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[Nirvana In Fire II]

[Episode 29]

His Majesty is arriving!

Greetings, Your Majesty!

Court chant!

Long live the emperor!

Court chant!

Long live the emperor!

Court chant again!

Long live the emperor!

Officials, rise.

His Majesty...

The former emperor entrusted His Majesty to the old prince.

It shows his absolute trust in His Highness.

He definitely trusted him.

But most importantly, he wished to protect him.

Protect him?

My father doesn't actually know much about politics.

The former emperor didn't really mean for him to act as a regent.

He made this decision as a concession to give my father the identity

of a regent who is entrusted with an orphaned emperor.

Isn't the old prince's original title enough to keep him safe?

My father is old with many great merits.

Without my brother in the Imperial Court

the former emperor was worried about my father.

Why?

I should get ready.

I need to make time for a trip back to the capital.

We just inspected southern Gan Province.

Now, Ning Prefecture and Mount Fei.

You've been meeting with commanders in various camps.

Do you think you're made of steel?

A round trip to the capital will take at least four months.

How can I not get it all arranged?

I know what you mean.

But hasn't it been very peaceful here at the northern frontier?

Don't you find it unusually quiet?

Some very minor details could be easily overlooked.

Not only do the other camps need to be cautious

but ours in Gan Province will have a lot of places to look out for.

I'm not as sharp as you are.

But as long as you tell me what to look out for

I'll be sure to leave nothing uninspected.

What is it? Aren't you coming with me to Jinling?

You still have an old father at home in Jinling.

For me, there's nothing left.

When I dream of it on some nights, I don't even know what I miss about it.

Honestly, you did impress quite a lot of people

by enduring hardships in the army.

But, Yuan Qi, you need not prove anything to yourself or anyone.

Whether you come with me or not, I'd like you to think about that.

Sure.

My home in Jinling or the city at the frontier.

Where should I eventually settle down?

It is indeed about time I think it over thoroughly.

[Gan Province]

Uncle.

An Ru, Empress Dowager summoned me over so urgently.

Is something wrong?

[Xun An Ru, niece of Xun Bai Shui] I didn't ask, so I don't know.

It's good not to ask about it.

An Ru...

Of all the family members in the Xun family

Empress Dowager has always favored you.

She's summoned you over for a short stay in the palace.

You've been tutored on some basic regulations, right?

Yes, Uncle.

I have faith in you.

It's just that from now on

you must remember to consider Empress Dowager your priority.

Uncle, thank you for your advice.

I will surely abide by it.

[Royal Changlin Manor]

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

Your Highness.

News from the northern frontier.

Is Second Young Master coming home?

What?

Is Second Young Master coming home?

A new emperor was crowned, so he should make time to come back

to greet His Majesty.

When His Majesty came to greet me today, he said very happily

that Xiao Ping Jing of Changlin Manor is returning to the capital soon.

Did you know about this, my brother?

I certainly did.

After the Ministry of War was informed, they reported to the cabinet.

Didn't you tell me that once Xiao Ping Zhang was dead

Changlin Manor would be as good as half gone?

If we don't make use of this opportunity now

are we to wait until Xiao Ping Jing gains power?

I did have some plans in mind

to whittle down Royal Changlin Manor's influence.

However, the former emperor made a decree before his death

and it all became complicated.

Quite a few plans aren't appropriate anymore.

Xiao Ting Sheng rarely joins any political discussions.

You've been the Cabinet Minister for over 10 years now.

Could you not even tackle Prince of Changlin in politics?

That isn't what I meant, Your Highness.

According to the old prince's title

we'd have to get His Majesty to make a decree if we wished to tackle him.

However, filial piety and benevolence come first in Great Liang.

It's only been a few days.

We're already trying to tackle the veteran subject

entrusted by the former emperor to look after His Majesty?

Your Highness, think about it.

Does His Majesty still hope to uphold a good reputation or not?

Your Highness.

Where exactly are you going after you leave Mount Langya?

How long will you be gone?

You didn't tell me very clearly.

How can I not be worried?

I'll be honest with you.

I've always had the ambition to be like the legendary Emperor Shennong

to travel across all the states and taste every plant.

I wish to compile my findings into a pharmacopoeia.

I know it's a feat that I might not accomplish in a lifetime.

Since I can't be a wife who stays home and obeys my husband's every word

why would I make myself a burden to anyone?

I know that you're someone of ambition and insight.

Someone as carefree as Ping Jing would have suited you the best.

However, things have changed.

There's now this grudge between you.

He's also burdened with the responsibilities

of the Royal Changlin Manor.

I don't know what to say right now.

What's lost is lost. Just let it be.

I still have my duties as a doctor.

It's hard to say when I will be able to return.

Sister Meng, please do take care.

Take good care of yourself.

Just see me off here.

[Jifeng Hall]

Ping Jing used to stay away from home all year round in the past as well.

I've never seen you behave like this.

I don't know why I'm acting like this either.

Somehow, I think that the past year has been quite different.

It seems to be... much longer than any other year.

It's different now.

He's the General of Subjugation.

He has to report to the Ministry of War first.

He might only get home when all the lamps are lit.

I understand.

All right now, get up.

Ping Jing... get up.

If we are to be so upset whenever we meet

it surely isn't what your brother, Ping Zhang, would have wanted.

Didn't you come here so that you could be alone?

What is there to be frightened of?

Those are all your confidants down there?

I've worked hard out here at the frontier for a year.

I can at least win over a few subordinates who are loyal to me.

Can Your Grace be content with just a couple of followers?

I haven't seen Father for a year and your hair is already all gray.

Is it?

You've been like this since you were a child.

Whenever there was something that you couldn't endure

you'd find a place to hide.

What do you think?

You've been hiding for more than a year.

Have you thought things through?

I knew deep down that I was just putting the blame on her.

Yet I still can't face Lin Xi.

If the same mindset applies to Father and Qian Xue

I believe neither of you would want to see me again.

What a silly child!

That! I did it for your brother.

Eat up.

You're too slow!

I can tell that since we last parted ways

you haven't slacked off in your training.

Some people are born lucky.

He was born with a father and brother who would risk their lives

to save his future.

Someone like me who can only look after myself...

what right do I have to slack off?

Speaking of which

do you really think that Xiao Ping Jing was just lucky?

You've made a good decision to train in the camp at the frontier.

However, all the famous generals in history weren't just born lucky.

They need to be gifted.

Haven't you been able to figure out after a year

the difference between you and Xiao Ping Jing?

His Majesty was just given the throne.

He is sure to feel frantic even if he is accompanied.

When you visit the palace tomorrow

be sure to keep him company for a while longer.

- All right? - Yes.

I've also brought a little something from Gan Province for His Majesty.

His Majesty has always been very close to you since he was a child.

This isn't bad at all.

But times have changed.

Right now, you are his subject and he, your ruler.

When you interact with him, be sure to have a sense of propriety.

Ping Zhang told me off once.

I understand.

Tell me. Talk to me about the northern frontier.

I knew that Father would ask

so I went through all the security measures at the northern frontier

before I set out from Gan Province.

Father, give me a moment.

Uncle, you're right.

Indeed, I'm not gifted like Xiao Ping Jing is.

Perhaps, it was all destined.

I was born to be just an ordinary man.

All these years when I've refused to remain mediocre

I was just trying to deceive myself.

No...

That isn't what I meant.

You're much more capable than Xiao Ping Jing in many ways.

Why would you compare your weaknesses to his strengths?

You already got, in one year, everything there is to get

from being at the northern frontier

Life out here in the camp at the frontier isn't the one you seek.

Look for an opportunity to return to Jinling City.

Uncle, you're advising me to return to the capital?

Is it because you truly care about my future

or are you using me to take care of some matters in Jinling?

You asked me back then

how Eastern Sea State plans to benefit from this.

I said you weren't qualified to ask me that.

In fact, even now, you're still not qualified.

It's just that now you have some potential to make the first steps.

A new emperor just took the throne, so there are chances everywhere.

Do you intend to stay at the frontier as General of Subjugation's subordinate?

I'll return to Jinling City sooner or later.

It's just that I can't simply sneak back there without a word.

Before Xiao Ping Jing left

he said that it was quite weird at the northern frontier.

You also just said that he's naturally gifted.

Since he's already made such a prediction

it surely can't be wrong.

The bigger the trouble is at the frontier

the more opportunities I will have.

Since I haven't figured out the situation yet, I won't leave right now.

All right then.

We'll give it some more time.

Give it some more time?

Could it be that you're also staying here?

That is how it is at the northern frontier now.

Father, what else would you like to know?

Sit. Take a seat.

Yes.

The nation of Great Liang was in mourning.

That counts as an opportunity.

Never mind Northern Yan.

It can't even fend for itself.

However, Great Yu has been so quiet.

They didn't even once try to invade the border.

That does seem quite weird to me.

It is indeed unusual.

I tried my best to find out the reason behind it.

The main reason is that they have an internal conflict.

An internal conflict?

About a year ago

Great Yu wanted to recreate the March Saver Crusade singlehandedly.

It didn't happen.

Although they retreated in time and only lost 30,000 men

their commander, Ruan Ying, was still dismissed from his position.

When I got back home from Gan Province

I received some unverified information.

Qin Ling Shuo, Prince Kang of Great Yu...

He's now the commander of their royal army.

Qin Ling Shuo, Prince Kang?

Exactly.

I see...

If he's the new commander

you can't afford to stay in the capital for too long this time.

Am I right?

Qin Ling Shuo has been known to be battle-hungry.

A new commander also needs to establish a reputation.

The soonest, half a year.

The latest, about a year.

There are sure to be unexpected changes at the northern frontier.

I just wanted to visit Father...

before war breaks out again.

Your Majesty.

What I just reported are the matters discussed in the cabinet.

We have also submitted a written report.

All that is required is Your Majesty's consent and seal

to announce it.

Sure.

Your Majesty.

General of Subjugation, Xiao Ping Jing, has come to greet Your Majesty.

He's waiting outside the hall to be summoned.

Uncle, thank you for your hard work.

Since the cabinet has made a decision, I'll approve it soon.

- Summon the General of Subjugation! - Summon the General of Subjugation!

Yes!

I'll take my leave.

Your Majesty.

Your subject, General of Subjugation, Xiao Ping Jing, greets Your Majesty.

Don't stand on ceremony!

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Cousin Ping Jing, you've finally returned.

Your Majesty is now the ruler of a nation.

I'm afraid that... you should no longer address me that way.

Everyone is nagging me every day.

The etiquette of an emperor. The prestige of an emperor.

I'm so bored!

Even you're preaching to me?

The Imperial Garden is beautiful in spring.

Why don't I take a stroll with Your Majesty?

Just what I had in mind!

Your Majesty...

- Come! - Your Majesty...

Cabinet Minister.

Master Qi.

Come on over.

Cabinet Minister seems to be greatly troubled.

I wonder what has been troubling you these days.

Nothing really.

It's just that when I greeted His Majesty today

I ran into the General of Subjugation.

I can't help but recall a matter from the past.

A matter from the past?

Xiao Ping Zhang used former Emperor Wu Jing's badge

to deploy a troop of Palace Guards.

Honestly speaking, Cabinet Minister

many officials were shocked to see such a huge army deployed

right in the suburbs of the capital.

However, the former emperor didn't take it to heart.

It's now all in the past.

I believe no one is concerned about it or even remembers it now.

Cabinet Minister, you mean...

We now have a new emperor.

Shouldn't we re-establish the Royal Palace Guards?

Your Majesty is now older.

The strength in your arms has improved.

That isn't exactly a very good result.

Why don't you just stay in the palace and teach me archery every day?

If I stay in the palace

who shall safeguard the northern frontier for Your Majesty?

Can't I just send someone else?

You certainly could.

However, it won't be easy to decide who to send

or if that person will do well.

On the throne, Your Majesty's most important task is to know

how to choose and use the right people for different tasks.

Will you visit the palace again tomorrow?

If Your Majesty summons me, I'll visit anytime.

Ping Jing?

Brother Xun.

It's only been a year.

I barely recognize you.

Brother Xun, you haven't changed much at all.

How long will you stay this time?

I'll pay respects to the former emperor's mausoleum first.

Then my father has many Changlin Army tasks to entrust to me.

I'll need at least a month or two to finish all of that.

According to the rites, we can't start a war during national mourning.

You just have to take security measures at the frontier.

There are commanders at every Changlin camp.

You have a deputy commander in Gan Province as well.

Why are you in such a hurry to leave?

My father is the commander-in-chief of Changlin Army.

I have to obey his orders.

Brother Xun, you must be on duty.

I won't stay to chat.

We'll meet up another day to catch up.

Why would you suddenly wish to re-establish

Royal Palace Guards in the capital?

I just think that we need to plan ahead for His Majesty.

We need to rid the area near Jinling of the Royal Changlin Manor's influence.

We have to establish new Royal Palace Guards

who answer only to His Majesty.

This is a very crucial step to take.

It's best to start now rather than waiting until later.

Will this plan work?

A new emperor is throned and establishes his Royal Palace Guards.

There is a precedent in history.

However...

It's not a usual practice.

It's not a trivial matter to disband the existing troops

to recruit new ones.

His Majesty is young

and Prince of Changlin was appointed to assist him.

I believe that he won't consent to it easily.

My son wants to establish his own Palace Guards

and he still needs Prince of Changlin's approval?

Your Highness.

What is the point of running off at the mouth

just to vent your frustrations?

If His Majesty could do whatever he wanted

why would we both still be so anxious?

Your Highness, the pressing matter at hand

is to think of a way to make His Majesty bring this up

to Prince of Changlin personally.

I dreamed of the former emperor last night.

He asked me what our son has been doing recently

in governing the nation.

I never interfered with any political matters in the previous reign.

I couldn't answer right away.

The former emperor was disappointed.

I often miss the former emperor.

I do dream of him at times.

But he has never asked me about that.

Why don't you tell me?

Then it will be easier for me to answer the former emperor.

The daily state affairs are all discussed by the cabinet.

They then report to me.

A copy of the report is delivered to Changlin Manor.

If there's no objection

I'll have the Prefect of Insignia and Credentials stamp the seal.

Is there nothing that you can decide on your own?

All matters of the Imperial Court are serious political issues.

I have to think and listen to more opinions

and learn from them.

My child.

Although you have yet to govern the nation independently

there are matters that your subjects shouldn't interfere with.

For example, the Imperial Clan's Royal Palace Guards.

They serve directly under the emperor.

They abide only the emperor's commands and no one else's.

Speaking of which

when do you plan to establish your own Royal Palace Guards?

Mother, what did you say?

Father.

I have something for you

before you pay your respects to the former emperor tomorrow.

Bring it to his tomb and report it to him.

What is it?

Wait here.

Yes.

I promised the former emperor

that my previous visit to the northern frontier would be my last.

Ever since I had to watch my own child die

I've felt that anything can happen.

There's no time to lose.

Father.

Father!

Changlin Army is a tremendous responsibility.

I can't take on such a responsibility yet!

Four years ago, your brother, Ping Zhang, was named

Deputy General of Changlin Army.

I handed him this military tally.

When he was in charge

the prestige of Changlin Army never fell.

Haven't you said

you'd take over all the burdens that Ping Zhang once carried?

What is it?

You're scared to take it?

Ping Jing...

Lift your head up and look at me.

I'm handing down to you this military tally

because both your brother and I think

that your talent and willpower make you fit for this responsibility.

Don't you have faith in yourself?

I will certainly do all that I can so as not to let you and Ping Zhang down.

Ping Jing...

From now on, you shall command our men with this tally.

Be it through flames of war or blades in battles

the men of Changlin will surely follow you.

However, at the same time, you mustn't forget

that as their commander-in-chief

with great power comes great responsibility.

Every military command that you make from now on

has to be worthy of this heavy burden that you carry.

It has to be worthy of the trust that our soldiers at the frontier

and the people of Great Liang, have in Changlin Manor.

Father's words of advice...

I shall bear them in mind.

Royal Palace Guards.

Why would Your Majesty suddenly ask me about that?

Some time ago, my mother asked about it.

I'm quite puzzled.

I wonder what the precedents are.

Since our nation was founded

except for the three reigns of Xian Wen, Xian Guang, and Zhao Ping

there were Royal Palace Guards.

They are a separate division from the Imperial Guards

and they serve directly under the emperor.

However, every emperor had a different approach to it.

Some followed the precedent.

Some established new troops.

Some only renamed them.

There were some who disbanded the army and recruited new guards.

Certainly, this is entirely up to the emperor to decide.

There isn't a fixed regulation.

I see.

When my mother asked me about it

I thought that it was something I had to do after taking the throne.

Empress Dowager probably asked about it

because both Emperor Wu Jing and the former emperor took actions

after they took the throne.

Oh?

As I said, during the reign of Zhao Ping

there weren't any Royal Palace Guards.

After Emperor Wu Jing took the throne

he immediately disbanded the militia troops stationed around the capital.

He re-established the Royal Palace Guards.

After the former emperor took the throne

he divided Nan An Palace Guards

into the two camps of Mount Wei and Cuifeng.

That was how the Palace Guards continued to exist.

As for this matter, the cabinet should have reported it to Your Majesty

to ask for your opinion.

However, I think that the old prince of Changlin won't agree to it.

So I didn't bother to bring it up.

Why wouldn't Uncle Ting Sheng agree to it?

Your Majesty.

A new reign should have a fresh start and a fresh look.

It's just that the old prince is too old.

He might not like anything new.

Moreover, he's used to having two divisions.

It's easier for him to deploy.

He isn't willing to make alterations.

Certainly, this is only natural.

When did Uncle Ting Sheng deploy the Palace Guards?

Could Official Xun have speculated all this?

Yes... I've speculated at will.

Please forgive me, Your Majesty.

Uncle Ting Sheng is on medical leave right now

so it's best for me not to impose on him.

When he attends the Imperial Court

I will ask him about it.

Yes, Your Majesty.

[Royal Changlin Manor]

Your Highness.

Second Young Master has been home for almost a month.

You still haven't told him about your illness.

Old Hall Master Li has to sneak in here at nights to take your pulse.

I'm afraid... this isn't quite right.

I fought battles for years. This is just a chronic illness.

It's not serious.

Am I right, Brother Li?

Uncle Yuan, listen up.

Ping Jing has just taken over Changlin Army.

He has much to do.

He's leaving in a few days.

You're not to talk too much and make him worry. This is nothing.

Yes.

I'm tired.

Brother Li, thank you.

Uncle Yuan.

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