Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available]

[Under the Microscope]

[Episode 12]

Mistress!

Mistress, slow down!

What are you doing?

Stop!

Mistress!

What are you doing?

Move!

What are you doing?

What are you doing?

Don't fight!

Folks,

they’re kidnappers.

They’re kidnapping

Renhua County’s benefactor.

This is Shuai Jiamo, folks.

They want to kidnap Shuai Jiamo.

We're from the Jinqu Military Defense Circuit.

Are you trying to revolt?

Soldiers from Quzhou

came to Renhua to make an arrest?

Isn’t that atrocious?

It's atrocious!

He helped us!

You can’t humiliate him

in Renhua!

-Let him go! -Let him go!

Take him away!

Move!

Move!

Back off!

Magistrate Fang is here!

What are you doing?

What do you want?

Magistrate Fang.

We're here on Commander Ma’s orders

to arrest him.

Why didn’t you

inform Renhua County Office

before

coming to make an arrest?

This is against the rules.

I must inform you that

Prefect Huang and Inspector Liu

have been stripped of their positions.

They are under house arrest and awaiting sentencing.

Commander Ma has taken over all matters of defense.

He took over defense,

not governance.

Are you sure you want to go against Commander Ma?

This is Renhua's territory.

Shuai Jiamo

is a citizen of Renhua.

As the County Magistrate of Renhua,

what,

do- do I

have- have to

bend to others' will?

Well said!

Well said!

-Release him! -Release him!

Guards.

Take Shuai Jiamo back to the county office.

-Bravo! -Bravo!

Thank you, Magistrate Fang!

Magistrate Fang is wise!

A lifetime of wisdom!

-Bravo! -Bravo!

Move!

-Out of the way! -Out of the way!

Listen up, people!

The Military Defense Circuit has ordered the eight counties

to stop field remeasurements,

effective immediately.

-Bravo! -Bravo!

Thank you, Commander Ma.

-Bravo! -Bravo!

Congratulations, Commander Ma.

After this battle,

your reputation has spread.

We all got what we needed.

You don't have to congratulate me.

As long as Shuai Jiamo

is punished,

this big problem

would have ended well.

Yes.

But...

Shuai Jiamo was taken away

by the Magistrate of Renhua County.

His backers are gone,

how dare he intervene at this juncture?

He doesn't dare to go against you directly,

that's why he is

egging on the people of Renhua.

I'm afraid

if we take him by force,

it'll cause a revolt.

I'll go get him myself.

Alright.

Magistrate Fang.

Why are you

harboring a criminal

and resisting the Military Defense Circuit?

Please judge this fairly, Commander Ma.

How dare I do that?

I just want to know

what crime Shuai Jiamo committed.

He is guilty of trespassing,

falsifying documents,

slandering the government, and inciting civil unrest!

I have decided to sentence him

to be executed in public

as a warning to others.

Do you have a problem with it?

I-

I don't.

Well sentenced, well sentenced.

I'll write a letter immediately

to report it to the capital.

Why report it to the capital?

Commander Ma,

I have to follow the rules.

You should know that in the provinces, death row cases

must first be reported

to the Ministry of Justice for sentencing.

Then, it must go through the Censorate's examination,

the Court of Judicial Review's approval,

and the Three Judicial Offices' confirmation before it can—

Do you think this is my first day

being an official?

After His Majesty's decision,

the convict can only be executed in autumn.

Why don't you come again in autumn?

You're talking about delayed executions.

Shuai Jiamo's crimes are grave.

I'm sentencing him to an immediate execution!

The execution will happen today.

Our dynasty has always advocated for the cautious use of punishment and and empathy for convicts.

If you are in such a hurry,

your judgement will be lacking

in benevolence.

Magistrate Fang,

you've always been

a clever judge of circumstances.

Why have you suddenly become confused?

You keep trying to protect Shuai Jiamo.

What's in it for you?

It won't do me any good.

He is a citizen of Renhua,

and I protect the people of Renhua!

Statue Fang,

Statue Fang.

Do you know

this nickname was given to you

by those people you said

you want to protect?

Yes.

There's something you don't know.

I was born timid.

I don't care about being a righteous and reputable official,

or the support of the people.

It's too troublesome. It's all vanity.

I just hope

to be like stone,

to safely

and quietly

fulfil my duty as a County Magistrate.

That's it!

Isn't that great?

But ever since

the people of Renhua

started thinking that I am protecting them

and stopped calling me

by that nickname,

I began to think

that vain reputation is a pretty good thing.

Just like this

smooth stone in my hand.

It is safe,

but in comparison,

aren't those gnarly and strange stones

more interesting to behold?

Enough!

Stop talking nonsense.

Fang Maozhen.

You're just a county magistrate,

don't you know

your limits?

Do you really want to be

a hero who pleads for the people?

Anyway,

the Military Defense Circuit has the right to

try criminals and sentence them to an immediate execution!

Magistrate Fang, please don't delay it!

Then,

please write the proposal.

I'll reply to it immediately.

How many days will it take you?

Ten days!

Ten days?

The circulation of documents within a Prefecture

may take five days at most.

If you dare say ten days,

I'll write a memorial immediately to criticize you!

Five- five days it is then!

Master.

I have

never seen you so decisive.

Well done—

Go get a piece of red sage for me.

Okay.

Hurry up!

Hurry up!

[In the river without sand reefs]

Father,

the medicine is ready.

Take it and rest early.

I'm here!

Assistant Magistrate Ren!

Young Master.

Assistant Magistrate Ren,

I have something to say to you!

Young Master!

It's late.

Let's talk tomorrow!

Let them in.

Father.

Let me ask you again.

Do you know

the whereabouts of the Complete Works of the Silk Event?

I'll answer you solemnly

one more time.

I do not.

Do you know

this is a matter of life and death?

Shuai is going to be tortured to death!

No, Assistant Magistrate Ren, tell me!

Assistant Magistrate Ren!

Assistant Magistrate Ren!

Assistant Magistrate Ren.

We've known each other for a long time.

You've been working for Jin'an Prefecture

for over 40 years.

You have devoted yourself to the people,

and your reputation as a capable official is known throughout Fengxing.

I really

admire you.

Mr. Cheng,

I know you have a sharp tongue.

You don't have to

show off your skills with me.

I'm telling the truth.

[Chongde Village, Qingyan Mountain]

Assistant Magistrate Ren, it's late.

At your age,

you're still thinking about flood control.

Your diligence

is rare and valuable.

Wancheng has much water and little land.

If we don't manage it diligently,

harvests will be poor.

Flood control has been difficult since ancient times.

But I'm afraid in Jin'an,

even if we gave it our all,

it's still far from enough.

What do you mean?

Although I'm not familiar with flood management,

I've heard about it.

The schematic for flood management

can’t be achieved

without several tens of thousands of taels, right?

43,600 taels.

43,600 taels.

So precise.

Looks like

this schematic

has been on your mind

for a long time.

If the construction goes underway,

who will pay for

such a huge expense?

The Ministry of Works will allocate some funding,

and the local gentry will donate a sum of money.

As for the remaining 80%,

naturally,

it will come from Wancheng County's taxes.

Taxes will definitely not be enough.

It's inevitable that you will have to implement

a dam tax and corvée for a few years

to make up that sum.

That's why

I dare not start the project.

The burden on the people has been pushed to the limit.

Adding even a little more will cause a collapse.

Back then,

I didn't want apportionment of the silk tax

for this reason.

Assistant Magistrate Ren,

you hold Wancheng's white book of tax and labor.

I think you should know the situation

better than I do.

The gentry

and rich families

occupy large areas of fertile fields,

but they pay little in grain tax, if at all.

The commoners

have no land to farm,

but must bear such heavy burdens.

May I ask

if this is fair?

This is the law of the imperial court.

There's nothing I can do.

Assistant Magistrate Ren.

We both know what the situation

in Jin'an is like.

Shortening rope while measuring fields,

registration of land under false names,

improper distribution of tax burden,

failing to disclose land ownership, and falsified household registers.

How many illegal means

do the gentry have?

The rich

are filthy rich.

Why would the government

try so hard

to wrench every last coin

from the poor?

Isn't that ridiculous?

Don't say that.

Many affairs in the counties

require donations from the gentry.

Of course the gentry need to donate!

They appropriate 100 mu of fields

and hide away 50 mu.

Then, they donate

100 taels of silver

and they will have a good reputation.

Even I would cash in

on such a good deal.

Mr. Cheng, what are you trying to achieve

by saying so much to me?

I sincerely believe that

you care about the commoners,

and that's why you dare not increase the taxes.

But if you can't build

this dam,

your people

will continue to suffer because of the floods.

What is the crux

of your dilemma?

For a few thousand taels

of the Silk Poll Tax,

you dared to step forward.

However, for these tens of thousands of taels,

you dare not act.

Am I right?

Assistant Magistrate Ren.

I believe you're a good person.

But your conscience

is like this dam.

It's a piece of mud

that can never realize itself!

Mr. Cheng.

Don’t try to sway me

with your sophistry.

Assistant Magistrate Ren!

I'm a playboy,

I don't understand the suffering of the people.

I can't speak of

any grand principles.

But I only have one good friend

in Renhua!

I beg of you.

Please help him.

Please help him, please!

I don't have

many contacts in Renhua.

When it comes to friends,

you're the only one.

This is called the Complete Works of the Silk Event.

I wrote it.

[Complete Works of the Silk Event]

[Art of Gathering Projected Steps]

I have no more regrets

now that I have entrusted this book to you.

Thank you.

[Complete Works of the Silk Event]

A- Assistant Magistrate Ren.

Assistant Magistrate Ren.

-Assistant Magistrate Ren! -Assistant Magistrate Ren.

-Assistant Magistrate Ren! -Assistant Magistrate Ren!

Assistant Magistrate Ren!

Help!

-Help! -Help!

Assistant Magistrate Ren!

Father!

Old Master!

Father!

Wait!

My father asked me

to pass this to you.

[Complete Works of the Silk Event]

Old Master!

Father!

Renhua County.

Lanxi County.

Tongyang County.

This book is a record of

all the gentry in Jin'an

who had shortened their ropes while measuring their fields

20 years ago.

Take a closer look.

Who is involved

in every transaction?

[Song Ren]

[Song Ren]

Assistant Prefect Song, Song Ren.

Isn't it clear now?

Fan Yuan is in the village,

Lu Feilong is in the wilds,

Mao Pangfeng is in the county,

and Ma Wencai is in the circuit.

Shouldn't someone

also be put in place

in Jin'an,

so that there is communication across all levels

to facilitate their collusion?

Assistant Prefect Song

hid himself well.

Although these records

are all ofcases Song Ren had handled

over 20 years ago,

when he was a clerk at the Revenue Office,

if we expose them now,

they'll still be shocking cases.

I see.

This is why they are bent

on silencing Shuai.

There's no time to lose,

we must split up.

I'll go to the provincial capital first

with the Complete Works of the Silk Event.

What about me?

Go back to Renhua immediately

and try to stall them.

Even if he gets to the execution grounds,

you must stall them

until I get back.

No, you-

Make yourself clear.

I don't understand.

If this works,

naturally, you will understand.

If this fails,

there's no use for you to understand.

Cheng Renqing.

I didn't expect you to be

a nice person.

[Relay Station]

Excuse me.

Old Master.

Eat something.

You've lost weight from hunger.

Five days.

The deadline of five days will be up soon.

The people from the other counties

are still waiting at our gates.

You don't have to

blame yourself for this.

You have done

everything you could do.

If only I were as determined as him,

that'd be great.

I should have resigned long ago

and gone home to admire rocks.

But it's too late for me now.

How unfortunate.

Pack them up.

Let's go send

Shuai Jiamo off.

[Renhua]

Do you remember what I told you?

Commander Ma.

It's time.

Summoning Shuai Jiamo!

Summoning Shuai Jiamo!

Summoning Shuai Jiamo!

Summoning Shuai Jiamo!

Summoning Shuai Jiamo!

Over there.

He's here.

[Renhua]

It's this criminal!

He instigated

the apportioning of the Silk Poll Tax.

It's him!

He instigated the government to increase our taxes!

He will die a horrible death!

There's not a single good person

in Renhua County!

Kill him!

Bastard! You're despicable!

Making dirty money!

You have no conscience!

You should be reincarnated as a beast!

You've done something wrong,

but you don't want us to speak up about it.

That doesn't make sense, does it?

-Right. -Yes.

He should be executed by a thousand cuts in public!

Execute him!

Yes, execute him!

Execute Shuai Jiamo!

It's a mess!

This-

This is trouble- troublesome.

Don't-

Don't act rashly.

Don't-

Stop-

You all-

Stop shouting.

The outsiders

attacked our magistrate!

Come on!

Look at Magistrate Fang.

Why are you

pretending to be a good magistrate?

Commander Ma.

If this continues...

it'll be too embarrassing.

The people of all the counties

have accumulated many negative emotions

these past few days.

It's time to vent.

Look.

Stop- Stop- Stop-

Hurry up!

Move!

I only knew that Shuai Jiamo

was a master of arithmetic and yin-yang philosophy,

but I didn't know he would be so fearless in the face of death.

He's truly heroic.

It's extraordinary.

Commander Ma.

This-

This is ugly.

If- If this goes on,

we'll miss the timing for the execution.

Then

suppress the crowd.

Alright.

Suppress them!

Quiet!

Kill him! Kill him!

Kill him! Kill him!

Kill you!

Kill him!

Now,

the crowd has been suppressed.

Old Master.

Shall we go down?

Go down?

Go down to supervise the execution?

The people will never let me

hear the end of it.

I- I'm not going down.

[Execute]

Shuai Jiamo of Renhua County

meddled in business that didn't concern him,

made use of the Silk Poll Tax

to fabricate a plaint,

deceived the public for his own gain,

and misled the people.

Father,

you died so miserably.

What happened?

How can you leave like this?

Father!

-Stop!- Stop!

Criminal!

You damned criminal!

Father.

Do you see that?

The criminal is going to be executed!

Your Excellency!

I’m the son of Ren Yi,

the Assistant Magistrate of Wancheng.

My father passed away a few days ago.

He was benevolent

during his lifetime,

but could not see the criminal get executed with his own eyes.

That's why I have come.

Assistant Magistrate Ren.

Why did you die just like that?

You are

the benefactor of the people of Wancheng!

Last month, you brought people

to build a dam for us.

Why is the world so unjust?

Why did you leave us so soon?

Assistant Magistrate Ren!

Silence!

Commander Ma.

It'll be too late

if we don't go ahead with the execution soon.

Assistant Magistrate Ren was reputable.

It's hard to convince the public

not to pay tribute to him.

Thank you, Commander Ma.

A lifetime for a human

is merely one autumn in the life of a plant.

Ren Yi has died,

but he still has the love and support

of his people.

I'm touched.

-Old Master... -Rest in peace.

You've done so much

for the people of Renhua.

They will miss you too.

-I hope so. -Go ahead.

One day, if you- you leave too...

Me? Leave?

Where am I leaving for?

You're leaving too.

You leave.

Assistant Magistrate Ren.

Let me kowtow to you.

Alright,

hurry up!

Don't be so wishy-washy.

Alright!

This is the last one!

Last one!

Last one!

Finally.

Commander Ma.

We can execute him now.

Otherwise, it'll really be too late.

Alright.

Assistant Magistrate Ren!

Are you done?

Why are you dead?

Baoyu?

You died miserably!

Why did you leave?

Feng Baoyu?

The dam you promised me

isn't built yet,

Old Mister Ren.

Let's go.

Assistant Magistrate Ren!

Get up.

Shut up!

Old Mister Ren!

Feng Baoyu!

You-

No.

Come here.

This man is making trouble deliberately!

Feng Baoyu.

You're running out of tricks.

Are you wasting time?

Are there reinforcements coming?

Song Ren, you old bastard.

How many people

do you want to kill?

Feng Baoyu!

You're lucky

I'm not executing you

together with Shuai Jiamo!

What are you doing here?

Song Ren.

I haven't

run out of tricks yet!

This-

Listen up!

I have something to say!

Feng Baoyu!

Are you trying to break him out of the execution grounds?

I, Feng Baoyu,

am a student from Renhua County!

I filed the case of the Silk Poll Tax

together with

Shuai Jiamo!

Why is he the only one getting executed,

without me?

Why?

Feng Baoyu.

Kill me!

Baoyu–

Young Master.

No! No!

No! No!

Feng Baoyu!

Kill me!

The government let you off,

but you want to seek your own doom?

Commander Ma.

What- What should we do about this?

Execute them both.

Commander Ma.

Let me remind you.

Executions

need to be reported to the Ministry of Justice for review.

It is already a trangression to execute Shuai Jiamo.

If you execute Feng Baoyu as well...

We need to prepare another document.

If something goes wrong,

we will...

Hurry up and draft the document.

Guards!

Yes.

Get my seal.

Yes.

You’re asking for it

so I'll give you what you want.

Young Master!

Here, write the document.

How could he do this?

This is too hasty.

Is he a fool?

This-

Let him go.

He's really pulling out all the stops

for your friend's sake.

How valiant and brave,

I admire him.

I'll die if you come.

I'll die if you don't.

Why are you doing this?

I'm here to save you.

If I can't save you, we'll die together.

Didn't you do the same thing at the Archives?

[Criminal Shuai Jiamo]

I'm afraid

there won't be any surprises this time.

There will.

What?

Cheng Renqing and I

found the Complete Works of the Silk Event.

Where is it?

He took it to the provincial capital.

Wancheng is 200 li away

from the provincial capital.

Renhua is 330 li away from the provincial capital.

How did he go there?

On horseback, of course.

Five and a half days.

He needs five and a half days to get here.

How- How can it be five and a half days?

Why is there an extra half day?

Shuai, try again.

Cheng Renqing would never

lie to me.

It's impossible to travel faster

or to shorten the distance.

I always ask you

to do more sums on distance.

If you had listened,

you wouldn't have miscalculated.

Five and a half days.

He won't make it then.

The seal is here.

[Display the heads of the evil criminals, Shuai and Feng, in public]

Alright.

It's done.

It's done.

Commander Ma.

Five and a half days.

Open it.

Shuai Jiamo and Feng Baoyu

from Renhua County

meddled in business that didn't concern them,

made use of the Silk Poll Tax

[Jinqu Military Defense Circuit, Ma Wencai; Assistant Prefect of Jin'an, Song Ren]

to fabricate a plaint,

deceived the public,

and misled the people.

They are also suspected of transgressing their station and inciting a revolt.

Renhua and the various counties are shocked by this,

and the mountains and rivers

are shaken.

Now, to pacify the chaos

and appease the people,

the criminals' heads will be displayed in public.

♫ The sun sets in the west mountain ♫

♫ Dawn ♫

♫ I'm picking tea in the mountain ♫

♫ Waiting for you to come ♫

♫ Listen to me singing a tea-picking song ♫

Commander Ma.

It's time.

It's three quarters past noon.

Proceed with the execution.

[Order]

Baoyu!

Baoyu!

Young Master!

Sister!

Sister!

Sister!

Don't move. Where are you going?

A single man can see

the view of ten thousand chariots.

Sister!

I am overturning a hundred-year-old case

in a day.

Although I will die,

I shall become worthy to stand amongst the heroes.

Let him go!

Sister!

-Baoyu! -Sister!

There's another possibility.

Cheng Renqing can make it

if his reinforcements

are on their way to Renhua.

Execute them!

Cheng Renqing?

It's me.

Commander Ma.

How is my skill at playing pitch-pot

as compared to before?

How dare you hold the execution grounds at spear-point?

Execute them!

What are you waiting for?

Do it!

Do you want to execute me too?

I'll execute you for trying to

break them out of here!

Arrest him!

The Grand Coordinator of Fengxing,

the Right Censor-in-chief,

Li Shida, is here!

[Renhua]

[Grand Coordinator of Fengxing, Right Censor-in-chief, Li Shida]