Original subtitles

It's a shame we can't have the officials

to record everything that happened tonight as history,

let alone letting the Grand Empress Dowager know.

If she finds out,

surely she will think it was my idea.

Didn't I learn it from you?

So are you blaming me now?

All right... I won't blame you.

Thank you for your hard work, boss.

When we get back to the palace,

I will reward you adequately.

Reward?

With what?

Name a price.

You are different from before.

I can't take advantage of you.

500 taels.

300?

- 200? - Deal!

You are getting more and more stingy!

Will you break your promise?

I promise I won't.

I am my own guarantor.

If I do break my promise,

I will just reward you with myself.

Forget about it.

You need to have a hundred dishes every meal.

How can I afford you?

If you really do break your promise,

then I can't do anything.

Physician Li,

thank you for your hard work tonight.

I had never expected that

you are such a rare talent.

You are a skilful healer and a fine warrior,

and you even learned about traps and strategies.

You are overqualified to be just a physician.

After we get back to the palace,

I will surely promote you.

Leader,

the reason this operation was successful

was not due to my capabilities,

but I was lucky

that I could obtain the layout for the traps in Qiu Gui's manor

and the duty roster for the patrolling guard.

Do you have your own spies in Qiu Gui's camp

to help you obtain such information?

Yes.

I see. It's indeed true that

those who are capable know where to seek help.

I must become a capable Emperor,

not a foolish king.

I have faith in you, Brother Long.

Excuse me, Eunuch Li.

Leader,

you are finally back in one piece.

I was so scared that

you wouldn't come back again.

Li De Fu,

keep this secret for me.

Don't tell anyone

especially the Grand Empress Dowager,

or I will cut your head off.

As long as you are back in one piece,

I will just forget what happened tonight.

Lord Ai is indeed quick.

Lord,

we have checked the silver.

All of them are real silver from the court.

Good.

Lord Ai,

you are indeed a man of your word.

Our society has already prepared 20,000 kilogrammes of food

in the warehouse near the port.

Now that the money is transferred,

you may distribute the food now.

Sure.

Take Lord Ai's men to the port

and give them the food.

- Yes, sir. - All right.

- Follow me. - Here.

This way, please.

Lord Ai,

this is such a good deed.

By doing so,

the Heaven will surely be touched

and bless you through this difficulty.

I wish that

you will regain your health soon.

Thank you, Sir Qiu.

I have prepared a banquet for you at my residence.

Do come and enjoy, Lord Ai.

Let me fulfil my duty as the host.

Sure...

You don't have to do this.

Lord!

Bad news, lord!

Bad news, lord!

What's the matter?

- Speak! - Someone has broken into the manor

and has stolen 30,000 taels of silver from the safe!

- 30,000! - What did you say?

Come again?

Last night someone broke into the manor

and stole 30,000 taels of silver!

Useless!

Why are you telling me this now?

We realised it before dawn.

The person in charge in the manor had sent someone to tell you

and also the provincial governor.

We waited, but there was no response.

He then sent

the second and third batches of messengers

yet they did not return.

He realised something was wrong,

so he sent me on a horse

and took another longer path to inform you.

Only then I managed to sneak into the city.

How could they be so careless?

This is so terrible.

How could such thing happen?

Lord Ai,

were you the one

who intercepted my messengers?

What do you think?

Then,

are these silver taels indeed stolen from my manor?

What do you think?

You are indeed fearless!

Go.

Bring this news to the provincial governor!

- Yes, sir! - Men!

Get rid of them!

Don't bother shouting.

All your lackeys out there

were already settled by my brother.

There's no point of you shouting.

You!

Grandfather,

we can't leave these silver taels to them.

Bring these silver out now

and let Guard Li distribute them to the victims.

Let's go, grandson.

Wait a minute.

Grandfather,

why don't you write something

on these useless jerks' faces?

This will send a message

to that corrupted official Liu De Zhao.

What do you think?

That sounds interesting.

Don't move!

I'll use a knife instead of a brush if you move again.

Write another word here.

Stay still!

Done!

Not bad...

All done.

All right...

Don't shout anymore.

Do you know who my grandfather is?

Let me tell you something.

My grandfather's writings worth a lot.

You'd better keep them on your faces

as a reminder to yourselves and Liu De Zhao.

Got it?

Let's go, grandson.

Let's go, grandfather.

Take it slow, grandfather.

Sure.

Thank you.

Finally, there's some food.

Thank you, Lord Ai.

Lord Ai, you have a really kind soul.

Am I right, friends?

Don't thank me.

I was sent by the Emperor to help with the situations.

The money and food you received

are all distributed by the government.

There are still more programmes to improve the condition

and help you to rebuild your home

and go through this tough time together.

We have to thank the Emperor!

- Thank you! - Thank you, His Majesty!

Long live His Majesty!

Thank you, His Majesty!

Brother Zhu,

the victims are temporarily relieved.

Why aren't you happy for them?

I am glad that they are relieved,

but by doing so,

we are actually helping Kang Xi and his government

to win the people's heart.

Sir...

What are you doing?

Can't I have some personal time?

Sir, someone has stolen from your brother-in-law's safe!

What?

Was his money stolen?

Not only 30,000 taels of silver were stolen,

but also 20,000 kilogrammes of food.

They have been distributed to the victims.

When I reached the port right after I got the news,

the thieves are already gone.

- Calm down. - These treacherous people!

They are rebelling!

Let's go and have a look!

Lord!

- Go away! - Move!

Lord...

What's wrong?

I'm fine.

But you have to be careful with your baby.

Tell me what happened.

Gui Er... Gui Er and his fellow merchants

are all tied up by someone else!

Let's go and have a look.

Let's go.

Gui Er...

Gui Er...

Why aren't you moving?

What happened to your face?

Who dared to do this to you?

What happened to you exactly?

Say something! You are scaring me!

What happened to you?

Here. Stand up and talk.

- Stand up... - Leave me alone!

Gui Er,

what happened exactly?

Who did this?

His surname is Ai.

I have not dealt with him before.

He is some merchant from Beijing.

Can you see it?

Can you see my face?

If I catch him,

I'll skin him alive!

Liu De Zhao!

You must take care of this!

Look at him...

Look at his face!

How will the others think of his face?

How is he going to live now?

How could he suffer such bad things?

How could someone bully him like this?

If you don't handle this properly,

I will never allow you onto my bed!

- Don't pinch me! - Do you hear me?

Fine!

What's wrong with you?

Let's talk at home.

This is terrible.

How dare he

bully my brother-in-law?

If I catch him...

You will skin him alive

and cut him into pieces

to feed the dog!

- Do you hear me? - Sure...

Feed the dog. Yes.

Brother Long,

this toast is to salute you

for risking your own life with us

for the sake of the people.

Boss,

I am the one

who should salute you and your brother.

If it wasn't for the both of you,

I would still be kept in the dark about how many of my people

are suffered under corrupted officials like Liu De Zhao.

If I think of how Liu De Zhao

and Qiu Gui will look like,

and how much frustrated they are now,

I feel like laughing.

I can't laugh.

Through this journey,

I saw a lot of things

that I didn't even expect if I stayed in the palace.

If all the officials of the Qing Dynasty

are all this corrupted,

how long can my reign last?

Remember how thankful the victims were

when they received that little bit of money

and shouted long live the king?

To be honest, I was so shocked

and ashamed.

They are so kind,

and they demand so little.

Yet people like us who are in higher positions

are not doing our job properly.

Brother Long,

for what you have just said,

I'm offering you a toast again.

Where is Yi Huan?

Kang Xi is in a good mood

and asked Yi Huan to drink with him.

They are enjoying the wine and the scenery

in the garden itself.

Eldest senior,

the little junior is just doing what I am doing

all for the sake of restoring the Ming rule.

You don't mind that.

I understand.

I will restrain my feelings.

Crown Prince,

I have never approved

of an operation like this.

But you went on with it anyway.

Not only you risked you life

and helped Kang Xi to win the people's hearts,

but you also exposed too much of your capabilities to Kang Xi.

Although he seemed to praise you,

but deep down

he will start doubting you and Yi Huan.

I understand.

But I didn't have a choice.

If Kang Xi as the Emperor himself

was willing to risk his life for the victims,

yet I was afraid of everything

for the sake of myself,

how would Yi Huan

think of me again?

It's not important

how would Yi Huan think of you and Kang Xi.

You can't be doing all these

just to win a girl's heart.

Don't you remember your identity

as the last Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty?

I didn't forget.

I'm not doing this just for Yi Huan.

Sixth Master,

it's just like how Kang Xi

shed his tears for those who starved to death.

That is his conscience as the Emperor.

If I, the last Crown Prince of Ming

do not even have such conscience,

then how can I be fit

to fight with Kang Xi over the throne?

Master,

the eldest senior is correct.

It's because he is the Crown Prince of Ming

that he needs to have the heart for the realm.

Childish!

When did someone ever

win his throne by being merciful?

You said you have the heart for the realm,

but let me ask you,

whose realm is it?

It's Aisin Gioro's realm!

It's the Qing realm!

You want to have the realm,

so you must first win the realm!

Then only you are fit to have the heart for it.

You're right, Sixth Master.

I'll heed your advice.

Brother Long,

do you know this word?

Isn't this "deaf"?

Then do you know what it means?

Boss,

are you testing my knowledge?

I think I might be slightly better

than you are.

This word "deaf" has a dragon in it

which is a legendary beast that brings rain.

It means the thunderstorms during spring.

And the ear means to hear.

When the two words are combined,

it means that when you hear the thunder,

even the old farmers who can't hear clearly

and who can't communicate with the others

can hear the thunder roars

during spring,

so that he will know it's time to sow.

Eventually, it becomes a word

to describe people who can't hear.

Brother Long,

if we are talking about knowledge such as this,

surely I am no match for you.

But I do realise another meaning of it.

Look at this word "deaf".

It's made up of a dragon and an ear.

The dragon means the Emperor,

and what it means

is that the Emperor's ear is merely a decoration.

He can't even hear the cries of the people.

Thank you for your guidance, boss.

It is really

a wake-up call

and an inspiration to me.

After this journey,

finally my ears are wide open.

When I go back,

I will not let it become a mere decoration again.

Brother Long,

that's a promise.

For what you have just said,

I will salute you again.

Leader, be careful not to catch a cold.

It's raining!

And it's quite a heavy rain!

Looking at how heavy it is,

I think the situation in Shanxi should be able to improve.

It's all because of your kindness

that it moved the heaven

to pour down the rain

and save the people.

I didn't expect the rain would last for three days.

It's indeed a rain that came in time

and improved the situation in Shanxi.

It has indeed improved the situation,

but the farmers have missed the sowing season.

They will still need relief.

I understand.

I will continue to send the relief

so that the people can go through this draught safely

until the next harvest.

Brother Long,

I think your ears are really open now

to be able to hear the people's outcry.

Leader, we'd better avoid going out

as what happened recently

would surely have alerted the officials.

Songgotu had gone to request for more soldiers.

We don't know when he will be back.

If something happens to us now,

it will be terrible.

I really want to see how will Liu De Zhao react.

Moreover,

we disguised ourselves that day.

They won't be able to recognise us.

Indeed.

You should have faith in my disguise skills.

Leader, there are indeed fewer victims

begging on the streets now.

Perhaps they have received the relief

and gone home

as the weather is better now.

But this little bit of money

can never be enough.

Some of them who live on the outskirt

and those who are too old and weak to come

have never received anything.

Leader,

we should never repeat what we had done.

We'd better wait until Songgotu comes back

and take down Liu De Zhao

so that we can arrange for a reliable official

to implement the relief scheme.

Only then we can solve the problem once and for all.

You have a point.

You know,

I heard that a few days ago,

someone distributed money and food at the port there.

Brother Long,

we have all become wanted fugitives.

How can they be robbers?

They are good people.

- Indeed. - Exactly.

But even those kind souls can't save themselves now.

Robbing official's food and money

is punishable by death.

Indeed.

It's a shame for these kind souls.

Our fate as the people are always tough.

We will die if we obey.

We will also die if we rebel.

- Look at them... - These kind souls are all caught.

- These kind souls. - Poor thing.

The people really have no escape to this.

When I am back in the palace,

I will reopen and review

all the theft cases

so that only those real robber

will be punished by death,

while those who were forced to rob

because of the exploitation by corrupted officials

will be given a lighter sentence.

Brother Long, you are indeed a wise king.

What's wrong?

He was just saying it,

yet you believed him?

Aren't you very gullible?

Don't you believe him?

I really feel that this trip to Shanxi

had really given him a great impact.

He was saying what's on his mind.

I'm afraid that he is only saying that

because of what he sees now.

He is indeed determined now,

and sympathises with those who were forced to rebel.

But when he is back in the Forbidden City,

his feelings and his position

will immediately change.

What he will care the most

is how to maintain his power and keep his throne

instead of the outcry of the people.

Brother Zhu,

after listening to you,

I really feel disappointed and scared.

Yi Huan,

I know that you have a lot of expectations from Kang Xi.

But slowly you will understand that

he is never like what you think of him.

Move! Go away...

Sir!

- I'm innocent! - Please look at it carefully!

I just resemble him a little bit!

Move! Go away...

These three people all look innocent.

How would they dare to rob the official's money?

- Exactly! - Look at his small stature.

He is so skinny and weak.

How can he rob?

A few days ago,

these kind souls disappeared

after distributing reliefs to the victim.

They were gone without a trace.

They are definitely someone capable.

But these officers only know how to bully the people.

How can they arrest them?

Exactly...

They are just looking for scapegoats.

- Indeed. - But these three people

are only resembled the fugitives in the picture.

How can the official

sentence them to death without real evidence?

It's not difficult to plant evidence.

Which official does not know

how to fabricate evidence and frame someone?

This is a deadly offence.

If he does not plead guilty,

how can they convict him?

Once he is in the court,

how can he not plead guilty?

They will just beat him to confess.

- Exactly. - Until the autumn ends,

they will be executed

and this case will be closed.

Then these officials can continue with their exploitation again.

Let's go and have a look.

- Let's see how the governor decides. - Let's go.

Let's go.

What do we do, Brother Long?

We can't let them get beat up to confess!

Let's go and have a look.

Move!

Faster!

- Move away. - Move away.

Leader, what do we do now?

Before we went out,

I have brought the imperial order just in case.

Shall we go in as Imperial Commissioners?

Don't worry.

Let's just see how this Liu De Zhao

is going to decide on this case.

But we can't enter.

Let's go.

Wang Shi San, Hu Er Gou,

Xie Da Niu,

you denied robbing the food and the silver,

but why did we find the stolen items

at your homes?

Speak up!

Sir,

I am really innocent.

Weren't those food and silver

reliefs from the government

to the draught victims?

At the port that night,

there were several victims there,

and each of us was given some food and a tael of silver.

Sir...

I am innocent too!

When I heard that

there were kind souls at the port

distributing money and food to the victims,

I wanted to go,

but my wife accidentally fell

and even suffered a miscarriage.

When I finally settled her down and rushed to the port,

the money and food were all finished

and the kind souls were all gone.

I really have nothing at home now.

I really didn't know how the officers

were able to find those food...

and money.

Sir!

Sir, I am innocent too!

I was taking care of my sick mother that night,

and was late too when I reached the port.

I didn't get anything.

This morning someone was looking at me outside my house

holding that picture of the wanted fugitives.

He asked me something

and gave me a bag of food and money.

I was so thankful

and immediately made some porridge for my starving mother.

The porridge wasn't even done yet,

but the arresting officers showed up

and arrested me for robbing official's money and food!