Original subtitles

♪I'm just a common man under the sky♪

♪Among all living beings, they speak of my recklessness♪

♪Above the sky, my heart yearns♪

♪The light that these hands cannot hide♪

♪The justice gavel strikes and releases countless burdens♪

♪Looking back, it's the same old story♪

♪Time and space brought me to another yellowed page♪

♪Curious about the greed in the world♪

♪I tore the sky's curtain apart♪

♪The powerful words♪

♪Spilled this golden soup♪

♪It is not very firm♪

♪Standing here♪

♪I set the rules that shackle me♪

♪Learn to cure♪

♪Eradicating the diseases of this land♪

♪I am just a common man♪

♪I wanted to take things step by step♪

♪I am just a common man♪

♪Never want to be a confused fool♪

♪I am just a common man♪

♪Listening to the songs without dispute♪

♪Yet I always see the lonely souls♪

♪But I always rush ahead♪

♪Leaving my scribbles behind for future generations to study♪

♪The light that these hands cannot hide♪

♪The justice gavel strikes and releases countless burdens♪

♪Looking back, it's the same old story♪

♪Time and space brought me to another yellowed page♪

♪Sunlight pierces through♪

♪One comes and goes as one pleases♪

♪My Go board holds both sides♪

♪When I set the game, learn to see♪

♪Don't be a sore loser♪

♪So many lies and deceits♪

♪I can see through every play♪

♪May I live and die with the sun♪

=Guardians of the Dafeng= =Season 1=

=Episode 6=

There you are, Mr. Deng!

I know it's you by your voice.

Yanliang.

Long time no see, Congkai.

You haven't come for a long time.

I went on a trip earlier.

I came here

to see you as soon as I returned.

Let's get hammered tonight.

It's you.

- Hello. - Hello.

You know each other?

Not just that.

He's also my buddy.

Li, right?

I'm Yang.

We met

at the Academy.

Yang...

Ling.

Yes, Ling!

(Weren't those two brats busy?)

(I know Cijiu.)

(He seldom says what he means.)

(But Ningyan never goes to brothels.)

(Last night, Uncle said he was loyal.)

(I'll tell Aunt.)

(Maybe I can get hush money.)

(Ningyan said he never went to brothels.)

(Shameless!)

(So is Father.)

(No wonder my school robe is gone.)

So, Mr. Xu,

Mr. Li,

you could've told me

you wanted to come here.

We could've come together.

We're close,

so close as family.

And a family

should be together,

right?

- My bad. - My bad.

(Graceful)

(Fuxiang, Imperial Office of Music, Top Harlot)

Wonderful!

Beautiful!

Amazing!

I got it!

Incredible!

(Unmatched Beauty)

Where's she?

Where's she?

It's magical!

Control yourself.

Miss.

Here's the line.

Yes.

Here's Miss Fuxiang's first line.

(Pine leaves) You have an incense stick of time

(and bamboo leaves are green.) to write.

Begin.

"Pine leaves and bamboo leaves are green."

Two "leaves".

How smart.

Nice!

Mr. Yang,

you first?

I didn't know it'd be couplets.

Not my strong suit.

I need more time to think.

You first, Mr. Li.

Let Mr. Xu do it.

Yes, you first, Mr. Xu.

The ink isn't well ground.

It needs more work.

I'll write later.

Don't be shy.

I'll go first.

No!

Come on! Think!

Use your brain!

Autumn sounds and goose sounds are cold.

This one it is.

It's not perfect,

but its format is fine.

Miss Fuxiang invites Mr. Zhao in for tea.

Good job!

Congratulations!

Well,

thank you.

Yunlu Academy?

Do something, son!

Ningyan is a poet.

Please do something!

I told you my poems

were from an old book.

I didn't write them.

Why don't you believe me?

Father,

you can't even read. Why play an old scholar?

Yes!

You shouldn't be here.

This isn't the time to judge me.

He's going to her room.

(So not worth it.)

(I've paid so much)

(but found nothing useful.)

(She's the fairest here,)

(excelled in poetry and music.)

Cijiu,

write this down.

"Shadows slant across shallow water.

Faint scent floats in dim moonlight."

It has my name.

Come in.

Who wrote this poem?

Who was it?

Where's he now?

Sorry, Mr. Zhao.

Miss Fuxiang

has chosen someone else.

What?

Mr. Yang,

she wants to see you.

Please follow me.

He's going in, too?

That's against the rule!

Mr. Zhao.

Greetings, Mr. Yang.

Please have a seat.

I appreciate your talent.

It's unmatched.

It takes years of hard work

to come this far, right?

Not exactly.

Thanks to the wisdom of the old,

I can...

use their masterpieces.

Why hasn't he come out?

Well,

I need fresh air.

We've paid for this.

Father...

Miss,

with all due respect,

you're a rare beauty.

Did no one offer to free you from here?

Those in charge of here

won't let go of girls

like me easily.

Wait.

You have tons of wooers,

including the rich and powerful,

such as

Vice Minister of Revenue's son,

Zhou Li.

He's obsessed with you.

He's wild, lascivious,

and ignorant.

I dislike him.

Whether he comes to play games

or offers me gifts,

I always ignore him.

We're under the Ministry of Rites.

He's Vice Minister of Revenue's son.

Although I'm not his match,

I'm not afraid of him.

How's he wild

and lascivious?

It's common

for rich men like him to cat around.

This is

sensitive in the official circles.

I'm simply curious.

I won't tell others.

It goes back to the last Lantern Festival.

Zhou Li is ridiculous.

At the Festival,

he was attracted to a girl

and harassed her

in the crowd.

Zhang Yunying,

Weiwu Marquis's concubine's son,

was there, too.

He also

laid eyes on that girl.

The two of them

became so jealous

that they fought

over her.

(Plum House) Students don't

have fighters' full beards like you.

Your disguise is terrible.

What do you know?

I think I fit in perfectly.

Yes, Mr. Li.

No wonder Mother never

gets your full salary.

You used it here, huh?

I borrowed it.

I came to gather information

against our enemy.

Liar.

You can't fool me.

You're good.

Who keeps saying to study sages' sayings,

be a gentleman,

and never come to such places?

I play by ear.

It depends.

Liar!

- What did she say? - Yes.

Let's go home first.

Wait!

Go back like this?

Or?

So naive.

Zhang.

Three Plan As.

Got it.

Take it.

On my tab.

Sure.

Did you not send the girls away?

We did.

Then what's this for?

Your aunt's sharp-nosed.

Better safe than sorry.

What if she suddenly returns?

The old are indeed wise.

No wonder you always smell like citrus.

Zip it.

Rub it on me.

Alright. Enough.

- Here. - Shoes...

Armpit.

His concubine's son,

Zhang Yunying?

Yes.

That man

hates Zhou Li's guts.

Hot-headed brats like him

can be our pawns.

What's your plan?

Watch him

and act at the right time.

A setup?

Given his status,

he goes out with attendants,

but not too many.

He isn't the heir after all.

We can make a mess

and then

abduct him.

If we do it in the day,

how can we kidnap someone in public?

Our plan is likely to backfire.

If we do it at night,

how can the three of us

break into his mansion?

What if

I've figured that out?

Uncle!

Uncle!

Father.

- Why are you sleeping here? - Father.

Wake up.

- Are you alright? - Wake up.

Where am I?

How did I get here?

How would

I know?

Just now, I meant to bathe.

Didn't you go get me hot water?

And?

Ningyan,

is there hot water?

Uncle,

I'm sorry.

- A mirror? - I'm not sure.

It reflected light.

You've reached the Qi Stage.

How did someone bring you here

without alerting anyone?

You'll know tomorrow.

Ningyan,

did you bring me here?

Forget it.

It's cold. Go freshen up and sleep.

Let's discuss some details

in your room.

Like what?

May I join you?

I said forget it.

Just abduct Weiwu Marquis's son.

The Marquis's son?

What are you up to?

Don't make a fuss.

Abduct him!

- Stop. - Whitening cream.

(Whitening Cream) You'll be fair.

Take a look.

- Smells nice. - Yes.

That girl.

(Zhang Yunying) Yes.

It'll brighten your skin.

What are you doing?

- Let go! - Who are you?

- Help! - Help me!

What's going on?

- Help! - Let go!

Let go!

Let go of me!

Move! Move!

Go help them.

Yes.

Move!

Go away!

I stepped on you!

Who are you?

What do you want?

(Autumn)

He's filthy rich.

He wears a white jade thumb ring.

Cut off that thumb!

You can't.

(Autumn)

He's Weiwu Marquis's son.

Who are you

to touch him, rascal?

(They know who I am.)

(How dare they kidnap me!)

How's Master

going to deal with him?

Put him in the yard.

Torture him.

Give him no food.

Break his ankles.

Hang him upside down.

Whip him

hundreds of times a day.

His father is a marquis.

Is Master not afraid of him?

A marquis is nothing.

Master's father is

the Vice Minister of Revenue!

Fear not.

(Vice Minister Zhou's son?)

(Zhou Li?)

Fine. Master is on his way.

Let's pick up drinks for him to enjoy.

No.

We're ordered to watch him.

We'll be back soon.

Let's go.

Did you use this mirror

to seize Zhang Yunying?

Not just him.

The maids, the doorman,

and Zhou Li's mistress,

all four of them

are in it now.

In here?

Don't touch it,

or you'll be sucked in.

Here you go.

What if he can't get out?

Why lock the door?

It has to look convincing.

The strong urge to live

will bring out one's potential.

Trust me, he'll get out.

Jump over the wall.

He's out.

Help!

Help!

Help me! I was kidnapped!

I'm Weiwu Marquis's son.

They... they abducted me!

Yunying!

Are you hurt, son?

Mother, Father!

Son,

what happened?

It was... Zhou Li.

He kidnapped me!

He... meant to torture me

before killing me!

What took you so long?

How's he now?

Goodness.

I'm exhausted.

I tailed Zhou Li all day.

First,

he was taken to the Censorate.

When I meant to ask around about the situation,

someone else came

from the Ministry of Justice.

Then I followed them there.

Not even

an hour later,

he was moved to

the Court of Judicial Review.

There

those of the Censorate

were waiting for him as I expected.

They took him away.

I followed them to the Censorate.

I went here and there.

So

what's the status now?

How would I know?

I ran after him all day.

I didn't get to ask around.

He's the son of Vice Minister of Revenue.

It's hard to ruin him.

I know.

Armored in court?

Yes.

Besides,

Weiwu Marquis stated his ancestors' merits.

He accused Mr. Zhou

in tears of conniving in the kidnapping

of his son by Zhou Li

in front of His Majesty

and demanded justice

to not disappoint all the soldiers.

What was that to do with them?

He simply needed a pretext.

What did Father say?

His Majesty fumed.

He ordered Judicial Review,

Justice, and Censorate

to solve the case in two days.

Be gentle,

old fart!

Get out!

Go away!

When will Father come?

Well,

he's still at the Judicial Review.

He'll go to the Censorate later,

so he can't come today.

How dare the Judicial Review

and the Censorate

torture me!

Once I'm out,

I'll impeach them!

Don't worry.

His Majesty gave them two days.

If your statement

matches our ministry's

and you deny it,

when the time is up,

we'll turn things around.

The other two departments

can't do anything else.

Then

all we need is a scapegoat

to end everything.

I did not do it!

That's it!

Yes. Right.

Scapegoat?

Yes.

I know a person.

Xu Qi'an.

We had a fight earlier.

It makes sense if we say

he did it.

Senior Song!

What's the rush?

That genius,

Xu Qi'an, is here

to see you!

(Man-Horse Graft) Check out my latest work.

You said

plants and animals can't be grafted.

It made me think

about animals and animals.

Look,

this is my theory.

It's been put into practice.

Look.

See?

Grafting soldiers onto horses

can solve the shortage of war-horses.

Then

a soldier is

also a horse,

able to go far and fast

and fight bravely.

Our combat ability will grow significantly!

What do you think?

Have a try.

Come on.

Hop on.

- I... - Try it.

- Come on. - Wait...

- Try it. - I...

Don't be shy.

See? Isn't it great?

Have a ride.

No, thanks.

Look,

I came for a favor.

Go back.

What is it?

Senior Song,

here's the thing.

I annoyed Mr. Zhou.

You know that.

Yes. Caiwei told me.

I'm sorry.

We don't interfere in court affairs.

Besides,

Vice Minister Zhou of Revenue

is way beyond a humble alchemist like me.

Hear me out.

What you need to do is simple.

Gazing Spell?

No way.

I'm upright and honest.

I'd never do such things.

Sorry, I'm abrupt.

Well then,

let's go back

to talk about your graft.

(Fish-Beast Graft) Honestly,

(Man-Fish Graft) these theories

won't work.

Why is that?

Did my teacher tell you the same thing?

You still don't know

why he disapproved of you

or the real reason behind it.

Do you?

I've never done any research,

but I can tell you

the rationale.

Do you know

reproductive isolation?

Reproduction, yes.

Isolation...?

What about it?

What's it to do with my work?

They...

Do you still remember

the principle of alchemy is...?

Equivalent exchange!

Right.

Don't let them in.

Go. Stop them.

Don't let them in!

What are you doing?

Isn't the questioning tomorrow?

His Majesty ordered me

to join the questioning.

Let go of me!

Hands off!

Zhou Li,

did you kidnap Weiwu Marquis's son?

No, sir.

I'm innocent.

I didn't do it.

It wasn't me. Let me go!

(Notice)

In the 36th year of Yuanjing,

Vice Minister Zhou of Revenue

is sent into exile

for corruption

and connivance.

So is his son

Zhou Li, for kidnapping the son

of Weiwu Marquis.

So you

bribed an alchemist of the Bureau?

How rude.

Alchemists

can't be bribed.

It's an

equivalent exchange.

Wait.

Did we cross the line?

Cijiu,

you're such a nerd.

Don't you know

the weak will be bullied?

Where are you going?

Backwardness

leaves us vulnerable.

With our backs to the wall,

we don't have a choice.

We fighting Zhou Li

is like an ant

shaking a tree.

But he's an ant

in front of the Bureau.

I didn't do it!

I didn't do it!

Hands off!

I swear, sir!

I'm innocent.

Really!

You aren't.

You're lying.

Are you also wondering why

the Marquis

and other officials

didn't see through

such a lame setup?

I've figured out part of it.

For Mr. Zhou's rivals,

it doesn't matter if Zhou Li

was wronged.

They just wanted to use him

to destroy his father.

As for the Marquis,

he could take revenge.

He had lost to Mr. Zhou

for the lack of help.

But this was a heaven-sent chance.

So that day, he showed up, armored,

provoking discussion in court.

He wasn't sure if his son

was taken by Zhou Li,

but before gathering evidence,

bringing down his rival was

his top priority.

You're a Prime Minister material.

We got lucky this time.

Next time,

anything can happen.

Cheer up.

Look,

as a student at the Yunlu Academy,

you have a bright future.

With your talent,

you might climb up the ladder

in a few years.

Then

no one can harm the Xu Clan again.

And you?

What are you going to do?

I...

I...

I'm leaving.

(Xu Residence) Where to?

No idea.

I can't stay here any longer.

I've been in jail twice

over the last few months.

The future of the Xu Clan

depends on you.

Cijiu,

how about I go to the south?

"Green tiles cover red buildings.

Green grass fills riverbanks."

Nice. It's settled.

Wait until my parents come back.

I hate to say goodbye.

Look,

give them these letters.

(To Uncle) I wrote everything.

It's time to leave.

When I settle down,

I'll write to you.

Cousin,

take care.

When will you come back?

When you become powerful,

I'll return in glory.

(After I leave,)

(the Xu Clan will be safe.)

Ningyan,

play with me.

I'm trying to be sad.

Drop the act...

Leave me alone!

Wash the bottles

and jars again.

Senior Song,

thanks for your help.

You're welcome.

What's up?

Grand Princess wants to learn alchemy.

We're ordered to get prepared.

Grand Princess?

Is she also interested in alchemy?

She learns widely from others.

She comes to

talk with us every month on the 15th.

But it's two days early this time.

So we're in a rush.

I won't hold you back.

I'm here to say goodbye

to you and Caiwei.

What?

Are you leaving?

Yes.

You know

the Xu Clan has been through a lot.

I'm a bit

tired.

"People part.

People reunite."

Senior Song,

thanks.

Take care.

And

here's something for you.

♪Time goes by♪

I promised you this.

(Codex) It has what you need.

Alchemy takes

time and effort.

Only talents like you

can carry forward

what's in this book.

You're flattering me!

Trust me.

I'll read it carefully

and won't let you down.

It's 10 liang.

You want me to pay?

Yes.

Dear friends of the Bureau,

welcome to

the launch of the alchemy book.

Yes!

So, Senior Caiwei,

studying alchemy is hard,

isn't it?

Yes.

You're always worried

about the effects.

You lose a lot of hair every day.

Stress eating makes you fat.

If there's a book

that can take your skills

to the next level at least,

- do you want it? - Yes!

The one Senior Caiwei holds is called

How to Better Fake Tax Silver.

What's the market price?

It's in high demand.

The current market price is

25 liang each.

What?

25 liang!

No, that's a lot.

That's too much

for our dear friends.

I have to give them a discount.

I'll sell directly to them.

Cut out the middleman.

I'll bring down

the price!

Hadn't it been for the snacks,

I wouldn't have turned my elbow out.

It can only be turned out.

Here.

Thanks, partner.

Knowledge is wealth.

Princess has arrived!

(Lin'an, Second Princess)

Who is this?

(Gang, Maid) How dare you stare at her! Bow!

I apologize.

Gang,

be nice.

Please.

No.

After you.

(She)

(must be Princess Huaiqing,)

(the wisest lady in the Dafeng.)

(She's as perfect as they say,)

(so elegant)

(and graceful.)

I didn't know you'd come.

Hold on. I'll report to Supervisor.

No need.

We've been here before.

Gang,

how many times have I told you?

This is the Bureau.

We're here for business.

Be polite and smile, yes?

Princess Lin'an.

What... what brings you here?

Nothing. I came myself.

I learned a lot

from our last discussion

about alchemy.

I'm here to learn more.

Wait!

Let me report to my teacher.

No need.

Don't bother Supervisor.

I know this place well.

Let's head to the Pill Room.

Sure.

Empty the Pill Room.

Careful, Your Highness.

Watch your step.

Careful.

It's empty?

How come?

I almost forgot.

Yesterday, a thief broke in

and took away everything.

Don't worry.

We're investigating it.

No clues have been found yet.

You can come

another day.

No need.

Come in.

Just now, I bought these

from the merchants

in the East Market.

Well,

you bought everything.

Fine. I'll show you

how to forge

a mirror.

Don't brush me off.

They say you've

figured out how to fake tax silver.

Huaiqing came to learn, too.

Yes. Right.

Even a talent

like her

can't make it easily,

let alone you.

Oh, Your Highness, I...

I didn't mean that.

I'm saying

you're

even more talented.

Doing such an easy experiment

is beneath you, right?

That's nice of you.

I want to have a try

and see if I'm

as skilled as Huaiqing.

Begin.

Step one,

melt the salt.

And filter it.

What's next?

Senior Song,

come here.

I forgot the next step.

Just...

put it on that stove.

The heat will

crystallize it.

I know step three.

Melt the crystals.

I brought a weapon with me.

Weapon?

Your bureau made it.

I've never seen it before.

Calm down.

I know the spell.

H, He, Li, Be, B,

C, N, O, F, Ne,

Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, right?

Wait!

Senior Song!

- Are you hurt? - Are you hurt?

Your Highness,

faking tax silver is dangerous.

One lapse ruins everything.

That weapon of yours

wasn't made by us!

How about this?

When the tools arrive,

we can continue.

I know what I did wrong.

Let's try again!

Help!

Help!

It worked.

Crystals melted.

Watch the voltage.

- What's that? - The force of thunder.

Watch out!

Princess!

Again!

Do no wrong.

And fear no Guardians.

Guardians?

Hand off.

Be serious.

Are you Xu Qi'an?

Speak.

Yes, I am.

Good.

Come with us.

Wait...

Sirs,

I'm innocent.

Do no wrong,

and fear no Guardians.

♪One, two, three, four♪

♪Mirrors are covered with the hui pattern♪

♪The night wind blows♪

♪Waking up, I pick up a lantern♪

♪Gazing back, I see the gate, and the sound echoes♪

♪I'm in this world♪

♪The long night is bright as dawn♪

♪Never ask where I'm from♪

♪In this world, on this land, I'm galloping♪

♪I travel in a robe with my sword♪

♪Breaking the air with each step♪

♪I'd rather make peace with this world♪

♪Than go down with it♪

♪I'm free, not aggressive♪

♪I'm nice to everyone♪

♪But if you make me call black white♪

♪And make my hands dirty, I won't♪

♪Whoever comes♪

♪The ordinary can be extraordinary♪

♪Watch out for fire late at night♪

♪As long as my heart beats♪

♪I'll only worship light♪

♪Not power♪

♪It's a complicated world♪

♪The chivalrous youth can fight♪

♪Mirrors are covered with the hui pattern♪

♪The night wind blows♪

♪Waking up, I pick up a lantern♪

♪Gazing back, I see the gate, and the sound echoes♪

♪I'm in this world♪

♪The long night is bright as dawn♪

♪Never ask where I'm from♪

♪In this world, on this land, I'm galloping♪

♪I travel in a robe with my sword♪

♪Breaking the air with each step♪

♪I'd rather make peace with this world♪

♪Than go down with it♪

♪I'm free, not aggressive♪

♪I'm nice to everyone♪

♪But if you make me call black white♪

♪And make my hands dirty, I won't♪

♪Whoever comes♪

♪The ordinary can be extraordinary♪

♪Watch out for fire late at night♪

♪As long as my heart beats♪

♪I'll only worship light♪

♪Not power♪

♪It's a complicated world♪

♪The chivalrous youth can fight♪

♪Whoever comes♪

♪The ordinary can be extraordinary♪

♪Watch out for fire late at night♪

♪As long as my heart beats♪

♪I'll only worship light♪

♪Not power♪

♪It's a complicated world♪

♪The youth are born free♪

♪Whoever comes♪

♪The ordinary can be extraordinary♪

♪Watch out for fire late at night♪

♪As long as my heart beats♪

♪I'll only worship light♪

♪Not power♪

♪It's a complicated world♪

♪The youth are born free♪