Original subtitles

[Brocade Odyssey]

[Episode 30]

My mother has agreed to let me try,

but now I need a path for us to go through.

It's impossible to do it!

I have told you it's impossible to do it!

Why will you not listen to me?

Countless veterans didn't succeed in passing this path.

What makes you think you will succeed?

Do you think you are Zhang Qian?

Even Zhang Qian and his group

took many years

and many lives were lost to pass the path.

Don't you know that?

Yu, why are you getting so worked up?

I only want to warn you

that this path is truly perilous.

I know it is dangerous,

but isn't every new road in this world

forged through risk?

This road is different!

It is called the Valley of Death.

My father died there long ago.

Just like you, he was full of ambition,

hoping to carve a new path for the merchants.

But what's the result?

My mother and I kept waiting,

and he never returned

from that road.

Yu.

Most wrong paths allow you to turn back,

but a road of life and death

offers

no second chances.

[San Hua Pavilion]

Ms. Ji, I have heard

that you are seeking

a trade route from Yizhou to Tubo.

I brought a map for you today,

hoping it might help resolve your dilemma.

Why do you always appear and offer to help

whenever I venture into business, Mr. Bai?

Tell me, are you truly my benefactor,

or...

Or what?

Or do you have

some other motives?

You have guessed correctly, Ms. Ji.

I do have ulterior motives

for my visit here today.

I wish to accompany you on your journey.

Forging a new trade route

is fraught with danger.

Why would a man of your status

risk such peril?

What do you seek?

It is nothing extraordinary.

Just two simple things.

Fame and fortune.

Let's start with fortune.

The greater the risk

in establishing a new trade route,

the greater the reward.

There are swamps, bandits...

Many

are blinded

by the dangers on the surface

and fail to see this.

If a new route

is successfully forged,

it will not just carry Shu brocade.

There will be carpets, spices,

herbs, and silk.

Each is worth a fortune.

And as for fame?

To be the one who forges such a path,

my name will be remembered by all.

It will be etched into history

and immortalized for generations.

Is it not an enticing prospect?

It is rather tempting.

But I still do not understand.

With your wealth,

ambition,

and this map in hand,

why not simply hire others to pave the way?

When it comes to it,

Shu brocade originates from Yizhou

and from the Tang Empire itself.

In the eyes of foreign merchants,

only the Tang Empire can truly be called a majestic empire.

Only the Tang Empire could produce

such rare treasures.

Every piece is indeed a masterpiece.

As for me,

I am merely a merchant from Nanzhao.

My origins are far from remarkable.

What is more, the road ahead

is filled with checkpoints.

The documents of the Tang Empire

will be quite useful.

It is rare to hear you speak with such humility, Mr. Bai.

Ms. Ji,

would you like to hear the truth?

Why? Were you not honest earlier?

I was honest earlier,

but it was not the most important truth.

The most important reason

is that I wish to travel alongside you.

If it were anyone else,

I might not have agreed to go.

What do you mean by that, Mr. Bai?

I mean, Ms. Ji,

you have a way of surprising me,

and

I happen to enjoy surprises.

I will take that as a compliment, Mr. Bai.

But this map is incomplete.

Indeed, there are parts of the route

that even I do not know how to go.

But again,

if the path was such one

that we both knew,

how could it truly be called an exploration?

[The Yang Residence]

Bai Sheng doesn't tend

to act without purpose.

But this time he volunteered for this journey,

I think something must be wrong here.

The trade route is already perilous.

Adding a dangerous man like him

will only double the risk.

Yingying,

accusing a foreign prince

over a single piece of tribute brocade

might seem like making a big deal out of nothing

to the court.

This is why I must gather more evidence

to prove

Prince Bai and Niu Jin's collusion.

Only then will my senior in Chang'an

have the leverage he needs to negotiate.

But for now, here in Yizhou,

he will not make a move unless I do,

and I will not act unless he does.

We are at a stalemate.

The longer this drags on,

the worse it is for us.

If he is taking action now,

it is certainly with a plan in mind.

But I have come up with a plan myself.

What is your plan?

Do you want to know?

Who says

evidence must always be written on paper?

Yang Jinglan,

during the years you wandered around,

there must have been many people who hated you.

Back then, I did not have the wisdom I do now.

It is all thanks to your guidance, Yingying.

Since there is no clear path,

why not give it a try?

Your idea

is indeed risky.

But what if...

What's this...?

When I was in the north,

someone told me this.

Hunters there often go deep into the mountains

to cut a specific type of wood.

They carve it into beads

and string them together as bracelets

to give to their wives.

It is called Never Lost.

Never Lost?

Never abandon each other

and never stray from one's heart.

Yingying,

no matter what happens in the future,

you and I

will never lose each other.

Never Lost.

How cute.

Yang Jinglan,

teach me a few more moves.

Something easy to learn yet effective.

That way,

if we ever face danger

and you are not by my side,

I will be able to protect myself.

Just like last time.

Something like this.

A deadly move!

All right.

Face me.

Use your right hand and strike here.

On your face?

- Yang Jinglan! - This is the ultimate move.

It is called "When all else fails, seek your husband".

I did not mean to hide this from you all.

It is just that this journey will be fraught with challenges,

and I did not want you to worry.

We are not worried.

Bloom Society is also working to cut a new trade route.

We simply happen to be heading in the same direction as you.

What trade route will you cut?

Are you traveling thousands of miles just to sell silk?

Mr. Yu has entrusted us

to sell his brocade.

Besides, the first batch of brocade from Ji's Brocade Workshop

is ready

to see the world although the quantity is small.

Yaoting,

why are you indulging in their nonsense too?

Let us do it this way.

You wait until I secure the new trade route.

It will not be too late for you to start.

Enough.

I, Jiang Liu, and Pin

will stay behind to manage the business.

Sheng Dalang, Sang Shisi, and your brother

will take a few men and travel with you.

Let me make one thing clear.

I am not scared.

We decided by a game of dice,

and I lost.

It is just bad luck on my part.

When it comes to martial arts,

I may not be

as skilled as Mr. Yang.

But with me among us,

with my noble appetite...

You mean noble lineage!

Oh, who cares!

Who would dare to trouble us?

As for me,

I have packed all the medicine we will need.

Medicine for men

and women,

colds

and rashes,

calming the nerves,

protecting the hearts,

and even for pregnancy.

Everything we could possibly need is ready.

Bringing me along

is like having a physician at your side!

Wait a moment.

Medicine for pregnancy?

Just in case...

It is always better to be prepared!

Yingying,

here's a protective charm I prayed for.

Take it with you and be extra careful on the road.

I originally wanted to join you,

but my mother is sick.

She's sick?

When did she fall ill? Is it serious?

Apparently, she became ill as soon as she heard I planned to leave.

It is just a heartache. Nothing major.

I am sure once you have departed,

she will recover.

I will make a bet with you.

When you return safely,

I will have convinced her

to let me live the life I want.

You all stay here and help Pin.

No way!

Don't you want to help her?

What if you and Mr. Yang end up dead?

That is not what I mean!

What I mean is that

I am not the type to abandon my friends for a woman.

Right?

A true hero might have his heart set on a fair maiden,

but his ambition must span the world.

After traveling thousands of miles,

only then should he return in glory

to share his heart with his beloved.

Will your father approve of it?

My father has no say over me.

As long as he does not tie me down,

I will go!

All right...!

It is settled.

If you agree,

we will go together.

If you do not agree,

we will simply follow you from behind.

Even Mother said

if you agreed, we would go together.

If you did not agree,

we would simply follow you from behind.

Yingying,

Bloom Society will always have a place for you.

If Ji Yingying ever needs assistance,

Bloom Society will do everything to help!

Very well, let's go together.

Shoulder to shoulder,

through storms and strife.

The father and son from the Yang family have arrived in Chang'an.

Who among the nobles does not know it is all a setup?

But Yang Brocade's reputation is already ruined.

No amount of explanation will sway the nobles.

If you are still worried,

I can meet with the Zheng family again.

What does it matter if they know?

As long as tomorrow's order is signed,

they can scheme all they want,

but it will not change a thing.

Very well.

I will take my leave.

Sir,

we have news from Yizhou.

Ms. Ji plans to explore a trade route with foreign merchants.

She will be departing in a few days.

What about Bai Sheng?

Why has he not stopped her?

Bai Sheng

is going with her.

What?

Pack our things immediately.

We are leaving at once!

What about the merchants waiting to sign the orders?

Should we just ignore them?

Zhao Ping,

after all these years of working for me,

have you still not learned what matters most?

Understood.

[Yuebuhuan Inn]

Finely embroidered pouches made with the best silk threads.

Take a look!

Finely embroidered pouches and handkerchiefs made with the best silk threads.

No, I do not need them.

Finely embroidered pouches and handkerchiefs made with the best silk threads.

Come and see!

Eat this.

I am not hungry.

I did not sell a single handkerchief today.

Here, take this.

Is my embroidery skill really that bad?

They are pretty bad.

But at least the stitches are sturdy.

The pouch

is just used to hold money.

All right. I will take this as payment for your food.

Eat slowly.

Thank you, miss!

Whenever you come to the city to sell your goods,

you will always have food waiting for you.

It is not easy for a woman to do business.

Do your best.

Thank you.

It is nothing.

It is not easy for a woman to do business.

Do your best.

Tell me,

do you think a woman can really succeed in doing business?

Who cares? Just keep doing it.

After all, aren't all the new roads in this world

forged through determination?

Do you bring only one companion, Mr. Bai?

With Mr. Yang here,

my safety is guaranteed.

That is fine.

But a caravan has its rules.

We must agree on the terms.

First,

the caravan is large and complex.

Everyone must follow the orders of the leader,

who is me.

Otherwise, the penalty is death.

Second,

no one may act independently.

Otherwise, the penalty is death.

Third,

my wife

is the core of this caravan.

No one is allowed to approach her without permission.

Otherwise, the penalty is death.

Three death penalties.

Fine.

You are very bold, Mr. Yang.

It may not apply to everyone,

but when it comes to you, Mr. Bai,

I will enforce it strictly.

I understand.

Thank you for the reminder, Mr. Yang.

All right. Everyone is here.

The day is getting late. Let's set out.

Wait a moment!

Yu?

I am coming with you!

Did you not...

You are right.

All roads are made by people brave enough.

I must

give this one a try.

What about your inn?

My inn can always reopen,

but meeting kindred spirits like this

is very rare.

Besides, I need to protect her.

Very well.

Let's set out!

[Peace and Prosperity]

This will not do!

The rain is getting heavier!

Let's find somewhere to rest for a while!

There is a cliff beside us!

There is nowhere to take shelter!

We have to push through!

Sang Shisi,

you must believe in yourself.

You can do this!

Put in some strength!

A little more effort!

Watch out! Be careful!

[Yizhou]

Sir,

Ms. Ji left three days ago.

The Yang family gathered

the best caravan in the city,

with Yang Jinglan as the leader.

It is said the map was provided by Bai Sheng,

but Yang Jinglan does not trust him,

so he insisted Bai Sheng accompany them.

What exactly is Bai Sheng planning?

With Yang Jinglan and a group of skilled guards along,

at least

you do not have to worry about Ms. Ji's safety.

The more prepared they are,

the more dangerous the journey must be.

As for Bai Sheng...

Whatever their intentions,

Ji Yingying is not one to sit idly by.

If she dared to go,

she must be confident in her safe return.

Am I wrong?

I know what you are implying.

Find that slave trader

and rescue Yu Yuan as soon as possible.

Thank you, my dear.

[Recruitment for brocade workshop in Mianzhou]

A brocade workshop in Mianzhou is hiring skilled workers!

They will pay double the wages.

Moreover,

they will even cover your travel expenses!

Look,

not only do they pay so much,

but they also offer annual leave.

Spending lavishly?

These tactics feel all too familiar.

I cannot continue...

I cannot...

I am too exhausted.

All right. Go ahead.

Go on.

Master.

Have a seat.

Sure.

I have been investigating along the way

and found no sign of others operating in the shadows.

Could it be that

Yang Jinglan only brought

these caravan guards

and left his shadow guards behind in Yizhou?

It means he understands

the gravity of the situation there.

We are planning in secret and acting discreetly

in Yizhou.

It is likely he is doing the same.

Here's what we will do.

Inform our men in Yizhou

not to alert him.

Don't rush to clear the evidence.

Take everything that needs to be removed and leave nothing behind.

Understood.

But this caravan...

The road ahead

is nothing but danger.

After so many years

and so many journeys,

hasn't every road we have taken been perilous?

The difference is, this time,

we are not the only ones here.

Mr. Zhao, it is you!

You nearly scared me to death!

Mr. Bai said

you would come looking for me.

He had a message

for you.

What is it?

He said

the Yang family

is currently in dire straits,

and you must help me become the patriarch of the Yang family.

That way, he can take what he wants,

and you will get what you desire.

Is that all?

Yes.

Then you are of no further use to me.

Wait...!

Mr. Zhao!

What are you doing,

Mr. Zhao?

Mr. Bai said

you were here to help me!

You...!

If you have any questions, just ask!

Just ask me!

I will tell you everything I know!

Have they mentioned when they will return?

No...!

But I assume he will return.

He said that once I became the patriarch of the Yang family,

he would take something from the Yang family.

But I am not the patriarch yet,

and he has not taken anything,

and yet he has left.

So I guess

he must come back.

When he does, Ji Yingying will likely return too.

What about

the brocade workshop in Mianzhou that spent extravagantly to recruit workers?

Was that his doing?

That I do not know.

I only heard about it today.

But I do not think

it has anything to do with Mr. Bai.

If he wanted to open a brocade workshop,

he could have done it in Yizhou.

Why go all the way to Mianzhou?

Tell me about the current situation in the Yang family.

All right...!

Currently,

Juxian and my two nephews

are negotiating in Chang'an,

as you are likely aware.

My sister-in-law is managing the affairs at home.

The Yang family has not treated you poorly.

And yet, for double the wages,

you are ready to leave?

Madam.

Send someone to deliver a letter to Chang'an.

Have Jingshan return as soon as possible.

From today forward,

whatever wages

the brocade workshop in Mianzhou offers,

we will match them.

Everyone, think carefully.

Do you wish to leave your home,

or continue to stay here?

The brocade workshop in Mianzhou has now recruited

50 first-class weavers

and 107 second-class weavers.

There have not been any suspicions, have there?

Using high wages to poach talent

may not be the most honorable tactic,

but it is common enough in business.

Besides, we are spending real money here.

Even when officers from Brocade Bureau came to inspect,

they found no faults.

Instead, their visit confirmed the benefits we are offering

to be real,

attracting even more craftsmen.

However...

What is it?

Some of the craftsmen on the prince's list

are key figures in their respective workshops.

They are well-treated

and have strong ties to their current employers.

I am afraid

no matter how much we increase their wages,

they are unlikely to come here.

As for them,

we will infiltrate quietly

and take them directly when the time comes.

Understood.

When will we act

against the workshop?

Come in.

Ms. Ning!

Why are you anxious?

Quick, deliver this letter to His Highness!

Understood.

According to the map,

there is no path ahead.

The cartographer said this forest is called the Valley of Death.

It is the shortest route to Tubo

but also the most dangerous.

If we take a detour,

it will add five to six times the travel time.

And whether new dangers arise on the alternative route

is anyone's guess.

The Valley of Death?

It is getting late.

We will rest here for the night.

The night is cold.

Have some hot soup.

Thank you.

I have also lost loved ones,

so I understand how it feels.

No matter what others say, it does not help.

It is because you will not listen.

Your heart

is filled with the one you will never see again.

You replay your memories,

wishing it was all a dream.

But when you open your eyes...

I realize at least Yingying is still here,

my mother is still here,

and I am not alone.

Thankfully, this world still holds affection,

family,

and friends.

My father

would have wanted us

to protect those around us

and embrace new journeys.

They said

my father

remained in this forest all those years ago,

but no one has ever told me

how he died.

It's said that he died

protecting the cargo.

His body was never recovered.

I am here now.

But what is the point?

I lost him long ago.

He has always been here.

I can weave brocade,

and Yingying can dye silk.

These were all things our father taught us.

A part of him lives on in our memories and skills,

staying with us forever,

and protecting us.

It is the same for you.

Your father

gave you the skills and wisdom.

He instilled in you a broad perspective and a strong heart.

He has always been by your side.

I

will always stand

where you can see me with just one glance.

If you feel like talking, call me.

If not, that is fine too.

Father,

are you truly here?

If you are,

then watch over me closely.

I will use the skills you taught me

to protect my friends

and

forge the path

you could not complete.

Sheng Dalang,

have you been through a forest like this before?

Never. This is my first time.

What a coincidence! It is the same as me!

Can you take this seriously

for once?

What is there to be afraid of?

Can you at least try to match my mood?

No.

Stop!

Are they wolves?

No, they are bandits.

Bandits?

Bandits!

Surround the wagons!

You stay in the inner circle.

Those who can fight, stay with me on the outer side!

You are smart.

Since you have stopped running,

I will come and see you myself.

You even have a beauty hiding among you.

Brothers,

be careful.

Do not hurt her.

Save her for me!

Charge!

Run!

Hurry and run!

I cannot, Shisi!

I cannot run anymore!

Run! The bandits are near!

Help!

Are we going the wrong way?

It does not matter!

We must save our lives first!

You scoundrel!

Why are you here?

I...

Run!

Stop right there!

Yingying...!

Hurry!

Yingying!

Yingying, hurry!

Go save Sheng Dalang!

Go! Save Sheng Dalang!

Sheng Dalang!

He was right here.

Just here!

Sheng Dalang was just right here!

Sheng Dalang?

Sheng Dalang!

Sheng Dalang?

You go find Yingying.

Sheng Dalang was just here.

- Save him! - Shisi!

Sheng Dalang!

Shisi!

Sheng Dalang!

Get up!

Sheng Dalang!

Get up!

Shisi!

Get up, Shisi!

Do not stop me!

Shisi!

He gave his life to save you!

Was it so you could throw it away again?

Think about it.

If he is watching over you,

what do you think he would want you to do?

He died saving me.

Yingying...

Sheng Dalang...

It is fine.

Dalang is gone.

He is really gone.

I knew this journey would not be smooth.

I expected illness

and injuries.

But I thought that if we were careful enough

and prepared enough,

we could protect everyone.

But...

I never imagined

it would happen so suddenly.

His body was never found.

That was Sheng Dalang!

Don't cry...

Yang Jinglan,

I am scared.

Should we turn back?

I do not want

to lose anyone else.

Yingying,

everyone here made their own choice

to come this far.

No one knows the ending of the story

at the very beginning.

♪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♪