Episode 66
Madam Ying.
Madam Ying!
Madam Ying! -Sister Chun Xing.
Madam Ying! -Dong Mei, did you see Madam Ying?
No. -She didn't return last night.
Madam Ying! -Mother!
What happened to my mother? - Your mother disappeared.
You all will stay. I'll take him out to find her.
Yes. -Mother!
Madam Ying! -Mother! Where are you?
Mother!
Madam Ying! -Mother!
Where are you? Mother!
Madam Ying! -Mother!
Madam Ying. -Mother.
I've been searching for you, mother.
Huai Xian. -Mother.
You were nowhere to be seen. We thought you got into trouble.
I'm fine. -Your hands are cold.
I'll warm them up for you.
Mother, let's go home. You need to go to the morning meeting...
...and I need to go to school.
Alright.
Be careful.
Let's go home.
Abolish the traditional examination!
Japan is only 1/30 the size of Qing Dynasty!
It's even smaller than Hubei, Hunan, Jiangnan and Jiangbei!
They only have 1/12 of our population!
2 decades ago...
...the door of our country...
...was also opened by the western guns and cannons!
Isn't that Shen Xing Yi?
It's him.
He's known to be dead. He shouldn't attract attention.
He'll give the prince troubles.
That's not the biggest problem.
He's openly advocating a revolution.
He's going against the prince.
Should we warn Shen Family?
Shen Family isn't the only one we need to warn.
Students who go around advocating a revolution...
...are mostly from Zhengyi School.
Zhengyi School? -It's a modern school...
...opened recently.
It is said that Kang is the surname of their teacher.
He studied in Japan.
Someone like him came to my territory...
...and I had no idea at all.
Mr. Zhao, Mr. Du came.
Let him in. -Yes.
Mr. Zhao. -Mr. Du, what brought you over?
I came for a reason indeed.
Zhou Ying is preparing to build a textile factory.
Are you aware? -What?
You actually don't know?
Students and scholars are advocating a revolution...
...on the streets of Jingyang and Xi'an.
I'm too busy dealing with them.
I've no time for trivial matters like this.
Fine. Even if you were unaware...
...let me tell you a fact now.
Zhou Ying's textile factory will directly affect the profits of...
...the mechanical textile bureau.
In other words...
...she's making an enemy out of the prince.
Are you saying that we should destroy this textile factory...
...like how the mechanical textile bureau...
...destroyed Gu Yue Western Textile back then?
But, it'll be too late if we wait until it's built.
This is the best time to do it.
We need to end it before it is built.
What do you want me to do?
I want you to tell Zhou Ying to give up.
Zhou Ying won't listen to me.
But, I trust that you can make her listen to you.
Mr. Du, you don't know Zhou Ying's personality.
But, I know the prince's personality.
Let me tell you something.
The prince hates insubordination the most.
Moreover, the prince knows your relationship with Zhou Ying.
If you disregard the prince's interest...
...for Zhou Ying...
...how will the prince fee?
Mr. Zhao, your biggest strength is...
...your ability to weigh the situation.
I hope that you can keep up your good work.
Good bye.
Zhou Ying, we can tear down this textile workshop...
...and extend towards that empty land. With this...
...once our very own textile factory is completed...
...it'll be even bigger than the factory in England...
...in that picture album, let alone...
...Shaanxi Mechanical Textile Bureau.
Good. Very good.
Brother Bai Shi.
Why are you here?
I went to the east mansion. Wang Shi Jun said you are here.
So, I came over. -You came at the right time.
Give me some advice.
I'm planning to build a textile factory.
Is this land suitable?
I'm afraid...
...there'll be some troubles. -What's wrong?
Ming Li came to me. He wants me to threaten you...
...to give up on this idea.
One important reason to build this textile factory...
...is to bring down the mechanical textile bureau...
...and make him lose the prince's trust.
I know. He probably foresaw this consequence.
So, he wants to stop you at all cost.
How do you plan to stop me?
I plan to issue an order as the provincial governor...
...to disapprove the construction of your factory.
Be prepared.
Mr. Du, this is Long Sheng He's dividend...
...for the last quarter.
This is the account.
Have you settled the money for the Ministry of Revenue?
We've settled it through Ri Chang He in Beijing.
Are you sure no one will know?
The prince may rest assured. Those involved are very reliable.
Young Master Xing Yi is back.
Yes.
I've reported to you and the prince prior to this.
The prince agreed.
Yes. The prince appreciates your contribution.
So, he agreed to let him return to visit his family.
But, he didn't allow him to advocate a revolution.
A revolution?
No way.
He's only teaching in a school every day.
I saw him establishing an association...
...and printing books.
He even distributes newspapers.
He also criticises the monarchy...
...and says that the government is tyrannical.
He demands for parliament, congress and constitution...
...for democracy and separation of powers.
Is this a revolution?
This is a rebellion!
Mr. Du.
Xing Er is... Right.
Even though Xing Er is advocating a revolution...
...it is...
It is the emperor's order.
He dare not commit treason.
But, Shen Family serves the prince and not the emperor.
I'll remind Xing Er right away.
Mr. Zhao.
Shen Xing Yi.
I thought you died.
After a series of events, I came back to life...
...all thanks to your master.
Since you survived, you should hide your identity...
...and be cautious.
Why are you attracting attention?
You demonstrate, speak in public and distribute flyers.
If I've to live so cautiously forever...
...I'm better off dead.
Aren't you afraid of getting Shen Family into trouble again?
Now, I'm Kang Zhuo Wen.
Besides, the prince is extremely powerful now.
Even if someone suspects my identity...
...no one dares to accuse Shen Family of anything.
Is this school the prince's idea?
This lousy school isn't profitable.
Your master won't be interested in it.
What's your objective of building a school here?
Mr. Zhao, if you can promote industrialisation...
...to save the country...
...why can't I use education to save the country?
I'm surprised by your aspiration.
China was defeated in the First Sine-Japanese War.
Many believe that it was due to Japan's stronger weapons.
But, the truth is, Japan is strong because of education.
I saw it with my own eyes.
In Japan, everyone is educated.
Everyone is literate. Even the most ordinary people...
...can accept the most updated western knowledge.
Now, look at our effort to save the country. It's so arduous.
Apart from the government's corruption and incompetence...
...the ignorance of the civilians...
...is also an important factor.
I strongly agree with that.
For a country to be strong, she must first have talents...
...and talents are born because of education.
Shen Xing Yi, after being absurd for so many years...
...you finally did one good thing.
You've already pledged allegiance to the prince.
But, you still see this as a good thing.
We're the same. -The same?
My father is just a commoner.
It's understandable for him to give in.
But, Mr. Zhao, you are strictly a scholar...
...and yet you became so realistic.
I can't figure this out at all.
There's something I can't figure out as well.
The prince got you imprisoned...
...and took away Shen Family's fortune.
Yet, your father opened banks and companies for him.
Don't you know that the prince is extremely...
...greedy and corrupt too?
But, you still serve him.
Teacher Kang. Uncle, why are you here?
I came to talk to Mr. Kang.
I'm going to the drill. -Go.
Huai Xian called you uncle. How come?
Zhou Ying is my godsister. Of course he'll call me uncle.
She's your godsister? But, you're the prince's slave.
How could I save her if I did not become his slave?
Now I get it.
Mr. Zhao, I take back what I said.
It's alright. When Zhou Ying learnt that...
...I serve the prince, she wanted to kill me too.
What you just said is considered gentle.
Is Zhou Ying aware that you are still alive?
We met once not long ago.
Do you two plan to... - We won't meet again.
By the way, what brought you over today?
At first, I just wanted to...
...come and see the teacher of Zhengyi School.
I didn't expect to see you.
In this case, I think we can talk.
What is there to talk about?
Many years ago, we discussed about...
...how to free Shen Family from the exploitation by...
...Du Ming Li and the prince.
Back then, you tried to persuade me to join your side...
...and serve Mr. Li. Luckily, I wasn't convinced.
Yes. In just a few years after that...
...I became the prince's servant myself.
When I think back, I was indeed a little naive.
But, I gave you a suggestion back then...
...which will still benefit Shen Family today.
You can be direct.
Shen Xing Yi, let's join hands and get rid of Du Ming Li.
Why do you want to get rid of Du Ming Li?
You want to replace him in the prince's clique?
No. It's to protect Zhou Ying.
Presently, Zhou Ying is preparing to...
...build her own textile factory.
Ming Li wants to stop her from doing so.
If we look at the long term, Zhou Ying and Ming Li will...
...get into a showdown sooner or later.
Shen Xing Yi, we need your support
What do you need me to do?
Let's end it here today.
Alright.
Uncle Wei Wu.
Have you seen Brother Ze lately?
I haven't seen him again after we ate together that day.
Is he still busy with the issue of the revolution?
To be frank, I'm very worried about him now.
I've read those newspapers and flyers distributed on the streets.
Some assertions are right. But some...
I can't accept what they want to do to the emperor.
I'm worried about this child getting into trouble.
Uncle Wei Wu, don't worry too much.
I'll ask Mr. Zhao what the court intends to do.
Alright. I'll be counting on you.
Zhao Bai Shi, the emperor just issued a decree to...
...encourage private factories...
...and you ordered to ban private factories. What is this?
Defiance of order? -I dare not.
Nonsense!
The emperor seeks a revolution.
Yet, you all are going against him.
What is your objective?
I'm foolish.
Zhao Bai Shi, tell me. Did someone make you do that?
Bai Shi, we were classmates.
If you don't retract this order quickly...
...I'll have to write a memorial to the emperor...
...to impeach you.
Wu Ze, I'm so foolish.
You shouldn't spare me so easily.
You should write a memorial to the emperor to complain...
...and investigate the person who instructed me to do this.
I beg of you. The sooner, the better.
Xing Er.
Father. What are you doing here?
Father, I was planning to make a trip home to visit...
...you and mother when I've more time a few days later.
But, you came on your own.
By the way...
...I need something very important from you.
What is it?
The account books for the dividend...
...Long Sheng He received from Shen Family.
I want the record of the transaction every month.
Why do you need that?
Father, please trust me. What I'm going to do...
...will only benefit Shen Family.
I can't give it to you. -Why?
Come.
You should return to Japan immediately.
Why?
I came back to encourage a revolution.
This is the most crucial time for our revolution.
How can I go back now?
Ming Li told me that...
...the prince objects to the revolution.
Of course he objects to it.
What's the objective of the revolution?
Democracy is the objective.
We are demanding for the people's rights.
Once it's implemented, the Six Ministries...
...the Council of State and more will become powerless.
This will threaten his political power directly.
This is why you must not pursue a revolution.
Father, once we succeed in the revolution...
...the prince will no longer be powerful.
By then, Shen Family will be free.
No. This is too dangerous.
The prince will bear a grudge against us.
He can't disobey the emperor. But, he can kill us as easily...
was he kills an ant.
I'm working so hard to drive the revolution...
...because I want to change the fate of ants.
I hope that one day, no one will have the special authority...
...to kill us so easily.
Ants have their own way of living.
It's just a matter of sacrificing our money and pride.
I know the prince too well.
The slightest negligence...
...will cost the lives of the entire family.
Father, if we look from our personal point of view...
...are you sure your tolerance...
...can guarantee the safety of Shen Family forever?
If we look at the big picture...
...if the country falls, will Shen Family still exist?
What are you saying?
This isn't something you should worry about.
Can't we just keep ourselves safe?
If everyone thinks this way, this country will be doomed!
The matter of saving the country...
...and the matter of the revolution...
...is about war.
You're not allowed to get involved in this.
Father, I can do anything at all for you...
...except for this.
Xing Er.
Look.
Can you bear to let me and your mother...
...live in fear and anxiety every day?
No.
But, more importantly, I can't bear to see the people...
...live in fear and anxiety every day.
Can you bear to...
...let Ming Li continue to threaten Shen Family...
...with the fact that you are alive?
No.
But, more importantly, I can't bear to see the people...
...being enslaved and oppressed.
Xing Er.
Shen Family can't afford any trouble now.
Father, I'm doing all this...
...because I want to save all the people in this country.
I want everyone to enjoy wealth, equality and freedom.
I hope that everyone in this country...
...can be treated with respect.
You still won't listen to me.
I'll still say the same thing, father.
This is the only thing I cannot do for you.
If that's the case...
...take care, Mr. Kang. -Father.
What do you mean by that?
Over so many years...
...no matter how nasty you were...
...and no matter how many troubles you caused...
...I never gave up on you...
"because...
...you're my son.
But, if you...
...insist to carry on with your plan...
n-ql-n-
I'll be forced to...
...disown you.
Uncle Wei Wu is very worried about Wu Ze.
So, he asked me to come and ask you.
The revolution is led by the emperor himself.
Wu Ze is just working on the inevitable.
For now, he's safe.
I'm assured then.
Read this.
What is this?
A decree the emperor just issued.
The emperor reprimanded the official...
...who banned private factories...
...and threatened to punish him if he repeats it.
You're the one who got reprimanded.
Yes. In facL...
...he is directly and indirectly reprimanding the person behind me.
The prince sent me a secret order to tell me...
...not to ban private factories for now.
It looks like I've the emperor's permission...
...to build my factory.
You should take the chance to build it quickly.
Alright.
By the way, some days ago...
...I saw Shen Xing Yi.
I met him.
I thought... -Let's not talk about him.
Our relationship is a matter of the past.
Alright.
Class is over. -Thank you, teacher.
Goodbye, teacher. -See you all tomorrow.
Slow down.
Wu Huai Xian. -Teacher Kang.
Hand this to your mother. Just leave it on her table.
What is this? -She'll know when she sees it.
Keep this in mind. Don't tell her it's from me.
Goodbye, Teacher Kang.
30 years ago, Japan started bringing in western machines...
...to reel silk and weave cloth.
They built factories and spread the technology.
With the assistance of other revolutionary approaches...
"significant result was produced in just a few years.
Today, Japan has become very strong...
...due to industrialisation.
On top of terminating the humiliating contracts...
...they signed with western countries...
...they regained control over their own country...
...and became a superpower in Asia...
...and the world.
Make sure it's straight. -Alright.
"All officials shall do as instructed."
"No excuse shall be accepted...
"especially the excuse of no dispensable personnel."
If we follow the emperor's order strictly...
...how many officials do we need to dismiss in Shaanxi?
At least 300.
Did they mention what to do with the dismissed officials?
No.
Sir, although those we will have to dismiss...
...are mostly idling officials...
...if we dismiss so many at a time...
...without giving them any form of compensation...
In this case, we'll set this matter aside for now.
Sir, it's stated clearly on the emperor's order that...
...we must get it done report back in a month's time.
Else, we'll be severely punished.
What kind of revolution is this?
This pressure is too much.
In the past, we only bought machines to make cloth.
Now that we've learnt about...
...the tricks of the Japanese factories...
...we must copy them. -Right.
Zhou Ying.
Brother Ze.
When will your textile factory's operation start?
We plan to stan the operation a month later.
Why? I thought the machines have arrived.
We need to install them. -Yes.
The workers need to be trained. All divisions...
...need to learn how to cooperate. It's a lot of work.
This won't do. You all must...
...start the operation within 10 days.
We must see the result of the emperor's order.
Brother Ze, that's too soon.
Of course it has to be soon.
The emperor specially issued an order for your factory...
...in order to set an example...
...for all viceroys and governors in the country.
But, it's been 2 months and we haven't seen any result.
How do I explain to the emperor?
But, running a factory is not a small matter.
There's a lot of work to do.
It can't be settled in a few days. -Yes.
You're giving us a hard time.
Uncle Wei Quan.
The revolution itself is hard.
If you want a relaxed life, forget about the revolution...
...and eat your noodles. -You...
Wu Ze, how could you talk to your uncle like that?
Anyway, I've warned you.
Start the operation before the 15th this month...
...or I'll ask the emperor to cancel your tax incentives.
I'll also sue you all...
...for abusing the government's policy...
...to gain fame.
I dare you to! -You...
Let's go. -What attitude is this?
He...
Brother Wei Wu!
Uncle Wei Wu. -Help!
Help! -Madam Ying! What's wrong?
Escort my uncle. -What happened?
Master Wei Wu.
There's so much? -Sir.
I already set aside the less urgent ones.
These are the most urgent ones.
Sir!
Sir, Mrs. Wu came.
You came at the right time. I just received a few orders to...
...build some business associations and so.
Give me some advices...
...on handling these. -I came to get help from you.
What's the matter?
Wu Ze demands us to open our factory within 10 days.
This is impossible. We haven't even finished...
"installing all the machines.
Wu Ze again. -Mr. Zhao!
Mr. Zhao, bad news. -What's the matter?
The educational commissioner is surrounded by over 100...
"students and scholars. -Why?
Traditional exam is abolished. Now, they demand to turn all...
...Confucianist temples into modern schools.
The students have nothing better to do.
How did it come to this?
The people who advocate a revolution...
...don't know the sufferings of the people.
They only know how to do the talk.
Their intention is good.
Even the officials...
...who originally supported the revolution...
...are starting to get develop aversion to the revolutionists...
...let alone the blue bloods...
...who have always been opposed to the revolution.
That means... -Enough said.
Let me rescue the educational commissioner first.
By the way, if there's a chance...
...please advise Wu Ze to hold back.
Else, the situation might go out of control.
I... If you've a chance...
...try to advise him too.
Alright. Let's go.
Wu Ze.
Wu Ze. -You came at the right time.
We need to talk. - Everyone on this list...
...must be dismissed immediately.
Why? I've been investigating since I came.
These people either obstruct the...
...implementation of the new policies...
...or delay the execution of the tasks. Especially that...
meducational commissioner. It's been a month and there's...
...still no progress in building modern schools.
I'll have to speak for him.
He's not allocated money or human resources.
What can you expect?
You're defending him? - I'm not defending him.
He was almost beaten up because of the new policy today.
We're not delaying the execution of tasks.
We're doing our best.
If you all don't change the old bureaucratic methods...
...of course you all can't adapt. -But now...
...orders for changes...
...come almost every day. Sometimes, we even receive...
...more than 10 orders in a day.
There are business, education and military affairs.
Even I can't handle all these.
Why do you expect from those below us...
...and ordinary civilians?
Wu Ze.
Can you all be flexible with this?
Like how?
In my opinion, you all can temporarily...
...stop changing the laws.
Just... -That won't do.
Just change one pan first. -Zhao Bai Shi.
You must not harbour such thoughts.
Listen. The revolution...
...is now or never.
It's go big or go home.
If you do this, things will go haywire in less than 3 months!
Yes! That's what we want!
What did you say?
Chaos...
...will lead to order.
Wu Ze.
Use your head.
How do we change the problems developed...
...over centuries overnight?
Zhao Bai Shi, don't find excuses for your laziness!
You're clearly opposed to the revolution.
What makes you say so? - Dismiss them to prove yourself!
I cannot do so.
Will you dismiss them or not?
No.
Fine.
I'll write a memorial to the emperor immediately...
...and complain that you're going against me...
...and obstructing the revolution.
Don't blame me for disregarding our relationship...
...as classmates and brothers-in-law later.
Suit yourself.
Uncle Wei Quan, are you sure...
...Mr. Zhao got dismissed? -Yes.
I heard that Wu Ze is the one behind it.
What? Brother Ze must be crazy.
Exactly. -Where's Uncle Wei Wu?
He got so angry that he ran off to confront Wu Ze.
Wu Ze!
Father, what brought you over?
Wu Ze, forget about the revolution. Go home with me.
Father, this is a decisive period.
How can I go home at a time like this?
Wu Ze.
All historical figures who advocated changes...
...like Shang Yang, Wu Qi and Wang An Shi...
...all failed.
Father, I'm not like them.
Look. You abolished the traditional exam...
...and dismissed so many officials.
You caused so many problems and offended so many people.
You even dismissed a good official like Zhao Bai Shi.
Now, what exactly do you want?
Father, Zhao Bai Shi is an important official.
Yet, he's stubborn and unwise. He went against me.
I impeached him because I'm a fair person.
Is this a revolution?
You're clearly just trying to get rid of...
...the people who don't do as you say!
Escort the guest!
Wu Ze, are you going to oust your own father?
Father, I'm very busy. I need to write a few memorials.
By the way, how's the textile factory?
If the operation doesn't start before the 15th of this month...
...and the emperor asks me about the situation in Shaanxi...
...I'll have to blame it on Zhou Ying.
I dare you to!
Listen, Wu Ze.
If you dare to do anything to Zhou Ying...
Master! -Father.
Master! Get help! -Father!
Hurry! Master!