Original subtitles

[Brocade Odyssey]

[Episode 29]

But there are pros and cons.

The clan system of the Yang family

has lasted so long

that it has begun to slow down and corrupt.

Now, compared to taking money from outsiders,

the uncles seem more willing

to take money from their relatives.

How dare you tell me all this?

Aren't you afraid I'll punish you?

Isn't this exactly what you wanted me to see?

When did you find out?

You knew there would be a dispute with the elders

if I attended the banquet,

but you still let me go.

You blamed me for opposing Second Uncle,

yet gave me the shop

and gave me the foundation to confront him.

And through the sample brocade incident,

you made me see the flaws in the Yang family's system.

Even Jin Xiu,

that particularly well-mannered maid,

was deliberately arranged by you, wasn't it?

So,

what do you think

I arranged all of this for?

You need me,

like a knife,

to cut through the corruption

and rebuild the Yang family.

Since you invited me,

you must have a plan.

To change the Yang family,

we first need to understand

what is trapping the Yang family.

Uncles! You have arrived early.

I came late.

Well then,

I'll start by punishing myself with a drink.

Good!

See?

What did I say?

He wouldn't be wearing official attire!

So, the one who comes today

is our nephew, Yang Jinglan,

not Inspector Yang.

Jinglan,

you've been away for years,

and you've forgotten the rules.

How could you send someone

to inspect our Yang family's accounts?

But,

considering you've been away for so many years,

we won't hold it against you

or question you at the ancestral hall.

Let's clear the air here

at the dinner table.

Oh,

what rule of our family

have I broken by inspecting the accounts?

The Yang family rule, Article 34:

No in-fighting within the family.

No mixing of insiders and outsiders.

No short-sighted actions

that harm long-term interests.

The Yang family rule, Article 41:

All Yang family shops,

all products, personnel, and accounts

are under the management of the steward.

No private circulation

or probing into secrets.

Fifth Uncle, you really have a good memory,

but I didn't understand a word of it.

Perhaps Second Uncle, you can help me clarify?

Yang Jinglan!

Stop pretending to be confused.

Today, we uncles invited you here

to give you face.

If you don't want this face,

we'll question you at the ancestral hall!

I'll ask my good brother and sister-in-law

how they plan to punish you,

this ungrateful child.

I'll let them teach you

what the Yang family's rules really mean!

Clan members aren't scary,

but what's tricky

is the knife in their hands,

the Yang family's rules.

So, to change the Yang family,

the best method

is to establish new rules and regulations

and return power to proper and reasonable rules

rather than relying on seniority and bloodlines.

Since you uncles

have already said this much,

I'll also share my thoughts with everyone.

I inspected the accounts

because I have a personal interest.

The Crown Prince

wants to secretly buy some Shu brocade.

When the Crown Prince buys things,

even in private,

he still needs to investigate the source thoroughly.

I just happen to be in Yizhou,

so the Crown Prince entrusted me

with this inspection task.

Now, which family should I choose?

Jinglan, if you really have this intention,

why not just say it directly?

How should I say it?

What should I say?

Should I say,

I'm a member of the Yang family,

so they should just buy Yang Brocade?

That doesn't seem appropriate.

Actually,

I've already thought of an excuse.

I'll tell the Crown Prince

that I'm not on good terms with the Yang family,

that the inspection is just to vent my personal grievances.

But once we check,

we find everything seems fine,

and the brocade is good.

Then, since I value family ties,

I'll naturally recommend our Yang Brocade.

If that's the case,

then continue with your plan.

No, that's not possible.

The Yang family has its rules.

I'm not qualified to inspect.

Jinglan,

the Crown Prince doesn't know the Yang family's rules after all.

He's your Eleventh Uncle.

Eleventh Uncle,

you've never been in office,

so naturally, you don't understand.

This matter

will need to be reviewed.

When the time comes,

someone from Chang'an will come down to cross-check,

and once they know about this rule of the Yang family,

they'll ask

and say...

You...

"You say you've inspected the Yang family's shop,

but did the Yang family's rules allow you to inspect?"

I...

"You didn't check at all, yet falsely reported that you did,

or did the Yang family's rules change?"

Jinglan,

as long as the rules change,

it will...

Just kidding.

How could the Yang family's rules change?

If you're sure

that the Crown Prince

will definitely buy Yang Brocade...

As long as no family has any issues.

Fine.

Fifth Brother, what do you mean by that?

Everyone,

I think since Jinglan is doing this

for the Yang family's good,

then we must do our part

to protect the Yang family's reputation.

I suggest

we add another clause

to the forty-first rule:

If mutual investigation benefits the Yang family,

then we can discuss it as needed.

What do you think?

It's not possible!

That's a rule passed down from our ancestors,

and it cannot be changed!

Fifth Uncle,

I seem to recall

that our family has a rule,

something like

"If opinions differ,

the minority must follow the majority."

Yes, there is such a rule!

Here,

if you agree to add one more clause,

let's all drink to this.

All right.

Second Uncle.

Second Brother!

See?

Doesn't it seem like the Yang family is united?

Then let's

change

the rule.

Let's change it!

You see,

the rules can be changed eventually.

But how can you be sure

that your new rules will be better than the old ones?

I'm not sure,

that's why we need to try.

I've already organized the Yang family's

brocade-related rules,

and I'll go through them with everyone.

We will prioritize revising and improving

the three most important ones.

These will be implemented first in the Bloom Society and Ji's Brocade Workshop.

I want you to witness this with us, Madam.

So, you're not trying to change the Yang family,

but the brocade industry.

What I want to reform

are all the unreasonable rules.

If this attempt is successful,

would you allow me to try it in the Yang family as well?

Or perhaps,

would you dare to take a gamble?

Jin Xin.

Madam.

Bring the wine.

I want to have a good drink

with my business partner.

[Ji's Brocade Workshop is Hiring Weavers]

Everyone,

you needn't worry about us faking anything.

These terms will all be written into the contract.

Those who wish to work at Ji's Brocade Workshop,

please come inside to sign the contract.

There's been a lot of talk lately about your new rules.

They say they want to teach you a lesson.

But no one has dared to come forward yet.

They're waiting.

In their eyes,

I have always been rebellious,

but only after profit.

Some people are just waiting to see

if this really has any benefits.

If it does,

they'll use it sooner or later.

For businessmen,

profit is always the top priority.

And then, some people

are probably waiting for the Yang family clan

to teach me a lesson.

You look really good.

But who are you dressing up for?

Women dress up to please those who love them.

This makeup

is naturally for you to see.

What if I didn't come today?

So, I wait here every day,

thinking that one day,

you will need me.

For example, during festivals.

Sometimes it's necessary

for me, the Lady Zhao, to make an appearance.

Or, for example,

when my father suddenly remembers me

and wants to see me.

You Niu family members,

truly have strong willpower.

Even in such adversity,

you can endure and bide your time.

Now that you have finally agreed to meet me,

it must be for something important.

I've heard that you stayed in Chang'an for a while

and made many influential friends.

Are you planning to bring the Zhao family's business

to Chang'an?

Chang'an is actually a place that brings me sorrow.

My second husband

died there.

Naturally,

I'm willing to serve faithfully,

but...

I know what you're thinking.

Yu Yuan is not dead.

If I could sell her,

I can definitely buy her back.

If you continue to be stubborn,

you will eventually learn her fate.

Yu Yuan,

I will definitely save you.

Since you left home,

your father has been drawing your portrait every year

based on his imagination,

and sending people to look for you.

Later, when the Yang family went on trade journeys,

it was always your father leading the team.

He hoped to encounter you.

Every year, he copied scriptures and prayed for your safety.

Even if you didn't return,

he still wanted you to be safe.

Madam is not showing you this to persuade you.

She just wants to tell you

that those who have passed are gone,

and the living

should cherish those in front of them,

so they won't regret it later.

I'm just here to deliver a message.

Whatever decision you make, I'll support you.

Thank you, dear.

No matter what decision I make, you'd support me?

Good.

Come on.

Yang Jinglan,

what are you doing?

Put me down!

I still have things to do!

I have things to do too.

I have important matters.

I have important matters too.

This road is hard to travel.

Watch your step.

Yang Jinglan, let me tell you,

although only three rules have been changed so far,

my brother and Mr. Yu said

the workers are indeed more motivated,

and things are getting done faster.

But the reward and punishment system

has also caused some jealousy

among the workers,

and it still needs improvement.

No rush, we'll take it slow.

By the way,

last time you told the clan

that the Crown Prince wanted to buy Yang Brocade.

If the Crown Prince finds out,

won't he punish you?

No, he won't.

As long as I don't break the law or the public's trust,

he'll let me use his name.

But this method can't be used too often.

We must rely

on our own rules soon.

Are you tired?

I'll carry you.

Okay.

Come on.

No need.

This is my first time coming to see Ta Xue.

I need to show sincerity.

And I also need to get used to it,

because I'll come here with you often.

Fine.

Let's go.

Take care.

Ta Xue,

I'm sorry.

[Ta Xue's Grave] I finally had time to come see you today.

Thank you for traveling thousands of miles

to bring him back and save me.

I heard this is the kind of leaf

you liked to eat the most.

This time, please make do with these.

When I come again,

I'll plant a tree

like this nearby for you,

so that you can eat fresh leaves every day.

How is it, buddy?

She's a good person, isn't she?

Not to mention thousands of miles,

even if it's millions of miles,

it's worth coming back to marry her.

The picture I promised to draw for you

has already been done.

Now, take a good look at it.

See

if I missed anything.

These are all the places you and Ta Xue

have been together?

That's right.

Chang'an, Jiangnan,

the Northern Desert,

and the coastline...

No wonder you are so calm and composed now.

The path you've walked

has become a part of you.

In the future, I'll take you along.

I also want to bring my Shu brocade with me.

I want the whole world to know its beauty.

I want to sell it to Jiangnan,

sell it to the Northern Desert,

sell it to Tubo,

sell it to India,

sell it to Nanzhao,

sell it everywhere I can reach!

Dear,

you even want to sell it to Nanzhao?

Sure.

I've seen foreign merchants in Fan City.

They really love Shu brocade,

and they love everything

from Tang, from Yizhou.

I feel honored by that.

If trade routes are opened in the future,

and formal and mature trade relations are established,

private transactions will decrease.

No one

will be innocently harmed anymore.

And also,

the beauty of Shu brocade

should not be confined to a small place.

Yang Jinglan,

once I help Madam reform the Yang family,

I will take the Shu brocade out with me.

I want to see the world,

and let the world see me.

Alright, then when the time comes,

I'll accompany you

to see the world,

and let the world see you.

[Chang'an]

Long time no see,

yet you still remember me

and are willing to grace me

with your presence.

I'll raise a glass to all of you.

Especially you, Mrs. Zheng,

I'm grateful for the care

you showed me back then.

The one sitting in the center is Mrs. Zheng.

Her mother is close to several princesses,

and the princesses trust her judgment.

She and her mother take pride

in influencing the fashion of Chang'an's women.

Apart from her,

all the ladies invited to this banquet

are the prominent and respectable women

in Chang'an.

You're also a woman of misfortune.

You didn't have a good life in Chang'an.

Look at these women,

they seem warm,

but in reality, they're here to watch her downfall.

They all want to see

how fallen Niu Wuniang is now.

If I'd known earlier, I would've stopped you.

What's a merchant compared to you?

Even if this is your third marriage,

he doesn't deserve

a noble lady like you.

Indeed.

He didn't hit you, did he?

What are you saying?

I told you not to bring up her sad past.

It's fine.

You are just concerned about me.

My current husband treats me very well.

He is the Brocade Master of Yizhou,

and his Zhao family is a prominent brocade-dyeing family.

Shu brocade? The Zhao family?

My dear,

were you fooled?

The fine clothes and goods of the nobles in Chang'an

are all made from Yang Brocade.

When have you ever heard of Zhao Brocade?

Indeed.

Our family's matriarch

has always bought Yang Brocade.

Mrs. Zheng's outfit today is made

from Yang Brocade.

That's truly worth its weight in gold.

Well,

this was a gift from my husband.

I couldn't bear to buy it myself.

Why are you bringing up this in front of Wuniang?

Wuniang,

don't be too upset.

Although my outfit

is more valuable than yours,

that doesn't mean your husband doesn't love you.

It's just that the Yang Brocade

really has no equal.

No,

what I meant was, the Zhao Brocade is also fine.

Stop!

How dare you!

Dancers like you

dares to wear the same clothes

as the noble ladies?

Since we're performing dances for you ladies today,

we've specially changed into new dance outfits.

We didn't mean to offend you, Madam.

Please forgive us!

It seems not only does Mrs. Zheng love the Yang Brocade,

but even the songstress and dancers in Chang'an

really love it too.

You've deliberately set this up

to embarrass me!

That's ridiculous.

Yang Brocade is everywhere in the streets now.

How could I have deliberately done this?

That's true.

Mrs. Zheng, this Yang Brocade with the phoenix pattern

is only ten wen per inch

on the market now.

Only ten wen?

Isn't that the price of regular fabric?

Sir,

that's Shu brocade, which is worth its weight in gold!

Should we

really do this?

The Yang family's reputation in Chang'an

has been built up over time.

It wasn't achieved overnight.

Let me ask you,

would you trade fifty rolls of brocade

for the Yang family's years of foundation

and reputation?

Do you think it's worth it or not?

I have a narrow view.

You have deeper foresight, sir.

You may not know,

but ever since the Yang family lost the title of Brocade Master,

to recover from the losses,

they had to sell at low prices

and mass-produce.

If you

still take pride in Yang Brocade,

you'll find yourself

facing

many troublesome issues in the future.

You...

But Zhao Brocade is different.

The Zhao family is the Brocade Master of Yizhou.

We focus on excellence,

tailoring each piece for the nobles of Chang'an.

Each batch of brocade

is woven by the best artisans

in the Zhao family.

From raw silk to the finished brocade,

all overseen by my husband personally.

Most importantly,

Zhao Brocade

can only be worn by those worthy of it.

In my view,

Zhao Brocade is superior to Yang Brocade.

What do you think?

I think

it's really quite good.

Since Wuniang has brought us

such beautiful Shu brocade,

let's all raise a toast to Wuniang.

Come on!

Let's raise a toast to Wuniang.

Mrs. Zheng knew I'd been scheming against her.

She was willing to cooperate

because every time I use her,

she gets great benefits.

So,

you must bring her a heavy gift.

If she accepts it,

then it's settled.

If she can get her mother

to say a few words in front of the princess,

the Yang family is finished.

Stop drinking.

Take Madam back to rest.

Yes.

No need.

I want to sit for a while longer.

Back then, Yu Yuan and I

loved visiting this inn.

Every time my beast of a husband

beat me,

the two of us

would run here for a big feast.

We'd eat

and laugh.

No one was allowed to cry.

Since the day I was born,

I've never felt a shred of love.

My mother doesn't acknowledge me.

My father despises me because I'm a girl.

He only wanted to marry me off

to gain benefits for himself.

My husband doesn't even treat me like a human.

Only Yu Yuan's presence

made me feel warmth and love.

Now that Yu Yuan is no longer by my side,

my life feels

like it's fallen into an abyss again.

Zhao Xiuyuan,

I'm tired.

Once this matter is over,

return Yu Yuan to me,

and we'll be square.

Fine.

[Yizhou]

Didn't I send word

asking you to stay a few more days at Ji's house

and come back later?

Mr. Jingshan,

we are also part of the Yang family.

We want to solve the problems in Chang'an too.

They're not aiming to solve the problems in Chang'an.

They're aiming to deal with you.

Then we need to come back and take a look.

Yang Jinglan,

do you want to repeat the mistakes I made back then?

Yang Jingshan,

my wife came here today

to help the Yang family out of trouble.

Besides, when has the Yang family ever controlled me?

Dear,

let's go.

Dear,

stay calm.

Ji Yingying,

before the family discipline, kneel down!

Second Uncle, if you want to enforce family discipline,

there needs to be a reason.

A reason?

You provoked the Zhao family,

and now Zhao Xiuyuan has ruined

our reputation in Chang'an,

causing so much of our goods

to pile up unsold,

and our connections to be damaged.

Isn't this crime enough

to expel you from the Yang family?

You couldn't sell your goods,

but you blamed others for it.

Is this how the Yang family's discipline

has turned you all into?

In my view,

the Yang family's discipline is worthless!

Yang Jinglan!

Don't talk nonsense here.

If you look down on the family discipline,

I'll expel you from the Yang family too,

and also remove your mother's ancestral tablet

from the ancestral hall!

Master,

stay calm.

Since it's come to this,

I can't do anything about it.

Yang Juli,

the thing I hate most is when someone

uses my mother to threaten me.

Today,

I'm making it clear here:

if anyone dares to touch my mother's tablet,

I'll make them

apologize to my mother face to face!

Dear,

do you think this will work?

Yes.

You unfilial descendant!

How dare you threaten your elders?

Someone,

punish this troublemaker, Ji Yingying,

according to the family discipline!

Who dares!

You...

Juxian!

Stop!

Stop it!

What position do you hold in the Yang family?

Second.

I'm still here!

Don't interfere. Go stand aside.

I failed to protect you and your mother back then,

that was my incompetence.

If I can't even protect a tablet today,

then what kind of family head am I?

I might as well die!

All the relatives,

I've gathered you here today

to solve the problem,

not to shirk responsibility!

If you have something to say, speak.

If not,

please leave.

Did you all hear that?

- Yes. - Did you hear that?

Our eldest brother has a bad temper!

But he's the family head.

As the second brother,

I have no right to say anything.

I just feel sorry.

What are we going to do

with our family's reputation

and all this unsold stock?

Right!

Yang family rule, Article 81:

If the family head cannot

shoulder the responsibility,

then a resolution may be made to relieve him.

Right.

Seems like there is such a rule.

Nonsense!

Master.

The family head hasn't said

he won't handle the troubles in Chang'an.

And now, you're just taking advantage of the situation.

Will this sound good if it spreads?

My own brothers probably won't

want to have any dealings

with a family like this.

Family head,

how do you plan to manage this?

Didn't Jinglin already go to Chang'an to mediate?

Tomorrow, I'll go there with Jingshan too.

As long as the connections are there,

the reputation will be restored eventually.

It's easy to ruin a reputation,

but it's hard to rebuild it!

Exactly.

Right now, the most urgent matter is,

what to do with this batch of goods

we just finished?

What should we do?

I owe money outside.

I'm counting on selling this batch to clear the debts!

I see, the family head

can no longer manage this.

That's right.

Who said that?

The family head has ordered me

to sell this brocade without losing a single coin.

What? Sell it?

Sell it?

Sell it where?

There's no need for you to worry.

According to the rules, we'll first take a deposit,

and the remaining amount will be paid in two months.

Jingshan,

take the relatives

to collect the deposit.

Yes.

Everyone, this way please.

No,

wait!

This is clearly just a stalling tactic!

Ji Yingying

is full of tricks

and poison behind the scenes.

You still believe her?

Yang Juli!

Her words are my words.

If you're selling,

go collect the deposit.

If not, get out!

I don't have time for your nonsense.

Fine!

You're the eldest brother.

I'll listen to you.

But if the remaining payment isn't received in two months,

who will take responsibility?

Right.

Naturally, the family head will be responsible!

Did you all hear that?

Heard it.

Did you hear that?

Those who contribute to the Yang family

are never treated unfairly.

Yingying,

if this succeeds,

you'll have a seat

in the council hall.

It's settled!

Fine.

Jingshan, take me to collect the deposit.

- Let's go get the money! - This way.

Let's go!

Yingying,

you've always planned carefully before taking action.

Since you've spoken up today,

do you really have a solution?

Thank you, Sir, Madam, for trusting

and supporting me.

I do indeed have an idea.

I want to leverage Yizhou's geographic advantage

to open foreign trade routes

and truly break the stalemate.

Open trade routes?

Since the nobles of Chang'an

are temporarily blinded,

we might as well sell the brocade elsewhere.

Let them see,

no matter how much they slander us,

our Yang family's brocade

will always be worth its weight in gold.

Moreover,

if the trade routes are opened,

not only can this batch of brocade be sold,

but more orders will come in,

truly opening up Yang family's market.

It's true that foreigners also love Shu brocade,

but the foreign business we know

has already been divided up.

That's why

we need to take a path no one has taken before.

Starting from Yizhou,

heading southwest to Tubo,

sacred lands and hidden realms are everywhere.

All are business opportunities.

No.

You can't go.

That route is extremely dangerous,

plagued by natural disasters and human threats.

You can't go.

It's fine. I'll go with her.

I'll make sure she's safe.

So it'll be safe just because you're going?

Are you a deity?

Or can you carve out roads from mountains?

Don't you know people in Chang'an?

Sell the goods to them.

Bring the brocade

and go to Chang'an with me.

Sir,

the brocade can be sold

no matter what,

but restoring the Yang family's reputation

cannot be achieved overnight.

By opening trade routes

from the outside,

the Yang family's reputation will also be restored.

This is the best,

and the only way for our family.

Whether it works or not,

we must give it a try.

In your eyes,

is business more important than life?

I have no other talents.

Only by succeeding in business

can I protect the people I care about,

so they can live long and worry-free.

Yingying has always dared to lead the way.

I trust her,

and I trust Jinglan to protect her.

This isn't as simple as you make it sound.

Don't worry, Father.

How can I not worry...

What did you just call me?

What did you call me?

If you didn't hear, forget it.

No,

I heard!

Can't you say it again?

You'd better

bring her back in one piece.

Otherwise,

I'll break your legs.

You're rambling.

Don't worry.

Fine.

Then let's each prepare.

I'll go to Chang'an with Jingshan.

I'll stay in Yizhou to mediate.

I'll prepare the map and documents with Jinglan.

Alright.

Remember,

safety comes first.

[Yuebuhuan Inn]

How come you're so exhausted?

Did the Yang family force you into labor?

I've been gathering information about the trade routes,

my mouth is almost worn out,

and my legs are nearly broken.

Gathering information about trade routes?

Where are you planning to go?

I want to sell the Yang Brocade to foreign lands.

But the southwestern frontier is thinly populated,

and detailed maps are even rarer.

I've searched for days,

and the most detailed one I found

is this map.

Here, take a look.

Starting from Yizhou,

follow the official road,

pass through this dense forest,

and keep going,

but there's no road ahead.

I've asked every caravan,

and no one

can tell me exactly

how to proceed.

Never mind going forward,

the road through this forest is tricky,

full of marshes,

very hard to travel.

That doesn't mean impossible.

If the road has been mapped out,

it means it can be traveled.

The key right now

is this place with no road.

Your family used to lead caravans.

Can you help me figure out

which way we should take?

Should we go by mountain road

or by waterway?

The water is swift, and the mountain path is perilous.

Both are bad.

What if we go around this way?

This area is flat,

but full of bandits.

One slip,

and you lose both people and goods.

You really are an expert.

You know everything.

Now help me figure out a way,

expert,

Opening trade routes

can be very profitable.

But if it were easy,

people would rush in.

You wouldn't get a chance.

This route is so difficult,

even experienced traders wouldn't dare try it.

Yingying,

if you really want to help the Yang family,

you can think of another way.

This route is really hard.

What other way could I possibly have?

I know this route is hard,

but the Yang family's situation is also critical.

I can't ignore it.

♪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♪