Subtitles were brought to you by The Rats of Hollow Island Team @Viki
The Three Heroes and Five Gallants Episode 23
I'm getting the Emperor's salary, so I must help him bear his burdens.
As long as the Emperor doesn't dismiss me, I must spare no effort.
Yes.
Reporting to Master
Wang Chao?
The Supreme Court sent two men to say that Judge Wen summons Bao Xing to the court for interrogation.
I...I didn't do anything wrong.
Why send for me?
Bao Xing, not everyone summoned to the court are criminals.
Investigating a case and interrogating for testimonies must all go through the court.
You still don't know this after being with me for this long?
I understand.
Remember, once in the court,
whatever they asks you, as long as you know about it,
you must answer truthfully.
You must not hide anything.
Yes.
Master, Bao Xing is here.
I, Bao Xing, greet you Sirs.
How dare you Bao Xing? How could you block the transport of the criminal to the Capital
and collude to make his testimony tally? Is there such a thing?
Master, what did you say?
I didn't understand it.
I think that you are pretending to be confused.
Bao Xing! Look, who is the man kneeling beside you?
Sir, I don't know this person.
Eh? Bao Xing, I'm Bao Shirong. How come you don't know me anymore?
Are you the third young master?
That's right.
Master and I left the family home 7 - 8 years ago.
You were in your early teens at the time. Please forgive me for not recognizing you.
What do you mean? Two days days ago we had a chat at the restaurant opposite the South Gate.
Third young master, could you have remembered it wrong?
I didn't meet you.
Didn't you go there especially to tell methat Uncle wanted me
to admit to anything they knew and asked
during the court hearing?
Anyway, Master will support me, so the Heavens will not fall.
When have I said such disgraceful words?!
You personally told me.
Rubbish! I haven't even met you, how could I have said those words to you?
No more nonsense!
Bao Xing, in front of the court, do you dare to keep denying it?
Sir, I really have never seen this Third Young Master.
I hope that Master will investigate this.
You still quibble! I think that if we don't apply severe punishment
you won't admit to it! Men!
Prepare the torture equipment!
Bao Xing, you advised me to admitto anything that they already know and ask
during the court hearing
since Uncle will support me.
How come you, on the other hand, won't admit to it til death?
Even if you're a servant, Uncle will not forsake you.
Third Young Master!
Are you insane or something? How come you keep on blabbering rubbish?
I...
Put it on.
Master. Master.
Master. Master, I am wrongly accused. Master!
Master.
Bao Xing, I'll ask you again.
Do you confess?
I am wrongly accused, Master!
Start the torture!
Master, I am wrongly accused! Master!
Exert more effort!
Splash him with cold water!
Bao Xing, I'll ask you again.
Will you confess or not?
Men! Change to another torture equipment.
Wait.
Bao Xing has endured severe torture but still refuses to confess.
I think there must be something fishy about this.
Your Honor, Bao Shirong has already admitted to his crimes but Bao Xing won't.
He is clearly relying on Bao Zheng's power and doesn't attach importance to us.
He's fighting with his back to the wall, openly going against the Court.
Judge Wen, as long as we use all 36 kinds of cruel tortures,
I'm sure we can have him talking.
If he can't endure the torture and dies in here,
what will we do then?
Judge, how about this.
Since Bao Xing and Bao Shirong's meeting was approved by the escorting officer,
why not send for the escorting officer and ask him so we'll know?
I also plan to do so.
Men! Call the escorting officer.
Master Yue is here.
I'll go pour you some water.
Master Yue, what's the situation in the Supreme Court?
Wet your mouth. Talk after wetting your mouth.
Don't be too anxious.
Weird.
What is weird?
The Supreme Court summoned Bao Xing
and accused him of blocking Bao Shirong's transfer when he arrived in the Capital.
They say that he even had a private talk with Bao Shirong.
Is that so?
What's weird is that Bao Xing kept denying it
but Bao Shirong kept saying there was such a thing.
Did this Third Young Master Bao lose his mind?
What's even weirder is
besides this meeting question, Bao Shirong has admitted to all the Court's charges openly.
It's as if he's making a scapegoat out of himself.
He's sick, really sick. Seriously sick.
Not necessarily. Maybe Third Young MasterBao is counting on his rich family,
and thinking that his uncle will back him up, hence, he's fearless.
All rich sons have the same attitude.
Master Yue, I have to trouble you to go to Chenzhou and update them on the happenings here.
Right.
Big Brother, I feel that I should accompany Master Yue back to Chenzhou.
It's really exhausting for him to go back and forth like this alone.
If two people go, there are two advantages.
First, we can take care of each other, look out for each other.
Second, if anything happens, we can act separately.
No. Anyone can go
except you.
How come it's except me?
That Zhao Qing was instructed by you to file a complaint.
Right now, you are an important case witness. The Supreme Court can call you at any time.
What Master Yue said is right. Fourth Master must not act recklessly.
You...
Isn't this catching a louse then making it bite my head?
Supreme Court's prisoner transporter, Guo Hong, greets the three Masters.
Guo Hong, let me ask you.
Were you the one tasked to transport Bao Shirong back to the Capital?
Responding, it was indeed me who brought him into the Capital.
On the day you arrived at the Capital, Kaifeng Court's Bao Xing stopped you
and requested to speak privately with Bao Shirong. Is this true?
There was indeed such a thing.
Then...would you recognize the Bao Xing who wanted to speak to Bao Shirong?
I'd recognize him.
Then take a look at this person beside you.
This person is indeed Bao Xing.
Make him sign.
Guo Hong, there's no more need for you. You can go now.
Thank you, Judge.
Judge, I think this Bao Xing...
we need to continue torturing him
until he confesses.
No need.
With Guo Hong and Bao Shirong's testimony,
even if he won't confess, I can sentence him based on the laws.
Judge...
Bao Shirong and Bao Xing secretly schemed and colluded to fabricate a story.
Bao Zheng must definitely be backing them up.
From what I can see,
we can summon Bao Zheng to the court for questioning.
That's right. That Bao Zheng usually pretends to be very decent and proper,
always saying that prince and commoner must be sentenced alike when they break the law.
Now that a big scholar like him has broken the law,
I think he even more should be sentenced as a commoner!
Summoning him to appear in court for questioning is entirely justified.
I think it's better to ask HIs Majesty first and let him decide.
Men! Take Bao Xing and Bao Shirongto death prison!
Guard them separately! No mistakes!
Miss Yue Hua!
Fourth Master, did anything happen?
Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. I'm just especially sending you off.
Why do this? We'll see each other again in a couple of days, anyway
No. No. He-he-he.
I just bought you an Osmanthus cake.
I hope you can take it in your travel as emergency food.
I already prepared enough grains as travel rations.
Things like grains...listen to Fourth Brother...
are only to be used during hard times, when your food is dwindling.
But the weather now is very warm. If I don't eat it immediately, it will become soggy.
That's why, you should eat it now.
Could it be you want me to get fat?
Miss Yue, you've been travelling back and forth these past days and are exhausted.
How can your body take it? You must immediately repair it a bit.
I think...the one who must repair his health greatly is you.
With this small body build of mine...
all the best delicacies of land and seawouldn't make me grow any taller.
Look. Look. You're belittling yourself again.
I think your build is fine. What's wrong with it?
Miss, I indeed wasn't wrong about you.
You are indeed unique. Ordinary women can't compare to you.
Then how about this...
Just give me the Osmanthus cake you bought. Since you've bought it already,
if I don't take it, it will go to waste.
A lowly 6-ranked imperial guard like you
should stop puffing yourself up trying to impress. Or else I won't take it even if you've bought it already.
I won't do it again. I won't do it again.
Fine. Hurry back. If they call on you and you're not there, it might cause problems.
It's fine. It's fine. You go now.
Safe and sound! Strictly guard against assassins!
Come, drink some wine. Drink some wine.
Here, Master, wine.
- Master! Master! - Are you blind?
Can't you see I'm busy now?
Continue drinking. You drink. Drink. Give her. Make her drink.
Alright.
- Master... - Hurry and say it.
Master previously instructed me that once the golden hairpins were ready,
no matter when, I had to bring them to you at once
Are you saying that they finished making the golden hairpins?
Yes, Master.
They've already finished 5 pieces. The rest are being rushed.
- So beautiful.- So beautiful.
- Do you know what this is?- A golden hairpin.
This is not a common golden hairpin.
This is a golden dart.
A deadly poisoned dart.
You bunch of bastards!
Let me out!
Who are you guys?
Why did you capture me?
Let me out!
Bastards! Let me out!
Bastards!
Let me out!
Is there someone in there?
You sons of a bitch...
locking me in here for no reason. What do you mean by this?
Who are you?
Where are you from?
What's your name?
Royal Uncle
Master, I feel that a country girl like Miss Zhang,
when she sees these shiny golden hairpins,
her eyes will definitely shine like a cat's in the night.
Golden hairpins are nothing. It's just a small thing.
I'm planning to make her a golden sword.
Aiyo, Master.
You really are dancing with the moonlight, finding splendor in the human world.
Gold is too soft. It's good to make hairpins but you can't make it into a sword.
If it meets a hard object, it will break.
Then, use gold to make her a house.
Turn this a "golden-house-to-keep-the-mistress" story.
- Spread the news all over the world.- Who said that?
- Greetings, Royal Uncle.- Leader Shen,
- you frightened me!- That's right.
Royal Uncle, don't be scared.
I'm doing an inspection round. Checking whether in this quiet time, late at night
anyone is being lazy and sleeping hidden in a corner?
Leader Shen, you're really sparing no effort for me. Good.
Hey, Royal Uncle.
I have something to report.
If you have something to report, do it tomorrow.
I live in Hefei, Anwei,
at the Bao Residence. I'm called
Bao Shirong.
You...Are you Third Young Master Bao?
What?
Zhang Han is leaving with her little sister?
If I didn't guess it wrong,
it must be that the people in our Talents Recruitment Club
look down on them for coming from an impoverished province
not having really seen the world. So through conversations,
some conflicts have arised.
Leader Shen, investigate who is the scoundrel that is so disrespectful.
Royal Uncle...this kind of alienation and bullying...
is very hard to describe in words. It can only be experienced.
Even if Royal Uncle wanted to investigate it,
it'd be hard to find concrete evidence.
Leader Shen, the Zhang Han siblings must not leave.
You must help me make them stay.
Who are you?
I came here to look for you.
Then that's great! Hurry and let me out!
I can't right now.
- Why?- Because even if I let you go now, you can't go far.
- No. Hurry, let me out!- Third Young Master, don't worry.
Our men will be arriving soon.
By then, we definitely won't fail to save you.
Third Young Master must be patient for now.
Hence, you must not let anyone know
- that I was here.- No,
Miss, tell me.
Why did they lock me here in this dark prison?
It's hard to explain. We'll talk about it when you're out of here. I'll go now.
Take care.
Hey, Miss!
Miss, don't go! Miss, tell me...!
Miss!
Royal Uncle, I have already tried persuading Zhang Han.
But you also know Zhang Han's attitude.
Narrow-minded and stubborn,even 9 bulls couldn't pull him out.
If 9 bulls can't pull it back, use 10 bulls,20 bulls, 30 bulls, 40 bulls, 50 --
Brother Shen, it's me, Zhang Li.
Oh...
Miss Zhang, why are you like Leader Shen, scaring people this late at night.
You scared me to death.
That's right.
Respectfully greeting Royal Uncle.
No need. No need.
Thank you, Royal Uncle.
Little Sister, it's already late. Why are you still up?
I dare not sleep.
I'm worried that something bad might happen.
Every night, I must come out to inspect.
I'm afraid that something might happen.
Miss Zhang is also doing her utmost best for me.
Good. Good girl.
I'm eating Royal Uncle's meals every day.
How can I dare not do something for Royal Uncle?
If I don't, I won't feel at ease.
Oh, right. Miss Zhang,
I ordered some golden hairpinsto be made for you.
This is the first batch, total of five pieces. Look.
Do you like them?
Such precious gift, I dare not accept it.
Miss Zhang, these are not to be used as jewelry.
These were made for you to use as secret darts.
In the future, you can use these hairpins, one pin for each,
and kill all the assassins for me.
Come. Since Royal Uncle
is giving it to you, then just take it.
Thank you, Royal Uncle.
Since Miss Zhang liked it, tell them
to make 50 pieces more.
Although Royal Uncle is busy managing 10,000 things all day,
he still thinks of Miss Zhang.
He is really a true man
with indomitable spirit.
Miss Zhang, I still have some official matters to attend to.
Miss Zhang should retire early and rest.
If assassins turn up,we have those mercenaries
to hold them back. Ah?
- Pang Wang - Here. - The citizens of Chenzhou are still waiting for us.
Royal Uncle, please.
Respectfully sending off Royal Uncle.
Don't mention it.
Did you go down?
He is the real Third Young Master Bao.
I'll be bold and courteously ask Your Majesty to issue a decree
Summoning Bao Zheng to the Supreme Court to be interrogated.
Bao Xing didn't confess even under torture.Who will testify against Bao Zheng in court?
Your Majesty is brilliant.
Bao Zheng knows the law very well.
He knows that if he admits to this crime, it's death.
If he doesn't, it's still death. So he might as well not admit to it
- This is understandable.- Enough already.
You all leave now.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Come. Sit.
Does this mean that His Majesty is unwillingto make him appear in court?
His Majesty is afraid that Bao Zheng will not admit to anything in court.
Right.
I really hope that he doesn't confessso we can use torture to beat him
to death.
But...from what I can see,
His Majesty is still somewhat defending him.
We can't blame His Majesty for everything.
Primarily, it was Wen Yanbuo who insisted on informing the Emperor.
If not, we could have summoned Black Bao to court directly. Would he have dared to resist?
Would I fail to torture him to death?
From what I see, we need to take downone of his pawns again
and force him to appear in court.
I'm respectfully greeting Your Majesty.
Hurry and rise. Give her a seat!
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Favored Consort, what brings you here today?
Your Majesty, I heard that
the case of Bao Zheng instructing his nephew Bao Shirong
to extort money from different local officials
has been tried by the Supreme Court already.
Yes, tried already.
Then...is this case for real?
Bao Shirong has already admitted to it.
How does Your Majesty plan to sentence Bao Zheng?
What is Favored Consort's suggestion?
Does Your Majesty really want to hear my suggestion?
Since Favored Consort is already here, better just get it off your chest.
Your Majesty, I'm in the inner palace serving you all day.
I shouldn't comment on official matters as I please.
But for that Bao Zheng, I have some words
that are like a fish bone stuck in my throat, making me feel bad if I don't speak up.
I know that Bao Zheng has always been in bad terms with your Pang family.
Your Majesty, it's not that I am unkind
and using this official situation for personal revenge.
But it's just that Bao Zheng usually bullies us intolerably,
and then applies whitewash on himself,and covers himself in glory.
He didn't hesitate to use imperial relatives as stepping stones.
Today, killing a princess' husband. Tomorrow, beheading an imperial nephew.
He never considers the Imperial Family's dignity.
Making the people of the Song Empire to have only Bao Zheng in their eyes,
and not care about Your Majesty any more.
Looks like I may have favored
Bao Zheng too much usually.
Your Majesty, since you ascent to the throne,
you used benevolence to govern the world. You were always lenient and tolerant to your people.
There's nothing wrong with that. The one who is wrong is Bao Zheng.
Using Your Majesty's benevolence, earning fame by hook or by crook without restraint,
deceiving the Emperor and fooling everyone else, and committing all kinds of outrage.
Favored Consort, don't worry.
I will definitely not let Black Bao get off easily this time.
I've finished what I wanted to say. The rest,
I leave it up to Your Majesty to decide. I'll take my leave.
Subtitles were brought to you by The Rats of Hollow Island Team @Viki
Is there anything else?
Your Majesty
I am dumb by nature. I can't understand.
In our government, there are many corrupt officials who extend their hand more
and have a heart blacker than Bao Zheng's.
You...
What?
You are able to forgive them.
But he can't!
But he, Black Bao, can't!
Among the government officials,
Black Bao is one of the few fair and upright officials.
But his weight alone can't shake all the corrupt officials.
That's right. But now, even Bao Zheng himself is corrupt and abusing the law.
The pole in Your Majesty's hands has lost balance.
and is about to fall off from the rope.
When an acrobat walking on the ropes loses his balance,
the one who gets injured when he falls is himself.
But if I fall,
the one that will be hurt is my Song dynasty's whole country.
Isn't that Little Luzi?
Empress Dowager...
Greetings, Empress Dowager!
Long live, Empress Dowager!
Rise.
Thank you, Empress Dowager.
Little Luzi, is the Emperor well these days?
R-r-responding to Empress Dowager,the Emperor has not been feeling well recently.
Oh? Did he catch some small illness?
Responding to Empress Dowager, His Majesty's body is fine. But his mind...
is very troubled.
Due to what?
Responding to Empress Dowager,it's regarding the case of Bao Zheng's corruption.
Oh?
Has Bao Zheng also became a corrupt official?
Fifth Master, why aren't you at Chenzhou and are instead here?
The Bao Shirong in the Eastern Capital is fake.
Fake?
I think you should just go to Kaifeng Court and inform them about this.
Regarding saving the person, you don't need to worry.
But with so many bandits in the residence, if you failed in getting him out
it will only make matters worse.
Those bandits for me are nothing.
If you didn't keep blocking me, I would have killed that criminal Pang Yu already.
Killing is easy but saving is hard. Especially since Third Young Master Bao is something of a weakling.
Even if you're able to get him out, you can't make him leap up to the roof or walk over walls.
I've killed and saved countless people in my life. There's no door I can't go through.
Let's just decide on this thing once I've been to Kaifeng
and discussed it with them.
Chen Lin...do you reckon... is the Emperor really going to kill Bao Zheng this time?
Bao Zheng, has always been the right hand man the Emperor most relies on.
He expects a lot from him.
Suddenly, the bubble of his expectationshas burst to nothing.
It's easy to know how is His Majesty feeling right now.
I don't believe that Bao Zheng could become corrupt.
It must be Bao Shirong using Bao Zheng's name to commit crimes.
Whatever he's done has nothing to do with Bao Zheng.
I also feel the same.
But this situation now, even 10 mouths couldn't explain it clearly.
I never thought that the Bao Family could have an unfilial son like him.
Real men can't always avoid unworthy wives or unfilial sons.
Besides, Bao Zheng left home so many years ago.
Even with a 10 feet polehe couldn't reach that far.
Not right!
I owe Bao Zheng my life.
I can't just look and see him be wronged to death.
Empress Dowager, even if we want to save him,
we must think of a plan that satisfies both sides.
We must save Bao Zheng's life
and allow him to clear all the charges against him.
Old companion...
How can we satisfy both sides?
You think of a plan for me quickly!
This...
Warn Bao Shirong. Make him admit
that he did all this using Bao Zheng's name behind his back,
that Bao Zheng has nothing to do with any of this
Send someone to the prison,
tell Bao Shirong not to randomly implicate people.
We can do that but what I'm worried about is
that to save his own life, Bao Shirong
has already became a randomly biting rabid dog.
Then tell this rabid dog
that if Bao Zheng's life is saved, perhaps he can stay alive.
If we are not able to save Bao Zheng,
then...he will be the first one to be beheaded by the Supreme Court.
Yes, Empress Dowager.
We can first do this to deceive them. but once we get through this stage,
we can go back and take care of that rabid dog.
Good.
It's only that the main player in this plan will be the one delivering the message.
I wonder who's the best choiceto send to the prison?
Don't worry. I have a suitable choice.
Greetings, Empress Dowager.
Rise.
Thank you, Empress Dowager.
I have a task to give you.
May Empress Dowager issue the decree.
That...rat who can enter into ground holes...
is he still in Kaifeng Court?
Replying to Empress Dowager, Captain Xu is still there.
You...go back and tell him.
Tell him that I'm the one who said this.
Tell him to think of a way to get into the main prison and find Bao Shirong.
Tell him, this whole thing is entirely his responsibility.
He mustn't implicate others. More importantly, he must not implicate Bao Zheng.
Empress Dowager, if we do that, isn't it colluding to fabricate a story?
Does Guard Lu plan to place righteousnessabove loyalty to the family?
And treat Bao Zheng according to official principles in public affairs?
Empress Dowager, Bao Xing going unauthorized to the main prison to see Bao Shirong
has already affected Master much.
If we now make Guard Xu go there and he is discovered, I'm afraid Master will be in worse trouble.
Your Master is already in extremely serous trouble now!
Why fear more trouble?
And also, the Xu guy can go in
without anyone knowing it.
Empress Dowager, you know the main prison is heavily guarded.
Not letting anyone know will be very difficult.
You big rat, what can't you understand?
If it wasn't difficult, why would I ask for people like you?
Usually calling yourselves heroes,
getting better and better at bragging,
but in times of crisis, you become like something shiny outside but corroded inside!
Empress Dowager, don't be angry.
Forget it!
You're also a government official now.
You must protect the hat on your head now. [protect one's position]
Go back and tell Xu to come here.
I will personally discuss things with him.
Empress Dowager, it's not that I'm protecting this hat or that I am scared,
it's just that Master told us not to interfere with this case.
Or else, we will be punished strictly with no leniency.
In your eyes, there's only Bao Zheng.There's no Empress Dowager!
I dare not. I will follow Empress Dowager's decree.
Good. This thing...
other than you and Xu,
nobody else must know about this.
More importantly, Bao Zheng must not know.
Whatever happens afterwards, you have me to back you up.
Thank you, Empress Dowager.
I suddenly remembered
that in Kaifeng Court, under Bao Zheng, there is a group of martial artists
who excel at leaping up roofs and vaulting over walls.
What if they sneak into the main prison
to carry out illegal acts, what must we do?
Master Sun, you're over worrying already.
Bao Shirong has already admitted to all the charges and is not taking it back.
Bao Xing...although he didn't confess anything yet, the truth of his crimes is clear,
and there's no room for change. What's the use of them going to the prison?
Master Wen, although Bao Shirong has already been sentenced
and Bao Xing's crimes are also confirmed,
the person behind them has not entered the court yet.
What if they send people into the main prison to kill the two,
leaving us without evidence? What do we do then?
Master Sun suggests...?
Send more men in and outside of the main prison.
Set up an inescapable net.
Allow them to enter but make them unable to get out.
Isn't there already enough trouble? Now, the old Empress Dowager comes to join in the fun.
When people get old, they're easily confused.
The older, the more confused.
But she doesn't admit that she is confused.
She basically didn't allow me to talk.
Whether of the Emperor or the Empress Dowager,a decree is a decree.
Big Brother must still follow her decree, right?
But they are not to be trifled with!
They will be preparing a big blood basin waiting for us.
I say. You are worrying too much!
If you ask me I'd say, let's getinto the prison tonight.
Even if the sky falls, there's the Empress Dowager to support it.
What does it have to do with us?
You're talking nonsense again.
Hey, can you stop turning and turning?
You're making my head dizzy, do you know that?
Can you stop turning now?
You stepped on my foot...
Really?
Really.
I'm sorry.
You...you should think of a plan! Stop turning!
Stop causing trouble here! Fourth Uncle is studying "donkey pulling a millstone".
Donkey?
- Going in circles thinking of a plan. Be refined. Refined.- Donkey...
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Third Brother said it right!
Good plan! Anyway, if the sky falls down now, there's Empress Dowager who will support it.
Why are we here getting worried for nothing?
I... I...
What you mean is...