Year 4 of Jiaqing Era
Lunar New Year's Eve
Justice and Benevolence
Emperor Jiaqing
Emperor Qianlong
Covered in blessings.
Thank you, Father.
Thank you.
Get up.
The closing stroke was a bit weak.
Come on over...
Yes, Father.
Very powerful.
To whom do you mean to bestow it?
No ministers can beat General Agui in military conquests.
He is the one that deserves it.
Agui does stand out in military accomplishments.
However, when it comes to administration and pushing reforms,
Grand Secretary Heshen's contribution shouldn't be overlooked.
Father, you are right.
He indeed has done a lot in the three years since my ascension to the throne.
He should have my calligraphy.
Very good indeed...
It is the New Year's Eve.
It means spring is on the doorstep. Isn't it auspicious?
May prosperity and harmony spread to every corner of the land.
Emperor Emeritu's wish will come true.
Father, blessed by your benevolent reign,
the Qing reign will have everlasting peace and prosperity.
Good... I have presents for you all.
Yonglin has gone to fetch Noble Consort Dowager Ying back to the capital.
Have his delivered to his mansion.
Your Majesty, there are two left.
Should they be delivered to Grand
Secretary Heshen and General Agui as usual?
Aye.
Father, I have a present for you.
Jade piece from Dali...
Preserved orange peel...
Sable gown...
I am pleased with them all...
Your Majesty, the gift from Mongolia is thoughtful indeed.
It is for you to enjoy your butter tea.
It is a Ru ware in sky blue glaze. It's worth a fortune.
Butter tea sure will taste better in it.
Any more?
Your Majesty, Grand Secretary Heshen insisted that I hand it to you in person.
He sure knows my heart...
Heshen's Villa
Grand Secretary Heshen, greetings...
You are mistaken.
My master is waiting over there.
Bao, see them over.
Grand Secretary Heshen has a villa to match his lofty position.
It's said besides his mansion, he has a dozen villas.
His mansion is as big as the palace.
You can't pay him a visit at will.
You just don't know which villa he's in.
We are led here, it's because of the East India Company.
No wonder it is said...
You only need to kowtow to the Emperor of Qing,
but you need to wait in line to kowtow to Heshen.
Grand Secretary Heshen, at your service...
Gentlemen, what brought you here?
Grand Secretary Heshen, the governor-general of East India Company
chanced upon a treasure in Rome.
He would like you to have it.
Our company would like to expand our trade with the Qing empire.
Grand Secretary Heshen, you have the ear of the emperor.
What about opening up Fujian...
There was a man named Liu Huai in Fujian.
It was year 24 of Qianlong Era.
Hong Renhui of your company slipped into the capital.
He had the nerve to petition His Majesty for the repeal of the Canton System.
His Majesty was furious.
Hong was thrown of the land.
The one who wrote his petition was beheaded.
The man was Liu Huai.
You now ask for the reopening of the Fujian maritime customs?
It's simply impossible.
But since you came all the way to see me,
I won't let you go back empty-handed.
This place Fengting used to be a port of call when the customs was in operation.
I can have it reopen for trade.
One million taels of silver?
Ten million.
Ten million?
The annual income of the Fujian maritime customs would only be five million!
Do you hear it?
Grand Secretary Heshen...
Carry on.
When it comes to number crunching,
I am second to none.
If you want to do business in Qing,
be you the King of England, you still have to play by my rules.
We go back to get the money...
You are smart.
Thank you...
So greedy! He asked for so much!
It's impossible to work with him!
Bullshit! Shut your mouth!
Please forgive me...
Didn't you hear me?
Play by my rules if you want to do business here.
Get out!
May we be excused?
Changjia Agui
General Agui, a present from Emperor Emeritus.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Chang Goong Goong, thank you too.
General Agui, I wish you a prosperous new year.
You too.
Thank you.
Master, you were given a new set of purple reins every year.
Emperor Emeritus really has you in his heart.
He's too kind. I can't be more grateful.
Grand Secretary Heshen, Happy New Year...
You all have worked hard.
I promise you great fortune and good health in the coming year!
Thank you...
Please sit...
Honourable Li, any good news?
What you said was carried out.
A new salt mine has gone into operation in Sichuan.
The annual income amounts to 600 thousand taels.
Good!
Reward him!
What about you?
Qi Lin, leader of the White Lotus Sect in Xiangyang was captured.
His men of 9000 have all surrendered.
That's right. Qi Lin is thrown into our dungeon.
He can't get away even if he has wings.
You both did a good job.
Reward them!
Honourable Cheng...
Yes...
What have you done lately?
Embankments in Huai'an, Yangzhou, Taizhou, Yancheng and Tongzhou were reinforced.
I can guarantee there won't be flooding in the coming ten years.
Honourable Cheng, well done indeed.
Reward him!
Anymore debriefings?
Grand Secretary Heshen, I shipped 2 million
catties of Yunnan copper to the capital...
Hold it! Two million catties?
Yes, Your Honor.
What about this year's total production?
Seven million.
Five million went into local coin minting.
The rest was shipped to the capital.
It's said Yunnan copper is the best in quality.
Wealthy regions like Fujian, Zhejiang or Guangdong
are willing to pay in premium for copper destined for the capital.
I expect some loss along the way.
But you said this year's production was seven million catties.
Five million went into local consumption.
The rest was shipped to the capital.
So, not even a catty has gone to other provinces?
Please forgive me...
I don't mind you wetting your beak.
However, you can't do it behind my back!
Please forgive me... It won't happen again.
Get up.
I give you a second chance.
Cough up what you have pocketed.
Thank you for sparing me.
Am I not leading you on an easy path to wealth?
Why should you seek a shortcut on your own?
It's getting late.
Go home for the New Year's Eve reunion.
Yes, Grand Secretary Heshen...
Confidential
Everything's ready.
It is make or break this evening.
I set out right away.
I'll succeed or die trying!
Be very careful. It is a pivotal mission.
I understand, Grandpa.
Grand Secretary Heshen, at your service...
At ease.
Here you are, red packets for the New Year...
Well, do you have anything interesting to tell me in return?
Yes...
You first!
It's weird. Shenwu Gate was thrown open last night.
We are still looking for the culprit.
Good! Here you are.
My turn...
Hear mine! I sell cosmetics at city west.
Yesterday a monk came and bought a lot of stuff from me...
A monk?
Something's not right.
He probably bought them for a nun...
Your Honor, mine is strange indeed.
The lady boss of Nuanchun Court told me.
Some north-westerners came and chartered her brothel seven days ago.
However, they never went out of their rooms
They didn't drink,
nor had they touched the girls...
The lady boss should replace all his girls.
My turn...
The arch in Mishi Street suddenly fell down this morning.
It was fine last night when I passed by.
It's not struck by lightning.
It had no termite problem either.
You call this intelligence?
It's just a red packet bait.
Be quiet...
Tell me once again.
Shenwu Gate was thrown open,
Some northwesterners have chartered Nuanchun Court.
The arch in Mishi Street fell on its own.
Reward them all...
Thank you...
It's a trap...
Chase! Let not one slip away!
Yes...
You are still alive! Heaven has no eyes.
Agui, you have Shenwu gate opened
to make me think there's an attempt on His Majesty's life.
You meant to have me killed on my way to the palace.
You had the arch torn down to make it easier to guess my route.
But I am blessed.
Your plan has failed.
Heaven may have spared you, I won't!
Time is against me.
If it were twenty years earlier,
I would have chopped you into pieces.
You are second to none when it comes to military conquests.
You have my respect.
Do not insult me with your respect.
Fire!
Your Majesty, we'll meet again very soon.
Agui, how wicked of you!
To the palace to save His Majesty...
Your Majesty, the cloak is from General Agui.
Water transport in Tianjin suffered some setbacks last month.
Money was appropriated to Fuchang'an for canal improvement.
How come there is still no memorial from him?
Your Majesty, today is New Year's Eve,
give yourself a break.
It's snowing.
What about going out for the sight?
Snow came late this year...
No... it's not yet midnight.
The timely snow means a bumper harvest next year.
I do hope so.
I wish a peaceful and thriving year for my reign.
Yes...
Do you have another line?
Yes...
The cloak is a bit too warm...
What?
Your Majesty, watch out!
Protect His Majesty...
Highnesses, greetings...
Highness, Mianning, finally...
I had been waiting here for you.
You are so eager.
You came early every year.
Lighting lanterns is our New Year celebration custom.
I had been looking forward for it.
Mianning, what is your wish? Let me write it down for you.
Thank you, but no.
I wrote it down already.
What is your wish for the New Year?
I am one year older.
I hope my mother in heaven will still recognize me.
Her spirit in heaven is watching over you.
How will she not recognize you?
That's good!
My late mother died early.
It's my good fortune I have you to take care of me.
You can be rest assured.
Both your mothers love you very much.
Sire is here...
Sire, greetings...
Father, greetings...
It's a family reunion. At ease.
Mianning...
Father, now that you are here,
we can light the lanterns to make our wishes.
Good! Let me write mine...
Good...
You alright?
Sire... it's serious...
What is it?
Sire, it's Emperor Emeritus...
Father, butter tea has the soothing effect.
Grand Secretary Heshen asks for an audience...
It's my fault, I came too late.
What has it got to do with you?
Get up.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
When I was on my way here,
I overheard something about bad omen.
Your Majesty was almost hurt.
I admonished them on the spot.
It was strange indeed.
I still can't figure out why my cloak would go into flames.
I was told the details.
I dare say it's a conspiracy.
Cao Goong Goong, please rub it hard.
Harder.
Your Majesty, Sire, do you see it?
It's exactly what happened.
What was it about?
Your Majesty, it's white phosphorus powder.
White phosphorus powder?
It bursts into flames when heated.
It's obvious the cloak was sprinkled with this powder.
It would burst into flames when Your Majesty get close to a lamp.
Cao Goong Goong had this burning sensation
because his hands came into contact with the powder when he put the cloak on you.
It's not some bad omen.
It's a conspiracy to harm Your Majesty.
It's our fault...
Who was behind it?
Who had this nerve?
Cao Goong Goong, whom was the cloak from?
It's General Agui...
Heshen, how did you know Agui wanted to kill me?
I was ambushed when I was on my way to the palace.
The men were sent by Agui.
I went to confront him.
When he saw that I was still alive,
he sent out a signal for your assassination.
I didn't know it's through the cloak.
Your Majesty was given a fright.
It's my fault.
He had long wanted you dead.
I failed to come in time.
Your Majesty was given a fright.
He finally put it into action.
His Majesty, he's a traitor!
He's dead. Don't say ill of him.
Cao Jinxi, have his portrait taken down.
Aye.
He had the nerve to do such a wicked thing!
He may be dead,
his accomplices are still at large.
Your Majesty, should we...
Let it go...
Heshen...
Aye...
Today is New Year's Eve, go home to your family.
May I be excused?
The corrupt lives to enjoy his wealth,
the loyal took his own life.
You were a loyal subject.
I understand why you couldn't tolerate my doings.
But as my friend, why couldn't you indulge this old man some partiality?
Sire, at your service.
At ease.
Thank you, Sire.
Grand Secretary Heshen, how's Father?
Sire, you can be rest assured.
His Majesty has seen them all and survived them all.
What's a little conspiracy to him?
Indeed.
However, conspirators are a different story
Indeed, human hearts are fickle.
How true. I never expected it from Agui.
Sire, you've learned about it already?
Are you suggesting you may know more than I do?
Not in the least.
Who do you think are his accomplices?
I dare not make wild guesses.
But I'll gather evidence to have the culprits duly punished.
I wish you success.
Do you know the cosmological symbolism behind the Forbidden City?
It's a sphere over a square.
They each are regulated by its rules.
Everything or everybody between the sky and the earth has to abide by the rules.
Not everyone.
Grand Secretary Heshen, you are the exception.
Sire, you flattered me.
It's the auspicious hour for ancestral offerings.
I should go home to my family.
Sire, you shouldn't suffer me any longer.
May I be excused?
Fengxian Hall
Sire arriving
Sire, at your service...
At ease...
Thank you. Sire.
Is Father alright?
We got news of an assassination attempt.
Is Father alright?
How is he?
Since you are so well informed.
You should have known he's alive and well.
Since when has the security of the Forbidden City become so lax?
It shouldn't have happened.
What's the Imperial Household doing?
Grand Secretary Heshen almost botched it.
It can't be tolerated.
Let me go to Yangxin Hall to see Father.
He should put Imperial Household in my charge.
Halt!
Father has had a long day. He's tired.
Leave him alone.
Sire, it's the auspicious hour for ancestral offerings.
If it's missed, it's not a good omen.
I'll host it in Father's stead.
But...
Are you disobeying me?
Not in the least.
Inform Miss Doukou...
Uncle Quan, how's it? Any captives?
We chased the men to a cliff.
They fought to the very last.
They all jumped to their deaths.
Don't take it for granted.
Look for them.
I want to see bodies.
Yes.
Agui, killing yourself doesn't mean it's over.
I won't give up so easily.
Master...
Time's up. Put down your final bid.
Li room has the highest bid.
Others may leave.
Memorial
Congratulations.
This is our rule.
It's for reading only. Don't touch it.
Sire has yet to read this memorial.
It's totally worth it!
Miss Doukou, thank you.
I am sorry, you were kept waiting.
If it is waiting for you, I am willing.
So many things have happened.
You still have the mood to crack jokes.
I worried about you for nothing.
Someone cares about me.
I heard that someone had a brush with death.
You can tell I am alive and kicking.
Every part intact?
You can feel me over to find out.
Dirty!
Even if I am, it's to you only.
Now that the reunion dinner is done,
you mean to send me away with this pearl almond tea.
I am not sending you away.
I am letting you go.
You should go home for the reunion dinner.
News of your ambush has spread out.
They must worry about you.
Go home.
I should have let Agui chop me into two.
One half can go home,
the other half stays here...
Don't say such things.
Alright, I shut up.
I'll go after I've finished the almond tea.
Be careful, alright?
Many people can't wait to see me dead.
I myself can't bear to die so soon.
Not before you have married me.
What's written here are the auspicious days in the coming year.
Agui cut it into pieces.
The coming year is probably not good for betrothal.
Disappointed?
Should I ask for your hand here and now?
Try me.
I know you won't say yes before I have carried out my promise.
There is nothing too difficult for me.
I'll ask for your hand again next year.
We'll see.
Now go home.
Miss Doukou, I wish you a prosperous new year.
Grand Secretary Heshen, I wish you one advancement after another.
Good...
Heshen's Mansion
Grand Secretary Heshen...
Hello all...
Grand Secretary Heshen, you alright?
If I were not, I wouldn't have been here.
It's said there were attempts on yours and Emperor Emeritu's life.
I feel so ill at ease.
Do you have any counter moves?
What do you want me to do?
Grand Secretary Heshen, my cavalry battalion
are ready to enter the capital anytime!
Mind what you say in public.
It's getting late. Go home to your families
See you.
Yes, Your Honor...
Milord...
Grandpa...
Good boy...
Please sit.
Fu'en, what about sitting with me?
Yes...
Go to Grandpa...
Let me touch your beard...
My beard? Sure...
Fu'en, Heshen's eldest grandson
Fun?
Yes...
Let's dig in.
Fu'en, what do you like to have?
A prawn...
Good...
Milord, let's wait for Fengshen-Yinde.
So, there are people busier than I am.
Fengshen-Yinde, Heshen's eldest son
Father...
Good boy.
Madam Mei, Madam Qinglian, Madam Nalan...
Uncle Quan.
Fu'en is hungry. Let's dig in.
Have your red packets first...
One for each.
Milord, have a peaceful new year.
You've worked hard.
Thank you.
Highness...
Father, have an auspicious year.
Fu'en...
Thank you, Grandpa.
Uncle Quan...
Master, good fortune to you.
May you all safe and sound.
You too...
Good boy! Another one for you.
What have I taught you? We can't be greedy.
Just a red packet for auspiciousness.
Fu'en, take it.
Thank you, Grandpa.
Good boy.
We are all present. Dig in.
The dishes are getting cold. Dig in...
What?
Not even for auspiciousness?
You know how stubborn your son is.
You always want him to be an upright man, that he won't go with the flow.
Your wish is granted.
We father and son are like strangers.
So close and so far.
He'll understand you in time.
I can command anyone in the country, except my own son.
Western bitter tea again?
It's coffee.
You are tired.
Yet we shouldn't sleep on New Year's Eve...
Coffee can keep you awake.
The westerner of East India Company mumbled in English on his way out today.
I knew it couldn't be anything good.
I retorted with the lines you taught me.
Bullshit! Shut your mouth!
Don't laugh.
I then said, get out!
They all said sorry to me.
What's your tone when you said it?
I had your exact look.
I stared at them hard.
Well done!
Since you gave them a good scolding,
should we return their present?
Present and scolding are two different things.
If they are so petty, they aren't worthy to be my trade partners.
I'll go to court for a new year visit in a few days.
I'll present the music box to Royal Noble Consort Rui.
I'm sure she'll like it.
As you see fit.
Uncle Quan has sent them home.
Good...
Milord, we can finally enjoy the snow in peace.
Milord, what's it?
I don't know.
Saddle my horse.
Grand Secretary Heshen...
Where's Emperor Emeritus?
The Manchus were horsemen.
They saw military achievements highly.
Purple reins and Sabre
were given to distinguished generals.
Agui was granted purple reins
in year 41 of Qianlong Era.
Heshen got his when he was 39 years old.