Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available]

[Under the Microscope]

[Episode 9]

You must have heard about

the Silk Poll Tax case recently.

Yes.

The trial toShuai Jiamorrow

is to conclude a result

and close the case.

All of you are from Jin'an.

Why don't we go together toShuai Jiamorrow

as a bystander

to show concern for the people.

Sure.

Sure.

Magistrate Fang of Renhua County

and me

are here today.

We are good officials.

Clean officials.

As long as you're telling the citizens' need,

we will be kind to everyone.

Right?

The Silk Poll Tax,

if I say it exaggeratively,

at Shuai Jiamost

3,530 taels each year.

If the court

use this as an excuse,

you don't read the report,

don't you know the government

is going to make a exact measurement in the country?

If we admit it,

the court will be bold,

and be harder on us next time.

If we don't admit it

this time,

the court can only forgive us for

our difficulties.

Everyone here tonight is

the gentleman of Jin'an.

We must work together.

That's how it goes.

Yes.

Yes.

Cheers.

Master Fan.

See you.

Let's go.

Brother Fang,

how can you be so slow-witted?

The token that caused the arrest

of Shuai and Feng in Tongyang

was given by you

to the Jin'an Residence?

Yes.

This matter was supposed

to be done quietly.

Tongyang County would have given

to case to our Lanxi.

And I would have done it.

But now,

the case was intercepted by Huang Ningdao.

Now it has become trial of three counties.

There are

too many issues.

None of you have

told me in advance.

How can we say it out loud?

It involves Shuai Jiamo.

Can't you

use your brain?

You are hiding things from me.

Now,

you blame me?

Brother Mao,

why did the fire

burn the archives

in Lanxi?

You have to tell me the truth

so that I know what to do.

Of course

Shuai Jiamo and the others burnt the house.

It's written clearly

in the arrest document.

I see.

I see.

[Jin'an Office]

Here is the trial for

Shuai Jiamo and Feng Baoyu.

[Keep Silence]

They failed to complete the task

to check the account book in Lanxi.

[Jin'an Office]

Because of this reason,

he set fire in Lanxi's archives

which led to the precious books

burnt in one night.

Get out of the way!

Then he fled to escape punishment

and was arrested in Tongyang County.

Baoyu!

Daizi!

Today,

Magistrate Huang,

Mr.Liu,

have a trial with me.

We must investigate the truth.

In the court, it's fair and square.

Everyone should

tell nothing but the truth.

Liars will

be severely punished.

Shuai Jiamo.

Feng Baoyu.

Stand up and answer.

Do you two plead guilty

about the above statement?

No, no, no.

We were kidnapped and threatened.

Kidnap? Threaten?

This seems different

from the document.

No criminal

plead guilty voluntarily.

In my opinion,

we should hit him a dozen times

before he tells the truth.

Magistrate Mao, calm down.

Cheng Renqing.

Greetings, everyone.

I am Cheng Renqing.

I stick to the principle of

being reasonable and fair.

Stop talking.

Start now.

Feng Baoyu.

Shuai Jiamo.

Today is a joint trial.

The three imperial officials are mighty.

Each word and every sentence will be recorded by someone.

You must speak carefully.

If you make false statements,

it will be your guilty

in the future.

Do you think we are

as shameless as you?

Write it down.

Feng Baoyu disrespects the court.

[Righteousness]

Feng Baoyu,

just tell us your story.

Don't shout at the court.

Yes, sir.

On your order that day, Shuai

went to check the files in the archives.

At around 1pm,

I was kidnapped

on the street of Lanxi County,

by masked men.

After they kidnapped me,

they threatened Shuai

to stay where he is

and can't hand over the results.

But at night,

they kidnapped us

and tie us beside the archives.

They set fire to burn us to death.

What a ridiculous confession!

Since the masked men wanted to burn you to death,

why did the entire archives

was burnt down,

but you two

are still alive?

We escaped

by luckily opened the door.

That's strange.

Since you escaped,

why didn't you report it to the government immediately?

Instead, you fled overnight

and went to Tongyang County.

The masked kidnapped us.

It's contradictory.

The masked men

wanted to burn you to death.

And you said the masked men

kidnapped you.

I don't understand.

Whether the masked men

wanted to kill you

or they were practising running?

Gosh.

What a joke.

Why did the masked men

did this?

I don't know.

But what I said is true.

Let me ask you.

Who is this masked man?

It's Lu Feilong.

Who is it?

Governor,

Lu Feilong is the head of the police

in our county.

He is in charge of arresting criminals

and maintain the security.

You mean Lu Feilong

the police

kidnapped you two?

Yes.

And he burnt the archives,

and took you two

all the way to

Tongyang County and let you go?

Yes.

No.

He didn't mean to let us go.

Lu Feilong wanted to

kill me and Shuai

in the temple of Tongyang.

We escaped.

This is outrageous.

Why didn't he do it in Lanxi?

Instead he sent you to

Tongyang County and kill you?

Feng Baoyu,

you are a educated man.

Next time when you make up a story,

try to be convincing.

I...

Feng Baoyu.

Think carefully.

Feng Baoyu,

in your testimony,

you said

the masked man wanted to burn you to death.

And then you said

the masked man took you away.

Then you said

the masked man wanted to kill you

in Tongyang.

It's contradictory.

Which part should I believe in you?

Besides,

Lu Feilong

is the head of the Police Department of Lanxi County.

Why did he burn the archives

in his county?

What's his motive?

Yes.

What's his motive?

May I ask

the witness, Lu Feilong to come here?

Summon Lu Feilong.

I am Lu Fei Long, the head of the police of Lanxi County.

Greetings, Magistrate Huang.

Stand up and answer.

Thank you, Magistrate Huang.

Lu Fei Long,

where were you on the day of the incident?

I was having a drink at the restaurant.

It can be testified by the people in the restaurant.

OK.

I did see him that day

and said hello to him.

Mr.Liu.

Magistrate Huang.

Magistrate Mao.

The truth is clear.

Lu Fei Long

is quite famous

in Jin'an's territory.

In terms of threatening and kidnapping,

he must be capable.

But

he has no motive or time.

So what Feng Baoyu said

were all made up.

No.

Lu Feilong had time.

When Shuai and I fell off the cliff

and hid in a farmer's house,

he even went after us.

Someone in Tongyang County

must have seen Lu Feilong.

You're so funny.

Lu Feilong is the head of the police.

His duty is to arrest the criminals.

You can escape to Tongyang County.

Why can't he go to Tongyang County?

Magistrate Deng from Tongyang

can testify.

As soon as Lu Feilong entered the country,

he reported it to the county government.

Lu Feilong had no motive to

burn the archives.

Shuai and I didn't either.

Still won't give up?

I have no choice.

I can only invite another person

to the court.

Approved.

Be careful.

Be smart.

Your daughter and grandson

are still at home.

I am the official of Lanxi archives.

Greetings, officers.

Stand up and answer.

Thank you.

Here, sir.

In front of the officials,

tell us what you saw

and heard

that day.

I'm ordered to guard the archives.

Since the investigation,

they have always opened the door in the morning.

They checked the storage and

left at sunset.

I will lock the door then.

When it was time to close the door that day,

I told them

to leave.

But Shuai jiamo didn't leave.

He said he was waiting for someone.

Not long after,

a gentleman came.

Is this gentleman in the hall?

It's Feng Baoyu.

Nonsense!

You never saw me

at the archives.

Mr. Feng closed the door

after entering the archives

and didn't let me get close.

I thought they had things to do,

so I left for dinner.

Why did they

break the order

to stay in the house at night?

I don't know.

I only heard noises.

I can't hear clearly because my hearing is not good.

I can only heard something they were arguing.

I only heard that

they didn't have time to check the fish-scale map register.

And they didn't know what to do.

They also said something like don't implicate into this.

They seemed to complain to each other.

Then, I saw a candle lit inside,

so I reminded them.

But they kicked me out.

He's lying.

Who is lying?

He is lying.

I have never argued with Baoyu.

I didn't delay

the progress of the investigation.

He said

when Baoyu and I were arguing,

I mentioned the fish-scale map register,

and said we had no time for it.

That's impossible.

My job

is to investigate tax accounts.

The fish-scale map register records

the land situation.

It's not the same

as what I supposed to check.

I would never say that.

He might have heard it wrong.

He said it just now. His ears...

No.

Someone else is looking for the fish-scale map register.

Who is it?

Inspector Liu sent

to help me.

Actually,

they didn't help me at all.

Once he entered the archives,

he went straight to the fish-scale map register.

He probably wanted to know

the land in Lanxi County.

This has nothing to do with the case.

No.

It's related.

This old man

must have seen those two bookwriters

looking for the fish-scale map register,

so he thought that Shuai and I

were looking for it.

What's funny is

you have no idea

what they were checking is totally different

from what Shuai was checking.

Inspector Liu,

please call back those two bookwriters.

They spent every day

with Shuai.

Ask them

and you'll know whether Shuai

have touched the book.

Inspector Liu,

how about calling back

the two bookwriters

and let them come up and talk.

Alright.

I heard from the government

that Fang Shixiang

didn't even get a main seat.

He just standed by,

and didn't even get the main seat.

Guys,

do you think Fang Shixiang

deserve to be an official?

Does he deserve it?

No.

Let me ask you two.

Have you seen Shuai Jiamo touched

any documents

other than taxes?

No.

Are you sure?

I've never seen

such a determined person.

He stopped moving as soon as he sat down.

Until sunset,

he kept reading

and counting.

Do you mean

Shuai Jiamo

calculates the taxes all the time

and he never touched

the fish-scale map register?

Governor,

what he's investigating

has nothing to do with that book.

I see.

The official of Lanxi County's archives.

Tell me,

how did you hear

Shuai Jiamo fight with others?

He must be senile.

Cheng Renqing,

everything he said

doesn't count., right?

It doesn't count.

Do you hear me? It doesn't count.

Note it down.

It doesn't count.

How dare you

made up lies for no reason

and tricked us officials?

How despicable!

Guards!

Take him away and flog him ten times.

Please!

Please spare my life!

Please!

Who ordered you to

lie here?

Tell me.

Say it.

Magistrate Huang,

he lies can only prove

that Shuai Jiamo and Feng Baoyu

didn't quarrel.

But it can't prove

the fire in the archives

has nothing to do with them.

It can't explain why

they fled after the accident

and went to Tongyang County.

Cheng Renqing,

stop fooling around.

His testimony is fake.

Then Shuai Jiamo

has no motive

to burn the archives.

Maybe he accidentally moved the candle.

Cheng Renqing,

how dare you say something ridiculous

in front of me?

Guard!

Drag him away.

Flog him ten times!

Please forgive me!

Please!

Feng Baoyu, Shuai Jiamo.

After investigation,

there is no evidence of the burning archives.

I declare that you are innocent.

How could this happen?

What should we do this time?

Well...

If we are innocent...

Hurry up.

Magistrate Huang!

Magistrate Huang.

Since the old guy was lying,

it can prove

what we just said

is true.

The one who kidnapped us

is Lu Fei Long.

Lu Feilong?

He got someone testified for him.

The time doesn't match.

As for who ordered him to lie

and set fire to the archives,

we'll investigate it later.

Shuai Jiamo,

I want to ask you,

have you completed the task

that Mr. Liu give to you?

The source of the Silk Poll Tax.

Did you find out?

Yes.

Magistrate Huang.

The trial today

is about the fire case.

Since you have decided

they are innocent,

they should be dispersed.

Why are you talking about

the Silk Tax case?

Magistrate Mao,

regarding the Silk Tax case,

some people in Jin'an

are putting some obstacles here.

That's the reason

of the fire case.

They seems irrelevant,

but actually related.

If we clarify

the truth of the Silk Tax case.

Everything will be solved.

We should call

the other magistrate

if you want to purpose this.

They should be present.

I, the Inspector of Jin'an,

set up a prosecutor for this case.

Can't I investigate the case

without others?

Shuai Jiamo,

have you found any evidence?

Evidence?

They were all burned.

The archives in Lanxi County

is the most well-preserved

and the oldest one.

Now that it's burnt out,

the other counties

are hard to find the evidence.

But I've figured out

another way that

can also prove

the origin of the Silk Poll Tax.

Tell me now.

We just need to find out

the White Book of taxes and corvée of Renhua and Lanxi.

The White Book of taxes and corvée?

Your Excellency,

may I have a word with you?

Magistrate Mao.

What is this for?

Please have a seat.

The White Book of taxes and corvée

is not appropriate to demonstrate

in public.

Why?

You know that the Yellow Book of taxes and corvée

is to show to the court.

But the facts of a county

are all written

on the White Book of taxes and corvée.

And all the affairs of a county are written on it,

these are the lifeblood of a county.

But why can't we

show it to the public?

This is very useful,

but it is

against the court's law.

Counties

won't show it to the court,

and the court will

turn a blind eye to it.

Everyone knows how it works.

If we let Shuai Jiamo

show the White Book to the public,

it's hard for us to do it again

in the future, Magistrate Huang.

In that case,

Magistrate Fang, Magistrate Mao,

show Shuai Jiamo

your White Book

and let him check it.

Sir.

Sir,

it's impossible.

Lanxi's White Book of taxes and corvée

is burnt.

Magistrate Mao, you must be joking.

The White Book of taxes and corvée is not a formal document.

It won't be put it in the archives.

You...

We can't take it out anyway.

If you want to threaten us with your power,

we can report to the Ministry of Personnel

and the Censorate,

to ask the royal agent to impeach you.

Right?

Magistrate Fang.

Magistrate Fang.

Why are you still sleeping?

I just

attend as a nonvoting delegate today.

Magistrate Fang,

we need to

see the White Book

of your county.

The White Book of taxes and corvée?

The eight counties are in the same boat.

The eight counties are in the same boat.

But…

Which counties?

And which county should step forward

and which county should retreat?

Magistrate Huang.

Inspector Liu.

Although I am not supposed to give opinion,

I also know

what's going on.

The Silk Poll Tax

is related to

the welfare of our people in Renhua.

If Shuai can find out the problem and mistake

of this case,

I'd rather

give up my official title

and support the case.

It's only the White Book.

It's not a big deal.

Okay.

It's so hot today.

Did you hear that?

Magistrate Fang gave up his official title

to help the people.

Good.

-My Lord. -Good job.

-My Lord. -Good job.

Good job.

Good job.

-Good job. -Good job.

[Xiyuan Door]

-Okay. -Okay.

What are you doing?

Move aside.

Move aside.

[Xiyuan Door]

Here comes Lord Ma.

Move aside!

[Jin'an County Office]

[Chief Prosecutor of Fengxing Ma Wencai]

The chief prosecutor of Fengxing,

head of the inspection team,

gendarmerie Ma is here.

Uncle Fan, how have you been?

Before, my nephew

was a new graduate.

You are now an eminent personage.

Thanks to your guidance, Uncle Fan.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have become who I am today.

I have something important to do.

Commander Ma.

Commander Ma.

Everyone.

Commander Ma.

Commander Ma.

What brings you here,

Commander Ma?

Nothing serious.

I just heard that

the Silk Tax case

is bubbling with noises recently.

There are many discussions about it.

I am the head of the inspection team,

of course I have to ask.

We are discussing this matter now.

You've come a long way.

Why don't you rest in the back hall first?

We'll talk about it later.

No need.

I'll sit next to Magistrate Huang.

It's been years.

Brother Cheng.

How have you been?

Have a seat.

Let's continue.

Shuai Jiamo.

Where were we?

We need to check

The White Book of taxes and corvée of Renhua and Lanxi.

Yes.

What do you think?

I've sent someone

to retrieve the White Book of taxes and corvée .

Magistrate Mao, what about you?

I'll send someone to fetch it.

But it takes one day

to travel back and forth.

Magistrate Mao, no need.

When I was in Lanxi,

I had someone write a copy.

It's in the Censorate.

Just send someone to get it.

Why didn't I know?

-How dare you... -Magistrate Mao.

It's my duty

to record those documents.

Magistrate Mao,

you have something hidden

and dare not to show us?

How about this?

Officer Ma,

you must be tired

after such a long way.

Everyone and I

have been discussing this

for the whole morning.

Next,

we'll have to wait for the White Book to come.

I announce we

rest for the time being.

We'll discuss this in the afternoon.

Magistrate Fang is out.

Magistrate Fang!

Magistrate Fang!

You are finally here for us.

Magistrate Fang.

Our Great Lord.

Be careful.

-Magistrate Fang. -Magistrate Fang!

Magistrate Fang.

You are really our Great Lord..

You are the Great Lord.

-Thank you. -Magistrate Fang.

You really help the people.

You are a good official.

Magistrate Fang.

Hey.

What's going on?

Didn't you hear that?

The people are cheering for you.

They say you are the Great Lord.

The Great Lord?

Thanks a lot.

When did I become

the Great Lord

You are!

You are the Great Lord.

Yes.

Magistrate Fang!

Magistrate Fang.

Alright.

Magistrate Fang.

Magistrate Fang is here.

Magistrate Fang.

You are really a good official who upholds justice for the people.

Lord Fang.

Magistrate Fang.

The Great Lord.

The Great Lord.

From now on,

you are Lord Fang.

Go get the White Book

as soon as possible.

OK.

Master,

what you did in the court today...

Mr. Mao and Master Fan

won't be happy.

I have already told the things

and done the things.

I don't care.

Well,

what about the Eight County Alliance?

I'm the magistrate of Renhua,

of course I have to speak

from Renhua's point of view

and speak for the people.

Magistrate Fang.

You're against us, aren't you?

You're clearly going against us.

Magistrate Mao.

Why are you so loud?

I...

Have you thought it through?

Am I going against you

or Master Fan?

Is there any difference?

That's a big difference.

If I go against you,

we are discussing the official business.

If I go against Master Fan,

that's nothing.

As I think,

your career is about to end.

If it ends, then I quit.

That's better than being a dog behind others.

You...

Magistrate Mao,

we are

appointed by the imperial court.

We can't

always do as what others say

and follow them

like dogs.

We don't have

the dignity of being an official.

Magistrate Fang, are you talking

about being an official?

Okay.

Today,

I'll tell you about how to be an official.

I'm better than you.

You've been doing nothing these years.

Don't tell me that

less is more.

Yes.

I admit that I made a lot of mistakes

in Lanxi.

I fawned on Master Fan.

But with him as my backup,

I built three bridges

and five barns.

Even the roads from Lanxi

to Jin'an

was built by me.

Yes, in these aspects,

I'm not as good as you.

All of you

are children of the officials.

You are all from noble families.

Even the worst is from a scholar family.

You can be noble.

Unlike you,

I'm from a poor family.

There's no man in my family.

My mother worked so hard

to support me to reach the position of magistrate.

I have no backer in the court.

I don't know anyone in Lanxi.

I don't rely on Master Fan.

What can I rely on?

I can use my fists.

Magistrate Mao.

Water can carry a boat and overturn it.

Don't you

understand this?

Of course I know.

Magistrate Fang, if you quit being an official,

you can teturn to the countryside.

You can still be a rich person in the village,

playing rocks

and riding horses in your free time.

What about me?

If I resign,

my mother and I

will have nothing.

If I want to be successful,

I have to work.

If I want to do something, I have to rely on someone's power.

But how can I pay it back

if I owe someone?

Conscientiousness

is all I have.

Alright.

Magistrate Mao,

I've heard what you said.

Good.

Brother Fang,

what I just told you

is trying to

make the point that

I can't afford to lose.

In this case,

I'll risk my life

to fight for a fair result.

Fang,

you usually play with rocks

instead of knives.

Don't you know

the weight of Guanwang sword?

You have to use all your strength

to lift it up.

Like people used to say,

if you cut it,

you won't be able to regret it.

Whether it's right or wrong,

there's no way back.

Kill!

See you in the afternoon.

Ma Wencai

must be invited by Fan Yuan.

He's up to no good.

Master Fan

has quite a lot of connections.

Ma is a prosecutor.

But Fan can still ask him to come.

Don't underestimate

these noblemen.

They are not easy to deal with.

Fan Yuan

used to be an official.

He's familiar with many

relatives in-law,

old friends, and officials.

They are enough to weave a big net.

If you stab him,

the whole net will cover you.

Ma Wencai will definitely question this Silk Tax case

in the afternoon.

We need to figure it out.

Now that the Shuai has been acquitted,

Magistrate Fang has openly turned to us.

The Eight County Alliance

has broken.

In the afternoon,

if I say this case is wrong,

you should immediately talk about

the thing of

measuring the fields again.

If you say it,

our task is done.

Jiamo,

look,

the Feng family sent someone to deliver food.

How can they only deliver meat but no vegetables?

Here.

Eat.

The trial is about to begin.

Where is your friend?

Why isn't he back yet?

Where did he go?

I don't know.

He is just

a playboy for fame.

Jiamo,

it's very lucky for you to be annouced innocent.

It's a narrow escape.

Listen to me, in the future,

do not

get involved in this again.

Here, have some soup.

Have some soup.

We have chicken soup today.

They said

eating chicken head can cure nut.

Shuai Jiamo

is not a nut at all.

If anyone is not convinced,

let him compete with Shuai about counting.

One big arthmetic nut

and the other is also a arthmetic nut.

Is this not nut enough?

When brother Song

sent this chicken here today,

he said he asked someone to find

an excellent doctor

specializes in treating nuts.

The medical fee is very expensive.

It's okay.

I'll take care of

the money.

I remember my mother said,

eat more chicken heads to cure nuts.

You...

What else do you remember?

I still remember

you sent me chicken.

You took my father and me

into the archives.

[Archives]

Is this the house

you want to see?

All kinds of books

and maps

in the world

are here

waiting for someone to read them.

It's such an important place.

Without my permission,

no one else can

let you in.

Don't you remember

too much?

Not enough.

Not enough.

What's wrong is wrong.

It must be corrected.

Your obsession character

is really like your father.

I've done my best.

Duncheng,

why are you so happy working?

Ren,

Mr. Song.

I heard you're here, measuring the land.

I want to take a look.

This field

here under the Wugong pond

is the most weird field in our county.

I measured it three times

to get the final result.

Ten acres and six-point.

It's exactly this number.

It proves

my promotion.

Great!

[Steps]

Duncheng,

I think we should

measure the four sets again?

No, I'm very accurate.

Your ruler is a bit old.

It's loose.

Yes.

This is the repair fee.

Come on.

Let's measure it again.

I think

nine acres is enough.

That's too much difference.

How much do you want?

I'm not talking about money.

I mean the area of the fields.

Think about it.

If you really write it down,

it's too different

from the number in the fish-scale map register.

As long as someone compare it,

he will know

what the problem is.

Duncheng,

use your rope

to shrink the edges

and keep the shape.

This is

prohibited by the law.

The land is ten acres,

you're going to change it to nine acres.

You have to pay taxes in the future.

You will pay much less.

Duncheng,

you are the most accurate man

to measure lands in the government.

Who would doubt you?

Even the magistrate

wouldn't come here

to check it.

To be honest,

this place

belongs to the Fan family.

The money

was also given by them.

Fan family?

I've measured four land

for the Fan family.

The land I measure this month

are all their land.

How much land did they buy?

Who can count it clearly?

Both parties are even.

They give us the money,

and we are happy.

Why not help them?

Hurry up. Put it away.

-What are you doing? -No.

-Duncheng. -Listen to me.

I can't accept the money.

If the magistrate finds out…

What's the matter with you?

In this generation of the Fan family,

there are two provincial graduates and one metropolitan graduate.

There are still officials in the court.

The magistrate wants

to fawn on him.

He won't provoke them.

Abundant harvest.

Abundant harvest.

Abundant harvest.

Abundant harvest.

Abundant harvest.

Abundant harvest.

Abundant harvest.

Abundant harvest.

Jiamo.

Jiamo, are you stupid?

Why didn't you hide?

Duncheng,

how can you give him a good future

with this amount of salary?

How much does it cost

to cure his illness?