I'm getting on.
I've taken this route for so many years,
I feel tired.
Another year has passed. Time really flies.
Your Majesty, I wish you a most auspicious New Year,
with peace and harmony over the land.
Good...
Qianqing Palace...
Heaven which by it is bright and pure,
Earth rendered thereby firm and sure...
It's never easy to be a ruler...
Shouldn't it be 108 chimes?
How come the New Year Bell ringing stopped half way?
Stopped?
Not to you?
Your Majesty...
Day 1 of the Lunar New Year Yangxin Hall
His Majesty is getting on and weak in constitution.
The fright last night impacted his blood circulation and so he vomited blood.
He's given fortified restoration decoction.
He will be fine after some rest.
Get up.
Father, how do you feel?
The first thing I took in the New Year was a decoction.
It means it'll be a bitter year for me.
No. Good medicine tastes bitter.
After the bitter comes the sweet.
Your Majesty, look!
How caring of you!
It's your favourite liquorice plum.
Right...
It'll soon be time for the morning audience.
Go back for some rest.
May I be excused?
Heshen, you stay behind.
Aye.
Do you remember your promise to me?
I won! Thank you...
Here you are...
I lost again! I quit!
Day 1 of the Lunar New Year
and I had to clean up the blood Emperor Emeritus threw up.
Bad luck is with me.
Stop grumbling.
What about Emperor Emeritus's cloak went into flames on its own?
Wasn't it weird?
Misfortune is a blessing in disguise!
Shut up! Or I'll ask Emperor Emeritus to come and give you a killing!
Alright!
Your Majesty, greetings...
You underlings had the nerve to bring Emperor Emeritus up in your jokes?
Do you all want to be beheaded?
Your Majesty, please forgive us...
Today is the first day of the New Year, let them off.
Your lives are spared, but not your punishment.
Now you should gamble with His Majesty.
If you won, you'll get silver.
If you lost, you will be sent packing!
Your Majesty...
Good...
Four and five are nine. Nine is a lucky number...
Lucky number...
Good...
Oh...
Your Majesty, thank you...
Reshuffle...
Normally, those underlings are invariably servile.
They showed their true colours on the gambling table.
I saw greed, worry, and impatience...
Heshen, you are smart.
You refused to gamble with me.
I failed to see your true character.
In your Jiangnan trip many years ago,
I was your gambling partner in your first pai gow game.
Have you forgotten about it?
As for my true character, I am loyal.
How shameless...
You look unhappy since your return from Yangxin Hall.
Are you worrying about Emperor Emeritus?
He's getting on.
The fright has taken a toll on his constitution.
If I knew medicine, I could him.
With his accomplishments, heaven will ensure him good fortune and longevity.
If heaven has eyes, we would have seen the corrupt got their just deserts,
instead of the loyal taking the
drastic step to harm Father.
The truth is still not known.
With His Majesty indisposed,
court affairs rest with you.
You should take good care of yourself.
Don't get upset.
Alright, I listen to you.
It's said peach-blossom trees are blooming.
Let's go for the flowers and spend some time with other consorts.
No more vexations.
Emperor Emeritus is getting on.
Vomiting blood can't be taken lightly.
If he really retires this time,
We'll see court intrigues.
Concubine Hua, Jiaqing's concubine Concubine Hui, Jiaqing's concubine
Do you mean... Sire will take on Grand Secretary Heshen?
Heshen has been riding on Emperor Emeritu's coattails.
He not only holds sway in court,
he doesn't even give Sire his due respect.
Once Sire is in power,
it is reckoning time for his foes.
The first to go will be this thorn by his side.
Exactly! Heshen is so powerful,
it's said foreign emissaries call him vice emperor in private.
His existence undermines Sire's rule.
We consorts and concubines too feel his humiliation.
What nerve!
What now?
Court affairs is a forbidden subject in the imperial harem.
You've violated our ancestral teaching.
You asked for it!
Well done!
Sire, greetings! Highness, greetings!
You had the nerve!
Who are you to discuss court happenings?
How outrageous!
It won't happen again! Please forgive me...
You are grounded for three months for introspection.
Sire...
Sire is already lenient. Be Grateful!
Sire, she didn't mean it.
It's the new year. Be lenient with her.
What do you think?
No monthly allowance for three months as a warning.
What do you think?
Good.
You take care of the imperial harem.
Thank Her Highness.
Sire, thank you.
Highness, thank you.
Sire, it is the new year's eve.
I have fortune pastries made for the vigil.
It means auspiciousness for the new year.
No, thanks. I'm tired.
Let's go back.
Aye.
Sire, take care. Highness, take care.
His Majesty, Sire arriving...
The first day of the new year ushers in a prosperous start,
and longevity for Your Majesties and eternal reign for Qing.
At ease.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Ji Yun
Serve tea...
Thank you, Sire.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
The declaration.
Your Majesty may begin...
The new year ushers in prosperity...
And...
Your Majesty...
Father...
Your Majesty...
Summon the imperial physicians...
Father...
What ails Father? How serious is it? When can he recover?
It's a rare disease.
We need to discuss it further...
Or have another joint consultation...
It's ridiculous!
Sire, forgive us...
Father...
Cut them some slack.
I just passed out.
The courtiers are filled with anxieties.
You are the emperor.
You can't panic.
You should first put the courtier's minds at ease.
Yes, Father.
May I be excused.
Listen!
Cure His Majesty or your heads will roll!
Aye.
How's Father?
Prince Yongxuan, His Majesty has come to.
He's fully conscious but still weak.
He needs a good rest.
He vomited blood last night.
He passed out this morning.
His illness must be serious.
What did the physicians say?
Something vague about his being old and weak in constitution and so on.
Nonsense!
They wouldn't tell the truth.
It seems Father's days are numbered.
We need to take the preemptive strike.
We take the throne by force!
The time has not come yet.
Highness, don't be impetuous.
Do you know Zhugui has sneaked out of Anhui?
He's on his way to the capital.
It's just a day after Agui's demise.
He's already on his way.
I am sure he's in collusion with Liu Yong and his clique.
He's summoned back.
He brings no troops with him.
Sire wants his advices.
Though he comes back alone,
he can order his men in Anhui to come to the capital.
We need to take the preemptive strike.
We have him killed outside the capital.
Highness, think before you act.
Don't get yourself into trouble.
What if Xiajing knows I am behind it?
Say no more!
Order Helin and Fuchang'an to bring their troops here to overthrow Jiaqing!
Firstly, has Sire made any grievous mistakes?
What is your excuse for overthrowing him?
Even if it worked, what then?
How could you convince the courtiers and the people?
Moreover, what about his son Mianning?
You are not the direct successor.
This hasty action will only make you a traitor.
Do you really want everlasting infamy?
I can kill Miannang as well.
That makes my succession legitimate.
I have always been looked down by Father and Jiaqing.
I have had enough!
I can't wait anymore!
It's not up to you to say when!
Grand Secretary Heshen, since when you've become so timid?
I once said there would be no coup so long as His Majesty is alive.
I'll accommodate Sire unless my back is against the wall,
What do you mean?
Honor your loyalty at my expense?
Prince Yongxuan, get this straight.
I don't need you to take on Jiaqing.
You need me to get you the throne.
I am the kingmaker.
Highness, we don't know how ill His Majesty's is.
Just bide your time.
I am not against a palace revolt.
It has to be thoroughly planned.
We are on the same boat.
We share weal and woe together.
If we are of one mind and be cautious,
we won't fail.
Highness, you can be rest assured.
I'll live to see you on the throne.
Master, we have checked.
Everyone in Agui's household took poison after his treason attempt was blown.
There are no survivors.
Zhugui
Agui...
Agui... you promised me a three-day long drinking party upon my return.
Why didn't you honor your word?
He committed treason.
He meant to assassinate His Majesty and me.
It's not possible!
Corrupt rascal, you framed him!
It's fully supported by evidence.
No one framed him.
He killed himself out of guilt.
Why? Heaven has no eyes!
Why Agui was the one dead?
You the rascal are left to ruin the country
There's no justice!
Honorable Zhugui, behave yourself.
Sire has ordered Agui's house sealed up.
Please don't make troubles here.
Since you rushed all the way back to pay him respects,
I let you stay for a bit longer.
Brother, your spirit rest in peace.
We'll complete your work for you.
It's outrageous!
Though Father's death would mean the demise of Heshen...
it's still unforgivable!
Our consensus was to have Heshen killed on new year's eve.
Success or failure, you would wait for my return for the following move.
How could you let Agui take the drastic action?
He died in vain!
He never discussed it with us.
If I had known, it wouldn't have happened.
I understand Agui's thinking.
It's lucky Father survived it unscathed.
I'll clear Agui's name when the time comes.
Sire, His Majesty vomited blood last night.
How is he doing?
His condition is stabilized.
But he's getting on, I am worried...
Our enemies are still in power.
The assassination took us a year to prepare.
Not only was it a failure,
our enemies are now alerted.
Heshen must have acted.
He and Prince Yongxuan have been getting close.
He may put his weight behind Prince Yongxuan.
He can be discounted.
I do worry about Heshen joining force with Helin and Fuchang'an.
They have Li Shiyao and Suling'a in court as their inside help.
Our only option is to liaise with anti-Heshen courtiers.
We each submit a memorial to report on Heshen's wrongdoings as a record.
Once we have gathered evidence,
I can order for his arrest and then go from there.
Aye...
Sire, you should forbid sickbed visits from courtiers.
By so doing we can stop Heshen from having His Majesty's ear.
Sire, it's reported Grand Secretary Heshen
has taken His Majority out of Forbidden City
Their whereabouts is not known.
How outrageous!
The mountain range just goes on and on...
Heshen, let me ask you,
will the Qing reign just be as everlasting?
Of course!
The Qing reign is mere hundred years old.
From a modest start it has grown into a great empire
under the rules of Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong.
Your Majesty, you alone have achieved ten victories.
With such a solid foundation,
the Qing reign will keep on thriving and growing.
It's a pity we people can't achieve immortality.
However great one's achievements, they won't last.
I am now standing on the land...
I'll soon be buried below it.
The Qing empire is expansive.
I still mean to visit the Argun River, the Pamir Mountains and Sakhalin with you.
Don't be pessimistic.
Your Majesty, your health will return, you will have longevity.
Heshen, do you remember Zhang Tingyu?
Of course. He had served three emperors.
He was trusted by late Sire and promised a place in the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
He became cocky and kept throwing it at Your Majesty.
He earned your reprimand.
He had the wit to ask for my forgiveness and his life was spared.
He could go back to his hometown for retirement.
Confucius says we should guard against three vices.
Zhang committed the third vice, covetousness in old age.
He almost ruined his own name.
Know your limits as a subject.
Do not boast your achievements after your retirement,
don't ask for reward for your achievements.
It's the way to survive officialdom.
Your Majesty, I won't forget your teachings
I do hope so.
Isn't it Fuchang'an's troops down there?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Since you are here, why not pay him a visit
Good idea...
Commander-in-chief...
Fuchang'an
Grand Secretary Heshen...
Fuchang'an...
Get up...
Thank you, Your Majesty...
Heshen...
I thought Your Majesty would like
to visit
Commander Fuchang'an's troops to boost morale,
so I informed Commander to have it arranged.
It's said Your Majesty was indisposed.
Was the journey too tiring?
I could use some exercise. It's not tiring at all.
You and your brother used to come back every new year to see me.
You have ceased to do so after your brother's accident.
I have been stationed out of town or out to war in these few years.
I couldn't pay Your Majesty a visit, please forgive me.
You were safeguarding the country. It's laudable.
Commander, it's the new year.
How do your troops celebrate it?
Go...
Fuchang'an, what's his name?
Botuo'e.
Harder...
Bravo...
Fuchang'an, let me compete with you.
If you win, you and your men will have a prize.
Your Majesty, no...
Your Majesty, you aren't fully recovered. Don't over-exert yourself.
Your Majesty, mind your health...
Hush...
Pull your punches...
Got it...
Fuchang'an, whoever pulls his punches is cheating me. Got it?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty...
Go!
Pull...
Your Majesty...
Your Majesty, are you alright?
I'm fine.
Nothing will happen to me with Heshen around.
Your Majesty lost because of us.
It's our fault.
What fault? It's just a game.
Get up...
Your Majesty, what about taking a rest inside?
Alright.
Fuchang'an, you and your men come claim your prize later.
Aye...
Your Majesty...
He's Nima-Cidan, a well-known Tibetan physician.
Mr Nima, you have treated many rare cases.
What ails His Majesty?
Your Majesty, forgive me.
Your Majesty, it's known to us
Tibetan as the monpa poison.
Poison?
It's made from the bile of white-headed snake.
As it is very pungent, it's usually mixed with strong tea or rich soup.
Your Majesty, has you taken any strong tea or rich soup?
No. I have taken nothing except tonic prescribed by the imperial physicians,
ker-gawl or ginseng tea.
The initial symptom of monpa poisoning is the temporary loss of hearing
of certain sounds.
Your Majesty, did it happen to you before the vomiting of blood?
How's His Majesty's condition?
The red line has not extended far from the wrist.
It means the poisoning is not that serious.
The red line will extend to the inner elbow and the shoulder as it worsens.
When it reaches the danzhong acupoint in the chest, it is fatal.
How can it be cured?
The folk remedy is the decoction of red bezoar stone powder, rough melic,
Burmann's sundew, Jacobean lily, pangolin scale and rhino horn.
However, red bezoar stone can only be found at the bottom of the South Sea.
Money makes the world go around.
There is nothing money can't buy.
Fuchang'an, this is my order.
Aye...
You are an excellent commander-in-chief.
You share weal and woe with your men.
You are now assigned the safeguarding of Gansu.
You and your troops set out in two days.
Your Majesty, what have I done wrong?
It's a reward. You should thank Your Majesty for it.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Cao Jinxi...
His Majesty leaving...
Your Majesty, take care...
It's His Majesty's carriage. Give way!
We are on Sire's order to escort His Majesty back.
I don't mean to go back yet. Give way!
Your Majesty...
Honorable Zhugui, do you mean to disobey His Majesty?
Give way...
Heshen's Mansion
Madam Mei...
His Majesty arriving...
Your Majesty, welcome.
Your Majesty, greetings...
Father, greetings...
Shuangshuang, good...
At ease... Get up...
Thank you, Your Majesty...
Don't stand on ceremony.
Come on, sit down.
I happened to pass here on my trip out.
I had this sudden urge to see my daughter and grandson.
It's just a family visit.
I heard that you had not been in good health.
Are you better now?
Isn't His Majesty the Old Man of Ten Victories?
What is some ailment to him?
I am fine. Don't worry about it.
Grandfather...
Fu'en...
Grandfather, greetings...
Fu'en, good boy...
You have grown taller.
Fu'en, let us play Chasing the Dragon's Tail...
Good...
Your Majesty, at your service...
Sire, greetings...
Father, you alright?
I'm fine.
You haven't fully recovered.
Going out is too exerting for you.
Go back for some rest with me.
I want to spend some more time here.
Let me have the guest room prepared for Your Majesty's rest.
Good...
The northerly wind is blowing hard.
Father, you are still ill.
If you catch a cold, it be my fault.
I understand your filial piety.
I've seen all the people I wanted to see.
Cao Jinxi, let's go back.
Aye.
His Majesty leaving...
Yongyan, I won't go out again. Don't worry.
Father, go to bed early.
Xiaodezi...
Proceed...
Sire leaving...
Year 1 of Jiaqing Era
Treasure of Jiaqing
It's said in the Classics of Rites, There cannot be two suns in the sky.
What do you think?
Father, Qing has never been stronger under your reign.
Two suns in the sky is the manifestation
of your accomplishments.
It's a sign of good fortune.
It's a thin line between complementing with or competing against each other.
Father, you are a veteran ruler. You are as bright as the sun at noon.
I am new to the throne. I'm like the rising sun.
There is no comparison.
Moreover, Father put me on the throne.
There's no competition at all.
I am still coming short in many ways.
I need to the ropes from you.
What will you do when the sun is overshadowed by a cloud?
I want a piece of red bezoar stone from South Sea, regardless of price.
Whoever has it can get this chest of gold.
Please...
None of them is bezoar stone.
Seller in Dui room please stay. Others may go.
Gentleman, who is this man?
He knows where to get a piece of bezoar stone.
He's an old eunuch.
Grand Secretary Heshen, please stop...
The imperial harem is a forbidden zone, no trespassing allowed.
Please stop...
Highness, help...
You are excused.
Aye...
Grand Secretary Heshen, how outrageous!
This trespassing is punishable by death!
Highness, do you have a hairpin made of red bezoar stone?
Please, grant it to me. It's for saving a life!
I learned it from an old eunuch.
It's among the tribute from Tibet.
His Majesty later gave it to Her Highness.
I am here to ask for her generosity.
You think His Majesty is poisoned just because a Tibetan physician said so?
Were you born yesterday or do you think I was?
His Majesty's symptoms fit the Tibetan physician's description.
It's supported by medical books.
The red line on His Majesty's arm is a proof of poisoning.
Alright. Summon him here. Let me ask him in person.
He's gone back to Tibet to look for the antidote.
I don't know his whereabouts.
If what you said is true, His Majesty was poisoned.
Who did it now that Agui was dead.
His Majesty is getting on,
his accomplishments unparalleled,
who would want him dead?
Indeed.
It's not easy to get close to His Majesty,
let alone poisoning him with this rare poison.
The perpetrator is evil indeed.
Heshen, you are Father's confidant.
Do you have any ideas?
I am too stupid to see any clues.
Maybe...
Grand Secretary Heshen, what?
Maybe some of my foes can't stand His Majesty being partial to me.
They think that I'll become a sitting duck once my backer is down.
If it's true, Father is paying the price of your wicked deed.
Sire, yes, we don't know if bezoar stone can save His Majesty.
However, if His Majesty really was poisoned
we should give it a try.
Heshen, I don't believe what you said.
However, for Father's sake, I will give it a try.
Listen! If Father's illness is worsened instead,
you will be held accountable!
I am willing to bet with my life.
Sire, the decoction is done.
Father, the decoction is made with red bezoar stone.
Heshen said it's a Tibetan folk remedy.
It's the antidote for your ailment.
Sire, did the decoction work?
Father experienced chest pain and dizziness after taking it.
Heshen, what did you give him?
Antidote...
Or poison?
Taihe Hall
the highest building in the capital
during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
It's where ascension to the throne,
coronation of the empress,
and appointment of heir apparent were held.
The dragon throne inside,
the elephant, crane and other decors
symbolized social stability
and everlasting reign.