Subtitles provided by the Unruly Qiao team at Viki
Episode 12
What is that?
Nothing
It's getting late
You should get going
Bad news!
The Emperor
has brought a big group of men to search the house
the entire house has been surrounded!
Your Majesty
Forgive me for asking
But what crime have I committed
to make you personally come here to investigate?
Grand Secretary Zhao
It's just standard operating procedure
It just so happened that it's your turn today
Just co-operate and help us out
Your Majesty
As the leader of the ministers
and the example of a thousand officials
If your majesty does this
you are implying that you suspect me
It's not that serious
We just went to the military officer Qian's house today
And he even treated me to a meal
Oh, that's right. Grand Secretary
Your vases look pretty good
Where did you buy them? They must be expensive.
Your Majesty
My family has been Ministers for three generations
My grandfather was the chief of Libu
My father was the ambassador to Dali
Their legacy has left behind riches
including vast mansions and rewards from the previous emperor.
Your Majesty
I am wholly innocent
If you do this
You are suspecting me!
Grand Secretary
the ICAC is just doing it's job
every minister and official has to be investigated
It's only because I feared your misunderstanding
that I took a personal trip down here
in show of my respect for you
Your Majesty
you look so highly upon me
Favourtism does come with its price
If that's the case
If you want to investigate, go ahead.
If you want to look, feel free.
Please help yourself.
Brothers, time to start work!
Be careful
If you spoil anything of Grand Secretary Zhao's
it's bound to be expensive
and you'll have to get a spanking!
Let's go!
Yes!
Father
Your Majesty
What's going on?
Octopus girl
Just standard procedure. It's nothing.
Then I'll be leaving first.
Father
It's rare that you visit my abode
Why don't I treat you to a cup of teabefore you leave?
Xiang Ning
accompany His Majesty for a drink
This way please
Eldest brother
What are you doing here?
I just went back to see my motherand happened to pass by
and saw many soldiers surrounding the place
What's going on?
Oh, nothing.
Just following standard procedure
Why don't you come have tea with us.
Okay
Just take a casual look around
Don't mess things up
Yes
Look carefully
don't miss out anything
<br
Yes
Subtitles provided by Unruly Qiao teamat Viki
Your Majesty
When I was working in the Imperial Study
as a clerk
I often played chess with the previous emperor
He had amazing chess skills
and fought with the big picture in mind
I wonder if he ever taught Your Majesty how to play
When the previous emperor died
I was still young
and didn't have the chance to play chess with my father
But battle strategies aren't determined by age
As long as the troops are used effectively
Even the smallest soldier can achieve great things
Check
Grand Secretary's moves are very heavy-handed
Unfortunately, you can't cover everything
and have allowed me to make an entry
Your Majesty is eager to conquer
But what a pity
You've forgotten to take care of your homebase
Although the Grand Secretary has won this round
he may not win forever
That would depend on my opponent
and whether he has the ability to win
Big brother!
Big Brother!
I just took a casual look around
and didn't find anything. As for the rest
I just had some casual conversations with them
and didn't find anything either.
What?
What do you think you're doing?
I'm telling His Majesty
That your hair condition is pretty good
it has good nutrition
Grand Secretary
Do you think, that on your body
there is something that you've forgotten to remove?
I've been an official for years
No one has dared to suspect me in this manner
Your Majesty, this is your wish?
I have served in both courts and
helped your father to set out his career
Yet Your Majesty
Seeks to humiliate me this way
and leave me no shred of dignity
Grand Secretary, it's not that serious
It's just a simple search
You're innocent
So why are you so bothered?
Fine. Your Majesty
If you want your officials to die
They don't have a choice but to die
This mere body search
I will allow it
But if you can't find what you're looking for
Please give me a good explanation.
Come
Grand Scretary. Who dares to humiliate you?
But since you have asked
A simple search
You're not ticklish
Grand Secretary Zhao
Pardon my offense
Go, you!
Your Majesty, you should be satisfied now
You should give me an explanation
Miss Zhao, your clothes are really pretty
can you give it to me?
I want to replicate a set for my cousin
Your Majesty, humiliating me is not enough
Now you want to humiliate my daughter as well?
Zhang Zhe San
Find a female officer to help Miss Zhao change
Your Majesty, I have allowed you to do as you please
But you're demanding more and more
I shall go and look for the Empress Dowagerto stand judge in my case
Grand Secretary, you can look for the Empress Dowager
But Miss Zhao has to remain behind
Zhang Zhe San, go look for a female official
Okay!
There's no need!
Your Majesty suspects me?
You can search me. He Tian will do it.
Nonsense!
You are a girl
How can you let a man have such liberty?
No one is allowed to touch my daughter today
He's a physician
Just take it that he's healing me
You
In any case, I like him
You--
FatherInstead of allowing others to suspect you
It's better to sacrifice meto return your innocence
I don't allow it!
You!
He Tian.Do it.
Zhe San.
Who wants to watch?
There's nothing to see.
He Tian. Search her.
Help me.
What's wrong?
Nothing
Then why have you stopped searching?
Men and women are differentIt's natural for me to feel embarassed
I'll continue searching
Big brotherThere's nothing on her
Your Majesty
I hope that when you next have a chance
you can come for another round of chess
Definitely
Zhe San
We're done
Xiang NingWhere's the thing?
I've burnt it.
Subtitles provided by Unruly Qiao teamat Viki
We've searched everywhere
The accounting books must have been hidden
If he can be relied oneven a sow can climb trees
Zhao Pu Song is very cautious and secretive
for him to climb this far and to last this longIt won't be easy to overthrow him
It's not surprisingthat we couldn't find the accounting records
But like this
it would look like we have maligned him
If it weren't for Octopus Girl
I would've broken his arms and legs
and beaten his head in
All right, you've worked the whole day
go back and get some rest
I'm not going to restToday's failure
has rankled my temper
I'm going to go back to cheer my brothers up
All right. Help me to encourage them.
Tell them that they did well today.
Okay.
You have just recovered
Don't exert yourself
Go back and rest earlier
Big brother, then I'll be going back now
Xiao Tian, wait a minute
You're tired too
I'll go get something for you to eat
There's no need
Big brotherToday's matter has been blown up
but there's nothing to show for it
Will it bring you any trouble?
It's all right.Although we couldn't find the accounting book
we gave Zhang Pu Song a fright
But
AiyaHave some confidence in me
I am the Emperor
Then I'll go back to the clinic
Rest early
Okay
Missy!
Missy where are you going?
Old Master is looking for you everywhere
Go backDon't bother about me.
You'd better come back with me
Come, let's go.
I want to take a walk alone
Go back
Stop the sedan
Xiang Ning
The Emperor has leftLet's go home.
Father, why did you do that?
Men
Go and seal off the roadLet no one enter
Yes
Xiang Ning
As the leader of the Ministers
Not only do I have to take care of the people
I have to take care of many lower-ranked officials
There are a lot of things I cannot help
and a lot that I'm forced to do
Is corruption something that you have no choice in?
I'm not corrupt.The Zhaos have been officials for years
Our family has enough wealthto last at least three generations
I have no need to be corrupt
I'm doing this
because I'm thinking of the people
I want to change too
But there are times
when we don't have the abilityto achieve what we want
Even if we can't change the status quothere's no need to become part of the flock
Xiang Ningyou're still young
There are many things you don't understand
I just want you to understand
I'm doing thisbecause i'm thinking of the big picture
All right, Xiang NingCome home with father
Return the accounting records to me
Because all the records on it
can implicate all the ministers in court
If it is leaked out
the consequences will be great
I've already burned it
You've burned it? Who saw you do it?
Father, you don't believe me?
All right thenXiang Ning
We haven't been to visit your mother in a long while.
We'll take some time tomorrow
to go pay our respects to her
AiyoEunuch Li
You've come so lateIs anything the matter?
Please take a seat
Here
Okay
Eunuch Li, please feel free to speak
Grand Secretary
I heard that the emperor brought Zhang Zhe Santo search your house
I came to see youI hope nothing went wrong?
They're just two young brats
What can they accomplish?
Nothing that shouldn't have been foundhas been found
they're all in a safe place
That's good
I was also thinking
Such a small matterwouldn't be an issue for you
Eunuch, rest assured,
The Emperor does not knowthe part you play in this matter
Look at the meaning of thisYou're thinking too much
We spent 20-odd years as brothers
I came here purely out of concern for you
Then I thank you for your concern
More than 20 years have passed
I remember that when we first met
You were still helping the Empress Dowagercomb her hair
Eunuch
I could already tell thenthat you were a cut above the rest
You are not bad yourself.
Out of the many secretaries back then
Grand Secretary was the best of the lot
In a blink of an eyeYou have become the Chief Eunuch and overseer
This makes one really admire you
You're the amazing one
As the Grand Secretary
You are second only to the Emperor
aren't you?
Eunuch, 20 years have already passed by
we are both in the same boat for life
and have been through wind and rain together
It hasn't been easy
Not easy
Twenty years have passed
Oh my goodness
Twenty years is gone!
I still want to live for another 500!
Eunuch, I do too..
but I'm afraid that the young emperorwill not allow us to.
Well if the young Emperor does not agree,we have to make him agree
We can't let such a small matter get in our way
And destroy our brotherly ties
Am I right?
Well said, Eunuch.
Well said.
Subtitles provided by the Unruly Qiao team at Viki
MissyIt's time to go pay our respects to Madam
the Old Master is waiting for you outside
Coming
Put more effort!
Harder, again!
This is fun
Hurry up
Eunuch, He Tian is here
He Tian is here
This is really fun
Eunuch, is there anything you need from me?
Not at all.
I haven't seen you in a long time.
so I miss you.
How is it?
Is living in the clinic all right?
It's very good, thank you.
That's good.
Taking a closer look at your features
Your nose is noseand your eyes are eyes.
They are all in the right places, not bad.
Thank you for the praise
The most important thing for a man
is his career, not his looks.
You have pluck, that's good.
Come here.
Are you used to life in the palace?
I'm used to it.I've just been reading medical books
Have you learnt anything from the imperial hospital?
Of course I haveMy books are worn from use.
Do you need me to help you with anything?
There's no need to trouble you.
You cured the Empress Dowager's illness the last time
I have yet to thank you properly
I was just doing my job
All right, you can return to the clinic now.
Then I'll excuse myself now.
This little brat.
Time has passed by so fast.
In a blink of an eye
my little girl
has grown up into a proper lady
If your mother could see you
She would be very happy.
What a pity
Your mother died too early
Mother didn't leave
Mother is in the heavensWatching over me
and caring about me at all times
Similarly,
she is watching over you from the heavens
Watching your every move
Watching how you discharge your duties as a minister
We've been out the whole dayYou're tired
Go get some rest
I don't have to rest.The one who needs rest is you.
Father
The Emperor has begun to suspect you
We averted this round of danger
but what bout the next round?
Can we avoid it again?
Father, resign from your position.
We will leave the political arena
and live our lives well.
Xiang NingLet's not talk about this
I have work to doGo and get some rest
Subtitles provided by the Unruly Qiao team at Viki
An upstanding Grand Secretary
Yet you dare to bring men to search his home?
He has served in two courts
yet you went and humiliated him?
Do you have reason?
Do you want to search the house of every minister
and leave you alone in court?
MotherYour son does not mean it that way
Checking their accounts and propertiesis just standard procedure
I personally went there becaseI was afraid the Grand Secretary would misunderstand
Your investigation has caused a commotion
Aren't you afraid that otherswould think that he is corrupt?
Mother
I was only making an example
for the other ministers to see
as a show of my determinationto get rid of corruption
Yes, Your majesty
We just went for a casual look-seeWe were very polite
Son
Even if you're investigating corruptionIt should be Bao Chuan who does it
Disband the ICAC
and don't make any trouble again
In addition, promote the Grand Secretary to Grand Tutor
Lest people say that we humiliate our own ministers
Bao Chuan, don't you agree?
Your majesty, I think you're right.
Mother
Don't argue anymoreAiyo-yo-yo
You have another headache?
Quickly return her majesty to her palaceQuick! Prepare the sedan!
Think about it carefully
Oh gosh. it hurts.
Aiyo. They're finally gone.They've tired me out.
Big brother
Do you really intend to disband the ICAC?
We failed to take down Zhao Pu Song this time
He'll find an opportunity to return the attack
I just never expected
that he would join hands with Li Bao Chuan
and even pulled the Empress Dowager card
Big brother, I know you're filial
but aren't we supposed to accomplish great things?
If you disband the ICAC nowhow am I supposed to answer to my men?
You're the emperor
You're the most powerful person on earth
and I'm the second most powerful, right?
You can ignore your mother first.Answer to her only after the deed.
The Empress Dowager is just more conservative.
She's not unreasonable.
My father passed away early.
She's the one that brought me up.
She made me study hard to be a good emperor
I am what I am now because of her.
Tell me, can I disobey her?
Then what now?Do we stop catching corrupt officials?
Big brotherBig brother, I'm sorry.
What are you sorry for?
Tell me, it's all right.
Actually, that day...I found the accounting books on Xian Ning
Why didn't you say that you found the books?
I couldn't bear to get her into trouble!
She treated me so well in the past
and took care of me when I was injured
I just thought she was really pitiful
I'm sorry, Big brother
I didn't know that the book was so important
Your one moment of weaknesshas caused all of us trouble.
The both of us planned this for so long
but all for nothing!
Forget itIt's all Octopus girl's fault.
She knew her father isn't a good person
but she become an accesory to his crimes.
All right, Xiao San. Stop scolding her.
Zhao Pu Song is Xiang Ning's father.
It's hard to go against family.You can't expect her to destroy her father.
It would be too cruel.
Corrupt officials should be punished
Just blamer her luck that her fatherchose to do the wrong things
Xiao San
Your teacher is a thief
But would you be willing to betray him?
I-- What are you laughing at?
Xiao Tian, don't feel guilty.
To save you, Xiang Ning
was willing to risk her life.
Your actions are understandable.
I won't blame you.
Big brother, how are you going to continue investigations?
As long as the accounting records still exist
finding it isn't difficult.
Are you sure the records are still around?
If I were Zhao Pu Song,I would've burned it.
If it could be burned, he would've done it already.
The accounting books, must still be useful to him.
Otherwise, he wouldn't risk itby hiding it with Xiang Ning
All right.
My inherited 'stubbornness'is especially for dealing with corruption
I'll go gather my menand search his house again
That won't do.Zhao has definitely increased his defenses
Acting rashly would gain no reward
and would, in fact, work against us.
The person who created the messhas to be the one who cleans it up
This matter started with you
So you have to go solve it.
Huh?
He really did purposely lure me out
and sent someone to search for the book
Bad news! Missy!
Missy! Bad news!
When you went out with the Grand Secretary
someone died at home!
What?
Mr. Yang from the accounting room
was discovered in the well.
I heard he drank too much last night
and accidentally fell in.
Subtitles provided by Unruly Qiao team at Viki
Don't come over!
Don't!
I'll beat you to death!
Who asked you to pretend to be a ghost!
I'll beat you to death!
Hey, who's pretending to be a ghost?You look more like a ghost!
You look exactly like an octopus without make up
I'm not the one looking for youHe's looking for you
He Tian?
Can you give me the accounting book?
Xiang Ning is all for punishing corrupt officials
but does not want to implicate her father
So before handing the accounts book over
she struck out her father's name.
Octopus girl is such a genius
Her father heads the entire thing
and is a beast once he removes his robes
With clothes, he's a beast wearing clothes.
Not catching him removes the the effectivenessof the entire project
What do we need the accounts book for now?
So, since that day
the accounts book was with Xiang Ning?
That's right.Big brother
There's one more thing I need to ask of you
What is it?
Xiang Ning told her father
that she burned the book
So if her father finds outthat she handed the accounts book over
he wouldn't forgive her.
So, what you mean is
Is there a way
that we can keep the book's existence from Zhao?
Are you serious?
His name has already been scribbled over
Now we still need to keep the book's existence secret?
Then what do we need the book for?We might as well return it to her.
It's natural that she doesn't want to give up her own father
But Xiang Ning still wants us to help
Octopus girl is thinking about her father
You are thinking for Octopus Girl
Then, let me ask youWho is thinking for the people?
In Xiang Ning's eyes
Zhao Pu Song is not an official
He's a father.
Her wanting to protect her father
is a natural thing.
I just don't want to ruin their relationship
just because of an investigation
Then what about my men back at the ICAC?
Are they working for nothing?
Big brother has been wasting his efforts
and we went to the disaster zone for fun
At least Xiang Ning handed the accounts book over
we can deal with the other officials first
Do you think Brotherdoesn't have enough on his hands?
There are only two routes now:We either tolerate or be cruel.
Big brother, is there really no other way?
Aiya.We can't let the book see daylight
but we still have to return justice to the people
and punish the corrupt officials
How is that possible?Even an immortal wouldn't be able to.
We don't need an immortal.
We just need the in-charge of the ICAC
Zhang Zhe SanThat's enough
The official is back!
Are you hooligans or the ICAC?
Sit properly!
Lord Zhang, you're back.
Are these things very expensive?
That's none of your business.
Go and investigate others
Please leave.
Lord Zhang, you've misunderstood.
The Emperor, has been worried about raising relief funds
and hopes that Lord Zhang can contribute
This donation bookletwas handwritten by the Emperor
I have no money
Brothers, do it.
Yes.
Aiya. Don't break it, don't break it
These are all precious. Aiya.
So... Are you going to give us money, or not?
Give, give, give.I'll give.
You should've said so earlier.
Also, His Majesty would like to ask
who your leader is.
It's Grand Secretary Zhao.
Are you going to donate?
I'll donate.
Who is your ringleader?
Grand Secretary Zhao
Please donate some money.
Donate some money.
The military department doesn't have much money
Just give 30,000.
Donate some money please
Thirty... Thirty thousand.
Also, who is your ringleader?
Grand Secretary Zhao.
Subtitles provided by Unruly Qiao team at Viki
Big brother
Xiao Tian
Big brother
This is the record of the donationsgathered by second brother.
These corrupt officials
should have paid up to help the people long ago
then does the ICAC still have to be disbanded?
the ICAC is currently finishing up its duties.
It can be temporarily disbanded.
But the people have to be retained.
They will be assimilated into the imperial troops
the imperial troops?
You want to deal with Li Bao Chuan?
It's about time for his turn now.
Justice Department's Lord Ma, 45,000 taels.
Registry Department, Lord Chen, 55,000 taels.
Ceremonies department, Lord Wang, 37,000 taels.
Military deparment, Lord Qian, 28,000 taels.
And the other departments and bureaus
have donated 72,000 taels in total.
and the above..
Grand Secretary Zhao
the others have all donated
how much do you intend to donate?
Lord Zhao is the leader of the departments and bureaus
his care for the people
is no lesser than anyone else's
Am I right?
Wow! Grand Secretary Zhao has donated 100,000 taels!
Applause please!
Wow, 100,000 taels!
Grand Secretary Zhao.
has shown great concern for the earthquake victims
He is the standard for all the officials
How about this?
I'll promote him to the first-grade grand tutor
I hope Grand Secretary Zhaowill continue to work hard
for the prosperity of the people.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
All right, that's all.
Court has ended!
Long live Your Majesty
Aiya, Eunuch.
Your calligraphy is as beautiful as dancing dragons
Great
Eunuch
I've checked He Tian's background
Tell me
His mother sells pork in the market
But on their household registry card
she only has a daughter.
The previous concubine candidate
who died -- the ugly He Tian Xin.
This matter has just gotten interesting!
Subtitles provided by Unruly Qiao team at Viki
because the accounting records
can implicate all the ministers in court
If it leaks out
Father, resign from your position
We'll leave the political scene
and live our lives well, all right?