Episode 4
Madam Duan.
Could it be a trap?
Wu Pin seemed quite sincere.
It doesn't seem to be a trap.
If it isn't a trap...
...Wu Wei Wen is really mean this time.
Father, what makes you say so?
He first used his connections to secure the business...
...and show us what he is capable of doing.
Next, he offered to share the business...
...to do us a favour.
He's using both soft and hard approaches...
...to make us surrender to him.
But, according to Wu Pin...
...we were rejected not because of our...
...lack of connections...
...but because of our lack of experience in...
...military supply business.
You believe that?
He has a point.
But, I've convinced him to...
...get the Ministry of Revenue to give Shen Family some credit.
The next time we submit a quotation...
...the ministry will feel more assured.
Wu Pin agreed?
Didn't he steal one of our maids?
So, we're even now.
Exchanging a maid for acknowledgement.
It's a good deal.
It's decided then.
Master.
Brother Wei Wen.
Zhi Cun, you're here as well.
I'm checking the last quarter's account...
...with Shopkeeper Tong.
I happen to have something to say to you.
Me too.
After you then.
Come here.
Please sit down.
What's the matter?
I heard that you received another military supply order.
You're very well-informed. - What medicine do you need?
Still vulnerary.
Good. I just stocked up on dragon's blood.
The quality is better and yet the price is the same.
Sure. I'll buy dragon's blood from you.
Alright.
You can make arrangements with Shopkeeper Tong later.
Thank you, Brother Wei Wen.
I'd like to talk about another matter.
Yong Mei visited us days ago.
My wife really likes her.
Is that so?
She said that the two have grown up...
...and that we probably should pick a date for their wedding.
Sure. I'll leave it to you. I've no special demand.
Why don't we do it in autumn?
Autumn?
Alright. We'll hold the wedding 6 months later.
Deal.
It's decided then. -Alright.
We'll start preparing. -Sure.
Open the door!
Medicine from Shen Family has arrived!
Examine the goods!
Brother Wu Pin. -Brother Yue Sheng.
Herbs from Hu Family has arrived!
Examine the goods!
Hurry up! Move this thing quickly.
Why aren't you doing your work?
What's going on? -You don't know?
The young master is getting married. We are busy...
...preparing for his wedding.
He's getting married? To whom? -Ms. Hu.
Who is Ms. Hu?
She's from Hu Family that runs the Gu Yue Pharmacy in Jingyang.
Their master and our master are old friends.
They have been business partners for more than 10 years, right?
Yes.
They have equal social status. -It's more than that.
Ms. Hu and Young Master Pin make a lovely couple as well.
Really? Is she pretty?
She's not just pretty. Ms. Hu is knowledgeable...
...clever and capable. The master and mistress...
...have been looking forward to their wedding.
By the way, Ms. Hu is also a very talented calligrapher.
She wrote that one.
"Fetch the water at the city gate".
"A whole day without seeing you, drags like three months of water".
What does that mean?
Don't ask me. I'm illiterate.
I know.
It says that one must fetch water every day.
If one does not fetch water for a day...
...one will be punished with three months of water deprivation.
It's the same as "practice makes perfect".
Young Master Pin. -Young Master Pin.
Did I read it wrongly? - No. You're correct.
This poem has a point.
How is the calligraphy?
I don't know much about calligraphy.
It's alright. Feel free to comment.
It's very ordinary.
It's too messy. It makes me feel dizzy.
Young Master Pin, I heard you are getting married soon.
That'll be half a year later. Congratulations.
Unfortunately, I can't be your witness.
Why? -Our course will end...
...in 3 months. We'll all leave by then.
What is your plan?
The teacher said that you are an outstanding student.
Why don't you stay in Wu Family's household...
...and work for us first? Perhaps you will become...
...our shopkeeper one day.
I still want to look for my father.
Your father?
I mean, I want to look for my brother.
What do you plan to do after that?
I'll run a small business.
And then? -If I make a lot of money...
...I can go wherever I want to go.
I can do whatever I want to do.
You still prefer to leave?
Alright. By the way...
...Shen Family hasn't found your slave contract yet.
But, since Shen Yue Sheng agreed to let us have you...
...there shouldn't be a problem.
By then, you will be as free as a bird.
Young Master Pin, you must have spent a lot of money for this.
No. I only spent some effort
Thank you, Young Master Pin.
Right. I almost forgot. I came to ask you a question.
The teacher taught us something today.
This one.
"Deliver quality and honest goods."
Normally, Xiao Wang will translate these...
...funny sentences for me.
But, his mother is sick today. So, he went home.
I don't understand this. -Alright.
"Deliver quality and honest goods."
Young Master Pin, it's time to go to bed.
You should go to bed too. - Yes, Young Master Pin.
It's very ordinary.
It's too messy. It makes me feel dizzy.
Chun Xing, take down this calligraphy work.
The one written by Ms. Hu? -Yes.
I thought you praised her calligraphy works...
...and said to hang a nice one on the wall.
Is this one not good enough?
Just do as I said.
Young Master Pin...
...the master needs you at Renshou Hall.
I've checked the remaining medicine. There's no problem.
Master, I've checked the raw ingredients used to...
...produce the medicine. There's no problem at all.
Seal it all. -Yes.
Also, seal and keep all account books and documents...
...related to the military supply order.
Yes. I'll do it at once.
Master!
Master, Mr. Fu replied us. -What did he say?
He doesn't know the details. But, someone reported that...
...the medicine is adulterated...
...and the emperor ordered to investigate this case.
Who reported this? -I don't know.
It is said to be a secret memorial.
They don't know who did it.
We've been supplying military goods for decades.
Be it medicine, cloth or food, nothing has ever gone wrong.
What happened this time?
Half of it came from Shen Family this time.
But, I examined their medicine and there was no problem at all.
But, we only picked a few to examine.
We did not check each and every pack.
Military supplies can't be taken lightly.
Shen Family won't be so foolish.
Don't forget the fact that...
...Shen Family previously quoted a price 10% lower than the cost.
Shen Si Hai is very money-minded.
Father, I carefully checked twice.
We were very careful during the production.
There wasn't even the slightest negligence.
If this is an excuse to punish us...
...even if there is no negligence...
...we will still get into trouble.
I knew it.
Wu Wei Wen won't be so nice.
It turns out that he was trying to set us up.
It's all my fault. I even asked Wu Pin to...
...highlight Shen Family's contribution.
We can't excuse ourselves now.
It's not your fault. Wu Family set us up.
They first sent Wu Pin to request for a joint quotation.
Then, they offered to share the business with us.
That runaway maid might even be sent by them.
Father.
What is the penalty for adulterating military supplies?
It's exile at least...
...and familial extermination at most.
I'll go to Renshou Hall now.
You want to go now?
If I can find evidences of their scheme...
...we can prove our innocence. -You can't go!
If this is their scheme...
...they won't let you catch them red-handed.
Even if you go, you might not find any evidence.
Even if you manage to find an evidence...
...what can we do if they find out about it?
But, the imperial commissioner will arrive in Jingyang tomorrow
This is our last chance. - We have no chance at all.
Are we just going to sit still and do nothing?
We can't be rash.
Let me think about it carefully.
Father, I... -Go back and get some rest.
Father. -Go back and rest!
Yue Sheng.
Don't do anything reckless.
Master.
Who is it? -It's me, Huo Xin.
Master. -What is going on?
Young Master Yue Sheng told us to wait at the alley...
...and went to Renshou Hall on his own.
Wait for me here. I'll go in first.
Don't come out unless you hear me screaming.
We waited 4 hours outside.
The young master didn't return. So, we came back to inform you.
4 hours? You guys waited for 4 hours?
Master, where are you going? - I'm going to find Yue Sheng.
Master, I already sent men to look for him 2 hours ago.
Please wait a little longer.
You sent men to Renshou Hall? -Yes.
Send men to Wu Family's residence too.
Yes, master.
Go and find the young master. -Yes.
He just wouldn't listen to me!
Why didn't you all stop Yue Sheng?
Master, we're sorry!
Master! -We're sorry!
The imperial commissioner has departed from the inn.
He should arrive before noon.
Where's the account book for the raw ingredients?
I have it. -Alright. Carry it with you...
...so that you can answer the commissioner's questions.
Yes.
Get a physician! Hurry!
Yes!
Brother Yue Sheng!
Master!
Have you all found Yue Sheng? -Master, bad news.
Sir, this lock was pried open.
Please make way!
Master. -What's going on?
Mr. Zhao Bai Shi is investigating inside.
He won't let anyone enter.
Where is Wu Pin? -He's inside as well.
Yue Sheng! -Please make way.
Please make way. -Yue Sheng!
Let me in!
Let me in! Let me... -Brother Shen.
Let me in! -Brother Shen.
Brother Shen.
Who? Who killed Yue Sheng?
Brother Shen, we will try our best to...
...find the culprit for Shen Family.
You lot are the culprits! Wu Family murdered my son!
He's the murderer! -You all are the murderers!
Brother Shen. -Wu Family killed my son!
Brother Shen.
Make way. -Wu Pin.
Are you alright? -Father, I'm fine.
You just killed my son. Return Yue Sheng to me!
Brother Shen. -Return Yue Sheng to me!
Back off!
Father, I'll make a trip to the government office with Mr. Zhao.
I'll leave the rest to you.
Alright. Go.
Don't go! -Return our young master!
Master.
Mr. Zhao. -Mr. Zhao.
Please redress the injustice for me.
Who are you? -He is Shen Si Hai...
...Shen Yue Sheng's father.
One must pay for murder with one's life.
Mr. Zhao, please bring the culprit to justice.
Please redress the injustice for us.
Don't worry. I'll be fair. -Thank you, sir.
Dismiss! Go back!
Go back! -Master.
Dismiss!
Brother Shen.
You will pay with your life.
Master, should we go to the government office or...
Why did Shen Yue Sheng...
...come to our warehouse in the middle of the night?
I've no idea.
Perhaps it has something to do with...
...the military supply business.
Where's the imperial commissioner? - He'll reach around 2 hours later.
Let's go in and check.
Have you found the fatal injury? -Yes. Please look.
I've never seen a wound like this.
Did I overlook something in Renshou Hall?
Check if anything is abnormal.
Master, it looks like someone tampered with this sack.
Look.
I checked with the young master yesterday.
It wasn't sealed like this.
Open it.
Master, this isn't dragon's blood.
It's dyed using rosin.
But, when I checked days ago, there was only dragon's blood.
What's going on?
Let's check the other sacks.
Master, I'm done checking.
Only the dragon's blood in this sack got swapped.
The imperial commissioner will arrive soon.
We need to get rid of this thing immediately.
I'll throw it away. - You can't throw it away.
This thing must be related to Shen Yue Sheng's death.
Master, it was most probably Shen Yue Sheng who swapped it.
Master, the imperial commissioner has arrived!
Master.
Take the back door.
My dear, how is Wu Pin?
I just bade goodbye to the imperial commissioner.
I haven't had a chance to ask.
People are saying that he killed Shen Yue Sheng.
That's not true. Don't believe it.
But, he got arrested. He might give in to the torture.
That won't happen.
Mr. Zhao is just questioning him. It's not a trial.
But, it's been a day and there isn't any news at all.
My dear, you need to find ways to save Wu Pin.
Alright. Don't worry. I've sent someone to ask.
Master. Look.
Wu Pin.
Are you alright? -Father, I'm fine.
Mother.
Let's talk inside.
Luckily, I checked again before the commissioner came.
It was a close call.
Where's the fake dragon's blood?
I instructed Yang to keep it in a safe place...
...so that we can investigate after the commissioner leaves.
If Shen Yue Sheng was the one who swapped our dragon's blood...
...the problem with the new batch of medicine...
...must have come from their family.
That's the only logical explanation.
But, who killed Shen Yue Sheng?
I don't know. But, I'm sure about one thing.
Someone is trying to set us up.
Who can it be?
I'm not sure.
We can only wait and see.
Father, even though Mr. Zhao has concluded that...
...I've nothing to do with Shen Yue Shen's death...
...it's a fact that he died in our warehouse.
We can't excuse ourselves.
Outsiders might suspect Wu Family.
What do you suggest?
If we can find the murderer...
...and prove that it was someone else who killed him...
...we can do justice to Shen Yue Sheng...
...and protect the reputation of Wu Family.
Even Mr. Zhao has no clue. How do you find the murderer?
I... I'll try and ask around.
Sir.
Kneel!
Sir, I can't believe you released Wu Pin!
He's just on bail.
But, Yue Sheng died in Wu Family's warehouse!
And that brings up the question of...
...why Shen Yue Sheng appeared in Wu Family's warehouse.
Yue Sheng must have...
mdiscovered Wu Family's dirty secrets!
So, they killed him and reported to the authority!
Shen Yue Sheng's blood had already condensed.
Clearly, he died last night.
If Shen Yue Sheng discovered VVu Family's dirty secret...
...Wu Family could have used the excuse of manslaughter...
...by claiming that they were just trying to capture a thief.
Why would they leave the corpse in their warehouse...
...and wait until this morning?
After killing Yue Sheng...
...they had to think of ways to conceal their deed.
So, they dragged it until this morning.
If they wanted to conceal the murder...
...why did they leave the corpse in their warehouse?
Isn't it better to dump the corpse in the wilds?
Sir, you are clearly taking sides with them!
I am incompetent.
I have yet to identify the murderer.
But, in this conflict between Shen Family and Wu Family...
...I dare not say that Wu Family must be innocent.
However, the death of Shen Yue Sheng is fishy.
I can't accuse Wu Family without an evidence.
How much did Wu Wei Wen offer you?
I can pay you double.
I only ask of you to be fair.
Shen Si Hai! If you are dissatisfied with myjudgemenL...
...you can appeal to the higher officials!
But, if you accuse me of abusing my authority...
...even though I am just a rank seven official...
...I value my reputation as much as my life...
...and I will not give in!
Dismiss!
Master.
What happened to that tiger you told us about that day?
Well...
...my father killed and ate that tiger.
You ate a tiger before?
What does tiger meat taste like?
Tiger meat... Young Master Pin is back.
Young Master Pin. -Young Master Pin.
Zhou Ying has been waiting for you.
You can talk to the young master while I prepare tea.
Chun Xing.
Boil this quality tea from my third uncle...
...for Zhou Ying to try.
"Tea tribute".
Is this a famous tea?
What's wrong? Am I wrong again?
"Tribute tea".
It's just the order. - Fine. You're not wrong.
Young Master Pin.
I heard about Shen Yue Sheng's death...
...and the issue surrounding the military supply business.
Are you alright?
I'm fine. -What about Wu Family?
Wu Family will be fine too.
Good. -Right.
You just reminded me of something.
Shen Yue Sheng didn't hand me your slave contract.
Now that he's dead and our families are on bad terms...
...they might make a fuss out of this matter.
For your safety, I advise you to leave quickly.
Now? -Fu Lai.
Young Master Pin. -Tell Housekeeper Yang to...
...prepare a carriage for a trip to Henan...
...tomorrow morning. - Yes, Young Master Pin.
Henan?
Isn't Henan your hometown?
Alright. I'll write a note for you.
You can go to the accountant to collect 110 taels tomorrow.
10 taels will be your travel expenses.
Don't you want to run your own small business?
You can use the 100 taels as your capital.
Right. I'll also ask Housekeeper Yang to prepare...
...some herbs, cloth and dark tea leaves...
...for you to bring back for your relatives.
What's wrong?
Are you reluctant to leave?
Don't you want to look for your brother?
Young Master Pin.
The truth is... -I know.
I know you wish to complete your studies first.
But, your slave contract is currently with Shen Family.
If they report you...
...you will be forced to return to Shen Family.
If you go back, they will...
' ' '.
...you should leave before they take action.
It's late already.
You should go to bed.
I'm going back to my room.
The tea is ready. Where is Zhou Ying?
She needs to travel tomorrow. I told her to go to bed early.
Where is she going? -She's going home.
Right. Wrap these tea leaves for her.
Also, pick a few things she like...
was well as some thick clothes for her.
It's a long journey. She might catch a cold.
Alright. Please have some tea.
"Tea tribute".
"Famous tea".
No one other than her can think of this.
Young Master Pin, I lied to you.
What are you saying?
I'm not a refugee. Henan isn't my hometown.
I don't have any mother, younger brother...
...or elder brother. I only have a foster father.
We travelled and performed for money.
What I told you before this were all lies.
Lies?
So, that man who tried to swindle me...
...isn't your brother?
I don't know him.
I saw him failing to swindle you...
...and suddenly felt nasty.
So, I took the opportunity to cheat you.
I just wanted to...
...sell that jade tag to you.
I can't believe you fooled me.
I'm sorry, Young Master Pin.
Apart from that, what else did you lie about?
Be honest.
I've never seen a tiger before.
I made up the story.
Apart from me, who else did you lie to?
That... That's a lot.
A lot?
I travelled with my foster father to make a living.
We couldn't make money without lying.
In order to survive, we had to lie all the time.
Have you hurt anyone before?
No. I've never done anything like that.
We would always stop after making enough money for shelter and food.
Why do you confess at a time like this?
You saved me...
...and took me in. You treat me so well.
I'll hate myself if I continue to lie to you.
So, I must tell you the truth.
But, how do I know...
...if you are telling the truth now?
Young Master Pin, I'm being really honest now.
I'm not lying. I swear that if I lie...
...I'll have pimples all over my face.
But, I've no money now.
I'll return what I owe you and Wu Family...
...in the future.
Can I return the money slowly?
I can sign to acknowledge my debt.
Zhou Ying.
Do you know that lying can only bring you small money?
Like the last time you cheated me...
...you only made Steels.
But, if you don't lie, you can make big money.
Big money?
How did Wu Family succeed in business?
We succeeded because we are honest and credible.
That means, we don't lie.
Do you understand?
Can you promise me that you will stop lying?
To everyone?
Of course. You must not lie no matter when, where and who.
What if it's a bad person?
If I'm pursued by a bad person...
...and I need to lie to escape, can't I lie?
What if I lie to bad people in order to help the good people?
Let me put it this way. If necessary, of course you can...
...employ a few tricks.
But, you must not lie for money.
Alright. I promise.