Episode 72
Father. Mother.
Grandmother. Brother Yue Sheng.
I'm back.
I must overthrow Qing Dynasty...
...and defeat the prince to avenge you all.
I knew that you would surely come back.
I too knew that you would wait for me here.
You once swore that...
...you will marry me.
Now, I'm right before you.
Are you really willing to marry me?
I've always been willing to marry you.
If you marry me, you won't have good days.
If I'm with you, every day is a good day.
You might lose your life.
You are my life.
Alright. I'll marry you.
From now on...
...I'm your wife and you're my husband.
Dead or alive, we'll be together forever.
It's a promise.
We'll never be apart again.
Never apart again.
Let's go out and watch the fireworks.
It's time I leave.
You're leaving already?
I'm actually here all this while.
Do you know? The bounty on your head...
...has been raised to 20,000 taels.
I heard that Wu Family is now the richest family in Shaanxi.
Xing Yi, you must...
...be careful.
You too. You must take care.
By the way...
...this is something I haven't been able to accomplish.
I hope you can help me to accomplish it.
Unless we succeed in this revolution...
...I don't think I'll contact you again.
When will your revolution succeed?
I don't know.
But, I believe that it will be a success.
Mr. Zhao.
There's a letter for you.
"Brother Bai Shi...
...by the time you read this letter...
...I have joined the insurgents."
"I will entrust you with the account book...
...left behind by my late father."
"I believe the content will be of great help to you."
"You are a loyal official."
"We both wish to save the country and the people."
“Unfortunately, we have to walk separate paths.“
"I have lost my family."
"I shall devote my life to the revolution."
"Even if I manage to return alive...
...it will take more than a decade's time."
"There is only one person I am worried about."
"I am aware that...
...you have always loved her deeply."
"Yet, your principles...
...do not allow you to follow your heart."
"After all these ups and downs in life...
...I realised that morals and virtues...
...are not as important as the person you love.“
"My relationship with her has come to an end."
"On the other hand, you can stay with her...
...until forever."
"As such, please treasure your chance and time."
Look, Madam Ying.
We're walking in from the front door.
The field is in front. The classrooms are beside...
...the field.
The canteen is behind the classrooms.
There's a school building at this side of the canteen.
The school building for the students is here.
The teachers' office is beside.
The construction will be based on this blueprint.
Good. There's no need to save money for me.
Use the best materials.
Let everyone in Jingyang know that...
...being a student in the girls' school...
...is something to be very proud of.
I understand. I'll go back to my work.
Let me see the blueprint.
The buildings and the field. -Mr. Zhao.
The field is here.
The canteen.
Brother Bai Shi.
I heard that you plan to build a girls' school.
There aren't many schools in Jingyang.
Many boys don't get to go to school.
Why are you building a girls' school first?
I think educating girls...
...is actually more important than educating boys.
That's because you're a woman. So, you find women more important.
That's not the only reason.
A boy's knowledge will only benefit himself.
But, a girl will become a mother and the backbone or pillar of...
...a family.
So, her knowledge will benefit the whole family...
...and even the entire ethnic.
Is this Shen Xing Yi's idea?
He came back after Shen Si Hai died.
You met him and even sent him away.
No matter how reckless you are, you shouldn't put the lives of...
...the household members of Wu Family...
This is the last time.
Really?
I'm afraid...
...we won't meet again.
Brother Bai Shi, there's something...
...I haven't been able to figure out.
When I was jailed, I was only sentenced to deferred execution.
Why was Shen Si Hai executed immediately?
He secretly contacted an imperial censor...
...in attempt to hand the evidence to the empress dowager.
But, he trusted the wrong person...
...and the prince soon found out.
The prince struck first and silenced him.
What evidence? -Since its establishment...
...due to higher interest, Ri Chang He...
mabsorbed a lot of the nobles' savings...
...especially after they issued the deposit vouchers.
The prince didn't just deposit his own savings there.
He also used the Ministry of Revenue's cash...
...to profit from the interest.
Shen Si Hai had an account book that...
...that records everything.
Where is this account book now?
It's with me.
Shen Xing Yi sent it to me.
What do you plan to do next?
I'll find a good chance to bring it to light.
Madam Ying. Mr. Zhao. Housekeeper Wang said...
...he needs you to decide on the construction materials.
Alright.
I need to go.
Madam Ying, the girls' school is...
"estimated to be completed latest by half a month later.
How's the recruitment of teachers?
We will hire about 10 teachers.
4 teachers have replied and agreed to take the job.
Among them, 3 teachers called our girls' school...
...an unprecedented feat.
What about the enrollment?
It's been 3 days since we pasted the notice.
But, no one came for registration.
There's not even one?
Is our requirement too high?
As you instructed, all women are eligible...
...regardless of locality, age, background...
...and marital status. Our requirement is actually...
...too low.
Is it because promotion isn't adequate?
Er Hu and I led people to paste the notice everywhere in Jingyang.
Everyone has received the news.
What's the reason then?
Some people believe that ignorance is women's virtue.
Some say that women don't need education...
...as they only need good husbands.
That's why no one came for the registration.
Let's go out and take a look. -Alright.
Come and see. This will be Jingyang's first girls' school.
All women are eligible regardless of locality and age.
Do you want to sign up?
Our girls' school is currently accepting students.
Age and background don't matter. -Consider it.
Consider it. There's no age limit.
Come and take a look. -Yes, it's new.
Come and take a look. Register yourself.
Girl, why don't you sign up?
Being literate will only benefit you.
Madam Ying is different. She's from a famous family.
Girl, do you want to learn to write and calculate?
Yes. Register yourself.
Let our teachers teach you.
Alright. -Come.
Is it expensive? -No.
If your family is poor, we can waive some fees.
I'll sign up. -Alright.
Can you write your name?
No. -Tell him your name.
He'll write your name for you.
My name is Ying Zhao Di. -Zhao Di.
Why did you sneak off? Let's go home.
Mother. -Let's go.
It's been the same for days.
Even if someone is interested, she'll be forcibly taken away.
Some people even criticise us for spreading bad influence.
Some even threatened to throw rotten vegetables at us.
Madam Ying, why don't we give up on the girls' school?
On top of spending money...
...we'll have to be criticised.
Yes. It's a waste of money and energy...
...and people don't like it.
Maybe we should just open a normal school.
If we do that, people might praise you.
Yes. That's a good idea.
Excuse me. What are you all doing?
Qian Hong. -We're recruiting students.
Students for what? -We're opening a girls' school.
A girls' school?
Can I register myself? -You?
What's wrong? Am I not eligible? - Of course you're eligible.
But, you're pregnant. You should be resting at home.
Sister Ying, let me tell you something.
Back in the brothel, my rival, Ms. Wan Zi...
...wasn't as pretty or curvy as me.
I was the better singer too.
Yet, her service was more expensive.
Why? Because she can write and recite poems.
This is my lifetime regret.
Now that I've the chance, of course I can't miss it.
Right? -Sister Qian Hong.
Do you plan to return to the brothel?
What are you saying?
Am I not allowed to make myself better?
I'm sorry. You can. -Hurry up.
Sister Ying, I must sigh up for this. Write my name.
Alright. -But...
Write her name. -Write my name. Qian Hong.
Qian Hong.
I need to go back and tell Han San Chun the good news.
See you. You can have this.
Bye .
Finally, someone signed up.
But, it turned out to be Sister Qian Hong.
I think we need to change our method...
...to encourage enrollment. -How?
First of all, we must let everyone see...
...why it is good for women to be literate.
Ladies and gentlemen!
Wu Family of the east mansion is hiring!
Don't miss the opportunity! Come and take a look!
Wu Family is hiring! Don't miss this opportunity!
Wu Family is opening a new shop and a hiring shopkeeper.
The annual salary and dividend sums up to 10,000 taels per year!
Yes! Look carefully! It's 10,000 taels!
I heard that their present shopkeepers...
...only make 8,000 taels per year.
I'll go! -Me too!
Read carefully. They want a literate person...
...who can also socialise and do calculations.
Are you qualified? -Are you qualified?
Why not? I can do it. -I'm eligible.
Most importantly, they want a female shopkeeper.
Yes. Woman only. Read carefully.
How can a woman be a shopkeeper? -Don't say that.
Wu Family's leader, Madam Ying, is a woman.
The empress dowager is woman too. -He's right.
So, we're all ineligible?
What a pity. -Maybe the women in our family.
But, women can't be shopkeepers. - We're talking about 10,000 taels.
But, my wife is illiterate. - My two daughters...
...can't read or write either.
I should have sent my younger sister to school.
It's not too late yet. -Yes.
Our girls' school will open soon.
The students can graduate in 3 years.
By then, they can become Wu Family's shopkeepers...
...and earn 10,000 taels.
10,000 taels? -How do we sign up?
It's stated here.
The registration counter is at the main outlet of Yu Long Quan.
It's just over there. Go and check it out.
Hurry. -Hurry.
Go.
So far, 20 women have signed up.
This isn't enough. According to our plan...
...we need at least 20 students for the first batch.
I've a suggestion. Brother Xiao Wu and I...
...can go to other cities...
...and expand the target area. -Yes.
Xiao Wu, help me to compile a name list.
I want to know if the girls in the families of...
...our shopkeepers, workers and agents signed up.
I want to know why they don't want to sign up.
Alright.
It's time to drink your medicine.
Li Chang Wen. -Madam Ying.
What brought you over?
I came to visit you all. -Get up.
No. It's alright. -Sit down.
Continue writing. Don't worry.
My home is so small and run-down.
I've nothing to serve.
Madam Ying. -Don't get up.
Let me take care of her.
Madam Ying, please sit here. -Don't worry about me.
Thanks.
Xiu Ying, serve water.
Madam Ying, have some water. -Thank you.
Come. Sit down.
How old is Xiu Ying? - She's turning 10 years old.
10 years old?
Do you know that we're opening a girls' school?
Yes. -Why don't you register for her?
L---
For girls from poor families, our school...
...will waive all the fees. So, don't worry about money.
Madam Ying, it's not that I don't want to let her study.
But, look at our situation.
I work in the textile factory all day.
My son has to study...
...and my wife is bedridden.
So, I can only count on Xiu Ying...
...to do the household chores.
So, thanks for the kind offer.
I've a suggestion. I'll give you a subsidy of 2 taels per month.
You can hire a domestic helper.
Will you let Xiu Ying go to school?
But...
If 2 taels isn't enough, I'll give you 3 taels.
Since you've said so, of course I've no objection.
Sure.
Not bad. Mr. Tong, you've quite a nice mansion.
It's all thanks to you.
Without you, I wouldn't be able to afford a house like this.
Your house will be even bigger in the future.
I'll be in your care.
Madam Ying, please come in.
Madam Ying, please sit down.
Madam Ying, this is new tea produced this year.
Compared to the Golden Flower Dark Tea...
...it has another kind of fragrance. Try it.
Not bad.
By the way...
...can you let me have more western textiles...
...for the next half of the year?
The demand is so high that...
...our workers are working extra hours.
We really can't handle the demand.
Madam Ying, I beg of you. I really need more supply.
I'll ask Wang Shi Jun. - Thank you so much.
By the way, Mr. Tong...
...I heard you have a 9-year-old daughter.
Why don't you send her to our girls' school?
School?
It's not good for a girl to appear in public...
...and learn from male teachers.
Even though I'm just a small business owner...
...I don't want to be ridiculed.
Mr. Tong, what do you mean by that?
L---
According to your logic...
...a person who works all day like me...
...and interact with men every day...
...should be the most shameful person in Jingyang.
No. Madam Ying, that's not what I meant.
Since you look down on me...
...there's no need for us to work together.
Madam Ying. No. I'm sorry. I was wrong.
I was too clumsy. I...
You're not clumsy. You're narrow-minded.
Yes. You're right. I'll surely reflect properly.
If you really mean it, go to the girls' school...
...and sign up for your daughter tomorrow.
But...
Don't come and collect the textiles.
I won't sell you western textiles anymore.
Madam Ying. Please rest assured.
I'll register for my daughter tomorrow morning.
That's more like it.
Please have a seat.
Mr. Zhao, what brought you over today?
Uncle Wei Quan.
I've a personal request. - Tell me about it.
Uncle Wei Quan, I came to propose.
I love Zhou Ying.
You are the eldest in Wu Family now.
I hope you can approve of this.
Move this chair to the principal's room.
These are for the classrooms. -Alright.
Chun Xing, this is for the teachers' office.
Teachers' office? Alright.
Brother Bai Shi, I was about to go to you.
We need a plaque for our girls' school.
I want you to write it for us.
You can write it yourself.
My handwriting is ugly. You're good at calligraphy.
You're the best candidate for this. Don't turn me down.
Chun Xing, get the writing tools. -Yes.
Let's go.
Come here.
Good. It's too good.
I'll send someone to carve a plaque with this.
Wait. -By the way...
...our school will open on the 1st day of the next month.
You must come.
You must wear your governor's suit.
This way, we'll be respected...
...and we won't have a hard time recruiting students.
Alright. -It's a promise.
Do you have something to say to me?
No. You can go back to your work.
Alright. Chun Xing.
Coming! -Come here.
You missed. Again.
You caught me. My grandson is so smart
Uncle Wei Quan. Aunt. -Mother.
Zhou Ying. Chun Xing.
Take Huai Xian to another place to play.
We need to talk to Zhou Ying. -Yes.
Young Master Huai Xian. -Go play with the big sisters.
Why don't we go inside?
No. This place will do. -No.
Sit down. -Alright.
Zhou Ying, Zhao Bai Shi visited me today.
He came to propose.
He wants to marry you.
What?
What did you say?
If I'm still the old me, even if he's the governor...
...I'll surely beat him up and oust him.
But now, the world has changed.
It's no longer unacceptable for a widow to remarry.
Besides, you've done so much for Wu Family.
It'll be cruel if we continue to confine you.
Besides, we can all see that Mr. Zhao loves you.
I've discussed with my wife.
We approve of this marriage.
Zhou Ying, it's been over 10 years.
Your mother-in-law and I know what you've been through.
I talked to your mother-in-law. She asked me to tell you that...
...Mr. Zhao is a good man and that you are free to...
...decide whether to marry him or not.
She won't interfere.
This... What is this? -Zhou Ying.
If you're worried about the oath you made in...
...the family temple, I'll take responsibility for that.
I've written the letter of divorce.
Your mother-in-law and I already signed it.
Zhou Ying, from now on...
...you're no longer a member of Wu Family.
Your oath doesn't count anymore.
Uncle Wei Quan, this... -Zhou Ying.
You're free now. -Girl, marry Mr. Zhao.
Don't be so alone in this world.
This... What's going on?
Why aren't you going in?
I haven't decided.
Why are you doing this?
Why can't I do this?
I thought you hated me.
That's a long, long time ago.
But, I think... -Haven't you noticed that...
...I later on started admiring you more...
...respecting you more...
...and loving you more and more?
Brother Bai Shi. -I hope that from now on...
...you'll stop calling me your brother.
When you stole your mother-in-law's money...
...and I ordered to have you spanked...
...that was when...
...my feelings for you changed.
When the east mansion was attacked...
...I was worried sick. But, I didn't notice that...
...I already fell in love.
But, when Han San Chun took you to his bandits' den...
...I suddenly realised that...
...I'm hopelessly in love with you.
Yet, because of rites and public opinion...
...I did not dare to cross the line...
...even though I love you deeply.
But now, the world has changed.
Traditions have become burdens and restrictions.
The only thing that remains the same...
...is my heart that wants to protect you and take care of you.
Brother Bai Shi, I know that you've been very nice to me.
But, I never thought... - Everyone can tell that...
...I've feelings for you.
You're the only one oblivious of it.
Everyone?
Other than to save my career...
...Wu Yi framed you also because of jealousy.
The account book Shen Xing Yi sent me...
...came with a letter.
He wants me to take care of you.
Zhou Ying.
Marry me.
I've never thought of this.
You can start now. You can take your time.
I won't pressure you.
You're the governor of Shaanxi and Gansu.
How can you be squatting here with me?
I don't care as long as I can be with you.