Original subtitles

No waste

The scholars may enter.

Benevolence Throughout the World

We're having the palace examination for choosing the top three.

Where is His Majesty?

Is His Majesty still in the hunting ground?

It's forbidden to carry weapons in the palace.

Who has the audacity to do so?

Greetings to Your Majesty!

Arise.

Your Majesty.

The palace examination is the most important event

for selecting able talents.

May Your Majesty treat it with courtesy.

If you think Mianfu is [*Mianfu: Formal dress worn by emperors]

too formal, you can wear an informal dress.

The military attire

shouldn't be worn on such an occasion.

It's against tradition.

Mr. Liu, since you mentioned Mianfu,

I have a question for you.

What is Mianfu?

There are patterns of twelve things on Mianfu,

including the sun, the moon, the stars,

a tiger, a monkey, an axe, an instrument and etc.

It contains the universe

and implies auspiciousness.

It's a symbol of the Son of Heaven.

What you see is the universe.

I can't see that far.

I only want to know

who the silk spinner is

and if he needs to feed the mulberry leaves to the silkworms every night.

Who is the embroiderer?

Can she earn enough money

to cure her eye disease?

Who dyed the cloth, who cut it,

and who delivered it?

Can they fill their stomachs and sleep in peace?

Mr. Liu.

What did you eat this morning?

Noodles with soup.

Do you think the noodles

tasted bland today?

Well... Because of the war,

pepper and cardamom from the South

are no longer available

in the capital these days.

Officials.

If you want to have flavourous food like before,

I'm afraid

you will have to wait for a few more days.

The people living on the southern border

are human beings,

not chips to be traded off.

Today,

you lack some pepper and cardamom,

and you can eat some light food.

Tomorrow,

when a greater calamity falls upon you,

you'll find that you are also chips

and your lives will be treated like dirt.

How are you

gonna live with yourselves

at that time?

There are aged officials

who have been through several dynasties

and also the pillars of the country in the prime of life among you.

You are the past and present of the Yong Kingdom.

The scholars are the future of the Yong Kingdom.

I'm dressed in military attire right now

just to tell something

to the past, the present, and the future of the Yong Kingdom.

The flames of war are raging in the borderland.

For my people,

I've decided

to lead the soldiers on the battlefield.

Please think twice, Your Majesty.

You're the king of our country.

Your safety is of paramount importance.

If you lead the soldiers in person,

I'm afraid...

Without the people,

how would there be families?

How would there be a country?

For all the families, and for our country,

I will

advance bravely and never withdraw.

I will die without regret.

I only hope we can be united as one

to overcome the difficulties,

defend against foreign invasion,

and make a show of Yong's strength.

Your Gracious Majesty!

For the well-being of the people!

Long live Your Majesty!

I'm willing to follow Your Majesty to war

in my father's stead.

I will advance bravely and never withdraw!

I will die without regret!

Here is the Empress Dowager's instruction!

The Empress Dowager said:

"The journey is difficult and dangerous.

May my son take care of himself

and make a triumphant return soon."

May Your Majesty make a triumphant return soon.

Your Majesty,

may you make a triumphant return soon.

Benevolence Throughout the World

Arise.

In that case,

the topic

of today's palace exam will be

"When a gentleman has to fight, he must win."

All the selected scholars,

you can express your own opinions

and compete with each other.

The palace exam starts now.

A League of Nobleman

Episode 23

Cassia seed can clear one's mind and eyes.

Thank you.

Peizhi.

Why have you been studying

this torn page all day?

Shulin.

You know a lot of things.

Do you know

what kind of magic formation this is?

I've never seen it before.

I found it in the Department of Incantation.

There should be a close connection

between it and the magic formation,

but the characters on it

are strange and difficult to understand.

Look.

Like this character.

It doesn't look like a character or a drawing.

I've read all the books

and still don't have a clue.

If I'm not mistaken,

it should be the character for "back".

How do you know it?

When I was studying herbal medicine,

I once met a wandering monk from Pujiu Temple.

He told me about an ancient method

of using insects as medicine, which is called

poisonous magic.

I saw this kind of characters

in his book on poisonous magic.

Do you know anything else?

I only met him once.

I went east to seek medicine

before I could study more.

Pujiu Temple.

Do you remember his Dharma name?

I think it should be

Sujue.

I questioned Master Sujue closely

and threatened him

that I would get to the bottom of it if he didn't say it.

Only then did he admit that he was the only person

at the Department of Incantation who survived.

He said the magic formation was called Resurrection Array,

which is a secret of the Department of Incantation.

The last time it was used was 30 years ago.

On whom?

The Emperor.

Why?

It's said that His Majesty was born with an acute illness.

There was no cure for it.

The Department of Incantation was given the order to cast a spell.

Therefore, Xuan Ji set up the Resurrection Array

and claimed

that it can raise the dead and make the flesh grow from the bones.

Two days and two nights later, His Majesty

was miraculously cured.

How was it possible to save a person with a magic formation?

How did

His Majesty recover?

Either he healed himself, or...

Are you saying

the real prince wasn't saved at that time,

and the current emperor is a fake?

I also found it ridiculous at first,

but then I thought about it.

The Empress Dowager has been estranged from the Emperor.

He is her only son,

but she has been in control of the court for years

and unwilling to return power to him.

Then I think

it's not impossible.

Still,

what does this have to do with Moluo Village?

Why did Mr. Jinghu associate Moluo Village

with the Resurrection Array?

Just wait for today...

The accident at Moluo Village

happened 20 years ago.

It was the same year

that everyone in the Department of Incantation

died in an accident.

20 years ago,

the poison was leaked during a magic ceremony.

All the incantation practitioners died.

Department of Incantation It has since

Sealed by Court of Judicial Review been closed down.

It was when the previous emperor just died

and His Majesty ascended the throne at a young age.

The Empress Dowager started to take power.

Could it be

that the Empress Dowager ordered to kill

for fear of exposing the secret

of switching the prince?

That could explain

what happened to the Department of Incantation.

It was them who planned the Resurrection Array,

but Moluo Village is far away in the South.

There was no way for them to participate in it.

How could they be involved?

Zhang, Mr. Lan!

Are you done talking?

You'd better pause for a moment.

Something is going on.

Here.

A dragon soars to the blue sky.

A dragon sinks into the bottomless pit.

30 years passed after a dream.

Don't know if the dragon is real or fake.

Chen Chou.

Where did you get this poem?

Everyone on the street is talking about it.

They're saying all kinds of things.

Just when we found out about it,

the rumors got around.

I'm afraid someone is adding fuel to the flames.

By the way,

only Master Sujue survived the accident

at the Department of Incantation

and remained anonymous for more than 20 years without being discovered.

How did you find him?

Well, Shulin gave me some directions.

Shulin?

Mr. Lan.

There's something I haven't told you.

The way Mr. Gu talks and acts

resembles Mr. Jinghu a lot

who spoke to me that day.

They even have the similar voice and tone.

Do you suspect that Shulin is Mr. Jinghu?

It's impossible.

Zhang Ping.

There are countless people who are alike in this world.

Besides, you've never seen Mr. Jinghu's face.

You can't make such an arbitrary guess.

No, Mr. Lan. I'm intuitive.

We spent so much time trying to figure it out,

but we got nothing.

Why did you find the secret of the Resurrection Array

right after he gave you some directions?

He studies medicine and happens to know

a certain character on that torn page.

Can't there be any coincidence?

It's a coincidence when it happens once.

But these things are connected.

How could it still be a coincidence?

Zhang Ping.

I know you're devoted to this case

and eager to find the truth,

but you must seek evidence with care.

Don't use your intuition.

Then you shouldn't be sentimental about this.

I've known Shulin for ten years.

I know what kind of person he is.

Besides,

we've made a breakthrough in the Resurrection Array

and we should start from here.

I only talk about evidence and clues.

The suspect is right there.

We should start with him.

Mr. Lan...

It's getting late.

It'll be too dark for you to see in the alley.

Let me escort you home first.

Yeah.

Why don't you think about it when you get home?

Maybe you'll figure it out.

Yeah.

Sir.

All right.

Today's conversation is a waste of time.

There's news from the palace

that the Empress Dowager is in a stable condition now

and determined to track down the remnants of Moluo.

You must hide the Water Vessel well.

Don't let anyone find it.

Otherwise,

there will be no way to explain yourself.

Yes, yes.

I'll see him off.

30 years ago, the prince was not saved.

Mr. Qi.

What brings you here?

Let's take a walk?

You didn't do well

on the day of the palace exam.

I know you didn't show your real strength.

You didn't want to be an official,

right?

Do you know

why I have to wage a war against Nandong?

For the bigger picture,

the Yong Kingdom needs the victory.

For personal reasons,

you cannot ignore

the life of every civilian.

If you were me,

how would you choose?

I'm just a commoner.

My choice

won't affect the country in any way.

Where is the fearless

and unflinching Zhang Ping?

I think I used to be too naive.

I thought

the Court of Judicial Review

is just a place where the best detectives gather in.

Hanhui Pavilion, Ning'an I didn't realize

it's also a bureaucratic place.

Well?

Now you've seen how cruel the world is

and how complicated the bureaucracy is.

Do you want to bail?

No.

I will only work on cases, but I won't

enter the official world.

What a joke.

How are you gonna work on cases

when you're not an official?

How can you dispel the darkness

when you're not in the dark?

Here, sir.

Thank you.

This is roasted milk fan

made of fermented goat milk from Jiannandao.

The rarer dried matsutake inside

is from the mountains over there.

I didn't know there is

such a delicacy in Jiannandao.

Young man.

This little money is the least I could do.

Sir.

This is all you have, right?

If you donate it all, how are you gonna live on?

I've suffered everything.

Don't worry about me.

Besides, my son is also a soldier.

I can't watch him and his brothers

go to war on hungry stomachs.

They are...

They are merchants from Dafu City

who are spontaneously donating to the Army for Southward Crusade.

Take care, sir.

Leave it there.

You're also here.

The court has finally

gotten tough for once over these years.

Yeah.

The soldiers fight with their lives

so that we can have a square meal

and a good night's sleep.

Well, old man.

You should take the donkey back.

I'll donate your share for you.

How can I let you do that?

The rise and fall of the nation is the concern of every citizen.

Here.

Mr. Qi.

I've signed up

as an army caterer.

I won't be here from tomorrow.

Now my hometown is in trouble,

how can I seek temporary ease?

If you want to eat my roasted milk fan again,

you'll have to wait for the army's triumph.

Here is a picul of rice.

Look.

The world doesn't just belong to me.

It belongs to every citizen.

One person can't change everything,

but if everyone makes a little contribution,

it will bring hope.

Even Tao Zhoufeng's script for story-telling

brought you to the capital

and got you here,

which leaves a small shoot of hope

to the world.

I'm not asking you to answer me right now.

Take your time to think about it.

30 years passed after a dream. Don't know if the dragon is real or fake.

It's just a rumor on the street.

Don't take it seriously.

30 years passed after a dream.

Don't know if the dragon is real or fake.

Do you know it?

Real or fake, what does it matter?

If I'm real,

as the Son of Heaven,

I should fight for my country.

If I'm fake,

as a subject of the Yong Kingdom,

I should fight for my fellow countrymen.

Zhang Ping.

Why cross a river

when you know you would die?

I'll save the position for you.

Wait for me to come back.

Peizhi, it's stingy of you

to prepare such a simple meal.

A simple meal is like a normal farewell.

Just like we'll meet again tomorrow

after we part today.

Okay.

I'll finish my meal first

and look forward to the next meal.

You said

we should treat this as a normal gathering

and not mention the sadness of parting.

Why are you so sullen today?

Mowen.

I know you don't want to hear stuff like

"take care of yourself".

You're the one who's been making trouble all day.

Now I'm leaving,

and there is no one else to protect you.

You're the one who should be careful.

What I owe you

is way too much...

We agreed not to talk about this.

I wanted to lie drunkenly on the battlefield since I was a kid.

Now my wish is fulfilled.

You should be happy for me.

Good.

Let's get drunk today and have a good time.

What I really worry about is

that the wine over there

wouldn't be as good as the wine in the capital.

Then I'll owe you ten jars of good wine.

I'll keep them for you.

Deal.

But you must make a triumphant return soon, or

Xu Dong and Liuyun will drink it all.

Of course.

When I make a triumphant return, let's... Let's

get drunk together again.

The army is on the march!

The army is on the march!

Zhang!

Zhang.

I donated our five bags of flour as you asked.

The government gave us a big red flower.

Where is the flower?

Hear me out.

On my way back, I saw two imperial posters

issued by the Empress Dowager.

One is about recruiting good doctors for burn treatment.

The other is about arresting

the remnant of Moluo who has the Water Vessel.

The government has started to search

and released the news

that anyone who notifies the government

about the clues will be well rewarded.

They look serious about this.

It'll be horrible to get caught.

So I dropped the flower and hurried back.

Seems that the Empress Dowager

didn't see Mr. Jinghu's face.

The Water Vessel is the only clue she has.

Zhang.

Why can't you grasp the point?

Listen to me.

Don't leave the house from today, and

don't carry the Water Vessel with you.

And...

There are a lot of people in the capital

who know you have the Water Vessel.

What if they turn you in?

No, no, no.

We have to run now.

It's not that serious.

Seriously?

They found you in such a short time?

Oh, no!

The money!

Hurry!

The bag!

My good disciple.

Get down here.

Well, are you gonna turn your back on me

after you pass the imperial examination?

Master?

It's my master.

Master, why are you here?

Master, what brings you here?

The examination result will be announced soon.

Of course I should be here and wait for your good news.

But why did I see a wanted poster

just after I got here?

Don't worry, Master.

I'm fine.

You got a nice yard.

Master.

How did you get here?

Detective Noodle.

Everyone knows you.

Ping.

You're famous now.

Master!

He must be Chen Chou

who you mentioned all the time.

Yes.

He looks smart.

This is...

Master.

This is the cart we used as our noodle stall.

Master.

Do you want to see my room?

Show me your little room.

Let me take a look.

Master.

I'll make some tea for you.

Okay.

Master.

I usually sleep here.

I keep my books on this cabinet.

Strange Night Talk

Are you still reading Strange Night Talk?

Master.

The tea is ready.

Master.

You don't know

that Zhang has been thinking about

whether to follow in Mu Yesheng's footsteps

and go to the Court of Judicial Review.

Well?

He doesn't want to get in the Court of Judicial Review?

Yeah.

Being an official repels him.

That's great.

Ping.

You should follow in my footsteps.

Master.

Or you can go back with me now.

After you go back with me,

you should learn how to tend to the yard first.

Otherwise, those chickens and ducks

will starve to death

after I pass away.

You're in good health, Master.

You'll live a long life.

There will still be an end.

Do you think I'm immortal?

Actually,

it's a good thing not to be an official.

There will be less stress.

As long as I'm still breathing,

I won't let you starve to death

with my ability to tell fortunes, right?

Master.

Actually, I'm happy for you.

You used to put Mu Yesheng first in your heart.

Now I've finally beaten him.

Master.

Were you jealous of Mu Yesheng?

Of course.

No one can take away my Ping.

No one can take him away.

He is too eccentric to be taken away from you.

Zhang.

Master has been in the capital for a few days.

Has he gotten used to living here?

Is there anything else he needs?

Of course he has.

Why he shouldn't be?

He leaves at dawn every day

and comes back at dusk.

Master is used to living in a secluded place.

The capital is busy.

Everything must be new for him.

Zhang.

Zhang. Zhang.

Where are you going now?

To investigate.

Do you have to go?

I know I can't stop you.

They've been looking for you closely.

You must be extra careful.

Excuse me, I'll have two bowls of tea.

No problem.

Let's take a break.

Okay.

I'll have a pot of tea.

Coming.

Sir, here is your tea.

Here, my dear.

Authentic Herbs

Take care.

Okay.

Sir, I'm here to pick up the medicine.

Sir.

That was my friend.

He made a mistake with the prescription

and sent me to buy more herbs.

He bought three kinds of herbs.

Which one do you want and how much?

All three of them.

Five maces for each.

Okay.

Abelmoschus manihot.

Dodonaea viscosa leaves.

Centella.

He bought three kinds of herbs,

centella, dodonaea viscosa leaves, and abelmoschus manihot.

These herbs are all for burns.

Mr. Lan.

Last time you said I work on cases on my intuitions

without solid evidence.

Now I've found the evidence.

Gu Qingzhang bought herbs for burns

right after the Empress Dowager gave orders to look for them.

I think he is trying to approach the Empress Dowager.

That's just your preconception.

He's a doctor.

Buying herbs and getting prescriptions filled

are what he does.

Like I asked you last time,

why did he show up in the vicinity of the Department of Incantation?

How did he know the whereabouts of the incantation practitioners?

How do you explain that?

I'll send people to verify it,

but before we find any evidence,

we can't jump to a conclusion.

I have no intention to overhear you two,

but you were talking too loud.

Shulin.

Since I was mentioned,

I would like to defend myself.

Shulin.

You don't have to do this.

That day I was only

passing by the Department of Incantation.

I didn't know the Department of Incantation was there.

As for Master Sujue,

I also met him by coincidence.

I was seeking medical help at the time.

I didn't know

anything else.

Did you buy these three kinds of herbs today?

What do you use them for?

I'm a doctor.

It was my daily routine to buy the herbs

mentioned in the Compendium of Materia Medica

and study them.

I do it all the time.

Sir.

It's just his side of the story.

Enough!

Master.

You're back early today.

Yeah.

Master.

Where have you been these days?

I went to buy something for Ping.

You're so good to Zhang Ping.

I met him.

It can't be helped.

Master.

I heard that you can tell fortunes.

Well, can you tell if I can pass

the next imperial examination?

Why do you have to worry about

the next imperial examination now?

Actually, becoming an official

isn't that important.

What's important is that you and Ping

can live a happy and delightful life.

It's better than anything else.

Does Zhang Ping live here?

I don't know.

You don't know?

Tell me!

I really don't know.

Where does he live?

Up there.

Ma-a-aster.

The Imperial Guards are here.

Ping will be back soon.

Go around to the front door

and take Ping to hide.

I'll hold them off

and lead them to the side door.

I'll tell them he went south.

Master.

I can't leave you here alone.

Just go!

Go!

Search it.

Officers.

What are you looking for?

We can talk about this.

Old man.

Where is he?

Zhang.

Well, Xu Dong just came over.

He said Mr. Lan wants to see you.

Why are there so many Imperial Guards at the door?

Mr. Lan...

Xu said...

Xu Dong said Mr. Lan...

Where is Master?

Where is Master?

Sir.

We found the Water Vessel.

Sir.

I found a side door over there.

A side door?

Ping, run!

Run!

Catch him!

You old man.

Zhang.

Zhang.

Zhang.

Master.

Master.

Master.

Master.

Master.

Ping.

Master, please.

Master.

Master.

Please.

Master.

Master!

Master!

Master.

Master, wake up.

Master.

It's my fault.

Master.

It's all my fault.

Master!

Master is gone.

Master is gone!

Zhang.

Zhang.

Master is gone.

I'll kill them.

I'll kill them.

Zhang!

Zhang!

Zhang!

You can't go!

Zhang!

Zhang, you can't go!

Zhang!

Let go of me!

Zhang!

Zhang!

Zhang!

I'm sorry.

I can't let Master die in vain.

No one will take away my Ping.

I will hire a donkey cart for you.

You can take whatever you like.

Take whatever you like.

♪ Then walk across the narrow paths ♪

Master, you're in good health.

You'll live a long life.

There will still be an end.

Do you think I'm immortal?

♪ With some wine in the mountain ♪

♪ I'll have something delicious too ♪

♪ To graze on the south slope ♪

A League of Nobleman