The Empress of China Episode 86
ai::bowo-subs
Mei Niang, one more thing
I've been wondering,
did you have anything to do with Gaoyang's death
Wu Mei Niang came from a prestigious family
with virtues and talents
worthy of an Empress.
Long live Your Majesty, long live, long live
Long live Your Highness Empress, long live, long live
Zhaoyi Wu was earlier known as the Empress Mother Model After past 18 years since she was enter the Palace for first time
Good
Smooth strokes
with appropriate strength.
Your Highness' Prince calligraphy
now
has Wang Youjun's grace.
Empress Wu favorite is
Wang Xizhi’s calligraphy,
I've been practising for 2 years.
Then
I plan to copy
the Biography of a Filial Son for her as a gift.
You think she'll like it
That woman persecuted the late Empress.
Dealing with her,
must be really hard for his Royal Highness
These past years,
Empress Wu's control of the Harem
has more solid
The poor scholars she supports are
getting promoted.
Her sons Li Hong and Li Xian,
the former kind, the latter smart.
They're more capable of
pleasing Father than I am.
Although Tang is still run by the Li clan,
I can't help
but get the feeling,
I'm living under the Wu clan's roof.
To protect myself,
to bow and scrape has become inevitable.
It's hardly considered much put-upon.
In my opinion.
Your Highness Prince should try
to win Zhangsun Daren's support.
Zhangsun Wuji is
only after Empress Wu,
in his eyes I'm afraid
I'm no different
from Li Hong and Li Xian.
For the current expedition
against the rebels in Congshan District,
I have recommended to him
The sons of three Daren as vanguards.
Your highness so deep affection
We're most grateful to you
The Eastern Palace can rely
only on three Darens.
Naturally I'd look out for you.
Yet, do you know
Zhangsun Daren
has said to me
What did he say
Going to battle is a serious matter,
nepotism is highly improper.
He had someone else in mind.
That's why, in his eyes,
he only cares about Tang.
He shows the Eastern Palace
no regard
and none to you, gentlemen.
I won't
count on getting his support.
You may go
Officer asked to be excused, Your Highness
I'm old and useless
If you know that old
and useless
why do you want to be
the Military Commander-in-Chief of Congshan District
The late Emperor had putting you
on top of the list of 24,
he certainly had his reasons,
You've been like that all these years.
Before I opened my mouth,
you knew it
I didn't expect
you’d set aside your pride
to ask for a favour.
It's not entirely up to me.
Level with me.
Set aside everyone else,
do you really want the job
Farming suits me better.
I'm tired of the official circle.
I see, I'll take care of this.
Notice the Empress
The gifts
you sent to Luoyang for Lady Rong
and the letter you wrote her
have been returned.
What else did my Mother say
She asked you
not to write her anymore.
She would not read your letters.
What's the situation with Zhangsun Daren
As the Empress has expected,
he has received many visitors,
mostly courtiers from aristocratic families,
making recommendations
for the Military Commander-In-Chief of Congshan District.
Even General Cheng Zhijie
paid him a visit himself.
Interesting
These aristocrats are
so used to seizing all
the crucial military posts
for themselves.
Okay, does Zhangsun Daren
have someone in mind
According to my source,
he's likely to appoint
the Inspector of Qingzhou, Liu Rengui.
Liu Rengui
Empress, it's time for the medication.
What? It's 9 o'clock already
Yes, Empress
His Majesty has been suffering from cold since 1 o'clock
His Majesty cold
has recovered,
don't you remember
Slaves tongue
Pardon me, Empress
Never mind
Don't forget,
even in front of me,
you mustn’t say things
you shouldn't.
Yes, Empress.
Slave will remember that
Serve the medication.
Shoo
Cats!
Since black cat showed up in the Palace,
Many people have been
gossiping
about Consort Xiao's return.
Come back
Return to do what
Kill me?
Empress, as you see
Shall we send for a monk
and perform a ritual
No! we don't have to look it up
Go find out where these cats came from.
While you're at it,
spread the word
that I’m so distraught
at seeing these cats
that I couldn't eat or sleep.
Yes
You may go
Yes! Yes!
Your Majesty
Your Majesty, you're awake
Mei Niang,
I... I... this relapse
how long was I out
Several hours.
Your Majesty, I have prepared
your favorite fin soup.
Tell me, do you have any appetite
Did I
miss the morning assembly
Don't worry about it,
there's still time.
Help me up, hurry
I need to change.
Your Majesty
You must mind your health.
If you're not well,
skip the morning assembly
My relapse,
recently getting more frequent
and becoming more severe.
If I skip the morning assembly
on account of my illness,
the courtiers
will begin to get suspicious
and restless.
Besides, with a war going on,
today, we must decide
who should lead the army up north.
We must not put off the decision any longer.
Mei Niang, all these years,
from the commander of the Imperial Guards,
To the Military Commander-in-Chief on the battlefield,
have been appointed,
only the Guanlong aristocrats
The Congshan District position
is an opportunity
Maybe I can take this,
to start changing things.
Mei Niang understand
Mei Niang will help you
get ready
Your Majesty
Notice the Empress
His Majesty's pulse
is normal again.
He should be fine.
It has been 3 days,
can anyone tell me
when his Majesty
will wake up
Well...
You don't know either,
Right
You may go
Thank you, Empress
ai::bowo-subs
Empress, an urgent request for backup from Xizhou.
His Majesty has caught the cold again
Maybe it's more than a cold.
Let the assembly begin.
Long live Your Majesty, long live, long live
By order of His Majesty,
Today,
the Empress will take his place in the morning assembly.
This, this
This is
All Darens,
anything you wish to discuss,
I have something to report.
Zhangsun Daren
Is there anything you want to say it, right
If His Majesty is not feeling well,
Old man think
we should dismiss the morning assembly today
and wait
till His Majesty recovers
to discuss state affairs.
Empress
I have something to report.
The rebel troops
led by Ashina Helu
have been in and out of
Xizhou.
Tang's officers must appoint
a brave and skillful general
as the Military Commander-in-Chief of
Congshan District,
to defeat these barbarians.
Empress
Empress,
for such crucial military affairs,
we must not be hasty in the appointment.
We should give this due deliberation
and let His Majesty decide.
Daren, you should know
matters on the front line are rapidly changing
and of utmost urgency.
The Court protocol
must be observe
Such serious state matters
require His Majesty's ruling.
Empress, dismiss the assembly
Report!
Urgent message from Xizhou.
Empress, urgent message from Xizhou.
Zhangsun Daren, take a look
Ashina Helu has defeated us again
and captured several cities.
Flames of war are raging across Xizhou,
All Darens,
you have the leisure
to discuss
protocol with me.
What do you want
Don't want
to let these barbarians
enjoy looting
and pillaging Tang subject
and return to Shuanghe unscathed
Let them
win without a fight
Today, His Majesty ordered me
to preside over the morning assembly
so that we can choose
a Military Commander-in-Chief for Congshan District
and lead the Tang army
against Ashina Helu.
Darens, feel free
to nominate a candidate.
Notice the Empress
I recommend Xue Rengui
and Su Dingfang as his deputy.
Empress, Xue Rengui is still junior.
Su Dingfang is
a mid-level officer.
How can they take on this heavy responsibility
I nominate Inspector of Qingzhou.
Liu Rengui
He's a veteran who has
never been defeated.
He's the perfect choice.
He's too old.
Would you use someone young and strong like Zhao Kuo
Daren, you're obviously
playing tricks with words.
All Darens,
you have your points,
but this expedition
will be a fierce battle,
General Liu may be valiant.
but his age is truly high
and may not have the energy.
I think we should designate
some of Tang's younger generals.
Xue Rengui and Su Dingfang
are well-known as valiant warriors.
His Majesty and I believe
they won't let us down
Empress
Empress, now the Tang army is not
as strong as in the Zhenguan era.
From the northern desert soldier
The western countries are in wait-and-see
and are ready to act.
Empress
This war must be won
We cannot afford to lose.
Doesn't tolerate
a little sloppy
Empress, please reconsider
Since all of you Darens
have the consensus.
I’m sure His Majesty personally
would not object.
But this battle
we cannot afford to lose.
I’ll
take Daren's advice
and pick an experienced
and well respected veteran.
However
in terms of experience and track records,
Who else among people
compared him to know this part
General Cheng Zhijie
that's it, to play it safe,
General Cheng will be
the Commander-in-Chief of Congshan District,
Su Dingfang will be the Front Commander
and they should leave right away.
General Cheng,
are you willing to take this important task,
Veteran won't let
the Empress and His Majesty down.
Very well
All Darens,
with regard to Congshan District,
do you have any objections
As you wish
Good! If we work together,
Tang will no doubt win this war.
But
if General Cheng is assigned to Congshan District,
he’ll be gone for at least a year.
During this period,
he cannot command
the Imperial Guards
as the Senior Left Guardian General.
Starting today, the Imperial Guards
will come under the command of Senior Right Guardian
General Liu Boying.
I'll be obey
Empress
This is by order of His Majesty.
Those who disobey will be executed.
General Cheng has been
Zhenguan 17 years so far
the Senior Left Guardian General
commanding the Palace guards
and the 4 city gates.
He holds in his hand
6,000 Imperial Guards
is a force strong enough
to reverse the course of events
and it belonged to us.
Now
we practically gave it away to those poor scholars.
Li Daren
What do you know about Guo Yu
I seem to recall
He came from an aristocratic family.
Today in court,
why is he with Han Yuan
like oil and water
Guo Yu came from a collateral branch of
a prominent family in Longxi.
He was smart and studious.
His literary skills should be
top among his clan.
He was hoping to bring glory to the clan by excelling
in the state exams.
But how would the Guo’s family
allow anyone from
a collateral branch to attain such honours
So they set him up
and made him believe
he killed someone while he was drunk.
He went into hiding
in the Western Regions for 30 years.
Years after the death of the clan elders,
he found out the truth and
returned to Chang'an.
An aristocrat
who hates aristocrats
Interesting
When did his Majesty wake up
Soon after you started the assembly.
Come
Mei Niang
Today was hard for you
My Empress did a good job.
Even
better than I have expected.
You made a pre-emptive move
by making concessions.
Not only did you win
a position for the poor generals in the expedition.
but you removed the Guanlong aristocrats
from controlling the Imperial Guards as well
You should have seen them.
Those Guanlong aristocrats
To look in their eyes
one by one
were like sharp knives.
They can't wait to
tear me to pieces.
Anyway, no matter what happens,
I'm not going
back there to face them.
I hope my Lord will
get well soon
and
I can still
hide behind your Majesty.
I feel safer that way.
I will get well
must be good
Today, Li Yifu recommended
Xue Rengui and Su Dingfang.
They were obviously
His Majesty's choice.
Recently,
these poor scholars
civil and military officers
are getting promoted lately.
That's directed against us.
Guanlong aristocrats like us
follow Zhangsun Daren's lead.
His Majesty only ascended
the throne with Zhangsun Daren's help.
As far as I checked
Li Yifu and Xu Jingzong
allegedly were
from the Crown Prince's Palace,
but they followed that woman’s lead from the start.
Since when did His Majesty approve
these poor scholars
rise in the Court
to challenge us
Guanlong aristocrats
They did begin since
Empress Wang was deposed
Yes Yes
She has bewitched His Majesty
and rallied the poor scholars
to take revenge.
Going through so much trouble
to settle a personal score
is so typical of a woman
Enough!
Did you come here
to moan and groan
Regret that
you've offended that woman
Since His Majesty became the Emperor,
he has never rejected the memorials
presented by Zhangsun Daren.
The merit earned from this expedition
is most crucial
to strengthening the Guanlong families' clout in the Court.
I'm hoping Zhangsun Daren can come forward
to ensure the Commander-in-Chief
position for the Congshan District remains with us
Fall on our families
Our families have remained strong
regardless who succeeded the throne.
Wu Mei Niang came
but from a humble lineage.
For her to go against us,
we'll show her
she's in over her head.
ai::bowo-subs
Well said
over her head.
Empress
THANK YOU
Regarding the cats.
I have a lead
I want proof,
not leads.
Is Ming Chongyan here
Yes, he's in the Palace
Great!
Send him in
Don't let anyone know about this.
Yes