Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available]

[Chasing the Undercurrent]

["Punish those who commit crimes and make mistakes so as to discipline them, and execute]

[those who violate the prohibitions so as to terrify would-be violators." Guanzi, Ban Fa]

[Episode 2]

Look.

Is this all related to the Zhao family?

This...

I have no idea.

It all depends on the conclusion

our superiors come up with.

Come, follow me.

Where are we going?

Of course we're going to do an investigation.

An investigation?

You just came back.

You haven't even sipped a drink yet.

Why the rush?

Change your shoes. Let's go.

No.

I can't leave today.

I cannot move.

What's wrong again?

My rheumatism is acting up again.

Look.

I cannot move at all.

Look at you.

Look at my feet.

I've already gone out of my way

to be working in the office like this.

Do you think I can join you in your investigation?

Do you think I can run

or pursue suspects?

Do you think I can fight them?

I'll cause trouble for you.

It doesn't look that bad to me.

Just hang in there.

I...

I cannot hang in there.

You can.

You can. Come on.

Put on your shoes.

Hurry up.

What are you doing?

Chief Zhang is back? Great.

Chang Zheng,

you should ask Chief Zhang

to see who else is around.

Find someone healthy to join you.

Where are you going?

Deputy Chief Zhang is heading to the dock.

My rheumatism is acting up.

I can't go.

Someone else has already taken over this case.

Let me warn you.

You just came back.

You better don't try anything funny.

Fine.

Rest all you like!

Be gentle with me!

Pengxiang,

it's pretty fun tonight, huh?

It's a pity that you're not having fun.

I'm fine.

What's the matter?

You see,

our chief

always goes against me.

He keeps creating trouble for me.

Understood.

Understood.

What was his name again?

You call him Chief Zhang, right?

Chang Zheng,

your so-called Chief Zhang

belongs to the past.

You're the future.

Don't put yourself on the same level as him.

Pengxiang,

wait for my return.

After I'm done here,

try and transfer me back to your side.

Being a community police isn't that bad.

Transfer you back to my side?

Young man, what's going on here?

Where's your will to fight?

Where's your determination?

Are you going to give up

because of a small obstacle like this?

There are plenty of posts within the criminal investigation detachment.

We have to climb up the ranks, right?

We have to head upward!

Only by heading upward

will it be beneficial

to

both of us.

It'll benefit everyone.

Climb upward?

Why should I

waste my effort?

I'm someone

who was demoted before.

People ostracize me.

They look down on me, you know?

How dare they look down on you?

You should see the looks on their faces.

They must be tired of living.

I'll support you.

Let me think of something.

What about this?

I'll head to the bureau myself tomorrow.

That won't do.

It isn't safe there.

Why not?

I'm just going to visit you.

Don't go there.

You're such a coward.

Don't worry, I won't do it.

I know my boundaries.

Forget it.

You mustn't go there.

Come, ladies.

Ladies, come on!

Come here!

[Binxi Criminal Investigation]

Morning, everyone.

Sorry about that.

Sorry for the interruption.

Sorry for interrupting you guys during work time.

Deputy Chief Chang is here, right?

He's in his office.

Please tell him

that the people had given us a silk banner as their token of appreciation.

Thank you.

Pengxiang!

You did come, huh?

I'm one of the people, right?

Here, hold this.

Open it.

Let me see.

[Defender of the people, iron-hearted man]

Hold it high.

Higher.

[Defender of the people, iron-hearted man]

Here.

The defender of the people.

Iron-hearted and brave individuals.

Excellent.

I hereby

present this to our excellent cop,

Comrade Chang Zheng.

I would like to thank him for taking care

of the people of Zhaojiawei

and his selfless sacrifices.

Thank you.

Take the banner.

Come, give it to me.

Comrade Chang Zheng,

thank you!

Clap for him!

Clap for him!

Song.

Hurry.

It's your turn.

Ning,

you should go.

My rheumatism is acting up again.

Hey.

It's only a few steps.

Just endure it.

That's not it.

I cannot walk.

Just go already.

Don't waste time.

Hurry.

You were fine just now.

Now, you can't walk?

Hurry!

Take a full-body portrait.

Take a full-body portrait.

Make sure the banner is included.

Excellent!

Excellent! Clap for him!

Why are you guys standing there?

Wu,

come here.

Hang this up for me.

I don't think

this is appropriate.

Why not?

What's inappropriate about it?

Hang it up.

Hang it...

Hang it on this pillar.

Right in front of the entrance.

I'll be able to see it when I enter the bureau.

Go.

That's right.

How is it inappropriate when the people gave this to him?

Am I right?

Mr. Zhao.

Thank you.

You came all the way here today

to present me with this banner.

I'll prepare a gift for you too.

No need for that, Chang Zheng.

Don't do it.

I told you already.

Don't move.

Come.

Isn't this too much of a joke?

You're already here,

am I right?

Today,

I present you with a silver bracelet.

It can accompany you

throughout your years.

Zhao Pengxiang,

you're suspected of murdering Xia Zonghai.

Now,

I will arrest you.

Number Three!

That's him!

Number Three?

Are you sure?

Yes!

Are you sure?

Yes, sir!

Number Three.

Number Three?

Are you sure?

Yes, sir!

Are you sure?

Yes, sir!

Chief Zhang,

what about now?

Fine.

Your testimony is vital to us.

Qin,

contact Lochus One and Lochus Two

to arrest the others.

All right.

Team One, Team Two, keep guard over the entrance.

Team Three, follow me.

Move out.

Don't move!

Don't move!

Don't move!

Don't move!

Zhao Pengxiang's loan company is right here.

Liu.

Stop running.

Zheng?

You must be exhausted.

All right.

Take him away.

Go now.

-Don't move. -Be gentle.

It is hurt.

-Don't move. -Be gentle.

Be gentle!

All right, let's head back.

Understood.

I got it.

Grandpa,

Uncle Pengxiang was arrested by Chang Zheng.

[Tang Shaowen, butler of Zhao family]

Call Pengzhan.

It's connected.

Remember,

the witness,

evidence,

and scapegoats,

you must deal with them.

This is great!

Let's see if the Zhao family

can still act smug after this.

Come, Mentor.

Song,

let's have a toast with tea.

What toast?

We're in huge trouble now.

What's wrong with it?

Guangming,

you should stop worrying.

We've already arrested him.

We have solid evidence too.

I'll see how he can escape this time.

That's right.

This isn't as simple as it seems.

Chang Zheng,

I suggest you practice caution as well.

Mentor,

tell us

how you managed to find the murder weapon

and how

you confirmed the culprit's identity before us.

It's because we're useless.

Song,

you're pretty feisty, aren't you?

Come on.

Let's eat while we chat.

The dishes are getting cold.

Mentor,

hurry and tell us.

I've been roaming the area

for several months.

Suddenly, I realized

[that a yacht was missing from]

[Xinye Wharf.]

[Usually, the wharf is fully occupied.]

Therefore, I investigated it.

I was thinking that the owner

might've escaped

after witnessing something he shouldn't.

I went and asked around.

The people

said that the yacht left the wharf overnight.

[Following this lead,]

[Information record of seamen]

[I found the yacht]

[and its owner after that.]

[After that, I found Qin Hongxia.]

[When I asked her,]

[she said]

[she saw Zhao Pengxiang shooting someone.]

It was even simpler for Wu Fei.

He was nearby the crime scene back then.

[He reported the case to the cops.]

[Police]

[Were you the one who received his report?]

[He did meet me.]

Calm down. Where did the murder occur?

Xinye Wharf!

Someone was murdered in Xinye Wharf!

Mentor,

what about the murder weapon then?

Where did you find the musket?

Back then, I was thinking

that our country

had strict control over firearms.

Even if he killed someone with it, I'm sure he wasn't willing to dispose of it.

I thought to myself, "Where could he hide it?"

I'm sure he hid it

in somewhere he thought it was safe.

Before this,

I heard from his lackey

that he got himself a yacht.

Pengxiang

loves to show off.

He boasts about everything.

But he didn't mention the yacht to anyone.

I thought something was off.

That's why I went to find it.

Mentor,

you're a genius indeed.

It's such a huge yacht.

How did you know

that he hid it under the yacht?

I didn't find it because I was perceptive.

I searched the entire yacht

before finding it.

Listen.

As long as

we can convict Zhao Pengxiang of his crime

and chip the tip of the iceberg,

it won't be long

before we topple the Zhao family.

You've been hanging around with Zhao Pengxiang for a long time.

Does he have any goods on you?

He does.

What is this?

I've received plenty of gifts and money

from Zhao Pengxiang.

This is the entire list.

These are the receipts.

[List of gifts and cash gift]

No matter if it's cash

or bank transfer,

I've transferred them to the honesty account

immediately after receiving them.

I didn't let down our party and people.

I've reported them

[List of gifts and cash gift]

to Deputy Director Xiao

before this.

You can deal with it accordingly.

This is my record.

It contains

the inappropriate behaviors I've committed

while I was here.

I've already elaborated on them and provided ways of rectification.

However, I had no choice.

I did so for the investigation.

I don't expect the organization to praise me.

I just hope they can understand the reason behind this.

Even if they don't understand, it's fine.

They can continue sending me to exile. I'll accept my fate.

[Self-Reflection]

All right.

I got it.

Go now.

Thank you, Chief Zhang.

[One Month Later]

[Today,]

[the procuratorate will hold a court hearing]

[for the murder at Xinye Wharf.]

[During the interview, the reporter]

[found out that the case]

[occurred on the night of the 25th of last month.]

[President of Haiweixian Group, Xia Zonghai,]

[died on the scene.]

[His brother, Xia Zongtao, went missing on the same night.]

[Even now, his location is unknown.]

[According to insider news,]

[the cops had confirmed the suspect to be Zhao XXX Xiang]

[according to the testimony of the witnesses.]

Pengchao,

how was it?

Have you boarded the plane?

Guangming!

Guangming!

Okay.

Okay.

I got it.

Guangming.

Chang Zheng.

Where did everyone go?

Several other bureaus

requested reinforcements this morning.

I've dispatched all of them.

Did you even dispatch Song Guangming as well?

We have to head to the People's Procuratorate today.

I dispatched him to that place.

You should've told me earlier.

Wait.

There's a meeting at the municipal bureau.

Deputy Director Xiao

designated you to attend it.

No thanks. I need to head to the People's Procuratorate.

It's fine as long as one of you guys is there.

Song Guangming is your partner.

You don't need to worry about him.

I've been handling this case all along.

I have to head to the People's Procuratorate today.

Hurry up.

Don't make the director wait for you.

[Chief Office]

[Changwu City People's Procuratorate]

Don't move!

Don't move!

What are you trying to do?

What are you trying to do?

I don't know you guys!

Why are you guys bullying me?

You may not know us,

but we know who your mother is.

She's Qin Hongxia.

My mother?

[Police]

All right.

That's all for our meeting today.

Meeting dismissed.

Chang Zheng.

Yes, sir.

Why the rush?

Where are you going?

They'll hold a court hearing for Zhao Pengxiang's case today.

I need to rush to the People's Procuratorate.

You've been hanging around him for six months.

[Xiao Zhenbang, Deputy Director of Public Security Bureau Changwu City]

You've finally harvested your fruit of labor today.

Once the People's Procuratorate registers the case,

I'll report it to the bureau's party committee immediately.

Everything you did before this

was under my permission.

I'll restore your reputation for you.

Mentor,

all of these aren't important.

Calling you Mentor

in front of other people

will be my biggest reward.

Mentor, I have to go now.

[Next, we have short news from the Public Security Bureau.]

[Two witnesses of]

[the Xinye murder case]

[changed their testimony on the scene.]

[They said it was pouring that night,]

[and they were too far away from the suspect.]

[Therefore, they couldn't see the suspect's face clearly.]

[The People's Procuratorate]

[has decided to release the suspect, Zhao Pengxiang.]

Did you spend all the money?

I did.

But we have half of them left.

The other party didn't dare to take it.

He said

he was diagnosed with a terminal illness.

He only has three months left.

The money

is enough to support his family for the rest of their lives.

In fact, it's more than enough.

Find an opportunity

to deliver the rest

to their family.

The incident will only end

if we spend enough money on it,

understood?

Yes, sir.

[Police]

Chang Zheng,

we've arrested the suspect in the intentional injury case

at Xinye Wharf.

What suspect?

Who arrested him?

Just now.

He came to turn himself in.

His testimony

fits the situation completely.

This is the trick that the Zhao family usually employs.

They can somehow find scapegoats for their crimes!

I'm hanging up.

When will he change his temper?

The Zhao family, huh?

Did you tell him everything you were supposed to?

Pengxiang told me

about every detail of the case.

I repeated that in front of our scapegoat.

I even asked him to rehearse it in front of me.

It was perfect.

We've also dealt with

the fingerprints on the musket.

So, what the cops are seeing and hearing right now

are true.

It's just that the suspect is a different person.

What about the casino?

Liu will deal with that.

He's counting on us

to support his family.

Not bad.

I heard that you got yourself an adopted son lately.

I don't consider him my adopted son.

It's just a coincidence.

It's fate.

That boy looked pretty cute.

Dad,

what about this?

I'll bring him here one day

so that you can have a look.

Forget it.

He's not your biological son.

And,

stop visiting the O&G Department.

Rumor is spreading throughout the entire Changwu.

They said the eldest son of the Zhao family was a pervert.

He takes photos of newborn male babies.

Don't you think it sounds terrible?

[Letter of non-prosecution decision, People's Procuratorate, Changwu City, Binjiang Province]

[Zhao Pengxiang's crime circumstances are unclear, and there's insufficient evidence.]

What's the matter?

What's the matter?

I'm here to check out Prince Zhao.

Is your father the emperor of Changwu?

His son killed someone,

and we have evidence of his crime.

However, he was released unconditionally?

Don't you think it's amazing?

It's all thanks to you, his second brother, who works as a prosecutor.

Chang Zheng.

You're a cop

while I'm a prosecutor.

All of us know

that evidence is required

to convict someone of a crime,

not your wild imagination.

Evidence is required, huh?

I got you the evidence! But what happened in the end?

You guys still released him, didn't you?

Zhao Pengxiang is your little brother.

Don't you understand his personality well enough?

I understand.

I'm very clear about that.

And, I'm very clear

that you've been trying

to get a hold of the Zhao family's weakness all these years

in order to avenge your father.

Do not mention my father.

Do not mention my father,

especially when you're from the Zhao family.

Do you really think you can deceive the masses?

Listen up.

Even if your family is capable enough to do so,

I'll force my way in

and send all of you to prison,

understood?

[First Prosecutor's Office]

Chang Zheng!

What are you doing? Let go of him!

[To Serve The People]

What are you doing?

Where do you think you are?

[Xiao Chen, student of Zhao Pengcheng, prosecutor of Changwu City People's Procuratorate]

What's the matter?

What's the matter?

Xiao Chen,

this is none of your business.

You should leave.

Chang Zheng,

did you look for Mentor

for Zhao Pengxiang's case?

So, Prince Zhao is too busy to show himself.

That's why he sent his lackey here to deal with me, huh?

Just talk about the issue at hand.

Fine, let's talk about it.

Regarding the witnesses

and why they change their testimony in court,

I will find out why

and show you guys the evidence.

Now, the murder weapon

has been confirmed to be a musket, right?

Zhao Pengxiang's fingerprints are on it.

And, the remaining gunpowder inside the musket

is the same as the one

we found in Zhao Pengxiang's office.

Stop trying to quibble with me!

Are you done?

Fine.

Let me tell you then.

Zhao Pengxiang's fingerprints

are on the musket indeed.

However, it also has the fingerprints

of the person who turned himself in today.

And, the testimony he gave

was exactly the same as the situation back then.

And, regarding the gunpowder you mentioned just now,

the mine below Tieshi Mining

uses the same type of gunpowder.

This evidence lacks any uniqueness.

More importantly,

Zhao Heitou admitted that he was the one

who brought the gunpowder

to the office during our interrogation.

What did Zhao Heitou admit?

What gives him the right to do so?

He's Zhao Pengxiang's lackey!

How could we use his testimony as evidence?

We've already verified its validity!

Listen up.

The dynamite manager of the mine

and the workers

who planned to blast the mine together with him

can testify against him.

That means

everyone could testify against him

from the time he retrieved the gunpowder until he went to the office.

Chang Zheng, tell me then.

With all this evidence,

what gives you the right to tell me

that Zhao Pengxiang is the murderer here?

Your cover-up is seamless indeed.

The Zhao family is truly amazing.

Listen up.

No matter how many of you guys

try to defend the Zhao family,

I, Chang Zheng,

will fight you until the end.

Fight us until the end, huh?

Fine.

Deputy Chief Chang,

since you're already here,

you shouldn't make a wasted trip.

Why don't you head downstairs and retrieve the evidence?

You're going to fight us until the end, right?

Maybe the evidence

can help you out in the future.

Fine.

I'll keep them.

Pengxiang did everything he could

to transfer you back.

But the first thing you did

after you came back was to arrest him.

What's wrong with that?

I wasn't wrong about you.

Regarding the Zhao family,

I'll surely give you an explanation.

You'll give me an explanation?

How?

Wait for my call.

Have a seat.

I'm your father.

You can get straight to the point.

Go and turn yourself in.

Are there no other topics

for us to talk about?

Go and turn yourself in.

Pengcheng,

I know you hated me all these years

for what happened to your mother.

Actually,

she left me of her own accord.

She didn't even tell me that she was pregnant.

She ran back to the mountains in secret.

It was her own choice.

I didn't chase her away.

You stole me from her

and took her life!

You knew

that I was her only reason for living.

You're the son of the Zhao family.

You have to acknowledge your roots.

This is our family rule!

Moreover,

did you think

you'd be able to get to where you are today

if I didn't bring you back from the mountains?

Of course,

I knew you couldn't fit in

all these years.

But I've never mistreated you.

I don't wish to talk about that.

Stop it.

I'm here today

to tell you to turn yourself in.

To be honest with you,

I have enough evidence

for you to turn yourself in.

This is your only choice.

Is this your ultimatum?

What about this?

I've told Pengchao to come back from Australia.

Tonight,

our family

can hold a gathering on Pengxiang's yacht.

We can discuss this

during the gathering.

Dad,

tonight's the deadline.

If you decide to turn yourself in,

I'll accompany you to the Public Security Bureau myself.

If you guys aren't willing to do so,

I will give all the evidence I have

to Chang Zheng.

I'm a man of my word.

Pengxiang!

Pengxiang!

Pengxiang!

Pengxiang!

Pengxiang!

Pengxiang!

Pengxiang!

Thank you, my brothers.

I, Zhao Pengxiang,

have returned safely

all thanks to you all.

Pengcheng is here today as well.

Pengzhan.

Dad.

Today, I...

All right, Dad.

How many times have I told you?

You shouldn't get involved with Chang Zheng.

You just had to defy me, huh?

Do you know

why Chang Zheng was transferred away from the criminal investigation detachment?

It's because I hired someone to report him.

But you? You transferred him back!

You're digging your own grave here!

Dad, it's fine.

He came back safely, didn't he?

Dad,

calm down.

Your health will be affected if you get angry.

It's not worth it.

Don't worry.

In the future, I will keep an eye on him on your behalf.

Do you think you can keep an eye on me

when you can't even walk?

What's wrong with my leg?

I ended up like this

all because of the Zhao family!

What gives you the right to laugh at me?

Pengzhan, I daren't laugh at you.

You've contributed much to the family.

However, it's a fact that you're a cripple now,

am I right?

Someone needs to be in charge of the family.

Who will do it?

Of course it's me.

Can't you see that I had just returned from the Public Security Bureau?

Enough.

Stop trying to claim credits here.

We're in danger here,

yet you guys still have the mood to claim credits?

Dad,

is Pengcheng doing the same thing again?

What?

Did Pengcheng tell us to turn ourselves in again?

Just now,

he gave me his ultimatum.

And, he emphasized

that he had evidence of our crimes.

If we don't turn ourselves in,

he'll hand the evidence to Chang Zheng.

That traitor.

What is this?

Isn't he a part of the family?

Was it because he didn't get a share

of our profit or what?

Yes.

Although all four of us have different mothers,

we only have one father.

I'll kill him

if he gets on my nerves again.

Dad,

I think it's time for us

to have a chat with Pengcheng.

How?

Tell him to quit his job as a prosecutor

and help out the family business.

I arranged an appointment with him tonight.

We can try to persuade him.

But he has a stubborn personality.

Dad,

what time is Pengchao's plane arriving?

I think it's around 9pm.

What?

You want Pengchao to persuade Pengcheng?

Precisely.

Pengchao is a bookworm as well.

What can he do?

You should do it then.

Pengchao was close

to Pengcheng since young.

And, he's been living in Australia

without getting involved in our family business.

Even if Pengcheng hates all of us,

he won't hate Pengchao.

What about this?

I'll pick up Pengchao at the airport.

I'll tell him about it.

I'll ask him to persuade Pengcheng.

If so, I'll arrange an appointment with Pengcheng.

I'll calm him down for now.

You mustn't go.

But why?

Think about it.

If you meet him,

Pengcheng will surely force you to express your stand.

When that happens, we'll run out of time before Pengchao arrives.

You're the head of the family.

You're our last line of defense.

We'll ask Pengchao to persuade him first.

You can come out when he fails.

We should try fair means before resorting to force.

You're right.

What about this?

Pengzhan,

you can pick up Pengchao at the airport.

Pengxiang,

I'll arrange an appointment with Pengcheng on your yacht.

You can meet up with him

and calm him down.

You must wait for Pengchao's arrival.

I'll wait for your news at home.

Pengchao, look.

The local night scenery is much better than Australia's.

Right now,

I can smell the fresh and moist air

of Changwu.

The only thing you can smell right now

is the stench of a human body that hasn't taken a shower for over 10 hours.

Why are you so realistic?

We're lawyers.

[Zhao Pengchao, fourth son of Zhao family, a lawyer]

This isn't reality.

This is the truth.

It's precisely because we have to be realistic all the time

[Ji Nian, a lawyer]

that we should be romantic

while we have the chance.

Everything is romantic

when you're going to see your boyfriend, huh?

How long has it been since you two met?

I think it was the Spring Festival three years ago

when we last met each other.

You haven't broken up with him yet?

What nonsense are you talking about?

Is he coming to pick you up?

Of course.

Yeah, I guess so.

Your love will disappear for real

if you don't return this time.

I came back in pursuit of love this time.

Of course,

as the best lawyer in your law firm,

I won't give up on my career as well.

I hope

you achieve fulfillment in both your relationship and your career.

[Dear passengers,]

[our pleasant trip will end]

[in about two hours.]

[We will land at Changwu Airport.]

We'll reach Changwu in two hours.

Are you nervous?

A little.

After all, this is

an important turning point in my life.

It's yours as well.

Yeah.

I'm returning to the Zhao family.

And, it's my first time seeing that guy.

Who?

Who is it?

You just need

to remember that 10th October 2018

is a memorable day.

That'll do.

A memorable day?

Do you want to touch up your makeup?

Your makeup is fading.

Thanks for the reminder, Mr. Zhao.