Original subtitles

[Brocade Odyssey]

[Episode 11]

The Shu Road is difficult,

more difficult than ascending to the heavens.

Miss Ji.

Are you a ghost?

Why are you running here so early in the morning?

What ghost?

You're injured.

I...

I'll go get Zhuge to help you.

Can I talk to you for a moment?

Your wound needs to be treated quickly.

I can't stand the sight of blood.

You're afraid I'll drag you down?

Sorry for the trouble.

Wait a minute.

I hope you didn't get into too much trouble.

Otherwise, I'll throw you into the river.

Wait.

This is Li Bai?

When you asked me about the names of people from Shu,

I knew you'd use them for this.

Thank you for your guidance.

I'm planning to partner with the merchants to sell brocade clothes.

You're entering the brocade business?

You certainly have lofty ambitions.

Our family used to be in the brocade weaving business.

Come sit over here.

Are you planning to treat me through the curtain?

I'm not a doctor.

If you want to save a life, you wouldn't come to me.

Clean the wound.

You seem pretty upset.

Is it because you lost the fight?

Do I look like someone who can't accept losing?

That depends on what you lost.

What do you think shouldn't be lost?

For me,

it's family and belief.

I remember when I first entered the society,

love was love,

and hatred was hatred.

Anyone who dares to commit an evil deed in front of me

must first ask my sword.

But now, as an official,

everything is different.

It seems there's no black and white anymore,

and no good and evil.

If you want to pull the evil spirits out of hell,

you must first roll through hell yourself.

I've grown to hate this so much.

My master,

such a clean and tidy old man,

how did he endure it?

It seems you don't want to talk with me.

You always speak in riddles,

advancing step by step.

I don't understand.

So I don't know how to have a conversation.

You want to understand?

But if you understand,

you won't be able to leave this boat.

I must know the answer first,

then I'll consider

whether I should board your boat.

Then take a look at this.

Where did you get this from?

I found it.

Is there a problem?

I don't know.

The former brocade officer, Shen Rufeng, was my master.

I don't believe he died of illness.

I came back to Yizhou this time

to investigate his death.

I found this silk

when I was investigating his corpse.

This silk

is made using my father's Shu Red Silk formula.

But dyeing silk is different from weaving brocade.

The weather, temperature, and humidity

can change the silk color in an instant.

You must stand by the dye vat

and adjust accordingly.

So,

even with the secret formula,

it's not guaranteed to dye true Shu Red Silk.

You mean this silk is fake?

To brighten and set the color,

it's been treated with sulfur smoke.

It's miles away

from true Shu Red Silk.

After my father passed,

there have occasionally been

fake Shu Red Silk products on the market.

I've seen it a few times.

This one is the closest to the real thing.

Last time you mentioned

the court urgently needing Shu Red Silk to make clothing for the Empress.

You didn't rush in desperation

and treat this silk as Shu Red Silk,

then send it off to Chang'an, did you?

Do you remember

why your father was sentenced?

What exactly are you trying to say?

Before my master died,

he was investigating Shu Red Silk

and the case concerning your father.

Have you considered

that what we seek

could very well be the same truth?

So this is why you

have come to find me today.

I didn't plan to say this before,

but somehow,

while talking,

I've ended up telling you everything.

You don't believe me?

Well, the future is long.

One day, I'll make you believe.

But for now,

I still need your help

to tie this bandage.

Hot water is free,

but the wound medicine costs five qian.

I don't have any money.

But I can give you one life.

Come on.

Please tie it gently.

You have quite a strong grip.

[Heartless Manor]

Sir,

this must be the work of a schemer,

seeing your happy union

and feeling jealous.

Don't mind it.

I'll throw it away.

No need.

Heartless...

I suspect that in the future,

everyone in Yizhou will see me like this.

I don't care.

Grandfather has power.

He can make everyone in the house

live according to his rules.

Niu Wuniang has power.

She can decide a person's life or death at will.

Mr. Yang has power too.

He can live his life freely

according to his own preferences.

When I have power,

I'll make sure to protect

the ones I want to protect.

[Heartless Manor]

[Brocade Bureau]

This silk cannot be presented to the court.

Now that you've delivered this fake silk to Chang'an,

you must acknowledge it as genuine.

Niu Wuniang wants to tie you together

with this fake Shu Red Silk.

If I don't deliver,

how could she let us off the hook?

In the heart of Mount Qingcheng,

there's a place called San Pool.

Have you heard of it?

I've heard of it.

Send someone to search near there,

especially around places with blue wildflowers.

Where did you go before?

Mount Qingcheng.

That's it.

Look here,

this kind of blue is mostly extracted from mineral dyes

and rarely appears in herbs.

The only wildflower

I've seen with this color

grows by the edge of San Pool.

Understood.

Off you go.

What about the matters in Chang'an?

Mr. Yang,

you're betting your life!

Are you afraid I'll die?

Then when that time comes,

you can replace me

with a more obedient and reliable ally.

Wouldn't that be even better?

Niu Jin will return to the city soon.

He might be even harder to deal with than Niu Wuniang.

[Niu Jin, Deputy General of Jian'nan Street]

[Peace and Prosperity]

Welcome General Niu back to the city!

Governor Zhang, you're too kind.

[Governor Zhang]

Your efforts have greatly benefited the people of Jian'nan.

Such hard work!

It's been a year,

and you're still as impressive as ever!

General Niu,

after such a long journey,

I've prepared a welcome feast for you.

I hope you'll grace us with your presence.

You're the new Brocade Officer?

I am Yang Jinglan, pleased to meet you.

Your elder brother has been renowned as the Brocade Master

for several terms.

I never expected you would make such a mark as well.

Becoming the Brocade Officer of Yizhou.

You flatter me, General Niu.

This is my first time in office.

I welcome any advice you have.

Though Deputy General Niu

is not a virtuous person,

this Yizhou city

is the military commissioner's Yizhou.

Governor Zhang

is the military commissioner's eyes in the city.

As long as Zhang's here,

Deputy General Niu

won't dare to act openly.

The whole city came to greet him,

but he didn't even dismount his horse.

Niu Jin holds the military power.

He's had countless military achievements.

He's the top general under the military commissioner.

Naturally, he doesn't care about anyone.

But he's just a Deputy General.

No matter how arrogant he is,

he still has to respect a few things.

People say you're indifferent to others,

but I don't think so.

Human kindness must be shown to those who have humanity.

If they have no humanity,

why should I care for them?

Thank you for your compliment.

Did you ask me to meet here today

because the clothes are ready?

The clothes are in the shop across the street.

Later, please take a look.

Miss Ji, your good ideas

are sure to be accepted

by anyone you partner with.

So why

approach me?

Bloom Society has just been established.

It's famous, but lacks depth.

Allying with the top brocade merchants is the best choice.

You are upright,

kind, and generous,

so you're naturally my first choice.

If you were a man,

you would surely accomplish great things.

For centuries to come,

there have been many successful women.

There's Ba Qing, Zhuo Wenjun,

Empress Wu,

and even Nuwa.

Humankind was created by Nuwa,

meaning a woman created this world.

My view was too narrow.

[Niu Residence]

Father, please have some tea.

You have such courage.

You dare to make decisions about your own marriage!

This has nothing to do with you.

Leave now.

Yes.

Father,

I am not in love with Zhao Xiuyuan,

but I am considering you.

You're aiming for the brocade business.

Rather than marrying me off to a distant relative,

why not promise me

to a future Brocade Master?

A future Brocade Master?

The Zhao family is just a merchant family.

How can they compare to the military commissioner's distant relatives?

Father, you are the military commissioner's trusted confidant,

with your troops stationed outside Yizhou City.

Alliances with distant relatives will bring us no benefit.

In Yizhou's brocade business,

the Yang family has held the title of Brocade Master for five years.

We've only been able to weave brocade in the mountains.

If I marry into the Zhao family,

let them replace the Yang family

and become the new Brocade Master,

taking over the court orders,

wouldn't it be a legitimate way to change the situation?

Have you told this to the Zhao family?

Once I marry into the Zhao family,

we'll become one family.

Their success will be our success,

their downfall, our downfall.

I think

they'll understand this logic.

This logic,

I'm afraid even you haven't fully understood yet.

I'm not only thinking about my own marriage.

I have already found a weakness in Yang Jinglan.

Whether to kill, investigate, or spare him,

it's up to you.

I've heard that Yang Jinglan found the brocade workshop.

The trap to lure him in was fake,

but our real brocade workshop

is still at the original location,

heavily guarded.

Please rest assured.

Three brocade officers have died in succession.

The court didn't investigate before

because it had more pressing concerns.

Now that the Crown Prince has eased the rift between the factions,

the court won't turn

a blind eye like before.

Shu brocade is priceless.

The court will never ignore it.

Once this batch of brocade is completed,

immediately deal with the brocade workshop

to avoid future complications.

As for that brocade officer,

don't act against him for now.

I understand, Father.

Greetings, my father-in-law.

What brings you here?

Lady Wuniang sent someone to inform me that you've returned,

so I came to pay my respects.

If she hadn't said anything, you wouldn't have come, would you?

As a lowly son-in-law,

I feared that coming on my own

might offend you.

Why did you call him here?

There's something

I'd like you to look at.

I also called Mr. Zhao here

so he can see my dowry.

Shu Red Silk!

Just now,

you were calm and composed in front of my father,

acting appropriately.

It seems

you've thought things through.

I was just fulfilling my duties

as a husband and son-in-law.

You're adapting so quickly.

It makes me a little worried.

Since the marriage is already a fact,

even if I'm unhappy,

I'll still fulfill my responsibilities as a husband.

As for you,

I don't expect you to honor your parents-in-law

or get along with your sisters-in-law.

But I do hope you understand

the basic manners of a daughter-in-law.

Dear neighbors and folks,

The poet Du Fu once said,

[From Du Fu's "Happy Rain on a Spring Night"]

"Dawn sees saturated reds,

The town's heavy with blooms."

This speaks to the brilliance of Shu brocade.

Not long ago,

our Bloom Society

borrowed the poetry

of Poet Qinglian and Xue Tao

to inspire creativity.

We collaborated with the Yu family

to create ten sets of gorgeous clothing.

Today, we present them for your enjoyment!

Bravo!

Shu Red?

Isn't Shu Red already gone?

What's going on?

My family was famous for Shu Red Silk.

After my father passed away,

Shu Red Silk disappeared with him.

But the term "Shu Red" itself

originally referred

to the red color dyed in Shu.

I'm just a humble daughter

and can't reproduce my father's Shu Red Silk.

But I can present to you

more examples of Shu Red!

This garment is called "Flowers in Bloom."

It's woven from a mix of Flushed Rose,

light pink, and bright pink silk.

And it's adorned with a poem from Poet Qinglian,

forming its own style.

[From Li Bai's "Drinking with a Recluse in the Mountains"]

"We drink together among the mountain blooms,

One cup, then another, and yet another.

I grow drunk, longing for rest; you may depart,

But bring your qin tomorrow if you wish to drink again."

Bravo!

This garment is named "Nine Hues of Dawn."

Pale Rose is the main color,

with Lilac and Tangerine as the accents.

It's inspired by the poetry of Xue Tao.

[From Xue Tao's "Trying on New Garments"]

"The nine breaths split into nine-colored clouds,

As five spirits ride their five-clouded chariot.

The spring breeze, passing through the East Lord's domain,

Steals a sample and paints the blooms with vibrant hues."

Bravo!

Folks,

next, let me present

"Beauty Yu."

Great!

What a charming young man!

This outfit is quite beautiful.

But the flowers on the head and the makeup on the face...

Oh my!

[Wedding Procession] Isn't this Mr. Zhao?

This is the Zhao family's wedding procession.

Don't block the road!

Quickly, move aside!

Your Zhao family is truly impressive!

So, does that mean

the entire street is owned by your family?

Exactly.

Do you understand the order of precedence?

You don't understand?

Even a three-year-old would understand!

Exactly!

If you don't move,

don't blame me for being rude.

Don't be polite, come on!

What do you mean by "being rude"?

How do you want to be rude?

Don't be polite, come on!

Come on!

What do you want?

What do you want?

What do you want?

What do you want?

What do you want?

Move aside!

I said I won't move!

Come, let's see who's the bigger one!

Move!

Today is Mr. Zhao's wedding day.

We'll make way,

and what harm will that do?

♪The sea surges in silence deep♪

♪The waves rise and fall as you lead♪

We can make way,

but this excitement

cannot be given up!

Exactly!

Let me perform a dance for you!

♪Burns bright for a promised name♪

♪Love long locked in a hidden place♪

♪Bound by ties too much to erase♪

♪Rising and falling together amidst the waves♪

♪Why fear loneliness in the end?♪

♪Year after year♪

♪Just for a fleeting moment to hold dear♪

♪Far away, two entwined♪

♪Yet I remain, my shadow behind♪

♪Unforgotten♪

♪Memories entwined, stronger than love's song♪

♪A lifetime unfolds, a solitary bloom♪

Grandfather promised me

if I could secure the title of Brocade Master this time,

he'd allow me

to propose to your family.

♪I will hold on long♪

[Together Forever]

Hasn't been launched yet, and it's already working its magic?

You came here just for me.

You're really different.

Rising swiftly to the heavens.

Isn't this

exactly the person in my heart?

He who understands me

is none other than Mr. Zhao.

♪The sky stretches vast, forlorn♪

We've worked so hard for so long,

and finally, we can be together.

Don't give up...

♪The wind blows again♪

♪You are my anchor, my destined end♪

♪Love has no strength to break free♪

Perhaps our emotions

aren't as important as you think.

♪Even if it ends with no decree♪

But abandoning you

is my own choice.

[Bride Niu Wuniang, Bridegroom Zhao Xiuyuan]

♪Stirring ripples, a whirlpool set free♪

♪Year after year♪

♪Just for a fleeting moment to hold dear♪

Walk over the mats and bags,

wishing for the continuity of generations!

Scatter beans to ward off the three misfortunes!

♪Yet I remain, my shadow behind♪

First, for wealth and prosperity!

Second, for gold and jade in abundance!

Third, for the three top honors in the imperial exam!

Fourth, for dragon and phoenix bringing good fortune!

Fifth, for sons becoming ministers!

Governor Zhang.

Sixth, for thriving in harmony!

How come you're here too?

General Niu is here.

Who would dare not come?

Look,

half of Yizhou's elite has arrived.

Tenth, for full blessings!

The bride steps over the saddle and the balance,

wishing all her desires be fulfilled

and for peace and happiness through generations!

Looking into the mirror, bow in respect.

Husband and wife, as one,

may all evil be driven away!

Tie the belt together

and enter the bridal chamber!

All right,

We no longer need you here.

You may leave now.

Xiuyuan, stay a moment.

Congratulations, General Niu!

Esteemed guests,

today, aside from my daughter's wedding joy,

I have another happy event

to share with you all.

Everyone, please sit.

Xiuyuan,

since everyone's here today,

bring out your hard work

and let everyone see.

Got it.

Shu Red outshines

all reds

[From Bai Juyi's "The Everlasting Regret"]

and outshines in six palaces the fairest face.

What a pity.

Since Ji Guinan was punished and died,

Shu Red

has also disappeared.

For many years,

the Zhao family

has been determined to revive the glory of Shu Red.

Heaven rewards the determined.

My grandson, Zhao Xiuyuan,

the future head of the Zhao family,

has finally perfected

this Shu Red that outshines all reds!

Isn't Mr. Zhao in the brocade business?

How did he also learn silk dyeing?

Is it because of Ji Yingying...?

You're all veterans of the brocade business.

You've all seen

the unparalleled beauty of Shu Red.

Today, I ask you to witness

whether this silk

truly represents real Shu Red.

Wasn't Shu Red already lost to history?

How is it like the original?

Over the years,

many have claimed to have dyed it,

but in the end,

none of them are true.

Call the Ji siblings to appraise the silk!

[Yuebuhuan Inn]

Hurry!

Let's count today's earnings.

We'll split them with the Yu family, 60-40.

60-40 split.

We've made quite a profit today!

Yingying, bad news!

Yaoting.

Zhao Xiuyuan

has dyed Shu Red Silk!

Mr. Yang,

we invited you here today

to publicly confirm

whether this Shu Red Silk is real or fake.

General Niu,

this Shu Red Silk

is hard to distinguish with the naked eye.

But I remember

the real Shu Red Silk

wouldn't fade even in alkaline water.

That's a way to tell

if it's real or fake.

Apply alkaline water.

Please, everyone, inspect the silk.

Congrats to Mr. Zhao for reviving Shu Red Silk!

General Niu,

since Mr. Zhao has successfully dyed Shu Red Silk

and is the future head of the Zhao family,

it's certainly a cause for celebration!

The future is bright for him!

Mr. Yang.

As for this Shu Red Silk,

everyone,

does anyone

still have objections?

I have an objection!

Miss Ji, you have arrived just in time.

Let's see how it compares

to your father's Shu Red Silk.

Yingying,

Niu Jin's power is immense.

Even if you're sharp,

you can't shake him.

Think carefully.

This silk's color is wrong.

True Shu Red Silk

remains unchanged in alkaline water.

But this silk has already faded.

Everyone, you can carefully inspect the red silk in your hands.

If the red used to be perfect,

now it's only at seventy percent.

Only seventy percent...

Can everyone see the difference now?

Xiuyuan,

the Shu Red Silk you worked so hard to dye

is now being publicly questioned by Miss Ji.

You're not going to say anything?

As we all know,

Shu Red Silk

was created by Miss Ji's father.

The silk created by her own father

was lost for many years

but now someone else has dyed it.

She finds it hard to accept,

which is understandable.

Brocade has elegance,

and people should have character too.

Today, I won't believe

that only I can recognize

the fading of this silk.

Everyone here

is in the brocade business,

and your ability to distinguish colors is exceptional.

Today, the truth of right and wrong

rests with all of you.

I humbly ask you

to carefully examine the silk in your hands.

See if it really is unchanged.

Everyone, this matter concerns the art of Shu brocade.

If this centuries-old art of Shu brocade

is judged by only one person's word,

it may never have made it to today!

Please, think this over.

I ask you all to speak honestly!

General Niu,

I may not be able

to distinguish the fading or not,

but I've personally touched

the Shu Red Silk dyed by the Ji family.

The texture is indeed different.

Oh...

Sit down!

Yes.

Mr. Yang,

your sense of touch

is just like Miss Ji's eyes,

both from an individual perspective.

Think carefully before you answer.

Miss Ji,

you just want to clarify everything in front of everyone, right?

Fine.

I'll ask for you.

Mrs. Yang,

is this indeed Shu Red Silk?

As for me,

I only know business,

not brocade weaving.

So,

I can't tell the difference in the silk.

Mr. Sun,

is this the real Shu Red Silk?

Absolutely.

Without a doubt.

Mr. Wang?

It's absolutely authentic.

It is truly Shu Red Silk.

What do you all think?

It is indeed Shu Red Silk!

Turning lies into truth

and reversing right and wrong.

Yingying,

have you seen clearly now?

This

is power.

Miss Ji,

since everyone else believes it,

why deceive yourself?

The underdog can't take down the powerful.

♪Fallen petals, scattered on the ground♪

♪Love awakes, but it fades before it grows♪

♪Like dust in the creek, it slips away♪

♪Time just spins, tearing at the seams♪

♪I walk through the pain, but I still chase the dream♪

♪The road is ahead, but it feels so unknown♪

♪How can we, so small, fight against this tide?♪

♪Holding on tight, as the ropes pull me inside♪

♪To show that the soaring crimson is mine to own♪

♪Red like a vow, that's burning slow♪

♪Silent red, where all my memories go♪

♪Throw the thread, and let the heartache show♪

♪Drowning in this, can't let it go♪

♪Red like flames, that burn through my soul♪

♪I walk these miles alone, through sleepless nights♪

♪Love in the wind, alive, it's everywhere we've been♪

♪Red blooms bright, but it dies all alone♪

♪Red like a vow, that's burning slow♪

♪Silent red, where all my memories go♪

♪Throw the thread, and let the heartache show♪

♪Drowning in this, can't let it go♪

♪Red like flames, that burn through my soul♪

♪I walk these miles alone, through sleepless nights♪

♪Love in the wind, alive, it's everywhere we've been♪

♪Red blooms bright, but it dies all alone♪