Original subtitles

(Jinghu Lake, Suburb of Ning'an)

I heard

Banyue Pavilion is fully booked at this moment

by Wang Sheren's nephew.

The imperial examination is around the corner,

but he's seeking pleasure so blatantly?

(Xu Lu, Scholar) Who is he?

(Qin Han, Scholar) And who are we?

Probably he's secured a place through nepotism.

How can we compete with him?

Then poor scholars like us

could never see the light of day.

Let's drink.

This one.

(Wang Cheng, Scholar)

Can you hear it?

It's the sound of Xun (a wind instrument).

Excuse me,

why are you getting in our way?

You're are rowing and drinking

on the Jinghu Lake at this late hour.

I guess you must be feeling at loss

as the imperial examination is coming.

I'm here to solve your confusions.

Who are you?

How do you know we're going to take the exam?

I'm Mr. Jinghu.

I can read people's minds,

know your past and foretell your future.

Wang Cheng,

he dares not even show his face.

He must be a crook.

Yeah. No one in the world has that power.

I don't believe him.

If you don't believe,

you may come on board to have a try.

With my help,

all your wishes

will come true.

I'd like to try.

Please.

Sit down, please.

So how will you solve my confusions?

Calm your mind

and stare at this.

All causalities

can be seen in it.

=A League of Nobleman=

=Episode 17=

That night,

in the bright moonlight and with the beautiful sound of Xun,

a small boat loomed up through the heavy fog,

on which was Mr. Jinghu.

He invited Wang Cheng on board

and inspired him in a few words.

Then he disappeared into the mist.

Guess what happened next?

What happened? What happened? What happened?

What happened?

Chip in, chip in.

Bet on who will rank first in the imperial examination.

Chip in, chip in. Mine is okay.

(Sixian Bookstore)

Come over and take a look.

(Erudite and Informed) Secret to Passing the Imperial Exam.

30 pennies for one copy. 30 pennies for one copy.

Secret to Passing the Imperial Exam.

The next day,

Wang Cheng surprisingly wrote some articles

and contributed them to Sixian Bookstore.

Anecdotes of the Capital City published by the bookstore

is a must-read for Menxia Governor Mr. Han.

Then a few days later,

Wang Cheng was selected by Mr. Han

as a disciple.

Wang Cheng must have climbed up the ladder.

- Yeah. - Yeah.

He's so fortunate.

Everyone, it's not just Wang Cheng.

All three men there that night

were seen through by Mr. Jinghu.

They were guided by him

and got what they want.

We have no such luck.

In a word,

no matter what doubts they had in mind,

Mr. Jinghu could…

Zhang,

you're back.

That's all for today.

Come on.

How can we find Mr. Jinghu?

I also want to know that.

Well, you may go to the Jinghu Lake

and try your luck.

- Zhang. - Don't go.

Don't go.

Just take a look.

Have you heard about it?

For this year's imperial examination,

both Empress Dowager and Emperor

wanted their men to be the chief examiner.

They were at loggerheads over the matter.

But in the end,

(Ma Lian, Scholar) Mr. Lan who supports neither exploited the advantage to get the job.

He is very stubborn.

Everyone sending him gifts was turned away.

Did he give you the cold shoulder too?

What are you talking about?

Do I need to do that?

No, you don't.

Ma is the son of the chief of Jiangnan County.

(Zhao Sihuai, Scholar) He'll marry the daughter of the Empress's brother.

Does he have to curry favor with Mr. Lan?

No, no.

I didn't expect

that I would be the chief examiner.

People all say

that I'm the third party who benefits

from the tussle.

But I think His Majesty has his thought on this.

Yes.

We have to be very careful

in our future actions.

Such being the case,

we have to be more thoughtful.

Zhang, you know what?

I've been praying to God every day

just for your return.

I've been a vegetarian for half a month.

Now you're finally back.

I've untied the knot in my heart.

That's good. Well, it must be Buddha's blessing.

Come on. Let's go inside.

The exam is around the corner,

so I've been cramming for it.

Well, you just mentioned Mr. Jinghu.

Who is he?

That man?

He is godlike.

He suddenly showed up shortly after you left.

Well, he has something in common with you.

I heard that he can also do a spell

to read people's minds

and foresee the future.

And he also uses a water vessel to do it.

Does he also know

Water Illusion?

Sir,

I've gone to check near the Jinghu Lake.

But I didn't find any sign of Mr. Jinghu.

It's really weird.

The avenger from Moluo Clan

already died in Xuan Ji's Mansion.

Then who is Mr. Jinghu?

We don't know what really happened.

He must have some connection with Moluo Clan

since he knows Water Illusion.

Finding him might be a turnaround.

Zhang,

this is Xu who was guided by Mr. Jinghu as I told you.

Xu, this is my bro Zhang Ping.

I know what you're here for,

but I can tell you nothing more.

Everyone in the city is talking about it.

Even Mr. Lan has known it.

I'm afraid

that saying would get me into trouble.

Xu, considering our relationship,

just do me a favor.

I assure you that Zhang only has a few questions

and he would tell no one about it.

Come on. Sit here.

Come on. Come on.

Here.

You promise to tell no one?

I promise.

What do you want to know?

I heard that Mr. Jinghu can read people's mind.

Is that true?

Of course it is.

I didn't believe it at first.

But Mr. Jinghu just guessed it right

that I was trying to get Notes on Four Books by Xue Ru.

This book had been lost for long.

That night, Mr. Jinghu told me

to do more good deeds

to accumulate blessings.

Then I walked along the streets to distribute food to homeless people and beggars.

Then guess what?

There was one beggar who insisted on

not to take the food for nothing.

He gave me an old box in exchange for food.

I took it back and opened it. Oh, my god.

(Notes on Four Books)

It's Notes on Four Books inside it.

It's really amazing.

Hey. You may ask questions

but don't even think about my book.

Did Mr. Jinghu use a water vessel like this?

It's indeed like this.

Why do you have this too?

I told Zhang in detail about it.

He thought it's amazing and made a copy.

Copy. It's a copy.

How did Mr. Jinghu use it on you?

What are you doing?

I…

He just poured some water into it

and asked me to stare at the water.

It's pretty much like that.

All right, I'm going to study. It's time for you to leave.

Just one more question.

Do you remember what happened

after you go into illusion?

Nothing special.

I just felt like

I was in a wonderland

and I felt so peaceful in mind.

(Exam Hall)

There're four questions in this year's exam.

The four of us have each given one.

The questions will be sealed in the presence of two supervisors.

On the exam day each examinee will draw one question.

I don't know if you have any objections.

We have no objection.

Then let's seal the questions.

Zhang, have you had a conclusion yet?

Do you think Mr. Jinghu also knows Water Illusion?

He used the same water vessel and used it the same way.

But as far as I know, Water Illusion can't help foresee the future.

Besides, that beggar's appearance was too coincidental.

Well, we come for nothing.

No.

He has the same water vessel.

That means he has some connection with Moluo Clan.

But I always feel that he's up to something.

Why do you think that?

What's even weirder is that the water of Jinghu Lake is from underground, with no connection with the outside.

No boat from outside can get in.

How did his boat showed up and disappeared so mysteriously?

Let's stop making wild guesses.

I heard

that Mr. Jinghu was transformed from a crane and could naturally come and go mysteriously.

How could mortals like us figure it out?

You may go home first. I'll think about it a little longer.

(Imperial Exam Questions)

Recently, a man called Mr. Jinghu enjoys high prestige among scholars.

Mr. Lan, have you heard about him?

Yes, I have.

The imperial examination aims to select talents for Emperor,

but some people with malicious intentions

take the opportunity to win support.

You must be more attentive as the chief examiner.

I'll keep it in mind.

Well, we've been here for five days, but there's been no sign of Mr. Jinghu yet.

I really should come with Wang Cheng that night.

Then I wouldn't have to wait here every day.

We're already here. Maybe we should try our luck on a boat.

Chen Chou, why are you here too?

You're supposed to prepare for the exam at home.

Don't mention it.

I'm simply a pedant.

For me, it's no use cramming for the exam.

I'd better find the real Buddha. Come on, just one more sip.

(Zou Kuang, Scholar)

It's the sound of Xun. It's Mr. Jinghu.

Mr. Jinghu.

Is Mr. Jinghu here?

Excuse me.

Come on.

Where is he?

What are those on the lake?

Those must be tips from Mr. Jinghu.

- Tips. - Tips.

We can't reach them.

Yeah.

All step aside! Make way!

Give it to me.

Here, here.

Come on.

What is it?

What is it?

What's on it?

Read it.

About the autumn exam held in Exam Hall, something will be wrong with Guiyou.

Something will be wrong…

What does it mean?

I have no idea.

What will be wrong?

No idea.

God bless me.

Don't let me draw Guiyou.

Tomorrow will be the exam day, but this just happened.

Mr. Lan must feel very upset.

If we see him while drawing the question…

Mr. Lan is an examiner, and we're examinees.

Let's just act as usual.

Will you act as usual?

I heard that someone went to Lan's Mansion every day.

Maybe he has a relationship with Mr. Lan.

Zhang would definitely take a high place.

Let me hereby congratulate you in advance.

He Xuan, has Zhang ever messed with you?

Don't be so bitterly sarcastic.

What's wrong? All I said is true.

- Right. Isn't it true? - Yes.

Everyone, the examiners are here.

(Exam Hall Keep Quiet)

We're Shao Zhi and Ji Wen, vice directors of the Ministry of Rites.

We're supervisors of this year's exam.

By convention, you'll draw your seats one day before the exam,

which will be supervised by us for justice.

During the exam, you each will have a seat

arranged by Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches.

Your seat number is written on each lot.

Now, please stand in two lines and start drawing your lot.

Renshen, just next to Guiyou.

Zhang, you're so lucky.

Hurry up.

God bless me not to draw Guiyou.

(Guiyou)

Chen Zishang drew the number of Guiyou. (Chen Zishang, Scholar)

Chen, have you heard about Mr. Jinghu's prophecy?

You got to be careful.

(About the autumn exam held in Exam Hall, something will be wrong with Guiyou)

(Guiyou)

Exactly, Chen.

Mr. Jinghu is really a good prophet.

You'd better burn some papers with symbols for luck.

Chen.

- Why is he leaving? - Chen. Why is he leaving?

Has he quitted?

Why does he pretend to be high-hearted?

What's the big deal to write some more articles?

- Right. - I just can't stand him like that.

Chen helps others to write letters to support his family.

Why do you have to be so mean?

Enough.

Go on drawing.

Zhang, what are you looking at?

He looked weird.

I would look more panicked if it were me.

Everyone, after being checked,

you should enter the examination room to find the seat with the number you drew

and take your seat.

The examination will last three days

and officially start from 9 o'clock today.

After 9 o'clock, no one could enter again. (Prohibitions)

If you want to get out, you must hand in your paper first,

which is considered having finished your paper.

Then you won't be allowed to enter again.

(Zhang from Xichuan)

Zhang, it's over there.

(Guiyou)

Where is the one who drew Guiyou?

Chen Zishang hasn't come yet.

Maybe the prophecy has come true. (Guiyou)

Zhang.

Zhang,

we haven't seen Chen Zishang yet today.

It's only an hour left to start.

Do you think he's afraid to come?

(Imperial Exam Questions)

Mr. Lan, have you heard the rumor about Guiyou?

The Imperial Exam is very important.

You must be very careful.

I've ordered intensified patrols around Exam Hall to double check the place.

Nothing abnormal has been found.

It's about 9 o'clock.

Get ready for question drawing.

Something will be wrong with Guiyou.

What does it mean?

Zhang, have you seen anything abnormal?

Nothing abnormal.

The examiners are arriving.

It's 9 o'clock.

(Exam Hall Keep Quiet)

I'm Lan Jue, Vice Minister of Rites, Chief Examiner of this year's examination.

Now it's time to draw your questions.

It's Mr. Jinghu.

Mr. Jinghu.

Let's go out to take a look.

- Hurry up. - Let's go take a look.

Where is he?

Look.

He's up there.

Up there.

He's up there.

Does he have another prophecy?

Come on. Look.

Here.

What are these?

His tips.

Take one.

Common people may come out on top.

Traveling the same journey can clear one's mind.

If there is not enough gold inlaid with jade.

The borderland can't be ruled and the people will be disappointed.

Common people may come out on top.

Coming out on top is the only chance for common people.

This refers to the Imperial Exam.

Go find what's going on.

If there is not enough gold inlaid with jade.

The borderland can't be ruled and the people will be disappointed.

This means aspirations can't be realized without enough money.

Can't realize aspirations without money. What does that mean?

Could it be that someone has bribed the examiners?

Then poor scholars like us would come in vain.

- Is that right? - Right.

Right.

Something will be wrong with Guiyou.

Does that mean cheating in the exam?

The questions might have been disclosed.

No, we must ask for an explanation today.

We want an explanation.

We want an explanation.

Exam Hall is a serious place.

How can you clamor here?

Everyone, please calm down.

The four examiners who gave the questions were all chosen by His Majesty.

And the entire process was supervised by the Ministry of Rites.

There's no possibility to cheat at all.

Anyone who disturbs the order by scaremongering will be severely punished

and disqualified from the exam according to the law.

Mr. Lan, are you trying to exclude opponents and suppress us openly?

I see.

Listen to this sentence.

If there is not enough gold inlaid with jade.

It seems to be referring to Mr. Lan.

You're right. Mr. Lan's given name is Jue Jue is jade.

It's gold inlaid with jade.

The three of you go inside with me.

That's him.

That's him.

Mr. Lan,

what's your explanation?

It was really unexpected.

It also caught me off guard.

Then how do you explain the saying?

It can be explained in different ways.

They're accusing me of taking bribes just based on that.

It's too far-fetched.

Besides, Mr. Jinghu hides himself in the dark. He must have an ulterior motive.

How can we believe what he said.

Zhang Ping, you have a relationship with Mr. Lan.

He must have colluded with you, and disclosed the questions to you.

- How can you… - Is Mr. Lan helping you cheat?

I saw you acting weirdly at the seat of Guiyou.

What were you doing?

I was trying to find the truth.

You look honest. Unexpectedly, you're so ill-minded.

Yeah.

Yeah.

- Tell the truth. - It must be you.

Ministers, I led some men to search around

but didn't find where the sound of Xun came from and who flew the kite.

You go to the Ministry of Justice now to ask for Mr. Wang's help with investigation.

It's…

It's not a good idea.

Both Minister Dou and I are question setters.

My son should abide by the two provisions

that relatives and subordinates must stay out of the exam and avoid arousing suspicion.

I've been an official for decades,

but I've never seen such a big mess in previous imperial examinations

In order to convince the examinees, I'm afraid you have to resign as the chief examiner,

and we'll choose someone else to replace you.

I neither disclosed the questions nor took bribes.

Just resigning due to the accusation by innuendo is exactly what the mastermind wants.

You are talking nonsense.

How could Zhang collude with Mr. Lan to cheat?

I think he is the cheater.

We can't let a cheater to take the exam with us.

It's unfair to us.

Kick him out of here. Kick him out of here.

What's going on outside?

It sounds like they're quarreling.

Get out.

Get out.

I have no relationship with Mr. Lan.

You…

Stop.

I have no relationship with Mr. Lan, let alone colluding with him to cheat.

You're lying.

Mr. Liu, Mr. Wang,

he was acting weirdly at Guiyou seat.

He must have colluded with Mr. Lan to cheat.

They should be arrested and severely punished.

I didn't do it.

Zhang Ping, it's so clear now. You don't need to argue more.

I was wondering how you would cheat without money.

It turns out that you're a relative of Mr. Lan's.

- I'm not. - You are lying.

- You're lying. - Kick him out of here.

How do you explain what just happened?

I'm not lying.

I'm telling the truth.

Stop.

I have no relationship with Zhang Ping.

According to the law, all examinees' personal details should be documented three months before the exam.

Since you doubt us, I'll read out Zhang Ping's personal profile to clear the air.

Zhang Ping is from Lijiadian Village, Xichuan County.

He has no great-grandparents, no grandparents,

no mother, no father and no brother.

He has no relatives.

He is the only one in his family.

I know you've studied hard for years.

I clearly know what you've been through.

Now that you have doubts about me,

I'll resign as the chief examiner to ensure justice.

I'll accept investigations by the Court of Judicial Review.

If you draw the question I gave, it can be considered invalid and you may draw one more time.

Shao Zhi, you and Ji Wen will temporarily take charge of the Ministry of Rites.

=A League of Nobleman=