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The Three Heroes and Five Gallants Episode 29
This is called a bitter bitter vegetable.
Its taste is a little bitter
but it grows all over the mountains and the wilderness,
it's found everywhere and can be harvested year round.
Plus, it can remove internal heat and dispel fire effect.
When I sought refuge in a cold cave years ago,
this is what I ate the most.
The Emperor is here!
Rise.
Royal Mother, what are those?
We're picking wild vegetables.
Wild vegetables? Where did all these wild vegetables come from?
From the Imperial Garden.
Are there are wild vegetables in the Imperial Garden?
Wild vegetables are also called wild grasses.
Your Majesty has usually looked at
tree peonies, Chinese peonies, spring orchids, and autumn chrysanthemums.
How could you have ever noticed these unattractive wild grasses?
But in the eyes of those disaster victims,
they all are life-saving food.
Yes. Royal Mother said it so right.
From now on, I should not just take notice of those tree peonies and Chinese peonies.
I should also take more notice of these wild flowers and grasses.
Why are you not in front working on official matters instead of being here at the back palace?
The first reason to be here is to pay my respects to Royal Mother.
Second, I have something to report to Royal Mother.
What is it?
Is it even worth reporting to an old lady like me?
Royal Mother, it's because
I want to immediately send Bao Zheng to Chenzhou for disaster relief work.
Before he leaves, I want to ask Royal Mother, if you have anything you want to instruct him.
Your Majesty, you wouldn't be making me happy for nothing again, would you?
Royal Mother, I could bluff Heaven, Earth, or the God of ghosts, but I wouldn't dare to bluff you.
Had it not been for this fake Bao Shirong case,
Bao Zheng could be back here already from doing disaster relief in Chenzhou.
How many days have passed again?
I wonder how many Chenzhou victims have died?
Your Majesty, they all are your people!
This is what I think.
Father-in-law, you were able to survive a near-fatal difficulty.
It definitely means that some good luck will come.
Who am I?
I am the current Emperor's father-in-law. Who can do anything to me?
Master Chancellor! Master Chancellor. Master Chancellor.
How many time have I told you?
How come you're always like this?
Even if the sky really falls, it will never fall on your Master Chancellor's head.
Yes, Master Chancellor.
Lady Consort sent a message from the palacesaying that His Majesty has already issued a decree
telling Bao Zheng to go to Chenzhou as soon as possible.
Go to Chenzhou!
You!... Didn't you hear wrong?
I definitely didn't hear wrong.
As determined by Heaven, the Emperor orders
Longtuge Scholar and Head of Kaifeng Court, Bao Zheng, to become a royal envoy
and leave the capital within 3 days to travel to Chenzhou.
He is to arrest Bai Yutang, Shen Zhongyuan, and other criminals.
He is granted the Precious Imperial Sword [as token of authority]
and the power to give rewards and punishments on my behalf.
End of Edict.
I accept the decree and thank the Emperor's grace.
Long live His Majesty!
Magistrate Bao, please rise.
Magistrate Bao
Magistrate Bao, in this trip to Chenzhou,
you mustn't fail to live up to Empress Dowager's baskets of bran and wild vegetables.
I will definitely devote myself entirely to this task and do my best until death.
Your Majesty, Bao Zheng has always eyed my elder brother with hostility.
I'm worried
that he won't make much effort to capture Bai Yutang
in this trip of his to Chenzhou,
but instead he plans to provokea dispute with my brother.
Don't worry about it!
I have already read a lot of reports.
Royal Uncle's work in Chenzhou shows his sense of propriety and judgement are very dependable.
He not only led the Chenzhou disaster victims smoothly through 3 years of calamity,
but also revived that place to a more prosperous and thriving city than before.
The inspectors that I sent there
all had praises for him on their return.
Even if Bao Zheng has a grudge against him,
I'm afraid that he won't have any chance to seek revenge, right?
But Your Majesty, any official, even if he performs his task well,
can't help to have some little flaws.
Bao Zheng is famous for being nitpicky and harsh.
I'm worried that
if gets hold of one strand of cow hair [a fault]
he'll bring up nine cows of mistakes. [exaggerates the fault]
But then, there must be a strand of cow hair first.
If there's no cow hair, where will you look for those nine cows?
No way.
Yu'er must not fall into Bao Zheng's hands.
Father-in-law, don't fret. The more critical the situation,
the more we must remember that strategy in Sun Zi's Art of War.
The 36th method, escape, is the best strategy.
We just need to decide where to go.
I've thought about a good place to go to.
This place is definitely beyond this government's reach.
Where?
The Prince of Changsha's residence.
Zhao Jue?
For many years, Zhao Jue believed
that his father Zhao Guangmei's death was caused by the Emperor Taizu.
Hence, he always held a grudge.
At Changsha, he has imitated the style of the Four Lords of the Warring States,
enlisting retainers and recruiting skilled warriors. Forming his own clique.
I heard that in Dongting Lake he enlisted 18 pirate camps
and also various Miao cave-dwelling mountain bandits.
Adding the previous bandits from Hengshan and Jiujiang,
Zhao Jue already has enough armed forces to fully stand up against the government.
Right. Zhao Jue's ambition
is like Sima Zhao's.[Politician and general of the Cao Wei Kingdom, in Three Kingdoms Period]
Everyone knows about it.
In recent years, many officials have reported that the Prince of Changsha is planning a rebellion.
But His Majesty always turns a deaf ear.
Do you know why?
I don't know. Father-in-law enlighten me, please.
Since the present Emperor ascended the throne,
he has promoted using benevolence and filial piety in governance.
No matter what, Zhao Jue is still his Royal Uncle.
As long as Zhao Jue doesn't declare a rebellion, His Majesty will never make a move first
to avoid the bad reputation of being unbenevolent and unfilial.
This Emperor too is...
But actually, deep inside, he's always hoping that Zhao Jue dies suddenly.
The most important thing is,
His Majesty is very afraid of the past rumors.
What rumors?
In the past, Emperor Taizu repeatedly said in front of many subjects
that his Fourth Brother Zhao Guangmei's governing skill was 10 times stronger than his.
His motive was very obvious.
That is, after his 100th year,[meaning a very long reign]
he planned to leave the throne to his Fourth Brother Zhao Guangmei.
But I heard that Zhao Guangmei was quite narrow-minded.
In one argument about the Western Xia expedition,
Emperor Taizu scolded him forhis contradicting opinion.
And then he...out of rage, killed himself.
So, Emperor Taizu always thought that this was his fault.
He always felt guilty about Zhao Guangmei.
The Tpresent Emperor also has the same feeling.
Which means that the current Emperor also feels a twinge of guilt towards
Zhao Guangmei's son Zhao Jue?
That's right. If Zhao Guangmei hadn't died, the one to inherit Emperor Taizu's throne
would have been Zhao Guangmei, instead of the present Emperor's grandfather, Zhao Guangyi .
And the present Emperor would not be an emperor.
The emperor would be Zhao Jue.
Then it means that
our present emperor picked up his position by a fluke.
Because of Zhao Guangmei's Western Xia expedition
and the surrender of the king of Western Xia,
Western Xia was saved from a catastrophe.
That's why both nobility and people in Western Xia
treat Zhao Guangmei as their savior and offer him incense throughout the year to show respect.
I understand now.
If His Majesty sent troops against the Prince of Changsha, Western Xia would send troops to help the Prince.
What's more, the Dongbei nomads could use this chance to incite trouble,
then His Majesty could be in dangerof being overthrown.
That's why His Majesty has the will but not the strength to go against Zhao Jue.
He can only appear benevolent and filial while turning a blind eye.
Hence, Zhao Jue has become absolutely unrestrained.
To increase his strength, he always tries to coerce and entice government officials.
This means that if Royal Uncle Pang goes to Changsha, he'll be given an important position.
That's right. Making Yu'er go to Changsha
is the best chess move.
I think that the Prince of Changshawill definitely believe
that if he can get the Pang Family on his side,
he'll have half of the government already.
This Prince of Changsha will probably wake up in the middle of the night laughing.
But...
Please say it.
If the Emperor learned of Royal Uncle Pang going to Changsha,
won't Father-in-law, you...
Even if Emperor gets angry, he won't be able to do anything about it
His Majesty indeed can't touch the Prince of Changsha.
But he still can do something by making things difficult for you, Father-in-law.
Son-in-law, no need to get overly worried.
As the saying goes: judging the hour and sizing up the situation.
We'll avail ourselves of His Majesty's worries about the Prince of Changsha
and then try to be the negotiator between the two.
Think about it. His Majesty on one side, on the other side, the Prince of Changsha.
Won't they both need to rely heavily on me?
I really have limitless admiration to father-in-law!
[Chenzhou]
Team Leader Shen
When you have free time, go and talk to Zhang Han.
Tell him not to go to Shandong since that man is already dead.
Exactly. Royal Uncle, don't worry.
I will try harder to persuade Zhang Han.
Good. Once this task is done, you'll definitely be generously rewarded.
Royal Uncle, what are you saying? This is something that I should do.
Oh, right! Royal Uncle, on my reckoning,
shouldn't Second-in-command have returned to Chenzhou already?
That's right. If not today, then it should be tomorrow.
- Hope that he--- Master! Master!
Master! Master!
Pang Wang, he... He... He...
Say it! Just because a Zhang Han came
must everyone be-be-become a s-s-stutterer now?
He's back!
Get lost.
Master!
What happened?
Master!
Who did that?
All is Bai Yutang's doing.
That little bastard Bai Yutang!
Ooh!
- Master...- It's alright.
Master, you must seek justice for me.
How about him? The person I asked you to escort?
Where's the person I asked you to escort?
He's been taken by that bastard Bai Yutang!
I'll beat you to death! I'll beat you to death!
Master, spare my life! Master, spare my life!
Calm down! Calm down!
Royal Uncle, please calm down!
Calm down. Calm down...
[Ying Xiang Inn] (Welcoming Skilled People Inn)
Master Yue,
what do you suggest we do to communicate with Fifth and the others?
If you ask me, this Fifth Master of yours,
is quite young but too arrogant.
Always holding his head high with a blank expression.
Just like one drunk rooster.
Really outrageous!
This Fifth...
In any case, I'm still his big brother but he never attached importance to me.
Outrageous!
Big Brother, how about first contacting Shen Zhongyuan?
May I trouble you to go to him?
Sure. Me and Yuehua will go together.
If you want to go, go by yourself. Why must you drag me with you?
So that if I can't decide, I can have someone to discuss with.
What's there to discuss?
You'll be disguised as a Daoist priest. Who do you want me to disguise as?
As a Daoist child?
I won't go as a Daoist priest, you don't need to goas a Daoist child. We can disguise as--
merchants. We can disguise as merchants.
You? Merchant?
Fourth, with that physique of yours...most likely a merchant for kids?
That's right. A merchant...see this?
Should look like my Old Xi'er.
A round belly and reddish complexion.
That's more like a merchant.
Where is there a merchant that's so thin and small?
Just one look and you'll know he's a corrupt merchant.
Who?
Okay. Okay. We won't disguise as merchants.
Then...then we can disguise as something else.
Let's disguise as two elegant and graceful scholars.
Elegant and graceful scholars?
Then why are we going there? To catch ghosts!
Fourth, with your physique, even catching ghosts, you'll look like a kid--
Can you stop using my physique as a topic?
Fourth, I think that it will be better if you go alone.
Using your disguise of poor Daoist priest
catching ghosts will not arise suspicion.
No one is saying that you're short.
More so,
you developing such outstanding ability under strained conditions,
is worth everyone's admiration.
You really think that way?
Ehr...You all wait here a while. I'll go rush the dishes.
Big Brother, let's wait here for the dishes.
[Imperial Envoy's Residence]
Respectful greetings, Master.
Does the Chancellor have any instructions?
This is from the Chancellor.
Royal Uncle...
Leave now.
Yes.
I won't hide this from Leader Shen.
In the letter, my father says that Bao Zheng with all his Kaifeng Court men,
are on their way to Chenzhou already.
An old saying says: "Counter soldiers with weapons, water with earthworks." [Different situations call for different actions]."
You're an Imperial Envoy as granted by an Imperial decree.
Plus we have men in the Imperial Family Garden.
Take a stand and face them!
Although I have a lot of men here,those that are really useful
are too few.
Besides, I was also ordered by decree to help in disaster relief.
That Bao Zheng, after all, is a high official handling the laws of the land.
You're still an imperial relative!
Chen Shimei was even the Emperor's own brother-in-law,
but in the end, he was beheaded by Bao Zheng.
Then what do we do?
Just sit and wait? Do nothing and wait to be arrested?
Come.
Chancellor wants me to secretly leave Chenzhou and seek asylum with the Prince of Changsha.
The Prince of Changsha...
That is the only place where we can seek refuge.
Then when do you plan to leave?
We must first send someoneto communicate with Changsha.
Leader Shen...
We have incurred big loses in a lot of things.
The losses happened where we failed to protect secrecy well.
Only you and me know about this.
Therefore...
I will definitely keep my mouth shut.
Brother Zhang Han...Brother Zhang Han.
Greetings, Royal Uncle.
Miss Zhang, no need for too much formalities.
Husband, I heard that the Chancellor sent a letter from the Capital.
Wife, I came to tell you and Bao'er to prepare to return to the Eastern Capital.
Return to the Eastern Capital?
It's getting more and more unsafe here.
Returning to the Eastern Capital will be better.
Then when do we leave?
Spend the whole day tomorrow preparing and leave the day after. I'll send men to escort you.
One day? Why is it so hurried?
There are lots of things that I won't finish packing.
Stop asking!
Royal Uncle, I'll get you fresh tea.
[Imperial Envoy's Residence]
Master Han, you are going out.
Right. I'll go buy some medicines.
Master Han, you're very skilled in martial arts and also in medical arts.
Not only you were able to treat your own injuries,
but now you're also treating our other brothers.
You're praising too much. Thank you. Thank you.
Master Han, take care.
Take care. Take care.
Sister Zhang Li...
Brother Shen...
Pang Yu suddenly told Madam earlier
to return to the Capital with little master the day after tomorrow.
Pang Yu received a letter from the Old Thief
saying that Bao Zheng with his men
will come to Chenzhou. I reckon that Pang Yu is preparing to escape already.
I saw him hide a letter in a little black box inside his closet.
Little black box?
We must get this little black box.
This one can be done anytime.
No rush. Wait for me to tell you.
He won't be planning to make me escort Madam, right?
He won't. He will take you to Changsha.
Customers! Customers! I'm here to sing you some news!
If you have money, please spare some for me. If you don't, just cheer.
♪ Fellow customers, please sit for a while. Listen to me sing about a weird story song ♪
♪ Weird things happen yearly. ♪
♪ But this year, weird things that happened are quite many. ♪
♪ The yellow cow went up the tree last night. ♪
♪ The soy bean today blew off the pan. ♪
♪ Yesterday, the monk wore a green hat (was cheated by his lover). Today, Master is walking forward. ♪
♪ Master, you just keep going forward. ♪
Fourth?
How is it? Handsome, right?
I thought that you were Fifth!
Nonsense! Are there any news from Fifth Brother?
No-no-nothing.
That's strange. Why no news from Fifth Brother yet?
The-there...There are!
Can you stop panting that much?
- There are other n-news.- Tell!
I heard fr-from Old Shen that Pang Yu
- will...will...run away!- Eh?
Are you saying that the four of them...don't really want to be Imperial Guards?
And only agreed to temporarily stay in Bao Zheng's residence to help him?
Each one has their own ambition. You can't force it.
You shouldn't be so cautious either
and should be watching Pang Yu's every movement.
You must prevent him from both escaping and destroying evidence.
So you must be sure you work with the others in good faith.
The main point is, I don't want to have any connection with Kaifeng Court.
If there's anything that you can't solve, pass it to me and I'll deal with it myself.
Once you've done the task, you still won't see them?
Once I'm done here, I still have to go find Zhan Zhao.
Since we are facing a powerful enemy, I won't argue with you anymore.
For now, I'll just communicate with you alone.
- Let's meet here every afternoon.- Hm.
This Fifth...
Never gave any importance to me, he doesn't respect me at all.
If I bump into him,
then I'll use that wet cow leather
and tie him up tightly. Let's see if he can still fight!
I think that Fifth Master also has his predicaments.
What predicaments can he have?
It is publicly known that the reason Magistrate Bao
is coming to Chenzhou now is to capture him.
If he comes here at his own initiative,
will we consider it as a captureor a surrender?
Will you let him go or make him stay? These aren't easy choices.
Moreover, if we let Thief Pang know about this,
he will again use this thing to create issues.
Big Brother!
- Fourth Brother.- Big...
Fourth...
Master Yue is also already here.
Big Brother,
I was able to contact Second Brother.
- How was it?- How are they doing?
- Pang Yu is planning to escape.- Escape?
Where will he be escaping to?
Changsha.
Could it be that he plans to ally with the Prince of Changsha?
Then let's hurry and inform Magistrate Bao.
Miss Yalan, it will be too late.
Think about it. Magistrate Bao is still in the Capital and hasn't set off yet.
Even if we hurry and go back now, we won't make it in time.
Fourth, your brain is the quickest among us.
Think of an idea for us.
Big Brother, I think we shouldn't bother.
Fourth's ideas are all soaked in medicine and are all bitter.
In what way have I offended you?
Master Yue, you give the plan.
From what I see,
this seems like a good opportunity for us.
What? Opportunity?
Smart! What Master Yue means is
this time we must get evidence of Thief Pang conniving with the Prince of Changsha,
that's a very serious crime!
The Emperor will definitely get so angry,
perhaps, their whole family will lose favor.
It could be the end of their family!
Or else, just killing Pang Yu,
could be enough to shakethe Pang Family's roots.
Brilliant!
What Master Yue means is,
we must get both Thief Pang's letter to the Prince of Changsha
and the reply letter from the Prince of Changsha to Thief Pang.
This way...even if the Emperor wanted to defend the Pang family,
he wouldn't be able to.
Hey...Hey...
Big Brother, did you notice that?
This Fourth and Master Yue are singing the same tune...
This even...
They said it very well!
Right...
Just average good. Average. It's just that we think alike.
Great minds think alike.
Then what should we do next?
Fourth Master, suggest a plan.
Yes. Next,
I'll be doing it alone.
I'll take the trouble to go to Changsha and follow the messenger.
I must get hold of
Thief Pang's letter to the Prince of Changsha
and then intercept the Prince's reply to Thief Pang.
After that, I'll just kill the messenger.
This way, we'll be able to get all the evidences.
Good! Their crimes will be as big as mountains, they won't escape the consequences.
Then I'll just use that cow leather and tie them up tightly,
they won't get off even if they tumble.
But I think that this thing doesn't require your appearance yet.
Why?
Because there's someone who's a better choice than you.
- Who?- It must be me.
Bai Yutang.
Fifth?
Good!
Master Yue said it too right!
What Master Yue means is
Fifth is the best choice for the job.
Everyone, think about it. Fifth is now a criminal.
This chance of merit should rightfully go to Fifth.
If Fifth achieves merit, he can use it to counter his past crimes, he'll be alright!
Fourth...
When did you become Master Yue's
echo man? He says the first part and you finish his statement.
How can you call it an echo bug?
Butt-following bug.
This is called echoing each other at a distance. Echoing each other at a distance.
Wife, be careful on your travel.
After some time, when things settle down here in Chenzhou,
I will go back to the Eastern Capital and join you.
Husband, you will be left here alone.
You too have to be careful at all times. You're on your own now.
Wife, no need to worry.
Little sister Zhang...
Madam...
It's entirely thanks to your company that I lived through these frightening days.
Our friendship can be reckoned as made in adversity.
We met late and will part too soon.
Madam, don't worry. When I have the time, I'll go to the Eastern Capital to visit you.
You must certainly come.
Madam, don't worry.
I will definitely bring little sister Zhang
to be by your side.
Madam, it's getting late.
You better get in the carriage now.
Subtitles were brought to you by The Rats of Hollow Island Team @Viki
This Pang Yu is trying divert people's attention
and make people believe
that he's going back to the Eastern Capital.
At present, the most important thing is
to f-figure out who will he really send
to Changsha in the end.
Pang Yu...
looks foolish on the outsidebut deep down is very shrewd.
He's bound to come up with some treacherous schemes.
That's right. What if-if he
sent se-several men all m-moving separately,
so that we wouldn't know who to follow.
We must tell our people outside
to keep a good watch.
Leader Shen!
Brother Zhang. Master asked you to go and see him.
Alright.
Respectful greetings, Royal Uncle.
Leader Shen, please sit down.
Oh, thank you.
Royal Uncle called for me
for what reasons?
Leader Shen,
about the matter I mentioned to you yesterday,
after thinking about it the whole night,
I finally made a decision.
Leader Shen, this time, I can only depend on you.
That is, you'll ask me to deliver a letter to Changsha?
There really isn't anyone else I can trust.
Royal Uncle is giving me too much undeserved affection!
I will definitely do my best.
This time, I won't be writing any letter.
Everything relies on Leader Shen. When you arrive at Changsha and meet the Prince,
just verbally tell him what happened.
But Royal Uncle,
if the Prince doesn't see a letter,how will he believe me?
The Prince has many ears and eyes in the government.
I'm sure he knows better than anyone else
what my situation is now.
He'll be expecting me to go to him for refuge, he won't refuse.
I understand now.
When I meet the Prince,
I'll explain him your situation in detail and very clearly
If the Prince sees that I didn't write a letter,he won't write a reply letter either.
Therefore, everything hangs on Leader Shen
to relay the messages verbally.
Don't worry. I won't tell a word to anybody.
It's not that critical!
If you get drunk, Leader Shen,
or talk in dreams or blurt something out carelessly,
it's also fine.
It won't matter. There won't be any evidence. I'll just deny everything.
Leader Shen doesn't need to worry too much about it.
- When will I be setting out?- Tomorrow morning.
I got it.
Oh, right.
I still have one thing to report.
Say it.
It's about little sister Zhang.
Zhang Han has already loosened up a bit
by my constant advice.
Let's lay this thing aside for now. We'll talk about it once we're in Changsha.
Alright. But I should at least give him a reply, right?
Pacify Zhang Han first
by telling him
that we'll discuss his sister's matter in a few days.
This Thief Pang is really quite cunning.
There is actually nothing in writing.
Isn't that right? Too cunning.
Thief Pang won't leave a letter
and he's giving himself some leeway.
It's Master Yue's turn to talk.
Yup. Say it.
Say what?
Isn't it usually like that?
When Master Yue finishes saying something, Fourth talks.
When this Fourth finishes talking,
it is Master Yue's turn to talk again.
Third!
We are discussing serious matters, stop pestering endlessly, alright?
- I...- Third!
Why are you always going against Fourth?
That's right.
No. No. Big Brother,
I'm just curious
why is Fourth always agreeing with Master Yue?
Yes.
Third Sister-in-law, stop agreeing now! Control him. Control him!
Ah?
Oh!
Be refined!
Enough. Let's talk about serious matters.
Tomorrow night...
I'll go to the Imperial Family Garden again.
I'll try to steal Pang Ji's letter to Pang Yu.
Why tomorrow night?
Because Shen Zhongyuan leaves tomorrow morning.
If Pany Yu discovers that the letter is missing tonight,
he will definitely change his mind.
Brilliant!
Master Yue's plan can be said to be striking at the root.
This way, the information they get will all be for naught.
Wasn't I right? They kept singing the same tune.
Story telling started again!