Original subtitles

[Brocade Odyssey]

[Episode 33]

That is the essence of Shu brocade.

As the head of the Zhao family and the Brocade Master of Yizhou,

how could you use such an important item

to trade with him?

For me,

there are more important people to protect.

Yang Juli,

under both family discipline and state law,

your crimes are unforgivable.

Deal with him under family discipline first!

Yes.

Then hand him over to the authorities!

Ms. Ji,

you went back on your word!

I... I already confessed.

Why are you still hitting me?

Stop!

A traitor like you,

worse than an animal!

Are you even human?

Are you worthy of the Yang family ancestors?

Hit him!

Hit him hard!

Hit him!

When did this all

begin to change?

Sir.

Everything related to Bai Sheng,

except for what was taken by the Brocade Bureau,

has disappeared without a trace.

Perhaps,

we should inquire with General Niu.

He didn't tell me anything.

That means

he doesn't want me to interfere.

Notify everyone:

make sure to closely guard the weavers and the patterns,

and be extra cautious these days.

Yes, sir.

Anything else?

Ms. Niu hasn't eaten for five days.

She insists on seeing you.

I'm afraid

that if anything happens to her,

you won't be able to explain it to the Niu family.

[yuan]

Yu Yuan,

look,

isn't this version written better?

Father had a famous teacher instruct me in calligraphy,

but he said my writing

is only fit for ledgers or letters,

not for public view.

Isn't that odd?

Why are you looking for me?

Yu Yuan,

go brew a good pot of tea for Mr. Zhao.

What do you want from me?

Just say it.

In a few days, it's my mother's birthday.

Can I take Yu Yuan back to see her?

I won't go to the front yard.

I'll just watch from the attic.

You can tie me up if you must.

I beg you to allow it.

Fine.

See?

I told you he would agree.

In me,

he sees another version of himself,

one who has nothing.

How could one not feel sorry for themselves?

Yu Yuan,

I will make them all pay.

I already know

Yang Juli's matter.

I have also made a decision

according to the family rules.

He is to be expelled

from the Yang family genealogy

and handed over to the authorities.

In addition to colluding with outsiders to harm me,

he confessed

how he corrupted family members

to line his own pockets.

But Yingying persuaded me,

saying this isn't the fault of the family members.

It's because Yang Juli

used family rules to manipulate everyone.

Yingying,

repeat what you told me

to everyone here.

Yes.

Setting rules is meant to ensure

that we act within bounds.

The family rules established a century ago

did indeed bring prosperity to the Yang family.

But a century has passed,

and some rules are no longer suitable.

Instead,

they have become obstacles hindering the Yang family's progress.

I believe that today,

instead of pursuing blame or punishment,

it's better to address the root cause

and implement new rules.

What do you all think?

Should we seek accountability

or should we reform?

Reform.

Of course, reform is the better choice.

Reform.

Reform.

Good.

Then let's proceed with reform.

I have just recovered from a serious illness,

and though I am willing,

I lack the strength to lead the reforms.

Thus, I ask Yingying

to manage the Yang family's affairs,

assisting Jingshan in reforming the family's outdated rules

to restore the family's integrity.

Does anyone object?

We'll follow Ms. Ji's lead.

Yingying.

From today onwards,

the Yang family entrusts you with managing its affairs,

rectifying its values,

and reforming its trade practices

to smooth the path of the family business.

Act with caution,

and take the Yang family's rise and fall as your responsibility.

Do not fail the expectations of the Yang family members.

I will follow your teachings.

This is the Yang family's

business seal.

Take good care of it.

Understood.

Greetings to Ms. Ji!

Do you still remember this place?

Back then,

I thought I had grasped your entire life in my hands.

Little did I know

that I had also buried

my own life here.

I thought you were my pawn,

but in the end,

we're both at the mercy of this unpredictable world.

Do you know why I chose you?

Because you were suitable,

and because Ji Yingying valued you.

Someone she values

could not be wrong.

Though Yingying and I are different,

we share

the same heart:

the desire to achieve something great.

She is far luckier than I am.

She has so many genuine friends

willing to help her.

And she is deeply loved by her...

father

and mother.

Why do I have nothing?

She is not like you.

She is sincere and upright,

acting with integrity.

History favors the victor.

If today's success had been mine,

the story would have been written for me.

Niu Wuniang,

unlucky in youth,

enduring humiliation,

yet unmatched in strategy,

decisive and resolute,

ultimately achieving greatness.

They say this celebration is for my mother's birthday,

but it has never truly been about her.

Her heart has long died,

and she no longer wishes to awaken.

But I am different.

If my heart dies,

you shall all be buried with me!

What are you trying to do?

Dear,

we signed our marriage contract right here.

You promised to treat me well,

but your heart is only for Ji Yingying.

She refused to marry you,

so why do you torment me,

imprison me?

What did I do wrong?

My heart has always been yours!

We've come to this point,

and yet you're still putting on an act.

What's the point?

Niu Wuniang jumped from the building!

Niu Wuniang!

How did I end up with such a daughter?

She used her own life to set a trap!

She hasn't made any progress after all these years!

If Zhao Xiuyuan was wronged,

then...

He's even more useless!

To be so easily manipulated by a woman,

what great things could he possibly accomplish?

Then we'll have to...

Wait a little longer.

First, deal with what's at hand.

Once the Zhao family gathers,

we'll send them all off together.

That way, Wuniang won't be alone on her journey.

Don't say I never cared for her

even as her father.

Zhao Xiuyuan murdered Niu Wuniang,

and has been imprisoned by the Niu family guards.

Now the Zhao family

barely holds together

under Mr. Zhao Senior.

But sacrificing her own life to drag someone down with her,

that's something only Niu Wuniang could do.

Are you saying

Zhao Xiuyuan was wronged?

Killing Niu Wuniang at this time

wouldn't benefit him at all.

Why would he do it?

And in broad daylight, no less.

I just can't understand

why Niu Wuniang would go

to such lengths.

If you can't figure it out, don't try.

You're not the same kind of person as her.

You'll never understand her motives.

I've already written about Jinglan's matter,

asking my family to help mediate.

Father and Jinglin wrote back saying

they will not only mediate the orders

but also try to find someone in Chang'an

to plead for Jinglan.

The court currently states this is a suspicious case,

and they want to question Jinglan,

but it doesn't mean he's been convicted.

Thank you, Madam.

Thank you, Mr. Jingshan.

We're all family now.

Do you still need to call me Madam?

Does this mean

you're truly willing to divorce Jinglan?

Mother,

the loss of weavers is growing worse by the day.

If this continues,

it will have a significant impact

on the brocade industry in Yizhou.

I want to personally go to Mianzhou.

To know the enemy and ourselves

is the only way to find the right solution.

No.

In this situation, you cannot leave.

Stay in Yizhou City.

As for Mianzhou...

Jingshan will go.

Understood. I'll get to the bottom of this.

Thank you, Mr. Jingshan.

Jingshan,

as for the others, it's fine to wait.

But as for Master Chen and Master Li,

bring them back immediately

as they requested.

We've taken many orders from Tubo,

and now we need manpower more than ever.

Yes.

Ms. Ji,

someone at the door asked me to give this to you.

Ms. Ji, if it's something you want,

you should take it yourself.

Ms. Ji, if you want something,

it's best you take it yourself.

Let's go!

Whose letter is this?

It's from Mr. Chen,

saying it's the right season.

If we want to dye Shu Red Silk,

we should go harvest the dye now.

Chen, slow down!

Pin,

why are you wearing...

Aren't those Yingying's clothes?

Shh.

Why did you suddenly call us

up the mountain to gather dye?

Exactly.

Because Yingying wants to meet someone

who could be in danger.

Yingying is afraid someone might capture that person,

or someone might capture her to threaten that person.

So she asked us

to help her with something.

She wants us to distract the enemy.

Distract the enemy?

What enemy?

Where are they?

Yingying!

Shh.

Alright.

I never thought the day would come

when you'd cover my mouth.

The reason Yingying told us

about this

is because she trusts us.

Not just that,

I think if anyone asks,

we can explain the Imperial Uncle is here enjoying himself.

If anyone disturbs his mood,

the Imperial Uncle certainly won't be polite!

Are you sure

your father won't hit you?

He used to hit me.

But not anymore.

He trusts me.

He believes in everything I do.

He trusts

that I know

when to use this identity.

Alright, let's go.

Time to gather the dye.

Wait a moment.

Let's discuss a plan first.

Come on.

In a moment,

half of us will...

This mountain is opened by me!

These trees are planted by me!

If you want to pass,

then we'll break your legs!

That doesn't rhyme at all.

It lacks any vigor.

It doesn't rhyme?

Break...

Break...

Break their legs crooked.

That's better.

Stop! Run quickly!

We'll break your legs crooked!

The other half

will quietly move forward.

The more we act like this,

the more suspicious it'll make them.

The tree still stands,

but where have the people gone?

Heaven and earth bear witness.

Though we part today,

I'll marry you in glory someday.

Once sworn allies,

there's always a long road ahead.

Yang Jinglan,

I saw it.

♪Upon my brow♪

♪A winter's snow descends♪

♪Memories howl where sorrow bends♪

In my heart,

I will always be your wife.

I only wish for your safe return.

♪Drying the tales of countless dreams♪

If you're here,

then look at me closely.

♪A fated tether, whole to whole♪

♪If you will hold fast to our sacred vow♪

♪No life nor death could break me now♪

I'm safe and well now,

no need for you to worry.

♪I care not if you are fate or trial♪

You must take care of yourself.

♪This love remains steadfast, unbeguiled♪

♪Though my days♪

♪May bathe in crimson streams♪

♪I will never falter, nor abandon you♪

♪No fear of ashes, no dread of the end♪

♪Only that my heart you still not comprehend♪

♪You will never stand in storms alone♪

Don't go over there.

There are people to the southeast and northwest.

If you go now,

leaving aside whether you can escape unharmed,

your relationship with her

will become even harder to explain.

♪Wipe off the tears♪

That divorce letter...

♪As they slip from your eyes♪

will have been written in vain.

♪We hold each other in quiet embrace♪

♪Petals drift in river's grace♪

♪Within this world we abide♪

♪This love of ours will never cease♪

♪Though time may past, moments will fade♪

♪I wish all your dreams will come true♪

♪If tomorrow will come for you and me♪

♪No life nor death could break me now♪

♪I care not if you are fate or trial♪

♪This love remains steadfast, unbeguiled♪

A lock of black hair as my pledge.

Yang Jinglan,

I'll wait for you to return and marry me.

♪I will never falter, nor abandon you♪

♪No fear of ashes, no dread of the end♪

♪Only that my heart you still not comprehend♪

♪You will never stand in storms alone♪

♪For I am yours, forever your own♪

♪I care not if you are fate or trial♪

♪I will never regret falling for you♪

♪Even if we part♪

♪Beneath heaven's vast hue♪

♪This love will transcend in an instant, too♪

♪No fear of ashes, no dread of the end♪

♪Only that my heart you still not comprehend♪

♪I yearn to be with you, as wind and snow♪

♪For I am yours, forever your own♪

Where is Yang Jinglan?

As you expected,

Yang Jinglan deliberately appeared in Yizhou City

to draw our forces away

from the city.

After he left,

his associate from the martial world

showed up near the Brocade Bureau.

That person must be the one who took the item.

I asked where he is!

Our people are still pursuing him.

What about his friend?

Also being pursued.

But their escape route

is already under our control.

They won't get away.

I have been killing and conquering my whole life,

and yet I've raised a bunch of useless fools like you!

Within three days,

I either want the item in my hands

or their heads!

Niu Jin deceived Your Excellency,

secretly colluding with Nanzhao

to smuggle tribute brocade.

He's been in secret contact with Qingping Officer of Nanzhao

and Sheng Fengze, the Prince Bai of Nanzhao.

The evidence is all here.

I ask Your Excellency to investigate thoroughly!

[Written confession; Niu]

Yingying!

Yingying!

Jingshan.

How is it? Was there any issue with the brocade workshop in Mianzhou?

The brocade workshop in Mianzhou is completely abandoned.

Don't rush.

Take your time explaining.

What happened?

When I arrived in Mianzhou, I learned

that recently,

all the craftsmen stayed

in the brocade workshop to speed up production.

At first, neighbors could hear some activity,

but gradually,

they rarely saw anyone coming or going.

Then one day,

everyone disappeared.

The once vast brocade workshop was left completely empty,

no looms,

no weavers.

Based on the size of the brocade workshop,

I estimated that the number of craftsmen it could house

is far less than the current number

of missing craftsmen in Yizhou.

So this means,

the brocade workshop in Mianzhou is just a diversion.

Those craftsmen were likely kidnapped,

perhaps even taken

while still in Yizhou.

They created the illusion that they went to the brocade workshop in Mianzhou,

thus evading government investigation.

Do you remember

the illegal brocade workshop

Niu Wuniang had in the mountains?

Do you think

the Niu family is behind this?

No.

Niu Jin wouldn't repeat the same mistake.

But I'm thinking of someone else...

someone who spent lavishly,

to build a reputation,

bought off the Yu family and attempted to win over me,

the Zhao family, and Yang Juli,

and stole patterns.

Such ambition...

there's no one else I can think of.

Sheng Fengze,

the Prince Bai of Nanzhao.

Sheng Fengze...

What should we do?

Let me gather the family members

and hold a meeting to discuss it.

No.

This isn't just a Yang family matter.

This concerns the entire Shu brocade industry.

I need to see someone first.

Rumors outside say

that Niu Wuniang's death was a misunderstanding.

You're still the head of the Zhao family.

Of course I'm the head of the Zhao family.

General Niu

just wanted someone to oversee the brocade business.

But as for who that person is,

and how they oversee it,

he doesn't care,

even if they're leashed

like a dog.

But General Niu doesn't understand me.

From the moment I married Niu Wuniang,

reputation and dignity

no longer mattered to me.

What do you want from me?

A few days ago, the brocade workshop in Mianzhou heavily recruited workers,

but recently it's suddenly been abandoned,

and the weavers have also disappeared.

I suspect this is Bai Sheng's scheme.

I hope the brocade merchants can set aside their past grudges,

unite together,

and discuss a countermeasure.

But looking at my current state,

what can I possibly do?

How I wish to return to those days

when we flew kites together.

Brocade Master Zhao,

head of the Zhao family,

I came today

because the Zhao family is a leading household.

The craftsmen of the Zhao family

are also part of Yizhou's brocade industry.

This concerns the survival of the entire brocade trade.

One suffers,

all suffer.

You were once the president of the Bloom Society.

Now you're the steward of the Yang family

and an ally of the Yu family.

If the Zhao family lends you a hand,

the three major families of the brocade industry

will stand by your side.

Even without me as the Brocade Master,

the future brocade trade in Yizhou

will be under your control.

When do you plan to gather them?

The sooner, the better.

Tomorrow would be best.

Alright.

The Zhao family will be there for sure.

On behalf of the brocade merchants in Yizhou,

thank you, Mr. Zhao.

Since fate won't let us journey together,

let me help you soar to the highest heights.

That way, I can still see you when I look up.

Call for my grandfather.

There's an important matter to discuss.

General Niu said before

that when it comes to the brocade trade,

I'm the one in charge!

How many craftsmen have arrived in Nanzhao?

Four hundred and eight have already arrived in Nanzhao.

Another one hundred and twenty-five are still on the way.

Thirteen refused to yield and would rather die.

To prevent them from taking their own lives,

they have not yet departed.

According to Your Highness's standards,

there are seventy-five first-class craftsmen,

and the rest are second-class craftsmen.

That's enough.

Yang Jinglan and the officials of the Troop Six

are searching everywhere for news about you.

Why not return earlier?

Today,

Niu Jin rejected your offer to collaborate again.

He'll agree eventually. No rush.

For now, let's borrow his base

to recover.

Now that the Prince Bai has also arrived.

What should we do?

They're already here.

Let's meet them.

The Zhao family

might not show up.

How about

we start first?

Sirs,

Governor Zhang is investigating

the missing craftsmen.

But even now,

craftsmen continue to disappear in the city.

The government is understaffed

to handle everything.

So,

it requires mutual assistance among us

to overcome this difficulty.

Since you took the lead

and called us together,

you must

have a plan, right?

I suggest that in the coming days,

we gather all the weavers together.

Keep them in each household's brocade workshop.

No one is allowed to leave.

Governor Zhang has also agreed

to assign soldiers to guard each household.

By gathering the weavers together,

and with the protection of the government,

the wrongdoers

won't dare to act recklessly.

That's a good idea,

but what about business?

Collecting silk, buying materials,

trading, transporting goods...

these still require people to go out.

Mr. Yu has a point.

Other than that,

if we forbid weavers from leaving,

that will mean

we're responsible for all their necessities.

That costs money.

Regarding purchases,

I propose selecting personnel from each household

to form a unified team.

Under government protection,

they will handle the buying and selling.

As for the money spent on this matter,

I truly have no solution.

But we spend money

on silk,

on patterns...

Why can't we spend a bit on people?

With craftsmen,

we can have true Shu brocade.

In this time of crisis,

only by joining hands

and working together

can we overcome this challenge.

The Yang family will lead by example.

The Yu family is willing to follow Ms. Ji's arrangements.

The Zhao family is willing to follow Ms. Ji's arrangements.

Mr. Zhao Senior.

Let's set aside other grievances for now.

On this matter,

the Zhao family

is united with all of you.

We are willing to follow Mr. Ji's arrangements.

Thank you, sirs.

Thank you, General Xue.

Apologies,

I'm late.

No,

you arrived at just the right time.

Zhuge,

why don't you come with us?

The Brocade Bureau cannot be left unattended.

We agreed:

you handle the living,

and I'll handle the dead.

Alright,

but make sure you stay safe.

You still need to stay alive

to take the imperial exam in Chang'an.

By then, Gao and I

will be counting on you, Zhuge the Top Scholar,

to take care of us.

If you're really found guilty,

it'll stain my life forever,

and I won't be able to become a Top Scholar.

Got it.

I'll return with a clean record.

And safe and sound.

Understood.

You're still as nagging as ever.

General Xue, let's go!

- Let's go. - Move out!

We're leaving.

The road ahead is uncertain.

Take care.

Perhaps the story can go like this...

Yang Jinglan attempts to assassinate the Prince Bai,

causing outrage in Nanzhao.

They raid Yizhou City

to demand justice.

And General Niu,

rushing to Yizhou's aid,

defeats Nanzhao's attack,

protects the people,

and

persuades Nanzhao to maintain good relations with Tang.

Such a major achievement,

who would dare question you?

Not even the Military Commissioner

would.

As for

your previous

minor mistakes...

well,

they'll be a drop in the ocean.

Your suggestion is

to have my soldiers disguise themselves as Nanzhao troops,

and then fight each other?

I'm merely a leisure-loving prince

without troops.

So I'd rather hope

you can be self-sufficient

and rely on your own efforts.

What exactly do you want?

♪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♪