Subtitles by DramaFever
[General And I]
[Episode 29]
Who knew that weapons that were so sharp in the past would lose their shine
and become so rusty?
If there were souls in these swords and spears
they would also sigh for not being wielded at war.
That is their destiny.
Destiny?
Prince Consort, do you believe in destiny?
I do.
Some people were born to lives that are well-provided for
while some are talented, but never get a chance to put their talents to use.
Take Huarong City for instance.
It seems prosperous, but there are still so many people starving.
How many other places in the world are just like Huarong City?
Your Highness.
If this isn't destiny, what is?
Would Prince Consort give those people a helping hand if you see them?
Your Highness, would you?
Yes.
I don't believe in destiny.
One who is hungry seeks food.
One who is ill seeks treatment.
One who is ignorant seeks knowledge.
Even commoners can change their destiny through their efforts.
As for me, as a ruler I should have more of a chance to change someone's destiny.
You are wise.
I was too full of myself.
Look.
I've prepared the gold taels.
It's He Da Pao's gold.
Sit still.
It's time for your classes.
Your Highness!
- Thank you, Your Highness! - Don't stand on ceremony.
Please rise.
I will read to everyone.
Thank you, Your Highness!
"There are few who are fond of offending their superiors."
"There have been none who, not liking to offend their superiors"
"have been fond of stirring up confusion."
"The superior man bends his attention to what is radical."
"That being established, all practical courses naturally grow up."
Who knew that the local authorities of Huarong City act quite swiftly?
The orders were given yesterday and they did it today.
Look.
They even brought in so many children.
The commoners don't have much money to spare.
It's impossible for children to attend private schools.
Now that they won't have to spend a penny to study and practice martial arts
they are surely willing to attend it.
The people will surely be very grateful to the princess.
As the princess of Bai Lan State, I should put my people first.
In my opinion, this armory has long been neglected.
It's also very close to the city.
Its quiet location is the advantage.
That makes it the best place for a school.
This is only the first one.
I hope that we will set up many more in the future.
I hope that all children in Bai Lan State can attend school.
All right.
We'll take a look at the market to see how the congee stands are faring.
Would Your Highness like to get changed before going to the market?
What is the matter?
Are we dressed inappropriately?
It isn't so.
Wouldn't Your Highness like to visit in disguise?
Mo Ran.
10 feet to the east.
Yes!
Southwest.
Your Highness, the five elements formation
that Princess Consort designed is remarkable.
It's different every day.
First, it swept up wind and then bamboo leaves.
If this continues, I won't be able to stand it.
Should we just admit defeat?
This is... Of course not!
Why do we have to surrender?
You talk too much now.
Zui Ju must have led you astray.
Zui Ju!
I told you to rest in the house, but you're out here fiddling around.
Look at you.
Your cheeks are all tanned red.
Isn't it the same with Your Highness?
You've worked hard.
What is this?
Don't touch it.
No? I can't even touch it?
My dear, your five elements formation is forever changing.
It really isn't easy to make it through unscathed.
Chu Mo Ran!
This is for you to soak in wine.
Chu Mo Ran, just you wait!
You...
This really is for you to soak in wine!
Take it!
Just you wait, Chu Mo Ran!
You fool!
Why are you chasing after me? I'm telling the truth!
Stop right there, Woody Chu! Let's see how I fix you!
Ping Ting.
I've wanted to ask you about something.
What is it?
Are you still worried?
What could I possibly be worried about?
If you're not, why would you be so eager to study the changes
in the five elements formation every day?
Why would you install so many different traps in the courtyard?
Why would you stock up on so many rations and medicinal herbs?
There's always a packed bundle of clothes in the wardrobe.
It's as if we're going to escape anytime.
Ping Ting.
Do you not trust me?
I do.
It's just that...
I understand.
I've made it clear to you now because I want you to know
that if you really don't feel safe here, you don't have to pretend otherwise.
If you're happy, unhappy, scared, or worried
you can speak to me about it.
I'm sorry.
You have me now.
You don't have to stay so strong anymore.
Just leave everything to me, all right?
I actually made plans to take you away
from Great Jin after the Dragon Boat Festival.
By then, the snow in Hengduan Mountain Range will have melted.
We can cross the mountain to get to the Western Regions
where my mother was from.
There aren't any of the four states.
Or His Majesty
or Young Prince of Jing An
or any traces of the past.
It is all new out there for us.
I will build you a heaven on earth. One that truly belongs to you.
Yes.
I look forward to that day.
I've already ordered.
Take a look.
This is just medium hot.
- You can try it. - Sure, come again.
Princess.
We already spent all two boxes of gold today.
We also pitched in quite a lot.
Are you happy?
We set up a school, some congee stalls, and a dock.
They do use up quite a lot of money.
However, I'm really happy to be doing all this for my people.
Princess, Young Master, out here...
What happened?
You'd better come and take a look.
The princess is here!
Princess.
The people of Huarong City have been bestowed with such grace.
First a school and then the congee stalls.
We have nothing to repay you with. We can only come to see you off.
We wish for Princess and Prince Consort's health, safety, and good fortune!
May you be safe, healthy, and blessed!
[Prime Minister's Manor]
Father.
You are all dismissed.
Yes.
Father.
Hear me out!
Father...
Get over here!
Father!
Useless scum!
He Da Pao is dead!
Without him as witness, our ties with Yan State are severed!
All these years of my hard work have gone down the drain!
How is it in vain?
Great Yan does know of this deal.
We paid him so much money!
- He surely wouldn't ignore us! - You...
What a fool!
Why would I have a son like you?
Use your brains!
Once He Da Pao is dead
who can still prove that we have sent money to King of Yan?
What evidence do you have to prove that he took money from us?
We can only keep this dirty deed to ourselves now!
Has anyone seen you send money to King of Yan?
Even if someone vouches for you, would you dare admit it?
You're still wet behind the ears.
He's so important that I received him and escorted him out personally.
I only handed over the gold after I escorted him out of the state safely.
Look at you and what trouble you caused!
But he's already dead!
Exactly!
Even if he's dead, shouldn't you investigate to see who killed him?
Father, I did!
I couldn't find anything!
You...
You really are hopeless.
At such an old age
you could really kill me with a fit of rage.
Father!
Your Highness!
Long live the princess!
Do rise.
Thank you, Your Highness.
It's regrettable that I couldn't make the trip into Great Jin.
However, I had the chance to visit the lands of Bai Lan State
and witnessed peace among my people
abundance in resources, and perfect order in agriculture.
I'm very much relieved.
In the past decade, such changes have taken place in Bai Lan State.
None of these could have happened
if the officials didn't fulfill their duties faithfully.
Today, I'd like to express my gratitude to all of you.
Especially Prime Minister Gui.
He has shared my burden in worrying about
political affairs of Bai Lan State day and night.
Bai Lan State owes such prosperity
to the diligence of the officials and Prime Minister.
Speaking of which
my intention to visit Great Jin this time was to offer my apologies
to the emperor of Great Jin for our army's misdirected delay in war.
However, there was sudden unrest in the palace of Great Jin
so I had to turn back.
This time, King of Yan meddled in the internal affairs of Great Jin.
Great Jin now shifts its attention to Yan State.
The emperor of Great Jin has now deployed
more soldiers to the border of Yan and Jin.
This is a rare opportunity for Bai Lan State.
- Exactly! - True!
Your Highness is wise.
It is indeed a good opportunity.
However, this matter has also alerted me to our predicament.
Previously, Prince Consort warned me that
King of Yan Murong Su is a villain who keeps no promises.
There was once a five-year peace treaty between Yan and Jin.
As the beneficiary, Yan State actually reached into Jin State
in hope of using its civil unrest to its own advantage.
He is indeed despicable and vile.
He is to be mocked by all.
How despicable! How vile!
Therefore, I have decided that from this day onward
we shall severe all ties with Yan State.
Cease all interaction temporarily.
None of our traveling merchants are to conduct business in Yan State.
At the same time
we are to deploy 30,000 more soldiers to our border with Yan State
to prevent any possible invasion.
Your Highness.
I have a matter...
Your Highness, I have a matter to report.
Your Highness.
Have I remembered wrongly?
Prince Consort was already removed from the post of General of Fast Cavalry.
Without an official post, you are but a commoner.
You don't have the right to report in the imperial court.
Certainly, should Prince Consort wish to speak to Her Highness
you may do so at home.
There's no need to do so in the court.
Officials, what do you say?
General Gui, aren't there some words you'd like to say?
I've always been in awe of Prince Consort's knowledge.
I am all ears.
You...
Since General Gui said so, you may rise, Prince Consort.
Thank you, Your Highness.
General Gui, you may rise as well.
Thank you, Your Highness.
I wonder what Prince Consort has to report today.
Your Highness, I've mentioned expanding our army many times.
Today, I will bring up the old issue again.
Please reconsider it, Your Highness.
- Princess! - Your Highness!
Now that the world is split between four big states
judging by the armies
both Yan and Liang have 500,000 men each in their armies.
Jin State has 800,000 soldiers.
Yet in Bai Lan, our two troops only add up to 100,000 men.
Most of our soldiers haven't even fought in any battles.
Judging by the current situation, Bai Lan could be invaded easily.
What do we have to defend ourselves against Yan, Jin, and Liang?
Prime Minister.
Are we to be extorted of money and food supplies by other states?
Your Highness.
For the future of Bai Lan
please give orders to expand our army and train our soldiers and horses
so as to defend ourselves against our enemies.
Nonsense!
The deceased king gave orders for Bai Lan to recuperate from war
and we benefited from it.
In 10 years without war
our people stayed safe and our border uninvaded.
When you came to our state, you wanted to bring war upon us.
You...
You've been convincing Her Highness to expand the army
just to satisfy your own desires.
Your Highness.
However big or small a war is, it is always the people who suffer!
Prime Minister.
You're talking about deploying our army to invade others
while I'm suggesting an expansion to fortify our defense
so that our enemies wouldn't dare to invade us.
Why do you twist my words?
You made it sound so reasonable, but I'm afraid that before we're fortified
we'll have already alerted our enemies and brought destruction upon us!
That's enough!
I already understand what both of you have said.
I'd like to know what the others think about this matter.
Speak up.
Speak up!
Say something!
I think that Prime Minister Gui has never given any wrong suggestions.
He's been following the deceased king's posthumous edict religiously.
We must deliberate this matter carefully.
However, times have changed.
The former king passed away 10 years ago.
We're no longer in the past.
I think that Prince Consort's suggestion is the only way out for Bai Lan.
You...
Prime Minister.
Times have changed.
We're already old.
Let matters take their course, Prime Minister.
I think that Prince Consort is reasonable.
Bai Lan State has already recuperated from war long enough.
It is time to train our army!
I second Prince Consort's motion.
- I concur. - You...
- I concur. - I also concur.
- I concur.
You...
I concur.
- You... - I concur.
- I concur! - I concur!
Your Highness!
All right.
Since everyone seconded Prince Consort's motion
from this day forth
Prince Consort will be reinstated to his original post
and prepare for the expansion of the army.
At the same time
I appoint Prime Minister as the army supervisor
to monitor the training and expansion of the army.
Thank you, Your Highness.
I accept the decree.
Please rise now.
I'll still need assistance from both of you to train my army.
If there are no other matters, you are all dismissed now.
Long live the princess!
Princess.
It seems to be warmer today, so I've brought you out to get some air.
Here is a toast of warm wine to you.
Prince Consort.
When I appointed Prime Minister as the army supervisor--
Princess.
Once the court session is over
we won't discuss any official matters.
How about we just talk about romance?
But...
Everyone is watching us.
Your Highness, come.
Where are we going?
Just come with me.
Just leave Her Highness with me today.
Don't follow us.
Yes.
Listen.
To what?
Listen to the flowing stream.
Listen to the leaves rustling.
Without the incessant nagging of those old men in court
I find it so quiet in this world.
It truly is.
However, it is quite strange.
What is it?
I realize that only when we are alone can my heart stay especially calm.
Especially calm?
That can't be good then.
How is that not good?
I mean to say that only when my husband is with me
can I truly feel at ease.
Let me hear how calm your heart is.
What are you doing?
I have long been waiting for Your Highness.
What brings Prime Minister over at this time?
Your Highness, Prince Consort is now expanding the army.
Since it is a decision that everyone consented to
I think that there's no need to discuss it any further.
Prime Minister, what do you say?
I surely wouldn't dare to influence Your Highness's decision.
However, Your Highness need only answer one question.
Was it Prince Consort's idea to expand the army or yours?
Your Highness has grown up.
You have your own opinions and abilities.
You no longer need my counsel.
Your Highness has already made me look good
by appointing me as the army supervisor.
I understand all that very well.
I'm very happy for Your Highness.
However, with my 40-year service to the royal family of Bai Lan State
may I be so bold as to remind Your Highness again.
Although He Xia is indeed a capable man
he'd never be content with being just the prince consort of Bai Lan State.
In regards to putting him to good use
I hope that Your Highness will consider carefully before you act.
Don't be blinded by romance and affection of the heart.
I've heard that Prince Consort once had an engagement
with a maidservant in his own manor.
I wonder if Your Highness has heard of it.
That has never been made known to me.
I hope that Prime Minister won't believe such rumors.
That maid is the famous Bai Ping Ting.
It's said that Bai Ping Ting was raised in Prince of Jing An's Manor.
She's extremely intelligent and skilled in seduction.
All heroes in the world are tempted by her.
Give this a thought.
During the battle between Liang State and Jin State
we should have defeated Jin State
but how did she turn the situation around so easily?
I even have a bold idea.
She must have conspired with Prince Consort in secret.
She's in charge of manipulating Great Jin's Chu Bei Jie
while Prince Consort controls Bai Lan.
The expansion of the army is but his excuse to
bring Prince of Jing An's Manor back to glory again.
Your Highness, Bai Lan State must not fall into the hands of an outsider.
I'm grateful for your concern, Prime Minister.
However, I hope that you won't spread such rumors.
It's useless to discuss groundless rumors.
Provide me with evidence if you can.
Everyone can say what they want.
There are always two sides to every story.
I can't tell if what you said is true.
However, Prime Minister is right to remind me.
I'm still young and do act on impulse unknowingly.
I hereby apologize to Prime Minister should I act recklessly and offended you.
I wouldn't dare imply so.
However, Prime Minister need not worry.
I'm not one to follow blindly.
All in all, Prince Consort is an outsider.
I do know where to draw the line.
Since Your Highness said so, I understand what you mean.
I will say no more.
Allow me to take my leave now.
Is anyone there?
Open the door!
- Is anyone there? - Please save us!
- Master! - Madam!
- What happened? - Please save us!
Stay calm and speak slowly.
What happened?
My family and the other hundreds of households are all silkworm farmers.
For generations, we've made a living breeding silkworms.
This year, the silkworms were bred well.
But since yesterday, the silkworms stopped eating and moving.
Now half of them are already dead.
- Exactly! - Yes, the whole village!
We're all in a panic.
No one knows what happened.
Madam and Master, we heard that you used to be officials.
You must know a lot more than us commoners.
Could you please help us?
We offer you our gratitude!
- Get up quickly. - Thank you, Master.
- Please get up. - Thank you, Master.
Madam, please help us!
We'll go and take a look.
Sure.
Please lead the way.
- Thank you! - Thank you!
- Master, this way, please. - Sister Bai!
Sister Bai!
Where are you going?
I'm coming along as well!
It's good to have Zui Ju with us.
She could also have a look.
- Let's go. - Let's go.
Come with me.
This way, please.
- Master, this way, please. - This way, please.
Here, please come into the house.
Madam, look! Master, look!
These are the silkworms.
Where did you get these mulberry leaves?
Our silkworms feed on our own mulberry leaves when they are little.
But as they grow bigger, we don't have enough mulberry leaves for them
so we get fresh ones from the market.
We bought these.
These as well.
Did you buy them today?
No, we bought them three days ago.
It does seem strange that this year's mulberry leaves last longer.
In the past, the leaves would have withered in a day.
Ping Ting, just from the smell
I can tell that these aren't fresh mulberry leaves.
If there are still young silkworms in the house
feed them with your own mulberry leaves first.
- Yes. - Yes.
It seems that we will have to go to the silkworm market tomorrow.
[Mulberry leaves]
What should we do?
Sir, how has business been recently?
Why is everyone sighing and frowning?
Our young silkworms are all dying.
Look.
These are almost all dead.
Everyone is so desperate that they want to hang themselves!
I've gone past the village at the foot of Mount East.
They also have problems with their young silkworms.
Sir, are you also from there?
I'm from Mount West.
What sins have we committed?
The gods won't even let us make a living now!
I'm afraid that no silk will be produced this year.
My son and many others from our village have left.
They might still make a living outside the country.
My man said a few days ago that Bai Lan State is a good place to go.
As long as the men are willing to repair their city walls
their women and children will be looked after as well.
You have nowhere to go anyway.
Why don't you try Bai Lan State?
Mulberry leaves!
Fresh mulberry leaves!
Would you like some mulberry leaves?
Take a look!
Can I have a look at your mulberry leaves?
Young lady, are you going to buy some?
Mine are all fresh mulberry leaves.
Your mulberry leaves are quite fresh.
I wonder where you get them from.
They are from the mulberry woods 10 miles away.
Are all mulberry leaves sold in the market picked there?
Exactly!
Would you like to buy some?
No, we're just taking a look.
What are you looking at if you're not buying?
Don't hold my business up.
Mulberry leaves!
Fresh mulberry leaves!
Have a look! Anyone want some?
Let's take a look over there.
Mulberry leaves!
Reporting to Your Majesty.
It's been days since the issue with the silkworms broke out.
Now, the people of Great Jin are deeply worried.
If orders the Western Regions placed don't come through as promised
many states will lose their trust in Great Jin.
Your Majesty, Grand Marshal is right.
If we fail to resolve this issue
200,000 silkworm farmers shall face a great crisis.
If we can't produce silk, the treasury can't be filled.
This will certainly cause Great Jin quite a big problem.
Do I not know that?
Do I need you to repeat it again and again?
What are we to do when a problem arises?
Am I to come up with a solution for you?
Are you my subjects or am I your subject?
We apologize, Your Majesty! Please appease your anger!
We will deliberate and discuss the issue immediately.
Within three days
we'll surely offer Your Majesty a solution.
If you can't settle this in three days, don't come to see me!
Dismiss!
Court is dismissed!
Long live the king!
Your Majesty! What is the matter?
- What is the matter, Your Majesty? - Your Majesty!
Your Majesty! What is the matter?
Your Majesty!
- What is the matter? - Your Majesty!
Your Majesty!
These are the mulberry leaves we bought at the market.
They smell disgusting!
This is exactly what worries me.
We've been to the mulberry woods nearby
and all the leaves were sprayed with drugs.
I believe that all the other mulberry woods must have been drugged as well.
Great Jin's largest product is silk cocoons.
Now that our mulberry leaves are poisoned
I'm afraid that someone is out to rid our people of their livelihood.
Who could be so inconsiderate?
I'm afraid that Bai Lan State is behind this poisoning.
This crisis will make the people of Great Jin live in poverty.
Not to mention that Great Jin is trading with the Western Regions.
Silk is one of the biggest trading items.
Moreover, it's said that Bai Lan is now recruiting huge numbers of soldiers.
Could they be planning to attack Great Jin while it's in crisis?
My dear.
Do you still remember what those silkworm farmers
we met at the market said?
Bai Lan State is recruiting heavily
and the benefits for soldiers are good.
Now that there's an issue with Great Jin's silkworms
I'm afraid many people will join the army of Bai Lan
in order to make a living.
What you just said is exactly what I have in mind.
First, there's a problem with silkworms in Great Jin.
Then Bai Lan State is recruiting soldiers.
Both of these happened at the same time.
It's too much of a coincidence.
Whoever planned this in Bai Lan State has a vicious mind.
Then... What should we do now?
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