Original subtitles

Given my current situation,

I had no choice but to make money using my writing.

It will make a great family treasure

to those that buy it.

Yes, you're the best.

You're the Emperor, so you're always right.

Here come the customers.

I told you.

There must be someone who likes my calligraphy.

Money to give away...

Everyone can get it.

Don't fight, it's for everyone.

See?

Your calligraphy isn't worth

even a penny to them.

This calligraphy is characterised

by subtlety and exquisiteness.

It got the style of Calligrapher Dong Qichang.

When the economy was good,

it should be able to sell for a good price.

I'm amazed that you notice

the influence of Dong Qichang in my writing.

You must be quite knowledgeable about calligraphy.

My name is Xiao Feng Sheng.

I know you.

You're Shanxi's number one artist, Xiao Feng Sheng.

That's me.

Are you the one who painted "Ancient Road in West Wind"?

Yes.

I gave that painting to a friend of mine from Beijing.

I heard the painting had changed hands several times

before being given to the Emperor.

The Emperor likes it very much.

Have you seen the painting before?

No.

I know someone whose his relative

is working as a government officer,

he told me about this story.

But you can sell your art works

to earn money.

It's hard.

The drought has been going on for years,

people don't even have money to buy food,

let alone spending money to buy my works.

I don't want to fawn to the rich and powerful either.

So I end up being a beggar.

One shall not be corrupted by the riches

or be shaken by the poverty.

It's no wonder that your work

is admired by the Emperor.

I appreciate your good word.

But I have nothing to give you to show my appreciation.

I'm giving you this coin.

At least it can buy you a bowl of congee.

Please excuse me.

Brother Long.

Now you realise it, right?

The ministers in the palace

didn't collect your works based on how beautiful the writing is,

but simply because of your identity.

Who doesn't want the Emperor's calligraphy works?

If the merchants knew that you're the Emperor,

they'd spend a fortune just to possess your writing.

Boss.

Stop mocking me.

I learnt a lot

from this trip.

It's more than what I learnt

from all the books I've read so far.

Right.

I don't have to explain much then.

But I'm going to make some money for our return trip.

I've failed to do that.

Are you able to do it?

To me, Li Yi Huan,

nothing is difficult.

Do you understand?

Are you talking about gambling?

Yes, do as what I told you, got it?

Go.

Boss.

Place your bet...

Place your bet.

What's wrong?

You shouldn't gamble when you have no luck.

- Next... - Go...

No wonder I'm losing.

It's because there's a beggar here. Get lost!

Who's the beggar?

Listen,

our young master is very rich.

Gold ingots.

Really?

Gold bangle.

I bet them all.

Okay.

Let's have a competition then.

Sure, I'm in.

Right...

Boss.

Come.

I win...

They're mine...

These are ours.

- Again... - Come...

Right.

Open...

I win...

Open...

Boss, that's enough.

We already have the money.

I'm still having fun.

Boss.

Right...

This would be the final round.

We're running out of time.

This is the last round.

- Last round. - Okay.

Bet...

I am betting all...

- Let's bet all we have. - Right...

All right.

It's okay, give it to me.

Betting all we have.

- Great... - Right.

- Come... - Leopards...

- Come... - Leopards...

Leopards...

Leopards...

Leopards again.

These are all mine.

- What are you doing? - You haven't seen my dice.

- Open it. - Open...

- Hurry and open it. - We're waiting.

- Right. - You can't win.

- Wait and see. - Come...

Take your time.

Open it...

- Fast, open it. - Open it.

Look carefully.

But how? 19 points?

- Don't take... - What are you doing...

- They're all mine. - What are you doing...

- Don't take... - What are you doing...

Three dice can't make 19 points.

- You're cheating. - No...

- You're cheating again. - Wait...

I didn't play any trick.

I really won the game.

You're not good enough, so don't blame me.

How could you do this?

You were cheating.

Officers are coming for gambling raid!

Don't let him get away.

Run, quick.

They're just stones!

Let me see how much you have.

- We've made a fortune! - Boss.

We have dozens of silver taels.

Now,

not only we have the money to rent a carriage,

we can use the money to buy food.

Boss, you're the best.

Of course.

I'm your boss after all.

Give it to me.

I'm the one who won it.

You weren't contributing at all.

Right... please borrow me the money.

I'll pay it back, okay?

Pay it back?

My loan interest is high.

Can you afford it?

Boss, you can't be too greedy.

Greedy?

You rank top when it comes to shrewdness.

When the Ming Dynasty was in chaos,

you Manchu people used the opportunity

to conquer their territory and take over the power.

The people are already tired of wars

and hope for a peaceful life,

but what have you Manchu people done?

The elites are indulging in their privileges,

government officials across the nation

start to collect all sorts of taxes from the people.

Is this not what you call greedy?

It's profiteering.

- You... - What?

Did I say something wrong?

I'm telling the truth.

Brother Long.

This is the interest that I refer to.

Don't forget what you promised me before.

Eliminate favouritism,

eradicate the bureaucracy,

discipline the officers,

so that lives of the people can be improved.

I promise you.

This is the interest I must pay.

That's your promise.

Okay.

It's a deal.

No, I said no.

Out of my way...

Brother Long, where are you going?

Let's hire a carriage to get back to Beijing as soon as possible.

We shouldn't cause more troubles.

We're passing the restaurant we went the other day,

let's settle the bill once and for all,

I've never eaten in a restaurant without paying.

It isn't easy to run a business after all.

You're quite considerate.

For the people, a selfish Emperor would be a nightmare,

as His Majesty would never concern

about the lives of the people.

Don't worry. Although this is only my first trip out of the palace,

I managed to learn a lot.

Go away...

Customers, come on in.

Manager.

We're paying for the meal that day.

Is it enough?

That's so kind of you.

Enough...

Never thought we'd come back?

That's not it.

You're honest people.

I had no doubt that you'd return.

- I knew it. - According to my principle,

as you were so rude to me the other day,

I have the right not paying for the meal.

But my brother is an honest person.

He insisted that we come back and pay for it.

Yes...

Sir, I'm just managing a small business.

I'd lose money if people don't pay for their food.

How about this?

This time, the bill is on me.

Just take it as my apology for the incident that day.

What do you think?

- No need... - Sure...

I want meat and wine.

- Boss... - It's free after all.

No, you...

Why not?

We need energy.

We'll depart after having a meal.

We should save the money

so that we can buy more delicious food on the way.

What's more, we shouldn't reject the manager's kindness.

- Please accept it. - That's right.

Please accept my courtesy meal.

Waiter.

Invite them to the private room.

- This way please. - We get a private room.

- Let's go. - Be careful with the stairs.

- Walk slowly. - Hurry.

Report to the police.

- Right... - Go.

After starving for two days,

finally we get to eat a proper meal.

Brother Long.

Now you know

why I have such a big appetite.

Because as a kid I was starving all the time.

I had no idea

when the next meal would be.

So I always thought of eating as much as I could.

That way I wouldn't be starving anymore.

I understand.

Boss, rest assured.

From now on, I'll make sure that you won't be starving anymore.

Not just me,

but the entire nation.

Right, I'll work on it.

I'll do my best.

Boss.

Shouldn't we hire a carriage to return to Beijing?

Sure, we can bring some food along.

We can eat it when hungry.

True. Though the drought here

isn't as severe as the one in Tai Yuan,

it's still hard to buy any food on the way.

Here, eat more.

Constable Tie, here they are.

Manager.

What do you mean by this?

We've already settled the bill from the other day.

As for today's meal, you said it's on you.

If you want money,

we can pay you.

There's no need to report to the police.

Sir, you can't blame me.

You've been listed as wanted criminals by the governor already.

How dare you

come to my restaurant?

As the Qing Emperor myself,

never did I expect that I would be hunted by my own officers.

They look so frightened.

Next.

It's him, get him!

Tie Wei Guo, stop!

Do you know me?

No,

but I know who you are.

Over 20 years as a constable,

you've settled countless of cases

and arrested numerous criminals.

Your achievements have been acknowledged by His Majesty too.

Last year, you lost your left hand while on duty.

His Majesty then ordered

this flexible iron hand

to be made especially for you.

How did you know

that this hand was made by His Majesty's order?

Do you know who I am?

Who are you?

You're the criminal wanted by Liu De Zhao,

Long San.

Then, do you know the reason

Liu De Zhao wanted to arrest us?

Of course.

Pretending to be the Imperial Commissioner.

Faking an imperial decree.

Working with the bandits at Niutou Fortress

to rob government assets.

Tie Wei Guo, you got the wrong idea.

That is not the truth.

I'm really the Imperial Commissioner.

His Majesty sent me to Shanxi to complete a mission.

Mission?

I've seen many people

who refuse to admit their wrongdoing,

but your excuse is the worst of them all.

Your offences have been confirmed,

and you're now a wanted criminal.

So stop denying anymore.

Anything you wanted to say,

you can say it in my office.

Get them!

Boss, are you okay?

I'm okay.

Go now!

You know him?

No, let's go.

Okay.

Who are you?

Tie Wei Guo.

You're an honest officer.

You have my pardon today.

But first, I'll let you stay in bed for a month.

Brother Long.

Am I too heavy for you?

You seem to be

having a hard time carrying me.

Boss.

I've never carried a person before.

Being able to carry you out of Huaiyin in one go,

I'd say it's an accomplishment already.

Oh my God.

The money.

I left the money in the restaurant.

Boss.

Don't mention it anymore.

Our safety is more important.

Brother Long.

Let me walk instead.

You're no ordinary person.

I don't want to hurt

your arms and legs.

No.

I know how powerful Constable Tie's iron hand is

because I was the one who supervised its making.

You must be suffering from a serious injury.

We...

We need to stop over.

You should get your wound treated.

There's a hut in front.

Let's go in and take a rest.

Okay.

I can't walk anymore.

Brother Long.

This is your first time

being so exhausted, right?

Well...

Why are you bleeding?

Let me see...

This is nothing.

I'm all right.

Why don't you go out and let me check it myself?

No way.

You want to take advantage of me, right?

- No. - You're not allowed to do that.

Go...

Get out.

- Seriously? - I'm serious.

Hurry and leave.

Go...

Faster.

Now.

Get out...

Are you sure you're okay?

I'm sure.

Go.

Boss.

Boss, are you really okay?

Say something.

Boss...

Eldest senior.

Brother Ye.

I thought you'd reached Beijing

with Sister Fan and Wu Ying Qi.

Our travel plan to Beijing has been delayed

as Wu Ying Qi keep stopping over for sightseeing these days.

A few days ago,

Sister Fan and I realised that...

The battle this time is rather hard.

Sir Long's subordinates are good in martial arts.

Among their subordinates who went to ask for help,

we killed three,

and two managed to escape.

I'm sorry for disappointing you.

I'll be responsible for it.

Forget about it.

You've done your best.

Continue to track Sir Long's whereabouts.

Whatever you know about his whereabouts,

just inform Liu De Zhao.

But Sir Long knew some of Liu De Zhao's secrets as well.

Even if he is able to catch Sir Long,

he might not dare to kill him.

I'm afraid that they might even reach an agreement,

from enemies turning into friends.

This wouldn't be good for us.

That's why you need to know the latest development.

Run immediately after killing Long San

so that Liu De Zhao's subordinates would come after you.

We'll let them

take the blame of

having killed Shu Jian and Long San.

Understood.

Please excuse me.

Sister.

Do you understand now?

Wu Ying Qi is not the person he appears to be.

Although he looks like a gentleman,

he's actually ruthless.

No, I don't believe it.

Maybe he is just receiving orders from Wu San Gui.

He was pressed to do so.

Right, even so,

don't you realise

that he is actually a person with motives,

he is not as simple as he appears to be?

Maybe he's just like us.

Aren't we setting him up

according to master's order too?

Sister Fan.

I can feel that you're fond of Wu Ying Qi.

I didn't mean to disappoint you.

When our master mentioned it,

I even helped you to cover up.

But still, I want to remind you,

- you must be... - I know what to do.

Right.

Fine, then.

Wu San Gui has already sent his people to assassinate Kang Xi.

Eldest senior and the others haven't learned about it yet.

I need to inform them immediately.

Go ahead.

I'll tell Wu Ying Qi

that you're going to Shanxi

to meet an old friend,

that we'll be meeting in Beijing.

Okay.

I rushed to the Shu Residence thinking of

informing you guys about the news,

but you guys already left.

So I followed your track up until here.

Good job.

Actually, I've already noticed that

Wu San Gui's men

are among the assassins that were trying to kill me.

You should return as soon as possible.

Don't let Wu Ying Qi suspect you.

Don't worry.

He has a lot of trust in Sister Fan now.

I think I better stay.

I can join you and Sister Xue

in looking for Kang Xi and Yi Huan.

Are you worried about Yi Huan?

Yes, I am.

You and Sister Xue are great fighters.

Be it Liu De Zhao's soldiers

or Wu San Gui's assassins,

you can handle them easily.

But what about Yi Huan?

Don't worry.

I'll protect her.

She'll be all right.

Really?

I saw Shanxi's greatest constable

on a street in Huaiyin today.

His name is Tie Wei Guo.

You mean, Yi Huan encountered Tie Wei Guo?

If it's just ordinary constables,

Yi Huan should be able to handle them.

But to defeat Tie Wei Guo,

that's impossible.

Did they engage in a fight?

I saw Tie Wei Guo and his followers

were heading somewhere hastily.

That reminded me of the wanted criminal poster

which featured Long San's and your faces.

So I followed them quietly.

It turned out that

they really intended to arrest Kang Xi and Yi Huan.

Kang Xi and Yi Huan had been recognised

in a restaurant.

The manager of the restaurant then reported it to the police.

How could she be so careless?

They're not supposed to go to a public place

at a time like this.

In that case,

why are you not there to protect her?

Luckily, I managed to rescue them,

otherwise...

Anyway, Yi Huan was injured.

- Is it serious? - What do you think?

She's wounded by Tie Wei Guo's iron hand.

It must be pretty severe.

After I defeated Tie Wei Guo

and came out from the restaurant,

Kang Xi and Yi Huan were already nowhere to be seen.

Qing Cheng is suffering from an injury as well.

She still can't walk.

We're now staying in a temple outside of the city.

- Why not you... - You take care of Sister Xue first.

I'm going to look for Yi Huan.

Don't worry.

Yi Huan is now with Kang Xi.

Even if I find them,

I can only observe them quietly.

I'll inform you

so that you and Sister Xue can meet them.

She'll be all right with you staying by her side.

That's what we can do for the time being.

Thank you, Brother Ye.

Be careful.

Boss, you're awake.

How's your injury?

Don't move. It wasn't easy

to dress a wound like this.

So you're the one who bandaged my wound?

Yes.

No.

This is the first time I dress a wound for someone.

Don't laugh at me even if it doesn't look nice.

How could you take advantage of me while I was unconscious?

What are you talking about?

You were bleeding.

I couldn't just do nothing.

I swear.

I never thought of taking advantage of you.

But your skin is smooth and supple,

it's comfortable to touch.

Shut up!

What are you talking about?

Then why...

Why were you hugging me while sleeping?

Don't get the wrong idea.

You were injured, your hands and feet were cold.

I didn't know how to start a fire either.

Hugging you was the only way I had.

So many excuses.

I'm okay already.

You can leave now.

I said you...

Boss...

Are you okay?

Bos.

Brother Long.

Why am I feeling so dizzy?

You have a fever.

Come, lie down.

Right.

So cold.

Here, cover yourself.

You won't feel cold after covering up.

All right.

Brother Long.

I need some water.

Water?

Water...

Wait, I will get some water.

Drink slowly.