Tell me which item you like, Prime Minister Wang. I'll give it to you.
I'm not interested in jewels or gemstones.
But such an array of precious items on display will show
how prosperous and wealthy Song and its people are.
Exactly. Back then to show the outstanding status of the prime minister,
the previous emperors ordered his badge be tailor-made. It's absolutely unique.
Other officials don't have such a privilege. Are you carrying yours with you?
Of course I am...Your Majesty.
Jixiang.
Why does your badge look so much like mine?
That's exactly my question.
Why was your badge found at Waterside Cottage?
Don't you keep it in your safe custody?
The former Prime Minister Chen Shengzhi
resigned and returned to his hometown in the 8th year of Xining.
But he didn't return all official properties to the government.
What has that got to do with the badge?
After Chen Shengzhi resigned, I became the prime minister.
I examined the checklist for the prime minister's mansion
and noticed that some badges were missing.
I don't know where they are.
The badge in your possession could be a fake.
Even if it's genuine, you still can't prove that I sent an assassin there.
You know about the assassination too?
You sent your guards to Waterside Cottage. That's how I found out about what happened.
Your Majesty, there's more than one prime minister's badge.
True. I shouldn't jump to conclusions
based on just one item.
Of course it's possible that someone planted the evidence there to set you up.
Your Majesty is sharp.
But the other is a possibility too.
The evidence must have been wanted.
Qin Cao is popular. But she's a commoner after all.
It was just a burglar who broke in, just a petty crime.
But Your Majesty presumed it was an assassin. Are you being over-sensitive.
You're right.
I'm putting you in charge of this investigation then.
You must catch the burglar.
Your Majesty, it's just a minor case.
It's the duty of the governor of Kaifeng to investigate this case.
This case involves me. Shouldn't you be in charge of it?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Stand down.
Goodbye, Your Majesty.
Jixiang, now are the arrangement for Qin Cao's move to Su Mansion?
Everything's taken care of, Your Majesty.
Are you used to living in Su Mansion?
No. There are so many guards here. They will scare the kids in their family.
I see. How are they treating you?
They're really nice to me. They treat me like a family member.
Good. Stay here for the time being. I'll make other arrangements.
I've only moved in for less than a day. You've already come to see me.
I'm worried that people will say you're neglecting the administration.
It's exactly the opposite.
I've never worked so hard on the administration.
I've already assigned Wang Anshi to work on some minor cases.
Really?
Am I not an astute emperor?
Your Majesty is sharp and astute.
I'm thoughtful too. Jixiang.
Carousel lamp?
It's not the Lantern Festival or Mid-Autumn Festival. Why are you...?
Look closely.
You mean?
I want to make you an Imperial Concubine.
But one must comply with the etiquette requirements
to become Your Majesty's concubine.
I'm just a refugee. I'm afraid people will criticize you for doing this.
Don't worry. I'll make the necessary arrangements.
Just be patient.
Officer Su.
Have you eaten yet?
Yes, sir.
Thanks for the hard work.
Our home is like His Majesty's resort now.
If you weren't standing next to me,
I'd almost think I've become a maid in the palace.
You're Mrs. Su now.
You'll never have the chance to become a maid in the palace.
Don't even dream about it.
Now that His Majesty has the talented Qin Cao for his companion,
he's grown much more mature.
He even knows how to challenge Wang Anshi's political views.
Isn't that great?
Most important of all, you've been reinstated as a magistrate.
That's true. I owe Miss Qin Cao my thanks.
She's really a wonderful woman. I can tell His Majesty likes her very much.
I hope she won't break his heart.
Why would she break His Majesty's heart?
She's really lucky since His Majesty loves her so much.
Because of the Green Shoots Law,
the farmers in Henan had no choice but to chop firewood for money
in order to repay the government.
But then there was a drought. When it rains, it pours.
There was an honest official called Zheng Xia.
He noticed the people's plight. He painted a picture called Drifters.
But then a corrupt official tried to cover up his bad conduct.
He killed Zheng Xia.
He even tried to destroy Drifters by burning it.
Some farmers risked their lives to get the picture.
So the plight of the farmers in Henan could be made public.
This is nonsense.
That's right. Calamities happen from time to time.
What has that got to do with the Green Shoots Law? Right, Head?
That's irrelevant. Make way.
You must tell people the main points.
Where's the picture of the farmers now? Where is it?
Well...
Well? There are no tramps in the prisons I'm in charge of.
Since there are no tramps,
how could a guy called Zheng Xia paint tramps?
I'm talking about drifting farmers, not tramps or vagrants.
I don't care whether they're tramps or farmers.
As long as this person hasn't shown up yet, I won't acknowledge his existence.
Don't talk about this. Talk about something else.
Yes. Why don't I tell everyone the story of the socialite Miss Qin Cao?
Listen carefully.
If you talk nonsense again, I will put you in jail for a week or so.
Go ahead.
It's this painting, sir.
Did Zheng Xia spray pomegranate juice on the painting before he died?
Find the real painting.
Yes...Don't worry.
When we catch the farmers, we'll find the real painting.
You must find it. You shouldn't have killed Zheng Xia.
You could have transferred him or bribed him.
But you killed him and caused public resentment.
You've gotten us into grave trouble now.
His Majesty doubts me already.
If this becomes an excuse for people to attack my reforms,
none of you will get away unscathed unless you could find the painting.
Pear blossoms pale and willows green. Next line. You answer, Xiaomei.
There's no context or mood. How can I conjure up the next tine?
You're so useless. No one can give me the second line?
I'll treat you to grapes if you can come up with a second line.
Come on. Go ahead.
Honey.
Are you going to give me the second line?
You know I'm not good at poems and couplets.
How could I do that?
But the word pear is in your first fine.
So I made some pear blossoms for you.
Pretend that's my answer to your question.
It's really nice. This is an apple. But you made it look like pear blossoms.
So this is your answer?
Anyway it's nicely carved. I'll treat you to some grapes.
What? No one can give me the second line?
Pear blossoms pale and willows green.
Willow catkins in the air, city covered in flowers.
It's just a simple line, but you've conveyed the mood. I do admire you.
Thank you for your compliment, sir.
I must say you're my soul mate, Miss Qin Cao.
I still don't think the second line is good enough.
So I've carved this like a pear blossom to match your first line, sir.
Interesting...It appears to be a pear blossom.
But on closer examination, it resembles a plum blossom.
I think you're testing me. Blooming late because of worries.
Lest the beautiful appearance not fit in.
Try to deliberately look a bit pink.
Yet it still looks cool and unique.
Very good.
Brother Dongpo and Miss Qin Cao managed to compose a poem on the spot.
Sis Runzhi, why don't you recite some verses too?
If she knew how, she would have done so already.
Can you do it, Xiaomei? You're commenting on other people?
My wife's duty is to assist me and teach my son.
She takes care of my belly too.
If I need young and beautiful women, there are many. Right, honey?
That's true. Honey has so many women friends.
Now that he has Miss Qin Cao at home. He won't need to seek other company.
Right. I save a lot of money.
Pear blossoms pale and willows green.
You're not going to bed yet?
You don't need to cover my eyes, honey. I can smell your scent. Sit down.
Sometimes inspiration is really funny.
When there's none,
you won't get any sitting here all day long.
But when I encounter a soul mate, my inspiration gushes.
I immediately thought of two lines.
I'm afraid I'll forget them. So I'm writing them down.
Pear blossoms pale and willows green.
Willow catkins in the air, city covered in flowers.
Isn't this really poetic?
Yes, it is.
Miss Qin Cao really is a rare soul mate for you.
You've stated the main point.
Goodnight.
Honey, why are you mad?
I'm not.
You're not?
But I like the way you look when you're mad. I love you so much when you're jealous.
Who's jealous? I just don't want to keep you.
Since you're in such an artistic mood,
you should go chat with Miss Qin Cao and drink with her.
You're still saying you're not jealous? You didn't study hard.
If you knew how to recite and compose poems and couplets,
I could chat and drink with you too.
What? I have to manage Spring Wine Restaurant.
How do I have time to study? Put yourself in my shoes.
If you had to manage a business too, you wouldn't have time to study either.
That's just an excuse.
Fine. Since you say that,
I promise I will teach you a poem every night before we go to bed.
That will be over 300 poems a year and over 3,000 in ten years.
You'll be smarter than me then, OK?
OK.
OK. This is your first lesson tonight. I'll teach you the first poem.
Come on. Listen.
Worry that the ﬂowers will fall asleep; light a candle to reflect the crimson color.
Goodnight.
That's all for our reports. There's nothing further today, Your Majesty.
That's all, right?
Yes, Your Majesty. Actually you can adjourn the meeting now.
Prime Minister Wang, are you hurrying home to comfort your wife?
Why are you so desperate to leave?
My wife and I have been married for years. I don't need to comfort her anymore.
But I heard that
Your Majesty intends to find someone to comfort you. Is that true?
The queen is virtuous.
She told me to get myself a concubine to serve me.
Your Majesty, my goddaughter is well versed in all forms of arts.
She's intelligent and knowledgeable.
If she becomes your concubine, she can share your worries.
I would be much honored too.
Your Majesty, why don't you take a look at her picture?
Good. Show me now...
Prime Minister Wang, do you want to compete with me?
I dare not.
But I think Officer Li's goddaughter is not qualified to be an imperial concubine
So Your Majesty need not look at the picture
Why didn't you let His Majesty take a look? You're so overbearing.
Officer Li, is your so-called goddaughter Miss Qin Cao of Waterside Cottage?
Yes.
What's the first and last name of this woman called Qin Cao?
Where does she live?
She's beautiful. But she's a refugee after all.
Even though you've taken her as your goddaughter,
we still know nothing of her background. Her identity is a mystery.
Ever since Song was founded,
all imperial concubines must have a clean family background.
Who is this woman Qin Cao?
I'm the emperor. If I say she's OK, who'd dare say otherwise?
The ancestral family laws say so. Will Your Majesty reconsider this please?
Your Majesty must reconsider this...
Let's not talk about the issue of taking a concubine.
Just now you mentioned Waterside Cottage. That reminds me of the assassination case.
Any progress?
Not yet despite my investigating for days.
This is outrageous. There was an assassin. It's so serious.
You're brushing me off by telling me that there's been no progress?
That means you're incompetent. Also, you proposed the Service Law.
You said it would bring revenue to the treasury.
It's been implemented for years. Where's the increase in revenue? Tell me.
Your Majesty!
Shut up. You're in charge of promoting the Green Shoots Law.
There's been no progress at all. That means you're incompetent.
You don't need to work on that anymore.
But we just started implementing the Green Shoots Law not long ago.
Is Qin Shaoyou the only official in the government now?
Can't someone else do it? Adjourned.
Adjourned.
She's using a king to block my horse, general and advisers.
She's also using a horse to launch an offensive.
We have many pieces.
But our situation is precarious. Were stranded.
Sir, it's just a chess game. We can start the game again if we lose.
It's not that simple.
Qin Cao has His Majesty as her horse.
Her attack is from all directions.
Our situation is highly precarious.
If you don't want to play this game with her,
you don't need to be her adversary.
What do you mean?
If you make her your ally, you won't need to fight her head on.
A third party won't be able to take advantage of the conﬂict between you two.
Miss Qin Cao, if you don't mind, please accept this gift.
Why aren't you giving such a precious item to your wives?
Why are you giving it to me instead?
How can my two wives share only one luminous pearl?
Actually I was reprimanded by His Majesty this morning.
I feel really helpless.
You're giving me such a precious item at this moment.
Do you want me say a few kind words on your behalf in His Majesty's presence?
You can really read people's mind.
No wonder the prime minister keeps complimenting you.
I haven't done anything worthy of this gift.
It's too valuable. I can't take it.
The prime minister didn't know you before. So there was a minor misunderstanding.
Now that he knows you're well versed in all forms of arts.
He wants to work with you
to make Song shine brightly again, like this luminous pearl.
It's not in the prime minister's character to resort to such means.
If I accepted the gift, then I wouldn't be Qin Cao anymore.
Excuse me please.
One each.
Thank you, Master Si.
Don't fight. They're all the same.
Master Si, you're only taking one. Will that be too little for you?
That's right. You're our head. Why don't you take more?
My salary is higher than yours.
This is the payoff from the prisoners after all.
What are you doing? You've come so early to collect the night soil?
Are you new here? OK. Just get it done quickly.
Master Si, just now we were talking about that Ding Dong. He's stone broke.
He has no money to pay us. Shall we withhold his meals?
Rules are rigid. But we're ﬂexible.
He's so old. If you don't give him food, he'll starve to death.
Can you live with that?
That's true.
His meal costs are on me.
Master Si is really generous.
Stop...You said you're here to collect the night soil.
Why have you come into the cell? You want to break someone out?
No, I just want to visit my dad.
You come to visit like this?
You didn't have to come so late at night. You could have come during the day.
I couldn't. The officers wouldn't let me in.
I don't have money to pay them.
Sir, have mercy please. Please let me see my dad.
He suffers from asthma. He can't cope here. Please.
This is against the rules. I can't help you.
Sir, I'm begging you please. Please do me a favor. I want to see my dad.
Stop crying. I can't stand it when someone cries.
There won't be a second time for this.
Ding Dong, get up. Your daughter's here to see you.
Dad.
Ding Ding.
Keep your voice down.
Dad, how are you?
Do you have enough food to eat? Are you cold? Has your asthma relapsed?
You're a good girl. I'm fine. You must take care.
I don't know if I'll get out of here alive.
Please don't say that, Dad.
Ding Ding, stop talking. You have to go now.
Dad.
If someone finds out I let you in,
I'll be a dead man.
Ding Ding!
Dad.
No more talking...
Trust me. I'll look after your dad. He'll be fine. Be good. Go...
Ding Ding!
Dad.
Take care, Ding Ding.
Go.
Sir...Thank you.
You're welcome. OK. Get some rest. Food will be served very soon.
Come with me. Go...
Help...Help...
The agent reported that Qin Cao used to live in Taiyuan.
She came with the wealthy people who ﬂed to the capital.
Does she come from a family of high-ranking officials or landlords?
We have no leads at all.
The agent asked lots of people in Taiyuan. But there are no clues.
This is odd.
She's just an ordinary girl.
It's no surprise that people don't remember her.
It's not surprising? A beautiful woman is aware of her own beauty
because people around her will keep praising and reminding her.
Given Qin Cao's talents and beauty, it's impossible that no one knows her.
This woman is so mysterious. It's really weird...Come in.
Sir.
Have you caught the farmers and their accomplices yet?
Sir, I had caught a female accomplice.
But I was suddenly assaulted.
Had? That means everyone escaped.
Sorry, sir.
You can't even catch several poor men. You're all useless.
Please don't be mad, sir.
I really don't have any clue about Qin Cao. But I have an idea about Ding Dong.
How dare you guys go to Councilor Zheng's home to steal!
Don't touch me or my underlings won't spare you.
Won't spare us? Will they come and rescue you? Go in.
The terrain is rugged here. Be careful.
OK. Watch your step.
Watch out, Ding Ding. There are rocks here.
Don't worry about me. Show Officer Su the way.
OK. Sir, be careful.
You finally realized I'm here?
Sure. As soon as I shouted for help, you showed up immediately.
I really don't know how to return your favor.
Why didn't you go see Qin Shaoyou? Why did you come and see me?
Ding Ding said only those from the Su family can help her.
Yes. Dad told me that no official in the capital is trustworthy.
We can only trust someone from the Su family.
I can't believe you're Officer Su Zhe's older brother.
Now you will fight the case for Officer Zheng. This is a godsend.
I hate corrupt officials who cover up their evil conduct.
I've heard about the Drifters painting.
I will make sure justice is served for Officer Zheng. Let's go.
Thank you, Officer Su.
Thank you Officer Su for taking on Officer Zheng's case.
Thank me after I've really helped you guys. Please get up.
That's right. Officer Su told you guys to get up. So get up.
We came all the way to the capital to tell the government our grievances.
But we've been suppressed everywhere. We'll hand over the evidence to you now.
Evidence? What is it?
This is the Drifters painting by Officer Zheng.
Drifters?
Sir.
I've heard of it before.
Look.
It's really devastating. It's so sad.
Dad.
You...?
Don't worry. Brother Hong is on our side.
How did you manage to get here?
Some hooligans went to prison to rescue their people.
I escaped during the chaos.
The prisoners are nobodies.
They're not major criminals or bandit leaders.
Why would someone break into prison to rescue them?
I'm sure it's a trick.
The soldiers wanted to follow him in order to catch all of you.
I'm really so stupid.
Now what, Dad?
Oh, no. There are lots of soldiers outside.
I'm here. I won't let them take the law into their own hands.
I'll go outside and talk to them.
Don't go, Officer Su.
Right. Once you go out, they'll kill you to shut you up.
That's right.
We're putting all our hopes on you. You must stay alive.
Right.
You must hide.
Right. Over here. It's safe here.
This way please, Officer Su. Be careful. Hold on. Come on.
Go down there.
You guys must be careful.
Easy.
That's him. Grab him.
Yes.
Come forward.
All of you come forward.
Faster...Go.
Search everywhere.
Yes.
There's no one around.
Take them in.
Go.
Why are you taking us in?
Walk faster.
We're innocent.
Sir, what now?
Now there's only one person who can help them.
See? Don't ask me why.
I was in charge repairing the capital's sewers.
So I know the layout for all the sewers in the capital.
I discovered that this deserted sewer can access the palace directly.
At first I wanted to inform His Majesty so he could ask people to seal it off.
But I was too busy at work. I'm forgetful too. So I forgot to tell him.
Sir, could you be so forgetful that you've made a mistake?
Are you stupid or what? I only forget occasionally.
If I forget all the time, I wouldn't remember who you are.
Right...
Don't worry.
Even if this sewer can't provide access to the palace,
it still won't lead you to hell.
So why are you panicking?
I'm not scared.
We're doing something big. We can't afford to mess up.
I'm carrying the hope of many people on my shoulders.
I know. You want to be a hero too. I'm giving you a chance now.
Get down to business.
What do you want me to do?
Remove the weeds.
We have direct access to the palace from here.
OK.
See? Even this young woman knows. You're still asking all these questions?
Hurry. I'll work over there.
Life is like this game of unique adviser to a nation.
There can't be more than one unique talent in one place.
Song already has me, Wang Anshi. You should work with me, Miss Qin Cao
Unique adviser to a nation.
But is this adviser you or someone else, Prime Minister? I can't be sure.
Miss Qin Cao, if you could make His Majesty accept the reforms,
the prime minister guarantees that
he won't stand in your way of becoming an imperial concubine.
Whether I become an imperial concubine is not for the prime minister to decide.
Besides, that's not my primary concern.
You're just a woman. Do you care about national affairs?
Sir...Sir...Where are we going?
We're in the palace.
The palace? Isn't it paved with gold and silver?
Who told you that? Stop dreaming. Come on.
OK.
Sir, this really doesn't look like the palace.
This isn't the palace?
It looks like the palace now, right?
Yes.
Get up. Maniac, how dare you sneak into the palace? Grab them.
Wait I'm Magistrate Su Dongpo. I'm not a maniac.
Oh, Officer Su.
Put away the sword.
But these two unauthorized people can't come into the palace.
Mr Prime Minister, yours monopolizing the administration.
You're becoming more and more powerful.
His Majesty is so sharp. Would he fail to notice that?
Besides, he's got many loyal officials to assist him.
I don't think you'll pull off your plan.
Are you talking about Su Dongpo?
He's like your moves in this chess game. He's in trouble himself.
Miss Qin Cao, watch your move.
You're surrounded.
It's only a matter of time before you'll be defeated.
Well, they're my friends.
They want to see His Majesty about something important.
Please give us some allowance.
See His Majesty?
Why didn't they go through the proper channel?
Don't ask so many questions please. I will be accountable for this.
You guys are acting so secretively. I'm sure somethings wrong.
Take him to the prime minister first.
Wait. Oh, here comes His Majesty. Great. Your Majesty...
Run, you still want to play?
Come on...
After them.
You say your new administration and reforms will deliver people from their plight.
But there are so many loopholes and flaws. People are even worse off.
How can I agree with your ideas?
Miss Qin Cao wouldn't have come to the capital as a refugee
if it weren't for your so-called reforms.
It's a blessing in disguise since you've met His Majesty now.
Officer Qin, you're really cold-blooded.
You're really stupid.
Run...
Run, sir.
Let's split.
Tian Sanchuan, you're a thief!
How can a woman criticize the laws of the nations?
You don't have to love my new administration. But let me remind you.
You'll need to be careful if you don't side with me.
Don't worry. I can't stand him anymore.
Today I, Jiang Wanli, will side with justice.
Good, Brother Wanli.
Go see His Majesty now.
OK. Take care.
I can't believe I can play go better than Chinese chess.
Miss Qin Cao, if you still won't make a move,
then you'll lose.
It appears that I may not be the one who will face dire consequences.
Your Majesty, you must give me a replacement toy boy. I'm bored.
Princess, you must pay more attention to national affairs.
So many things have happened lately. There are so many things to attend to.
How can you be bored?
Ignorance is a virtue for women.
People will criticize a woman if she discusses politics.
Song belongs to you too.
Your Majesty!
Stop him from coming over.
Your Majesty!
Sorry.
Look there...Your Majesty?
Officer Su, have you lost weight?
I did travel a long way here.
What are you holding?
This is Zheng Xia's Drifters painting.
It records the actual predicament of the people.
Last year there was a locust plague.
There's a serious drought in fall and winter.
Land became dry and barren. Please look at this, Your Majesty.
People could barely survive. Some even ate grass and roots.
The local officials did nothing to provide relief for the people.
They even forced the people
to repay loans and interest under the Green Shoots Law.
The Waiver of Service Law required the people to pay service levy.
That added to their financial burden.
They couldn't afford to pay even after they sold their land.
Also, the Market Transaction Law
collected money at the expense of the people.
It benefited the officials, but harmed the people
So some people opted to leave their homes
and go somewhere else.
Some died in foreign places as a result.
Wang Anshi is autocratic and overbearing.
He's failed to oversee the administration properly.
His subordinates are corrupt. They blatantly break the law.
The reforms he has proposed are full of flaws and loopholes.
As a result, the people have suffered. There's resentment everywhere
Therefore the new administration will be revoked and abolished
and the former system will be reinstated.
Wang Anshi has served in the government for years.
Taking into consideration his contribution, he will continue to receive his stipends
But he will be removed from the position of prime minister forthwith.
Han Jiang will be appointed to the post in his place.
Hua De Restaurant.
When the emperor decided
to remove Wang Anshi from the position of prime minister,
his cap was immediately removed in the Grand Hall.
When it was about to drop to the floor,
a crow suddenly ﬂew into the hall above the officials and caught the cap.
Then it ﬂew away with the cap. What happened afterwards?
Let's take a break now. Then we shall carry on later.
You two really won't go up there and keep him company?
He came here instead of going to Spring Wine Restaurant.
That means he wants to be alone.
He was a top scholar.
But overnight he's become a grade nine minor official.
That's so humiliating.
Sis Runzhi, you must ask Brother Dongpo to help my husband.
Don't worry. I don't need to ask him. I'm sure he'll help.
Actually he mitigated for Brother Shaoyou in front of His Majesty.
He said Brother Shaoyou was acting under duress
since Wang Anshi made him do it.
That's why His Majesty didn't take issue with it.
Brother Dongpo is in such a bind.
On the one hand he must overthrow the reforms.
On the other hand he must protect my husband
Faster...Faster...
Faster...
Faster...Great.
It's so fun.
Isn't this exciting?
Why can the paper move?
I put magnets in the pigs' bellies.
Jixiang and Jing Jing are each holding a magnet.
They attract each other. So the pigs appear to be racing.
Your Majesty's talent is so extensive. I'm not your match.
Now that Wang Anshi and his gang are no longer a threat.
He can't obstruct my decisions anymore.
I want to take you as my concubine as soon as possible
so you can move into the palace.
Thank you for your kind offer, Your Majesty.
But the prime minister has just been removed.
The problems caused by natural calamities haven't been solved yet.
This isn't the right moment to take a concubine.
Your Majesty should pay more attention to the administration
and build your image as a virtuous emperor.
Apart from calamity relief,
you should negotiate peace with Liao State too.
Then it'll be an opportune moment to take a concubine.
You have so many requests.
Is it really that difficult to make you my concubine?
It shouldn’t be difficult for Your Majesty
to work hard on the administration and love the people.
OK. I'll do as you say.
Waterside Cottage.
Officer Jiang. Miss Qin Cao.
Have a seat please.
This is a token of my thanks for your help.
I found out by chance that
Wang Anshi had assigned someone to follow His Majesty here.
I didn't know if they had a scheme against you.
I warned you about it so that you could take necessary precautions.
Thanks to you, I learned about Wang Anshi's plan.
And I could work out a plan to make sure everything was under control.
If Wang Anshi got the Drifters painting, he would have destroyed it.
The voice of the people would never reach His Majesty.
I really couldn't let the people suffer like this.
You really love the people. I do admire you.
That's why you must accept my gift. You're busy. I won't keep you.
Zicai, see Officer Jiang out. Carry the things for him. See him out.
Goodbye.
Officer Jiang, this way please.
There are all sorts of people around the emperor.
Good guys, bad guys, guys who alternate between good and bad
and some who appear to be good but actually aren't.
I don't understand.
Why didn't you agree to become an imperial concubine?
Isn't it easier for us to work in the palace?
More haste, less speed.
I've already won the trust of that stupid emperor.
Why rush to become a bird in a cage?
Wang Anshi's been removed.
There are still other loyal officials to assist the emperor in the administration.
To achieve our objective for coming to Song,
we must take them down one by one as soon as possible.
This is incomplete.
You've been here for so long. You've only drawn four pictures?
Liao State needs the material urgently. There mustn't be any further delays.
I don't care how you do it. You must speed things up.
OK.