Episode 71
It was Zha Kun who killed Shen Yue Sheng?
We thought Shen Si Hai approached Du Ming Li...
...to seek help from the prince...
...in order to avenge Shen Yue Sheng...
...and that led to Wu Family's downfall.
But, after reading the letter Ming Li left behind...
...it turned out that it was the prince's plan...
...to bring down Wu Wei Wen in order to topple General Zuo.
It's just that Shen Si Hai happened to...
...volunteer to serve him at that time.
So, even if Shen Si Hai...
...did not wrongly accuse my father-in-law...
...the prince would still frame Wu Family for something.
The case of Shen Yue Sheng's murder has been solved and closed.
I finally ended the mystery.
All these years, Wu Family of the east mansion...
...has been suspected of murder...
...and I've always felt bad about Shen Yue Sheng's death.
I believe the souls of Wu Pin and Shen Yue Sheng in heaven...
...will be very thankful to you.
Chun Xing!
I have a box that contains Wu Pin's stuffs.
Where is it? -The usual place.
Take it out. Hurry.
Give it to me.
Fu Lai!
Zha Kun was there too? -Yes.
That quiet bodyguard was there.
I remember that he almost got into a fight with Master Han.
Why?
Zha Kun reared an eagle.
That eagle did something all of a sudden.
Master Han thought Zha Kun wanted to attack the young master.
So, Master Han took out his weapon.
Zha Kun was shocked. He took out his weapon too.
Then, it turned out to be a misunderstanding.
They continued to talk and drink.
Is this the weapon Zha Kun used back then?
Yes. The young master was very interested in this.
He even asked a few questions.
He shouldn't have asked.
Now I know why Ming Li...
...killed Wu Pin.
I was one step away from my revenge against Shen Si Hai.
But, I gave up.
I believe that if you are alive...
...you will support my decision.
Your death has finally been explained.
Even though Ming Li is still on the loose...
...you may rest assured.
We will get our revenge very soon.
Brother Wei Wen.
I hereby swear to you that...
...I will surely avenge you and Yue Sheng.
Mr. Shen.
The prince is powerful and influential.
It won't be easy to avenge...
...my father and Shen Yue Sheng.
Yes.
I'm just an ant.
But, he is bullying me like this.
Even an ant...
...will have to fight back.
It can't be worse than death.
But, even if I die...
...and become a ghost...
...I'll still get my revenge.
Master.
We're done returning the savings...
...and honouring the vouchers of small account holders.
Thank you for the hard work.
Master, this is what you want.
As you instructed, all details of transactions...
...in all of the prince's accounts...
...since the opening of Ri Chang He...
...including the source of every payment...
...is clearly recorded here.
Brother Bai Shi, is there any news of Ming Li?
No. But, as you expected...
...after you told Ming Li your plan...
...he started secretly contacting Zhang Zhang Qing.
We found this letter Zhang Zhang Qing wrote to him...
...in Long Sheng He.
There's no actual content.
There's only pleasantry.
But, this is enough to prove Ming Li's intention...
...to betray the prince.
The prince is furious. He ordered to kill him.
Where is Zhang Zhang Qing? -Lujiang, Hefei.
Ming Li must have headed over.
Yes.
Today, the only person in Qing Dynasty who can save him...
...is Mr. Li, the prince's rival.
We must not let Mr. Li take Ming Li in.
I'm planning to submit a secret memorial...
...to suggest that the empress dowager appoint...
...the prince's 15-year-old son, Pu Jun, as the crown prince and...
...heir of Emperor Tongzhi.
If the prince's son becomes the crown prince...
...I believe that others will make a wise choice.
But, the prince...
...will become even more powerful.
If he comes to this position, he will fall sooner and harder.
Power attracts jealousy and suspicion.
If he threatens the ruler, he will get into deep trouble.
Brother Bai Shi, you're actually so sly.
I'm no longer the old Zhao Bai Shi.
I've sealed everything found in Long Sheng He...
...and sent them to the capital.
I've settled the officials around Jingyang.
No one will bring up this case.
As for Ming Li, I convicted him of a crime.
The Ministry of Justice has issued an arrest warrant.
He can't get away.
I'll report your meritorious service...
was soon as I return to the capital.
That's unnecessary. I'm just doing my job.
By the way, Mr. Wen...
...there might be something more to...
...a certain decree issued recently.
Which one?
The decree the emperor issued about...
...paying his respect to the empress dowager.
"On New Year's day next year, I shall head to Ningshou Suite...
...and pay my respect to the empress dowager."
"All nobles and officials shall pay their respect to her...
...from outside of Huangji Gate."
“After the banquet, ...
...the next day, I shall head to Qianqing Suite...
...to receive the officials' greetings."
What can you tell from this?
It feels like the empress dowager is still hesitant.
She hasn't decided on whether to dethrone or not.
You are very observant indeed.
Is the empress dowager hesitant...
...because of the westerners' approach?
Yes.
By right, the decision should be made...
...in the first half of the year.
But, until now, it's still a stalemate.
Because of this, the prince has been restless.
We can't press for it.
But, if we don't press for it, the delay might ruin everything.
I have an idea.
Tell me about it. -In Song Dynasty...
...Emperor Renzong did not have a prince.
So, he picked a capable nephew...
...and raised the child in the palace.
This child later on became Emperor Yingzong.
That's a good idea.
It's a very flexible plan.
With this, the prince can get what he wants...
...without offending the westerners.
It's just that it'll be a little later.
That's still better than...
...allowing this stalemate to continue.
Alright. Go and write a memorial quickly.
I'll take it to the prince.
You can submit it if the prince agrees.
Alright.
Mr. Zhao, if it goes well...
...I believe you will be promoted to the position of...
...Governor of Shaanxi and Gansu.
Put down the palanquin!
Lower the palanquin.
Sir, someone is waiting for you in the main hall.
Who?
An old friend?
Old friend?
Mr. Zhao has arrived.
It's been a long while.
You're getting better at calligraphy.
Mr. Zhang.
Are you surprised? - What brought you over...
...at this hour?
"It is almost as hard for friends to meet...
was for the morning and evening stars."
"What a night this has been...
...for us to share this candlelight."
Back then, we met on a night in early spring.
Yes. It was 20 years ago.
You were fledgling while I was proud of my success.
But now, you are at the peak of your career...
...while I am at the dusk of my life.
To me, you're still very fit.
Bai Shi, it looks like you don't acknowledge me...
...as your teacher anymore.
You must be still angry with me...
...because of the matter of the mechanical textile bureau.
I had no choice back then.
Bai Shi, even though I am your teachen...
...I genuinely admire you.
Back then, you decisively switched sides...
...and pledged allegiance to the prince.
In just 5 years, you became Governor of Shaanxi and Gansu.
Someone fought so hard all his life...
...and only became Governor of Liangguang.
Sadly, after doing my best to serve him...
...today...
...I have nothing at all.
You can't say that.
You were also very influential back then.
After the First Sine-Japanese War...
...he blamed me for wrong judgements...
...and decisions and started neglecting me.
To outsiders, it seems like he trusts me.
Yet, he left to take office as Governor of Liangguang...
...and left me in Hefei.
He claims that it's to let me recuperate.
But, the truth is, he intends to abandon me.
It's just that he can't say it out because...
...I've sewed him for long.
You're exceptionally talented. I'm sure you'll be appreciated.
Bai Shi, to be frank...
...I came because of this.
Is that so? What makes you say so?
If we look at the current political situation...
...although the emperor is the official supreme ruler...
...we all know that he doesn't have the power.
The empress dowager is already 66 years old.
She'll probably pass away in a few years.
Once the crown prince succeeds to the throne...
...the prince will become the prince regent.
So? -I heard that the prince...
...is recruiting talents.
I studied "Han Fei Zi" at 6 years old...
..."Long and Short Classics" at 7 years old...
..."Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance" at 8 years old...
...and "Stratagems of Prime Ministers" at 9 years old.
I might not be successful...
...but I know politics very well.
I was the one behind Mr. Li's success.
I know very well how capable you are...
...when it comes to manipulating.
Bai Shi.
Considering the fact that we are teacher and student...
...recommend me to the prince.
I thought you came to reminisce.
To my surprise, you're here to apply for a job.
I also came to help you.
Help me? -Look.
You joined the prince late.
No matter how capable you are, the prince doesn't trust you...
...as much as he trusts those near him.
The prince is very unpredictable.
He doesn't even spare any mercy for...
...his trusted aide, Du Ming Li.
You're all alone at the prince's side.
No one will speak for you.
If you recommend me to the prince...
...besides sewing the prince together...
...we can help each other out.
Once the crown prince ascends the throne...
...we'll reap fame and wealth.
That's tempting.
But...
But, you were Mr. Li's advisor.
I'm afraid the prince won't trust you so easily.
Even a man who wants to join a gang of bandits...
...needs to offer something in exchange for his membership.
I prepared a gift for the prince.
You will also be given credit for this.
What is this gift?
Du Ming Li. -Du Ming Li is with you?
After he fled Jingyang, he knew that Mr. Li is...
...the only person who can save him now.
So, he brought something...
...to me.
I think he's a trump card...
...that should be reserved for better use.
So, I told him that Mr. Li is busy at the moment...
...and made him stay in Hefei.
If that's the case...
...there won't be a problem. - This is Imperial Censor Jiang.
Mr. Jiang.
Mr. Shen, I heard you have something important...
...to report to me.
What might it be?
Mr. Jiang.
If an official is guilty of a crime...
...do you dare to report him?
I'm a censor.
I must honestly report...
...what I see and hear about...
...corruption in governance...
...and the people's sufferings.
What if this person is an influential official?
I impeached even Prince Gong. Who would I fear?
Mr. Jiang, you are truly brave.
Let me pay my respect to you.
The prince has arrived!
Greetings, sir.
The prince replied.
What did he say?
At first, the prince was worried about you...
...trying to deceive him.
But, after learning that...
...you are planning to hand him Du Ming Li...
...he was very pleased.
Du Ming Li is a huge threat...
...to the prince. -Yes.
The prince said that if you turn that fellow in...
...he'll give you anything you want.
When can I meet the prince...
...and hand him Du Ming Li personally?
The prince won't meet you yet. -Why?
He told me to pass you a message.
If you really wish to serve him...
...you should continue to stay with Li...
...as this is the best thing you can do now.
The prince wants me to be his spy.
He needs to know everything about his enemy.
It's not a bad plan.
It's just that it doesn't feel good...
...to be a spy.
Mr. Zhang, just bear with it for half a year.
There'll be good news 6 months later.
6 months?
Alright. I'll wait.
Mr. Zhang, I've an advice for you.
Regardless of the effort you put in...
...to serve the prince...
...he'll never trust you completely.
So, you need to be very cautious.
I know.
Actually, Li...
...is the same. Be it the prince, Mr. Li...
...the revolutionists or the conservatives...
...they are actually all the same.
Are you saying that if the prince loses power...
...you still won't hesitate to leave him?
Bai Shi, we've known each other for 20 years.
I can be frank with you.
When a tree is about to fall, the monkeys will all run away.
It is our intuition to serve a better leader.
I'm enlightened.
Ming Li and I have known each other for 15 years.
We sewed different people. We once cooperated...
...and enjoyed competing with each other.
Now, I am leaving the dark side for light...
...while he's cornered into leaving light for darkness.
Life is unpredictable.
So, you cooperated with him in the case of the military supply...
...involving Wu Family of the east mansion?
Yes. The case of the military supply...
...was about to be concluded...
...when you brought me the bag of fake dragon's blood.
Then, Ming Li came up with Shen Si Hai's testimony...
...and Wu Wei Wen was ultimately convicted.
How did Wu Wei Wen died? - Wu Wei Wen could have lived.
Ming Li stated a condition. If Wu Wei Wen would accuse...
...General Zuo of accepting commission...
...for the loans from western countries...
...his life would be spared. But, Wu Wei Wen...
...firmly refused to do so. As a result, he lost his life.
It was reported that he died due to a sudden illness.
I heard that there was more to Wu Wei Wen's death.
Did he died because of the torture?
No. He was silenced by someone.
Wu Wei Wen protected him with his life.
But, what did he gain in the end?
He went as far as to use unscrupulous methods.
In the end, he managed to save himself.
But, a few months later...
...he still died in his office in Fuzhou.
So, he was being wishful.
I see.
So, we should just follow our hearts...
...and treasure the present.
Where is Du Ming Li?
The prince ordered me to arrest him personally.
He's in my private mansion in my hometown. I'll lead you.
It's me.
Mr. Zhang.
Ming Li, pack up and leave with me.
Where to? -Guangzhou.
Mr. Li wants to see me? -Yes.
Mr. Li wants to meet you in person.
Bring the gift you prepared for Mr. Li.
Alright. Thank you for helping me.
Hurry.
Mr. Zhang, how many days will it take...
...for us to reach Guangzhou?
About 5-6 days. - Will we be safe?
Don't worry. I was away the past few days...
...to plan this trip.
Even though we're just travelling in a carriage...
...there are many men secretly guarding us outside...
...along the journey.
What's wrong?
Something must be wrong with my breakfast today.
Stop! I need to relieve myself!
Please wait for a while.
Eunuch Du, I've been waiting for you.
Come down.
Zhang Zhang Qing betrayed me?
Who else?
The prince ordered me to send you to the capital.
You know how the prince...
...punishes traitors.
Zhang Zhang Qing must be the person you hate the most...
...at this point.
You entrusted your life to him.
Yet, he is offering you to the prince as a gift...
...in order to seek refuge in the prince.
He's now dreaming about his future glory...
...in the second room at the east wing.
I'll give you a chance.
You can kill him to avenge yourself.
Ming Li!
Zhang Zhang Qing!
Go on and dream of your fame and fortune!
"The army of Han...
...has conquered our land."
"We are surrounded by soldiers singing...
...songs of Chu
I'm sorry, Mr. Zhang.
My men are incompetent. Ming Li escaped.
He's such a weird fellow. Instead of running away...
...he came here for revenge.
It turned out that...
...the cruelest person...
...is you.
As a teachen...
...this is the last thing you taught me.
You... You weren't like this.
Yes.
I was once righteous, kind and patriotic
But, I couldn't even protect the person I love.
She was framed and imprisoned. Yet, there was nothing I could do.
Since then, I changed.
Sire.
These are the things Ming Li carried with him.
You may retire. -Yes.
Come!
Sir. -Seal this box...
...and this letter.
Secretly send them to the capital alongside...
...the corpses of Zhang and Du. -Yes.
Brother Bai Shi.
When did you return? -I just arrived.
I haven't even changed my clothes.
Did it go well?
Ming Li is dead. You have gotten your revenge.
It's been hard on you.
I finally fulfilled half of my promised.
Thank you.
You look unhappy.
The real mastermind...
...is still having the time of his life as a prince.
Don't worry. Heaven won't let him go unpunished.
Bad people will pay for their deeds one day.
Why should we count on heaven for justice?
Why are they still fine despite the bad things they did?
Aren't nobles supposed to follow the laws too?
Why is it that we can't expose their crimes...
...and punish them according to the country's laws?
Our powerful prince turned out to be so despicable.
Why should we support a government like this?
The emperor and empress dowager are still wise.
It looks like Shen Xing Yi is right.
Sister Ying, you must not say that.
Else, you'll be treated as a rebel as well.
Brother Bai Shi, we've known each other...
...for over a decade.
You're still so pedantic and conservative.
Actually, I've already betrayed my younger self.
It's just that you don't know.
I can't tell at all.
How are you different from your old self?
Master!
Master! -What's wrong?
Many soldiers came and surrounded the mansion!
Sir, what's going on? -Don't move!
What's going on? -I'm ordered by the prince...
...to seal off Shen Si Hai's residence.
Whoever resists shall be punished on the spot!
Go! -Sir! We're innocent!
Move! -Where is Shen Si Hai? Move!
What's the crime? - Collusion with westerners.
Who led the soldiers over? - An imperial commissioner...
...from the capital.
An imperial commissioner again.
The prince's man? -Yes.
What happened to Wu Family 20 years ago...
...is happening to Shen Family.
Madam Ying, I just received news that...
...at noon yesterday...
...Shen Si Hai was beheaded at the market.
After collecting Shen Si Hai's body...
"Mrs. Shen hanged herself.
Madam Ying.
You spared Shen Family.
But, retribution did not spare them.
What about him?
There's no news of him.