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[Nirvana In Fire II]
[Episode 32]
Hu Song.
Would you like to return to Great Liang?
How could I not wish to return to my homeland?
Come home with me this time.
No, there is still so much more that I can do.
If I can go home one day
I hope that will be the day Changlin Army wins the war.
It's Great Liang's blessing to have subjects like you.
General, we should get going.
Let's go.
We've known each other since we were teenagers.
We were once friends.
In the end, we became opponents.
We've competed against each other for 20 years now.
If we were to say
that my present decision has nothing to do with our enmity
I don't think you would believe me.
Of course not.
Your Highness.
Our royal cavalry is indeed valiant and skilled in combat.
However, Great Liang's Changlin Army isn't an opponent
you can easily defeat in a couple of battles.
If you lead the entire army south
have you not considered the possible consequences?
Master Ruan!
I've never underestimated Changlin Army.
It seems Your Highness firmly believes
that you've found Changlin Army's weakness.
There's no way to make you change your mind.
Master Ruan, you're no longer the commander of the army.
There's no need to discuss military affairs with you.
It's decided.
I'll never change my mind!
But the king suggested you to--
The king only consented that you come to meet me.
If the king had decided not to initiate the battle
you could have just announced his decree.
Why would you even bother trying to convince me otherwise?
Your Highness!
I have already said enough!
Guards!
Present!
- See our guest out! - Yes!
Your Highness, please be more patient.
Allow me to finish what I have to say.
Any military man would know that some battles you win and some you lose.
If you fail to succeed in this battle
I hope that Your Highness won't... refuse to turn back
just because of the bellicose pronouncement you made before the battle.
I can hereby make an oath to the gods.
As long as Your Highness brings our men back safe and sound
I'll never add insult to your injury even if you're defeated
or say anything harsh.
I have yet to set out to war.
You're already speaking of my defeat.
Master Ruan, can you not expect anything good for me?
Stop right there!
Where are you going?
I asked you a question.
Quickly! Don't let them get away!
General! Leave now!
Leave now!
Lin Xi, I'm sorry to trouble you.
Can Langya Hall really calculate the exact date of the solar eclipse?
If Old Hall Master Lin couldn't be certain of it
he never would have told me about it.
So, you're going to use this natural phenomenon
to set a trap for Qin Ling Shuo?
Judging from his preparations, the timing is just right.
Since he dares to send 200,000 men from his royal army into Great Liang
I won't allow them to make it back so easily this time.
The way you speak now...
You resemble your brother even more.
Ping Jing, you know that you can't just run and hide.
Why won't you talk to me about it?
As for this matter... can we discuss this back in Gan Province?
Whenever and wherever.
I'll listen as long as you're willing to talk.
Gather all of our men here in Great Yu.
Get them to spread the news.
Spread the rumor that Prince Kang, Qin Ling Shuo, is violent and war hungry.
Tell them that a solar eclipse is a sign from Heaven.
If such a phenomenon occurs and he still refuses to repent
the gods will surely punish Great Yu.
- Understand? - Yes.
With these drawings, even the illiterate will figure it out.
Bear this in mind.
You need to make sure that the rumors can't be traced back to the source.
However, our main focus will be on Ji City and Pan City.
My ultimate goal is to bury this uneasiness
in the minds of Qin Ling Shuo and the royal army of Great Yu.
Rest assured, General.
General, if the rumors are really effective
and Qin Ling Shuo gets frightened off, what should we do then?
It's inauspicious to be engaged in war.
Changlin Army is never war hungry.
If he really withdraws from the battle
that's all right.
However, Ruan Ying's visit actually helped us in a way.
He had just boasted to his arch enemy in the royal court
so he can't back off now.
He won't change his mind.
Come in.
- Miss Lin. - You're here?
It gets chilly at night.
Last fall, Second Young Master hunted outside the city
and had this fur blanket made.
There's no better fur than this in Gan Province.
He told me to bring it to you.
We're always short of necessities here in the frontier city.
Miss Lin, what else do you need?
Doctor Du, it isn't the first time
that I've traveled to a frontier city to practice medicine.
I forgot about that.
I heard that you first met Second Young Master
in the city in Gan Province after the battle of Southern Gan.
Miss Lin...
Are you staying this time because the northern frontier will soon be in chaos?
Since we're both doctors, we'll do our best as doctors.
Don't think too much.
Yes.
I have to write a letter to my father.
I don't wish to see anyone right now.
- Yes. - Yes.
Without even realizing it...
It's almost fall again.
Yuan Qi?
What are you doing here?
I think that General of Subjugation will need a messenger
to deliver the letter to Jinling.
I believe that you should know no one is more suitable than I am.
[To Father] All right.
That's Jinling City ahead of us.
If I weren't serving under Your Grace now, I'd never visit Jinling.
Your Grace.
None of us know the way.
How we should get to Your Grace's manor?
We'll head over to Royal Changlin Manor first.
Yes.
Slow-witted nephew, Yuan Qi, greets Uncle Ting Sheng.
Get up.
You were also brought up in a well-off household.
Are you used to the training in the army?
I'm slow-witted by nature.
I haven't improved much but I think I have matured.
You rushed all the way here from Gan Province.
Could it be that there's an unexpected situation at the northern frontier?
[To Father]
You must be tired after such a long journey.
Head home and get some rest.
I won't keep you here.
Yes.
Uncle Ting Sheng, if you need anything, send for me anytime.
I will.
I'll take my leave.
Your Highness.
Dinner is ready.
[Marquis of Laiyang Manor]
Fortunately, I have my veteran servants to manage my manor.
I've been away for almost two years.
The manor still seems in a livable state.
Thank you for the compliment, Young Marquis.
From now on, in this manor
no one is to address me as Young Marquis.
Yes, Your Grace.
Your Grace, it's already so late.
Where are you going?
Your Grace.
Bear this in mind.
Unless I summon you or give you orders
whether it's late or if I'm heading out
where I'm going or when I'll return
you are not to know any of it.
Do you understand?
Yes, I understand.
You're the Marquis of Laiyang Manor's housekeeper.
If I find out that anyone learns of what you don't even know...
What do you think will happen?
I wouldn't dare. I wouldn't dare.
Get some rest soon.
Yes.
Your Highness, judging by what Second Young Master wrote
he's very confident
that he can defeat the main forces of Great Yu's royal army.
What are you still worried about?
We're still mourning the passing of the former emperor.
Judging by what Ping Jing wants to do, we have to turn our disadvantage around.
If we were to scrutinize the regulations of the rites...
This plan would have with some obstacles.
I hadn't thought about that.
We're still in the year of national mourning.
It is indeed a taboo to initiate war at the frontier.
It's one thing to fend off enemies.
But to encircle and wipe out the royal army of Great Yu
will definitely turn into a battle that requires reinforcements.
There are many in the Imperial Court
who would seize the opportunity to stigmatize
Second Young Master for initiating war during mourning.
Your Highness... Forgive me for saying such offensive words in private.
The empress dowager is not a very reasonable person.
It's already very tough on you to have to assist the young emperor so if...
In my humble opinion
your reply to Second Young Master should talk him out of it.
Tell him to act cautiously and to play it safe.
Master.
Come in.
Master, Marquis of Laiyang is asking to see you.
Who did you say it is?
Marquis of Laiyang.
Xiao Yuan Qi?
Yes.
What is he doing here so late at night?
Didn't he go to Gan Province with Xiao Ping Jing for two years?
He's asking to see me right after he got back?
Invite him to my study.
Uncle Yuan.
Do you remember why the former emperor bestowed Changlin as a title to me
when he succeeded the throne?
I always thought that it was just because of Changlin Army.
My elder once taught me...
The responsibility of Changlin lies not in authority, or position
or wealth, or even being tactful with others, or settling down.
Changlin's responsibility...
It lies in securing our borders and the safety of our people.
But Your Highness...
Uncle Yuan, you're also trained in martial arts.
You should know that wiping out the royal army of Great Yu
can bring great peace to the northern frontier.
10 years...
How many men at the frontier can be spared from bloodshed?
How much peace could our people at the frontier enjoy?
The former emperor was always kind and benevolent.
If he were still alive
he wouldn't have abided by the rites to restrict Ping Jing
and miss...
Miss out on a great opportunity to keep our people safe from harm.
Indeed.
Master Xun.
The young marquis is quite a rare guest.
Please have a seat.
Before I came here, I thought that Master Xun would be anxious.
Who knew that you'd still be so calm and composed?
You're indeed the Cabinet Minister who has been in power for years.
Anxious?
Why would I be anxious?
Jinling City might seem to be peaceful and calm
but there's actually underlying danger that has yet to surface.
Shouldn't Master Xun worry about that?
Your Grace, you made that sound too vague.
I don't understand it.
Domestically, the posthumous decree allows him to handle state affairs
and all officials submit to him.
Externally, hundreds of thousands of soldiers answer to his command.
His Majesty surely doesn't have an idea of such a situation.
However, Cabinet Minister should know this better than anyone else.
Your Grace, you're actually looking into such matters?
I was born into the Imperial Clan, so I should be loyal to His Majesty.
Doesn't Master Xun think that that's what I should consider?
It is within your duties.
However, Your Grace, you are overthinking.
At the moment, political administration is going smoothly.
As for the advising regent
it is just to notify him about the political issues.
His Highness hasn't really interfered much with it.
Not to mention that he is here in the capital.
How can he command the frontier army thousands of miles away from here?
Master Xun is still so calm right now
not because the old prince is too far away from the frontier army.
But because Xiao Ping Jing is still too young.
His prestige in the army is still very inferior to his brother and father.
What will happen if this General of Subjugation
renders a meritorious contribution that a generation is in awe of?
I'll take my leave.
Your Grace, please wait.
You worked with Xiao Ping Jing in Gan Province.
You must have some inside information.
Since you notified me of such information
can I assume that you mean to render your services to me?
Render my services?
I'm a member of the Imperial Clan.
I have a title and position.
Now, I also have some military merits.
I wonder how Master Xun came up with such an idea.
As an imperial subject, I should serve His Majesty.
I have no intentions of serving
any other master.
Your Grace, do you mean to say
that you only came to notify me because you can't tolerate
Prince of Changlin and his son controlling the Imperial Court
and manipulating military power?
Master Xun, there's no need to exaggerate.
I never said that the old prince is controlling the Imperial Court.
Nor do I think that Xiao Ping Jing is manipulating military power.
What is it that you mean then?
It's because of the former emperor.
The former emperor favored this Second Young Master of Changlin the most.
Whatever trouble he stirred up, the former emperor...
He would always defend him without even thinking.
However, the nation is still in mourning
and the former emperor was just laid to rest.
Yet all he thinks about are his merits and the prestige of Changlin Army!
Great Liang emphasizes the rites of national mourning.
Yet he regarded the former emperor's graciousness as if it were nothing.
That's actually what infuriated me.
Your Grace, were you ever jealous of Xiao Ping Jing?
Master Xun, you need not ask that in the past tense.
I'll take my leave.
It rained heavily last night.
The fragrance of the osmanthus seems to stand out even more.
Empress Dowager, you're right.
The second prince is growing even better now.
Look at his tight little face.
Thank you, Empress Dowager.
My mother also praises me for being sturdy and healthy.
When the plague broke out in the capital, I was totally fine.
It seems that the second prince is much more fortunate than His Majesty.
He's too young and babbled some craziness.
Empress Dowager, please forgive him!
A child's behavior is learned from the adults who teach him.
I already decreed not to mention the plague anymore.
No one is to bring up that year in Jinling again.
It seems that you've clearly paid no attention to my decree.
I wouldn't dare do that.
Your Highness made a decree, so how could I dare defy it?
I really...
I really haven't mentioned a word about it!
Your Highness, please forgive me! Your Highness, please forgive me!
Empress Dowager, Cabinet Minister seeks an audience.
Your Highness, please forgive me!
That's enough.
Stop pretending.
Take your son with you and teach him properly.
Miss An Ru, this is how it is here in the palace.
Only by being at the very top, can you prevent the others from belittling you.
You should learn this slowly, Miss An Ru.
You're a young man.
It's been a long time since you were in the capital
so you should be having fun with friends.
I'll ask you to come over if anything comes up.
You don't have to greet me every day.
Yes.
Such fine tea.
Uncle Ting Sheng.
I have an idea but I can't make up my mind.
I'd like to ask you for some advice.
Ask away, dear child.
One should know one's limits.
I trained in the army for almost two years now.
It's not hard to follow orders or fight in battles.
However, if I had to command the subordinates, it was always tough.
At times... I felt that I shouldn't be awarded merits for it.
Last time Ping Jing came home
he said that you were doing very well in the distribution of military equipment
rations, and provisions.
That also counts as a merit, understood?
Uncle Ting Sheng, do you think that I should stay in Gan Province?
This matter will affect your future career.
You must make your own decision.
However... if you wish to get a position in the Ministry of War
back in the capital
I'll support this decision.
Honestly speaking, I've also asked a few veteran generals in the army
about certain duties in the Ministry of War.
I'm aware of how little I know.
There are some things I can understand
but then there are others that I can't figure out.
I can help you with whatever it is you don't understand.
Yes.
What did you say Xiao Ping Jing is planning to do?
Does he even have any regard for the former emperor and His Majesty?
Your Highness, please calm down.
You're always so slow!
I really don't know what to do with you!
Since you already knew, why didn't you report to His Majesty?
What am I to report?
These are just some words Xiao Yuan Qi confided to me in private.
Nothing has happened yet.
It will be too late when that happens!
This isn't as simple as you think.
Why would Xiao Ping Jing write a letter home?
I believe he must have asked his father to assist him from the capital.
Your Highness, fret not.
Let's observe their actions first.
Xiao Yuan Qi is the son of a subject who has sinned.
Is he reliable?
We do need to be cautious.
However, it's still useful to win over such a person
from Xiao Ping Jing.
- Great Yu's location... - Here.
Your Highness.
It's time to light the lamps.
All right.
I lost track of time and imposed on you for so long.
Yuan Qi...
Uncle Ting Sheng?
All descendants of the Imperial Clan study
more or less the same books and principles
from when they are first educated
until they independently establish their own manors.
However, the temperament of each prince varies.
Therefore, the former emperor and I never thought
that inheritance lies strictly between father and son.
Yes.
Your parents' deeds will have an impact on your circumstances
but only you can decide what you believe in
what you care about, and what person you wish to become.
Do you understand, dear child?
Uncle Ting Sheng...
The circumstances of life surely have an impact on one's temperament.
If one's temperament changes, will his nature change as well?
My child...
Think about your grandfather.
Before he was made the crown prince
what circumstances did he live under?
If you find this world cold and unfeeling
it's because you haven't been through hell yet.
If a person is kind by nature
even if he returns from the burning flames of hell
he remains a child at heart for all eternity.
I shall remember Uncle Ting Sheng's teachings.
Your Highness, don't be worried.
Miss An Ru might have a high fever but the imperial physician has said
that she will be fine as long as she takes the medication as prescribed.
How can she rest well in my quarters?
If she doesn't get better tomorrow
arrange for some trustworthy servants to escort her home.
She needs only to return to the palace when she's recovered.
Yes.
Miss An Ru is too soft-hearted.
She can't handle such a small fright.
Which of us didn't grow up bit by bit from that naive age of hers?
[Marquis of Laiyang Manor]
Mother...
I'm sorry.
I shouldn't have wavered.
Why would I falter when I've been to Changlin Manor?
Only Xiao Ping Zhang would truly believe his words.
But what happened in the end?
He's dead.
It wasn't worthwhile at all.
Your Grace.
I have a visitor?
Yes.
It's Cabinet Minister Xun?
Yes.
I heard you.
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