shi is just a

tiny rank 9 official post

don't you know that Fan Zhongyan is promoting this reform? you asked to be disgraced, making me embarrassed as well

my beloved consort, is leading to destroy the reform

where is the credibility of the reform?

my highness, I was messed up

for your reform, I should

be supportive and lead others to support Minister Fan

support Minister Fan is to support my highness, you.

I was so dump to not to understand such a simple sense

my highness, I know I was wrong

my brother, he doesn't need the post of Xuanwei Shi I beg your forgiveness

stand up

now you know my dilemma

then, do you still want the post of Xuanwei Shi>?

it is a good thing that Minister Fan is justice and stay with the laws

I will tell him, it is important to implement the reform

the business of Xuanwei Shi is tiny I will tell him to be rest assured to implement the reform

my love

i am glad that you are reasonable and understand me

thanks my highness

my highness

what is so urgent that you needed me here

my highness

Fan Zhongyan is investing your assets secretly

it's nothing major, I have known about that my highness, although you have been living low profile

however, the power of Fan Zhongyan is growing rapidly

I have heard that even Noble Consort Zhang, she wanted to get her brother a position,

Fan Zhongyan reported to the emperor, reprimand they setting obstacles to the reform

his saliva

covered the emperor's whole face

however, the emperor didn't punish him

his highness even persuaded noble consort to give up the idea

isn't that ridiculous ?

i go to the imperial court everyday and work hard I acted clean and be a good person

i get on well with ministers in the court, and act very kind to all other people

for people in the society (Jianghu)

i don't have enemies

about this gambling house,

is was approved by the former emperor

after my mother, Consort Yu, passed away

although the government clearly stated that,

officials shouldn't do business or open gambling houses

but the whole imperial court and the emperor all know very clearly

exactly

now Fan Zhongyan

receive great trust from the emperor

he is at the top of the debate with unbeatable reputation

we, shall just stay away from him, be low profile,

and be more careful, we will be safe yes, sure

i always listen to your opinion and do the business carefully

but now Fan Zhongyan is investigating

people are talking about his, it will hurt your reputation

greatly

Fan Zhongyan is investigating corruption and bribery ,

is he targeting at me only?

after all these investigations,

there isn't any actual action

but i think

i think Fan Zhongyan's consist investigation

will hurt you significantly and disadvantage you

true

it will not hurt to be more careful

you have to remember, to behavior more careful and keep your eyes and ears open

yes

about this gambling house

remember, the emperor

knows more about this

Zhao Yujin caused troubles here, the emperor took the money for the Empress Dowager's birthday

now the national treasury has tight money reserve

the emperor, just wanted to get some money from us

using the birthday as an excuse

Zhenting,

Lacking of forbearance in small matters upsets great plans.

if you want to achieve more and be someone

you can't show your feeling of gain and loss on your face

or, you will lose completely

i will keep it in my mind

previously

who was that causing trouble in the gambling house?

Zhao Yujin. wrong

it was the cause who triggered this

my highness, you were asking

the son of Lao Gao Lamb restaurant

little sparrow

I have heard that

you wanted the secret recipe of Lao Gao's Lamb?

Prince

I am frightened... that was all nonsense

that day

little sparrow was here but lost money on the gambling table

it was all my fault that my eyes were covered by ghost hands,

I was thinking about using that to extort Lao Gao

however, I never asked anyone to instigate little sparrow to gamble

if I knew that he would have brought those two nightmares here, Ye Zhao and Zhao Yujin

to seek justice for him

I would run faster away from these, my Prince

look at you

stand up

now I worry that

it is someone else who guided Zhao Yujin and Ye Zhao here

maybe

there was someone, who set all these up

waiting for me

to step into the trap

Prince, I will arrange people

to investigate this secretly

current circumstances are tight

you have to be more careful

and

how is the undercover ?

Prince, you can be rest assured.

everything is fine.

good, keep in contact

if the undercover has little value, replace it when needed

yes

Prince

my dear wife

you must be tired, have some ginseng tea to warm you up

thanks so much

my wife, have you been walking around recently?

to enjoy the weather?

thank you for your care, my Prince

I feel shameful

you have been traveling between these two places all these years

it must be so hard for you

however,

Jiangbei Province is such a boring place

this Dongjing city is more interesting and prosperous

it is only prosperous when you see it with your eyes

Yu'er

you are far too good for all these troubles

I promise you

in less than 2 years

I will let you stay in this city, with no more travelling

enjoy all these prosperity

Fan Zhongyan is seizing tightly

to all economic supports of the Prince

constantly, non stop

I worry that

he will eventually catch someone corrupting, which will be great disadvantage to Prince Qi

although our Prince wants to stay away from him, and act low profile

however, we have to figure out some countermeasures

Mr. Lu

what plans do you have?

ask Xiao Guizi to come here

I have some business for him yes

tell me when the Prince is back

look for me in that room, I should be resting over there

ok.

Xiao Xiazi , here you are Xiao Guizi

where is the Prince? Prince is out

you stay at home when your Prince is out?

he is out for a regular meeting, should be back very soon

he asked me not to follow him. this must be the Prince's new residence.

it looks so amazing. you can also enjoy these. yep

I have heard that you know Ms. Hong Qiang from Minister Fan's house

she has great writing skills, why don't you bring me to her and widen my views?

alright, I was about to see her, let's go

Jingyun Court (silent cloud ...)

Hong Qiang my sister

brother Xiazi

what are you doing here?

this is? He is the one I have been telling you

Xiao Guizi, he served Empress Dowager Liu

he is working for Liu Taifu now

have a seat

Hong Qiang, you are good at writing

sure, look at those characters on the lantens

they look fabulous when you hang them up with candle inside

I often hear Xiao Xiazi bragging to me about

the gorgeous looking sister who can write

I didn't believe him, today, I finally believe what he have said

Ms. Hong Qiang, you don't look like a maid

but a lady from some good families

Xiao Guizi, that's too much good words for me

Hong Qiang, I am from a low-status family

I am frightened to be compared to ladies from good families

Xiao Guizi he served the Empress Dowager,

he has seen all kinds of ladies

in my heart, no one is compatible to you

stop it please, I...

I feel so embarrassed now.

Ms. Hong Qiang

can you give this pair of lantern to me "Huahao"(nice flowers) "Yueyuan" (full moon)

if so, they are mine first

he is a guest, of course I need to give him first

here you are. thanks Ms. Hong Qiang

I will write you another pair.

Ms. Hong Qiang, do you remember the pair of lantern you gave me

yes. I used it when I went out to work,

someone bought it from me

so?

it takes only a few Wen, (pennies/ cents)

that person who bought it paid me 30 Wen

30 wen?

30wen?

your writing worth quite a lot

wait, I have an idea

since we have time

why don't we do some business

Xiao Xiazi purchases all the lanterns

Ms Hong Qiang writes on it

I go and sell them

we divide the income into 3 , what do you think?

it sounds ok

the Prince is busy when he is in the court

i have all the time and nothing to do

we have the time for that

the business is nice

but my teacher won't agree

your teacher is even busier than the Prince

Minister Fan works in the court, you stay at home writing

you have lots of time

in the end, what is the difference between writing on a piece of paper and on the lanterns?

i have to think again

Ms Hong Qing

you are lucky having Minister Fan supporting you

you don't have to worry about living

my I am different

I have to ask others to bring my salary back home

to my mother who is ill in bed

you don't know how important the money is to me

I am sorry, I forgot that

you are an orphan, you don't have a family member

but you and Minister Fan are like a family

don't you want to,

show Minister Fan, your filial obedience with your own money?

that is a good idea

I have been thinking about how to spend more time with Ms. Hong Qiang

if we do start selling lanterns, then we will have more time together

I think

that is a good idea Xiao Guizi just said

Ms Hong Qiang

look how old Minister Fan's tea sets are

you can use the money owned to buy him a new set

alright

I have been think about how to pay back to my teacher

it will be his birthday soon

if I can use money that I make myself

to buy him a new set of tea pots

he will be very happy. that's make it a deal

lanterns, selling lanterns

thanks, thanks

look at all these money we made. yes. we have sold quite a few

lanterns, look at these lanterns, young lady

selling lanterns

selling lanterns, thanks, see you next time

welling lanterns

I told you your writing worth money

newly written , Madam, look at this lantern, we just wrote it

can you come to my residence to write some for me?

we can negotiate about the price

our Miss has been practicing for years,

it is expensive

how much do you want to pay?

50 wen?

50 oz silver

50oz?

if you put your stall away,

and follow me , it will take about 2 hours

I guarantee, the sky will still be bright when you finish

alright, we will accompany you

but it is quite late now, the Prince will soon come back

I have to go back

how about, Xiao Guizi, you accompany Ms Hong Qiang?

alright, you go

be careful

but, how about all these lanterns?

don't worry, I will buy them all

you, take them all to our residence

yes, madam

Miss, follow me

my master is going to have a 1-month dinner tonight

he asked me to prepare the present, I haven't done it

how stupid that I forgot about that

you go, I will go with her

madam, please look after her

her master, is the well known...

little man, please take it easy, we are normal family

we only wanted some writings

i will ask servants to walk her home when she finish the writing

ok

this way

miss, this way

Er Ye

I have found her

good, miss, please take a seat

may I ask you, Er Ye, what would you like me to write?

no rush, have some tea, rest well before you write

it will be dark soon let me finish the work first

alright, this way, miss

miss, please copy this article

discussion about army welfare

isn't this Minister Fan's article about reform?

yes

Minister Fan's reform is well known and shaken the whole court

now, almost every well-known people in the city

talk about these reforms when they meet

therefore I have to hurry up and learn

to catch up those topics

so what I have to do is to write it again?

yes

when you finish writing this, I will pay you 50silver immediately

Prince

Prince

Prince

good writings, where did you get it from?

it is written by Hong Qiang, from Minister Fan's

Ms. Hong Qiang

the girl we saved from the whorehouse?

that is her writing? very nice.

yes.

since she becomes Minister Fan's maid

she practices writing everyday with Minister Fan

mentioning that

this writing is quite similar to Minister Fan's

Ms. Hong Qiang said, she has

got Minister Fan's direct teaching

her writings is not only similar to Minister Fan's

it is almost the same

Hong Qiang must have paid lots of attention to that.

I have heard that Minister Fan had been

studying late till midnight when he was younger

slept with his clothes on

others were enjoying the nights and moon

he was seeking happiness in 4 books and 5 collections of articles

or practicing brush writing

years of practice and practice

now his writing is one of the best

countless noble families and royal members have tried to pay ozs of gold to purchase his writing

but he didn't agree to sell

isn't Minister Fan silly?

you know nothing

Minister Fan is like me

we don't like to be over appraised if it was me, I would do it either

well

i think no one would pay ozs of gold to purchase your words

what do you mean?

any of my sentences,

will worth thousand ozs of silver

reasonable

Prince, you make so much sense

at that time, people lay paper on the table

serve you with brushes and ink, you write

in a few seconds

what words

dung beetles, stinky bugs, toad, boo, boo pooh

YOU! Prince, that's your common saying

I have been serving your for years, I remember this better than you

nice flowers, full moon

light the candle,

have a chat

watch her write slowly

guess who I am

Old Duke, without a doubt

boring, boring

it is so boring that you guess it instantly

i can smell roast chicken of your clothes miles away

is it?

this is made by Fan Er'niang, my granddaughter-in-law

so yummy

i especially saved you a chicken leg

really?

i forgot it at home

old Duke

please remember to bring it next time

I will!

today, I saw you on the street

with

old Duke what you have seen on the street, can not be told

why? why? so oily

why do you have so many "whys"

if you dare to tell anyone

i will tell people that you poisoned in Zhao Taifei's medicine

with lots of chilies

then, I will never tell, never

that's more like it

that girl

well,

you can talk about the girl, but not about selling lanterns

it seems

you like the girl?

you knew about it

but Ms. Hong Qiang is too good

I am not good enough for her. she won't even look at me straight

you,

stupid, fool and idiot, stupid and foolish idiot

actually, there are secrets behind this

what secrets?

Xiao Xiazi

why is there, on your face

a patch of dirty things?

i haven't eaten any roast chicken, how is it possible? let me have a look

wait, no, look at here

here, i have mirrors here

have you found the secrets?

nope

have you found the secrets? why are you so stupid

look! look! look!

if I tell Hong Qiang, saying there is something dirty on her face

and ask her to look into my eyes as mirror

then she will be looking at me straight!

now you got it.

oh!! that's what you mean

old Duke, you are SO CLEVER

I have learn it

right?

I am clever, am I?!

I am so clever!

I have to go home to eat my roast chicken

save me some! you have to wait

Ms. Hong Qiang, there is something on your face

no, don't leave, look into my eyes, they are mirrors

isn't it? right ?

Madam, I finished

thanks very much Miss.

please be careful, the ink takes time to dry

you can leave it here to dry

don't worry

good. excellent

it is dark now, how about I ask servant to walk you home?

that's very nice of you

this way

Miss, this way please

Mr. Lu

things have been done

the writing is exactly the same with Minister Fan's

if we do it this way, we can control Song

and make Xia strong

Fan Zhongyan

I don't think I can't put it down

Madam

why aren't you asleep until now?

do you remember what day is it today ?

what day is it?I don't know. I have thousands of thoughts in my mind today

look, here is urgent news from Jiangbei

saying days of pouring rain has caused severe flood risks

my wife, please talk to me straight if you have anything to say

I have lots of business to deal with today

I have to return to Jiangbei. If this natural disaster causes mass men misfortune

by that time, the imperial court will punish me

say it.

i will leave you alone