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[Nirvana In Fire II]

[Episode 14]

Subject Xiao Yuan Qi... greets Your Majesty.

Yuan Qi.

You've been informed of your mother's actions?

Yes.

I am well aware of them.

Out of the former emperor's five sons

only your father and I share the same mother.

However, his actions back then jeopardized the safety of the frontier

and caused numerous deaths.

There wasn't a chance that he could be spared.

I've had the imperial verdict, written by the former emperor

shown to you.

What do you really think about it?

My mother always just stayed home.

Her husband was everything to her.

She only cared about personal grudges but not justice.

I've been brought up with teachings of the palace.

Looking into her sins, I find it hard to defend her.

Your Majesty...

However gravely she might have sinned, she is still my mother!

I beg Your Majesty to show some mercy and allow me to bring her corpse home!

Allow me to bury her and let her rest in peace!

Yuan Qi...

Your mother held intense hatred in her heart.

She plotted the death of Consort Shu and the imperial heir.

Despite this grave crime she committed, you've been spared from punishment.

It's because of the imperial bloodline that you carry.

Do you understand that?

I do.

According to the rites

the grandson of the former emperor shouldn't bury one guilty of treason.

If you insist on asking His Majesty to let you do so

you have to relinquish your identity as a member of the Imperial Clan.

You have to choose between the two.

You... must think this through very carefully.

Uncle Ting Sheng...

Your Majesty!

My mother gave birth to me and raised me!

My father's clan is the origin of my identity!

To choose between the two...

How am I to make that choice?

I truly do not know how to choose between the two!

That's enough.

Since you won't choose one, I will do it for you.

Your mother's sins are unforgivable, so she can only be buried in the suburbs.

No tombstone is to be erected.

No offerings are to be made.

Marquis of Laiyang is demoted to a third-rank marquis.

Yuan Qi, I'll allow you to mourn for three months within your manor.

After three months...

You're not to violate the regulations.

His Majesty is very lenient.

Yuan Qi, express your gratitude.

Your Grace, have you decided not to mourn for your mother?

Exactly.

I'm incompetent.

Not only can people just come and go freely in my manor

but I also failed to protect my mother's life.

If you're here to kill me...

Go ahead.

Kill you?

Why would I kill you?

Guru Puyang and the future of Great Liang

are all closely related to Your Grace.

If I kill you, there's nothing to be done.

Your life is very precious to me.

Whatever it is you're plotting

I don't believe a word of it.

You have no reason to help me.

You're at least half a descendant of Eastern Sea State.

If my nation gets to benefit from this plan

is that reason good enough to convince you?

Eastern Sea State intends to benefit from helping me?

You're not yet fit to ask such a question.

That day, you said...

There's much potential in me and I could make good progress.

How can I improve?

Useless scum.

Get up!

Don't even think about it.

You won't ever get the chance.

If you wish to die, say so already.

That will save me the risk of staying in the capital for you.

Both your parents are sinners.

You're destined to have lost your position

in the Imperial Court of Great Liang.

Your last hope right now is to train in martial arts with me.

Get up!

Ping Jing, although Ping Zhang left you at my disposal

you really don't have to patrol the palace every day.

If you find it boring, find a spot and get some rest.

If anything comes up, I'll send my men to fetch you.

Brother Xun...

Yes?

How old were you when your father passed away?

I was five years old.

Why would you suddenly ask me about that?

I'm used to having my father and brother by my side.

I really never thought of how I would be if I were alone.

I know that everyone has always pampered you.

What is it? You're still not content?

It's not that.

I visited Yuan Qi today.

He's encountered such great misfortune.

It's normal that he's having a hard time.

However we might empathize with him, it is still up to him how he handles it.

If he can truly let it all go and move on...

I hope so.

But I've said a bit too much to him today.

I hope he won't think too much about it.

Don't worry.

Time will heal all pain.

I'm sure that he can move on.

Don't be too worried.

Everyone avoids this manor like the plague.

There's not much risk even if you stay here for a bit longer.

The emperor of Great Liang has sent his envoys

in return to visit Eastern Sea State.

They will surely ask to meet me in person

to confirm that I indeed returned to my country.

Besides, Jinling City isn't a place for me to linger.

I should be heading back now.

My mother wrote in her note that on the Eastern Sea State side of the family

you're actually her older cousin.

Indeed.

Uncle, rest assured.

I'll train diligently without rest.

Puyang Ying was at least right about one matter.

What I need now is capability and patience.

Although we're making use of each other

Puyang Ying is different from both of us.

He has nothing to worry about.

He cares for nothing.

He's simply seeking revenge.

It's best for you to acknowledge that.

I understand.

Your Highness!

There is a courier report from the cabinet.

Uncle Yuan.

Did you make a mistake?

Is it not a military report?

It isn't.

It's a courier report.

Why was the report from a courier station sent to Changlin Manor?

Ping Zhang?

Speak.

It's the list of Northern Yan's envoys.

Their fifth prince is visiting Jinling personally this time.

The fifth prince?

He's the legitimate son of Northern Yan's king.

It seems that their civil war is a lot worse than what we were informed.

But, why did they send the Imperial Court's courier report to us?

With their prince as the envoy, the bodyguards can't be ordinary.

The bodyguard escorting the prince to Jinling

is the third son of Northern Yan's Prince Han Hai.

Tuoba Yu.

Tuoba Yu?

The successor of Han Hai Swordsmanship.

He's only 26 years old.

Yet he's already fifth on Langya Hall's Pugilist Ranking.

The cabinet seems to have developed a new rule.

Once they notice a ranked fighter from Langya Hall, they put us in charge.

What exactly is the matter in Jinling City these days?

Duan Tong Zhou, Marquis Mo Zi, and now, Tuoba Yu?

The Langya Hall ranked fighters are coming here one after another.

It seems as if someone is behind all this manipulating the situation.

It seems to be purposely arranged.

This is purposely arranged?

Could that be possible?

Uncle Yuan, is Ping Jing in the manor?

He seems to have gone out.

Now that Eastern Sea State's issue is resolved

that lad is off idling around again.

Why did you ask for him?

I'm assigning some tasks to him.

Prince Hui and Tuoba Yu have now passed Plum Ridge?

Yes, Mentor.

That was what Mister Duan told me.

The list of envoys was just delivered to the capital two days ago

and they are already half way here?

It seems that Northern Yan is really getting anxious.

Mentor, should we ask Mister Duan to keep a closer eye on them?

On the contrary.

Prince Hui can't do much on the way here.

Tuoba Yu isn't just some ordinary man either.

Tell them to head here first.

Have them await my instructions near the capital.

Yes.

Pull hard with your right arm.

Harder.

Good, continue.

Keep your shoulders even.

Good, steady.

Steady.

Good.

Good, go--

Isn't this harder than it seems?

There's no rush.

You'll improve if you practice diligently.

Again.

I heard you. Step down.

Hold it well.

Your Majesty.

Cabinet Minister seeks an audience as summoned by the decree.

He's already waiting in the front hall.

Yes, I did summon him over today to discuss Northern Yan's visit.

It actually slipped my mind.

Practice on your own.

It's much warmer this year.

The flowers are blossoming so well in the garden.

Spring colors fill the garden.

I'm feeling a bit lazy now.

Since he's the empress's older brother, summon him here.

- Yes, Your Majesty. - Yes.

Isn't it much better now?

Didn't you say that your brother gave you some tasks?

Why do you still have so much time on your hands?

It's nothing important.

He said that I know more people than he does.

He's asked me to gather information on Northern Yan.

You know many people?

Exactly.

I know many of Langya Hall's dove message collectors all across the lands.

Marquis Mo Zi was here.

Why would Tuoba Yu matter?

But my brother is just always so meticulous.

Tuoba's family is the most prestigious family and nobility in Northern Yan.

I thought that according to Langya Hall's regulations

Han Hai Swordsmanship can't make it on the ranking?

Tuoba Yu is only the third son of Prince Han Hai.

He isn't a royal official.

Judging from what you said

Langya Hall only answers questions concerning the fighting world

and wishes to stay away from politics.

But it now seems that it's hard to draw a fine line.

They say, "All who trained in skills wish to contribute to the kings."

Most skilled fighters are usually somehow related to the governments.

How can a fine line truly be drawn?

I wonder what made Old Hall Master Lin set this new regulation.

Northern Yan has sent their legitimate prince here for a peace treaty.

The terms that they listed are also very generous.

Now, this fifth prince has been officially conferred as Arch Prince Hui.

According to the etiquette of Great Liang

we should move up a rank in welcoming the guest.

Should we give Crown Prince a chance to gain some experience?

Well done!

Yuan Shi! That was shot quite good!

Thank you, Father.

Crown Prince is still too young.

Besides, he doesn't need to gain any experience yet.

Just assign the first born prince of Changlin to accompany them.

Yes.

Although the negotiation of a peace treaty isn't considered

a military affair and should be handled by the cabinet

Ping Zhang is hosting the envoys on behalf of the crown prince.

He can't be oblivious to the details.

From now on, a copy of the negotiation must be sent

to the Royal Changlin Manor every day with new updates.

Yes.

Look!

Your Highness.

The cabinet sent these copies over.

Ping Zhang, it's such beautiful springtime weather today.

Aren't you going to take Qian Xue for a stroll?

Do you think that I'm like you?

How would I have that much time?

You're right.

Why do you have nothing to do?

What about the tasks I assigned you?

They are all done.

It's all in here.

Since you had them all in one report, you must have read through everything.

What are your thoughts on Northern Yan's current situation?

It's the trend of the times.

Just like raging torrents that broke the dam.

It can't be stopped.

There's a slim chance for Northern Yan's royal court to redeem the situation.

It now depends on the emerging Prince Hui to stabilize the situation.

However, the situation in Northern Yan won't affect Great Liang anyway.

It's best for us to just observe.

By the way, Ping Jing...

Ping Jing!

I have more tasks for you!

Second Young Master.

Commander Sun.

I thought that you weren't coming.

I promised to train with the guards of the Patrol Force.

How can I go back on my word?

This way, please.

Who are those men?

They are from the seven major ranches outside the frontier.

They visit the capital with New Year's gifts every other year.

It's a long journey for them, so they usually stay until mid April.

New Year's gifts?

For whom?

They provide war horses to the Imperial Court.

They should have some contacts here in the capital.

It's normal for them to make some visits during the holidays.

Head over to Fulai Inn where they are staying.

Inform those men from the ranches.

They are in His Majesty's capital, not outside the frontier.

Tell them not to gallop around on horses.

If anything goes wrong, Patrol Force will have more work to do!

Yes.

This way, please.

These are the terms that the cabinet agreed to?

They think that it's good enough to have reached these terms

for the alliance of Great Liang and Northern Yan.

The cabinet is here in the capital, far from the frontier.

They don't know the situation as clearly as we do.

It's not their fault.

But I know what it is that Father has always wanted.

This is such a good opportunity.

We mustn't miss it.

- Mentor. - Supreme Master.

What is it?

The seven major ranches are returning on April 16.

Should I return with them again this year

or remain in the capital for further instructions?

The situation in the capital is unclear until the envoys of Northern Yan arrive.

We should wait.

Yes.

It's already very late. You should go to bed.

I have to hand this in to the Imperial Court tomorrow.

It will take me some time.

I'm not sleepy yet.

I'll keep you company.

Your Majesty.

The border of Great Liang and Northern Yan has always been

the south ridge of Mount Cheng Wu.

This time, Northern Yan suggested withdrawing their army

to the north ridge and marrying their princess to us.

They proposed to sign a treaty

to cease all invasions and form an alliance for all eternity.

We think that since we already have the powerful Great Yu as our enemy

patching things up with Northern Yan will relieve tension at the border

and bring us many benefits.

Please approve of this alliance, You Majesty.

Official Xun, that being said, this is now a concern for the military.

Ting Sheng, what's your opinion?

Your Majesty, I have no objection against cordial relations

between Great Liang and Northern Yan.

As for the terms proposed by Northern Yan--

Your Highness.

Marital alliance and the withdrawal of troops are great terms.

Master Xun, you might not be aware.

Although it's named the south ridge of Mount Cheng Wu

it's actually not even steep.

It's not a strategic location.

Therefore, their base camp has always been in the north ridge.

There's no withdrawal of troops at all.

Your Majesty.

Apart from that non-existent term

Northern Yan actually plans to marry a princess to us.

I don't know how this appeals to Your Majesty.

I understand.

Northern Yan is just tricking us.

They just want to marry a princess to us.

Fine.

But we have to add a condition.

Northern Yan is caught in civil war. What can they have to offer?

Hard to tell.

Your Majesty.

It's always been hard to breed war horses in Great Liang.

Ours aren't as strong as those of Great Yu and Northern Yan.

Moreover, most of them are sourced from private ranches

who purchase Western Wan Ferghana horses from Yeqin State.

They are collectively trained before provided to the Ministry of War.

Not only is this extremely costly but also hard to breed for generations.

I think that we can use this chance to ask Northern Yan

for 500 stud horses.

We can manage the Imperial Court's ranch on the lushest meadow of Lan Province.

The military camp of Changlin Army in Lan Province can manage it.

In a matter of years, it will make a huge difference.

As for the details, I've drafted a proposal.

Your Majesty, please have a look at it.

Great idea.

What is the opinion of the cabinet?

Your Majesty...

The war horses are to be deployed by the Ministry of War.

It's not quite appropriate for Changlin Army's camp

in Lan Province to manage it.

It just happens to be close by.

If Master Xun has a better candidate for it

than our military camp in Lan Province

you can voice your reasons and recommend him to His Majesty.

I don't find it inappropriate for Changlin Army's camp

in Lan Province to manage it.

Besides, such details can be discussed later.

Official Xun.

The cabinet will be in charge of negotiating the peace treaty.

As for the first born prince of Changlin's proposal

you must have it listed.

Yes, Your Majesty.

All right now, Father.

Before I left, I reminded Xiao Xue to supervise him.

Not even Xiao Xue could sit tight.

It's no wonder that Ping Jing is bored.

You were already assisting me with work at the age of 15.

He's 21 years old and yet he can't even concentrate. Look!

Who is it?

It's me!

Father. Ping Zhang.

Why have you come home?

If we didn't return home until tomorrow

were you planning to sleep until then?

I only had a nap.

Besides, I finished reading all the reports Ping Zhang gave me.

You've read them?

- Yes. - Fine.

Tell me about them.

None of them are interesting.

But this one...

The condition listed for Northern Yan's alliance.

Withdraw their troops to the north ridge?

Isn't that just a bluff?

- Ping Zhang. - Yes.

The condition we added to the treaty in the Imperial Court today

wasn't approved by Master Xun although he didn't say it.

However, the reform of war horses is beneficial to the Imperial Court.

Why should the cabinet object to it?

The cabinet objects to having Changlin Army's camp

in Lan Province manage the war horses.

Forget it.

Perhaps, I have been too sensitive.

The Imperial Court wishes to run their own ranch?

Yes.

After the old prince added that condition

the cabinet, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Revenue

have been deep in discussion.

That's good.

Let those ministers debate it.

That gives me time to think about making use of this opportunity.

Take a look to see where the men from the major ranches are staying.

Yes.

This is where Father stores his official documents.

Be careful.

Don't make a mess.

Ping Zhang, what would you like me to search for?

The invoice for the Imperial Court's war horse purchases.

It seems that Father isn't overly sensitive

about the cabinet's weird attitude.

You have two days.

You're not to sleep on the job this time.

Master Xun, be careful.

I'm all right.

Changlin Army's camp in Lan Province?

The celestial signs were right.

What do you mean by that, Guru?

The celestial signs are obvious.

It's not only so at my White God's altar but surely also at the Astronomy Bureau.

It's just that no one dares to tell the truth.

It doesn't matter if we keep this a private chat between us.

However, I'd never admit to saying this if we were out in public.

The General Star is too bright.

Its radiance is outdoing that of the Purple Star.

The fate of the stars has dimmed.

This is an inauspicious sign?

It depends.

If it is someone of the General Star, this is a very auspicious sign.

I've always worshiped the White God and cultivated my mind.

I never meddled in politics.

It's just that I'm indebted to the empress for acknowledging my talent.

How can I do nothing about this?

I'll just say a few more words.

Today, they can control the ranches.

Tomorrow, they can take over the granaries.

Once His Majesty is used to such ways

wouldn't the rule of not having military officers interfere with politics

be nothing more than a bluff?

Master Xun, I'll take my leave.

Guru, please wait!

I've heard from the empress many times about how knowledgeable Guru is.

You are someone to be trusted.

For the current situation

do you have any exceptional opinion?

It's best not to discuss this in an open space.

I've just ordered some new spring tea in Qiantian Yard.

Master Xun, if you have the time, would you care for some tea?

Sure.

Yes, for sure.

How is it going?

Ping Zhang, the invoices are all here.

These...

These are records of the Imperial Court's appropriation of funds and quantity.

Then there are these ones.

These are annual records of every major military camp's reports

to the Imperial Court of their required funds.

It includes the number of war horses.

As for these, they are records of the Ministry of War's

military funds used on purchases.

And the number of war horses.

Most of them were bought from those seven major ranches.

Ping Zhang, look at this.

This horse, bought from Northern Yue's ranch, is even pricier

than the one Great Liang bought directly from Great Wan.

Then there's this.

There was no war last year

but war horses were bought in two batches last spring and fall.

The cabinet is hesitant to consent to your proposal.

Could it not be related to this?

Indeed...

Major ranch masters and the local officials...

The Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of War...

All sorts of personal gains and interests are involved.

How could it not implicate the cabinet?

If we keep digging, I'm sure we can find the corrupted officials.

Who said that I'm going to keep digging?

Ping Zhang, you told me to look for the records. Isn't it to--

I just wanted to confirm my suspicions.

I wanted to know why the cabinet objected to our proposal.

You've been cooped up here for two days.

Tidy all these up and go meet your friends.

Ping Zhang, what do you mean?

Are we just going to ignore the possible collusion of officials?

How do you want to handle this?

Local administration and the duties of the six ministries are political affairs.

In Great Liang, military officials don't interfere with politics.

First of all, nothing has gone wrong yet.

Second, the cabinet didn't object outright to Father's proposal.

Third, unless His Majesty assigns us to investigate

how is the Royal Changlin Manor justified to supervise officials?

I think that Father can--

Ping Jing.

It's because of Father's prestige and his command of military power

that the Royal Changlin Manor has to act cautiously.

If we can't even regulate ourselves and simply act as we wish

how can we blame others for their misconception of us?

Although the Royal Changlin Manor made it all sound so sensible...

by leaving it to the cabinet to recommend a better candidate

Prince Hui of Northern Yan will soon arrive.

In a matter of just 10 days

how could the cabinet find a better candidate

than Changlin Army's camp in Lan Province?

I believe that you must have also come to this conclusion.

The terms listed by Northern Yan are beneficial to the Imperial Court.

There's no reason for the cabinet to object to such terms.

Honestly speaking, I'm also very tempted by those 500 war horses.

I don't intend to object to the terms.

Compared to an overall secure Imperial Court for the crown prince

these are but small interests at the moment.

However, you're right.

It will be hard to object to this proposal seemingly.

The key lies in doing so privately.

Privately?

Providing war horses for the Imperial Court is one huge revenue.

Master Xun, you won't be the only one who will be angry

to suffer such a huge financial loss all of a sudden.

I know that Ping Zhang's words make sense.

Changlin Manor isn't the Censorate which gets to supervise all issues.

We're not entitled to monitor all officials.

We can't investigate officials based on our instincts.

If we ignore our boundaries and just investigate whatever we want

it will just turn into our privilege although we mean well.

We'll just end up beating the system.

But now...

we've already discovered the malfeasance and yet we turned a blind eye.

It's not that difficult to investigate.

Those people from the ranches are now in the capital.

We just need to follow the clue and seize the culprit.

This is so frustrating.

Whenever politics are involved, there are conflicting issues.

There's just no solution to certain matters.

That's why I always say the fighting world is much more carefree.

It's comfortable and easy.

The fundamental solution would be to stop

Prince Hui from getting into the capital.

How can we stop him?

From what I know

those from the seven major ranches are all in Jinling City.

Guru, you mean...

We should make use of those ranches?

Exactly.

However, the content of Northern Yan's proposal

is a confidential document in the cabinet and can't be revealed.

Should anyone learn of this--

Fortunately for the empress's fondness

the followers of Qiantian Yard still visit to pray very often.

It's easier to pass on information here.

Master Xun, don't worry.

You will never be implicated.

His Majesty has agreed to reconcile with Northern Yan.

This is the emperor's decision as well as the general trend.

If we fail to get hold of the situation

and end up causing a conflict between two nations

I'm afraid...

Northern Yan is powerless to go against Great Liang at the moment.

Master Xun, if it were in the past

Northern Yan would never agree to the Royal Changlin Manor's condition.

However, do you know why the old prince is so sure of it?

Lin Xi, you're considered an outsider.

Be a judge of this.

If there are rules in the Imperial Court

there are also standards we resort to in the fighting world.

Ping Zhang is unwilling to supervise those officials.

That's fine.

I'm half a fighter anyway.

I'll investigate this case in private.

It shouldn't cause any trouble, right?

That sounds quite reasonable.

But Ping Zhang won't allow it.

I won't be able to get any help from Changlin Manor.

I'm just one man with a pair of eyes.

I can't keep watching them around the clock.

Didn't you say that you know many people?

I can't send the dove messengers...

I know who to ask for help!

Thank you.

[Fulai Inn]

As you expected

after the ranch masters got hold of the information

they became very nervous.

When they were discussing it in Fulai Inn discreetly

I only had to provoke them a bit and they couldn't help but take action.

Two more batches of their men will arrive tomorrow night.

I believe that they will surely reach a consensus by then.

However, the Patrol Force has been watching us all this time.

What about the Royal Changlin Manor?

They didn't take any action.

It seems that they aren't going to meddle in this.

The young Prince of Changlin truly is very meticulous.

However...

I saw Second Young Master of Changlin at Fulai Inn yesterday.

Xiao Ping Jing?

Exactly.

Guru, do you need me to get him into a bit of trouble?

Don't bother.

Leave him be.

I'm only afraid that he won't take any action.

Yes.

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