If you won't sit for the exam
I will not put the flag back
And I will not practice again
You have something to talk with me?
I am not good with words
Unlike you, you could back up with reasons in your argument with dad
It was not proper for me to talk back to dad
All fathers care for their sons
Dad did it because he meant you well
Dad has been practicing for decades
The practicing flag is like his life
But he took it down with his own hands
I know he must feel very bad
I am glad you know it
I know dad means me well
But I can't give up my ideal to satisfy others
But dad gave up his dignity to kneel on your behalf
You find it all right with you?
What are you talking about? What kneeling?
I promised dad I would not tell
Then I ask him myself
Bro... don't mention it in front of dad
Then you tell me what happened
Before you carrying back Sister Yat
Prince King came to get you
He threatened to take away your candidacy
For your future, dad kneeled down and begged him
Dad kneeled down for me?
I had never seen dad kneeled down before
It hurts me to think about it
Dad, I am a bad son I caused you your humiliation
I know by kneeling down I still cannot amend what's happened
I am sorry, dad
If you still think you have done nothing wrong
Then spare me the tea
Actually it was that unreasonable Prince King who was wrong
But I have thought about it
To spare dad from future humiliations I will put my heart into the exam
You will sit for the exam?
Dad, I really want to see your flag fly again
I promise you
I will put my heart into it, no matter what
Dad, have tea You get up first
No, dad won't take your tea He is still angry
But Shi Chun has promised he would sit for the exam, why is he still angry?
This champion scholar red has been buried under ground for 9 years
It was saved for the day you passed the exam
But we have waited for 9 years
Dad, I promised you I would sit for it
Why drag it up again?
This time you will put your heart into it I am very happy
I have nothing to give you
Let me give you this champion scholar red
That you will make my wish come true
I won't have the tea I will wait for the champion scholar red
Dad!
I told you, he is tough on the outside only
Dad Say no more
You have to stay in the academy
Your mind will wonder if you stay at home
When I see patients you will poke your head in
You think I will believe you?
But still, I don't have to stay here
I will be a nuisance to Teacher Ku
Teacher Ku Yat Ngam is a famed scholar
He was the Counselor in Fujian before his retirement
He is distinguished in his Neo-Confucianism studies
With him tutoring you It will be a big boost to your studies
Dad has asked me to check you out here from time to time
Don't think you can get away with it
Brother Yuet Chi, Shi Chun is intelligent
He knows the classics by heart
He failed twice Because he wouldn't bribe the examiners
And he refused to answer with the set commentaries
That's why he didn't pass
Shi Chun refuses to follow the way of the world
Dad, the civil exam system is too petrified
The syllabus is limited to the few classics
The candidates have to follow the rigid eight-part pattern
They don't have to care about the real world
If such bookworms become officials
They will only follow the book It will not do
Shi Chun is idealistic, it is a good thing to have independent thinking
At least he won't go with the flow and become indolent
Teacher Ku...
Dad, let bro put down his luggage first
All right...
Brother Yuet Chi, I lost the chess game to you last time
I promised to treat you to tea Why don't you come with me now?
My pleasure
Shi Chun, study hard
Bro, I told you, Teacher Ku understands me
Why don't we... You want to go out?
You have to cross the river for medicine anyway
Don't bother to go down the boat with me
Dad asked me to keep an eye on you
You need someone to help you with the medicine
If dad asked me, I could tell him the truth
You have to do this to me?
Mister, you all right?
It is not your business
Without my leg, why should I go on living?
Hey...
We can talk it over Yes
Leave me alone
How come your leg is in such a state?
It festers so horribly, you should go to a doctor instead of to your death
It is no use going to them
I have gone to them and they all said the leg had to be cut off to save my life
Without the leg how can I go out to sea?
I don't want to be my family's burden I would rather die
Don't be silly They will be heartbroken if you die
You tell me, how did it happen
We fishermen often get bitten by fish or crabs
I was pinched by a crab that day
The wound was minor It was just a bit itchy
Sol gave it no thought
Then it began to swell up
More, it began to fester
But all the doctors just gave me ointments
They failed to stop the fester
I don't want to be maimed
It doesn't look like ordinary inflammation
Focus on your study, you want to treat him?
You two are doctors?
I think it is some unusual infection
Your leg may not have to be cut off
You can save my leg?
But not your relationship with dad
But I can ask someone else to treat him
Sister Yat, my house is not far away You need to take a rest?
No, though I have given birth not long ago
With the tonic medicine you gave me I am full of spirit
How is the baby? He is very cute
Were it not for you Baby and I would not be here
I have waited for you at the Goddess of Medicine rock for several days
Today I finally saw you pass by
I really have to thank you
I have not done that much You have to thank Li Shi Chun
You both are our saviours
If you don't mind, I want you to be his godmother and godfather
I have a godson at this age? I have a bargain
It is my son's good fortune
I have nothing to repay you with
We are a farming family
These vegetables were freshly picked from our field
Let me cook you dinner tonight as my thanks
Then thank you
Actually I just moved here to Binhu I have no friends here
I would be happy if you come often to see me
When I have time I will go see baby He must be very cute
This is my house
Please come in
It is newly built The roof is not completed yet
My father has gone for his traveling
Your dad is as elusive as you the Goddess of Medicine
My cover is blown
I don't know how I can practice medicine again
I just don't understand
Why no one trusts a female doctor
Those quacks have no lack of clients
You don't mean to give medicine up, do you?
It will be such a waste
I will never give up
I have learned medicine from my dad all these years
I just want to put it to use
I have thought about it
Since female doctors are not trusted
All the more I have to make my name
I will seek a different path and specialize on weird diseases
If I cure some strange illness
Then I will make my mark at first shot
Miss Tung Ching, I have a patient for you
Benefactor
You here too? How's the baby?
He is fine, I mean to visit and thank you in a couple of days
You just said about some patients
Oh yes, I have a patient for you
You are keen in treating patients How don't you do it yourself?
I want to, but I have promised my dad I would not treat patients again
It really is a weird case Many doctors could do nothing about it
Where is the patient?
He was pinched by a crab and didn't care about it
And carried on with his fishing
You know seawater is full of unknown pathogens, now it is festering fast
I agree with you, the ulcer is very serious
The way to treat it is to tend to the festered part
That's what the other doctors did
They gave him ointments for gangrene But they didn't work
They also said that if it went on His leg had to be cut off to save his life
The gangrene is serious and it is spreading fast
It is not common infection But a gangrenous infection
Called flesh eating infection
Fleshing eating? I have not heard of it
In our medicine we call it evil pathogen
But cases were seen in Cheng Ho's trip to the West
You two doctors here If my leg has to be cut off to save my life
Then I cannot go out to sea again I will become my family's burden
Then I would rather die
Milord, please don't die
Don't worry, I promise you I will save your leg
What are you going to do?
First give him ointment to stop the gangrene
Then decoction of Chinese gall for purging the fire and detoxification
Chinese gall is good for abscesses carbuncles, and ulcers
It is a potent drug for infection I am going to find it now
You look after the patient for me
Hold it
Chinese gall is cold in nature
The patient is now so weak
Even if you can cure his leg
His primordial energy will be greatly impaired
It will take a long time to recover
The most important thing now is to treat his infection and gangrene
Then we can save his leg and life
Leave the recuperation part later
But weakness gives rise to infection
He is deficient in primordial energy That's why he cannot fight infection
Other doctors only prescribed him detoxification drugs
Thus his resistance is greatly weakened
And the infection just won't go away
And it cannot be cured
Because they failed to use Chinese gall Or couldn't get it
His infection is so serious and has gone into the tissue
I think we should prescribe him tonifying drugs to build up his resistance
Then it can be thoroughly cured
It takes time for resistance to build up
If we let it drag on, not just his leg But his life can't be saved
But dad once said that in Yiu Tsang Woon's Book of Formulae
There is a remedial formula that is tonifying and effective with infection
You have the formula?
No, the book is said to be lost
When you find the book his leg is long gone
But you can't use Chinese gall
You said you had a patient for me And you wouldn't interfere
Yes, but...
I have no time arguing with you
The patient is waiting for me to cure him
You go look for your formula I go get my medicine
Hey...
Specialist of strange diseases
Excuse me, have you heard of a formula in Book of Formulae
That can treat evil pathogens?
No, specialist of strange diseases
Whom else can I ask?
I am sorry, let me help you
You all right? How clumsy I am fine
My books are all wet I am sorry
Siu Tung Oh no
Let me help you
Book of Formulae? This is the book I am looking for
What are you doing?
This gentleman, could you lend me this book
Medicine book? You are a doctor?
No, but I am looking for this Book of Formulae
Who knew I could bump into it
It is a borrowed book
And this Book of Formulae is a lone copy
You have wet it and now you want to borrow it?
Young master, the books are borrowed from the Imperial Academy of Medicine
Now they are all wet How can we return them in such a state?
You are student of medicine?
I want to check put a formula to treat patients
Kidding? You just said you were not a doctor, how can you treat patients?
Siu Tung, leave him alone
Let us go find an inn Yes
Mister
Siu Tung, he was so ecstatic when he found the Book of Formulae
I think he is of the same field
Young Master, you have forgotten what you promised Master?
That you would go back immediately after your vacation
And you would be back in the capital before the new school year commences
Dad is the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Brocade Guard
He is too busy to care about me
But you are a student of the Imperial Academy of Medicine
And you are already a Fellow
Master of course doesn't have to worry about you
A student of the Imperial Academy of Medicine, yet so unsympathetic
You again? Yes, me again
It was my fault, but I really need the Book of Formulae to save life
You are so clumsy What if you ruin my book again?
How can I lend it to you?
They are all dry now, they look great
If you are still worried I can put down money as security
How much you want?
Money is easy to find But not a medicine book
My answer is still no
A student of Imperial Academy of Medicine Yet so petty
No use egging me
You give me a good reason why I should lend it to you
What are you doing here?
Sunning my books
Books? Where are the books? Only your belly here
Spot on, the books are inside my belly
Put your knowledge to use is like having books inside you
You indeed have many books You have many more than I do
But so what? You won't share your books with others
That means you have knowledge but not generosity
It is no use
You any better? You just blabber here because you fail to get the book
Blabbering? I am not blabbering here
I really need the book to save life
I want a formula that can treat evil pathogens
Please, we are talking about life here
Please, I can kneel down or treat you to tea or dinner
Really for saving life?
Of course, I can't play with it, can I?
All right then, so you will have another book in your belly
Thank you
So there really is this formula
Reinforce liver and kidney functions will enhance resistance
Right, then I should use tangshen and eucommia bark, that's it
Hey... you can't take the book away
Oh yes, back to you
I still don't know your name
Pong Hin
I am Li Shi Chun
I will repay your kindness later
Don't climb so high, it is dangerous
Why are you here?
I've found the formula
That doesn't mean I have to give up my method
But why not give it a try?
How can you be sure it works?
If it doesn't work, Kam Shui will die
It is human life And I promised I would save him
I will keep my word
But it really is dangerous here
Many have fallen to their death here
My dad says we have to believe in the impossible to turn the tide
If you won't help, don't get in my way
You step on my shoulder for leverage
You will help me?
Though we think differently
I still don't want to see you die
You just think that I can't get there
If you won't use my shoulder, I am leaving
Why not? Don't think I will go easy on it
You really take it for granted
You are quite persistent
When I first saw you I thought you were some weakling
When I first heard your name
I thought you were some graceful goddess
But you turn out to be a shrew
Don't think I won't kick you down the mountain
You hold on tight, or you will really fall
Be careful
It is so high up
We are stuck in the middle Shat should we do?
You are scared? Then you can turn back
If I were scared, I wouldn't be here
If you are not scared Why are you holding me so tight?
I just don't want you to fall down
We have overcome the Skeleton Mountain
Hold it, wait till we have found the Chinese gall
You look for it over there, I here Yes
I found it, hold it
So there really is Chinese gall here
Done
It is getting late, how can we go back?
On the safe side, we have to spend the night here
Where to sleep?
You make a quick fire
I go up the mountains for herbs all the time
When it gets late I just light a fire and stay the night
Your father is a famed doctor You are medicine crazy
Why don't you take up formal training instead of wasting your time?
What actually do you do?
You said I was a weakling scholar
I am preparing for the civil exam
You sound like you don't really want to
My ideal is to become a doctor
It is hot... Watch out
But I promised my dad I wouldn't touch medicine
I will put my heart into the exam To realize his wish
No wonder you asked me to treat Kam Shui
Few girls want to be a doctor
My parents passed away when I was small
My foster father is a weird doctor
He likes traveling and looks for herbs that can be used as medicine
He never minds I am a girl and teaches me medicine knowledge
I am interested in it
So I am determined to become a doctor
If I can cure Kam Shui My name will be known
And people will trust my capability
You will make it
Easy to go up a mountain but hard to get down
It is so true
Now we have to hurry back to Kam Shui
All right, you go back first, I go that way
Where are you going?
I have been out the whole night
I have to go back to Yeung Ming Academy
If dad knows about it, I will be in trouble
See you
Chu and Ching's commentaries are not rigidified
But most civil exam candidates just memorize them without understanding
You have to understand their true meanings and don't learn by rote
That rascal seems to be tamed
He just sits there without talking back It doesn't like him
Teacher Ku, could I come in to see how he is doing?
Well... Not very convenient?
Dad, you all right? I am fine
Teacher Ku, I was worried that Shi Chun would be a nuisance
How come you are here?
Dad, you asked me to check him out from time to time
Dad, have some tea Oh, yes
Teacher Ku...
Shi Chun is bright and obedient He gives me no trouble at all
Dad, you hear it?
Let me recite the Book of Analects to you
Confucius said
To learn and practice what is learned time and again is pleasure, is it not?
To have friends come from afar is happiness Is it not?
To be unperturbed when not appreciated by others is gentlemanly, is it not?
Then I will not disturb you Chess with you next time
All right... take care
I have to go too, bro you go for it
What a scare
Luckily you came back in time
Your brother knows you and covered for you
Otherwise, if your dad knew you were out He would lock you up
Teacher, don't worry I won't make it difficult for you
When this fisherman is cured I will come back, don't worry
How is he?
I have applied ointment to the wound And given him Chinese gall decoction
The gangrene has stopped spreading
Chinese gall really has detoxification efficacy
The wound is drying up
But whether it will aggravate again depends on his constitution
How do you feel?
Miss Tung Ching I feel like falling into pieces
And I sweat profusely
Indeed, your forehead is covered with sweat
How come your hands so cold?
I feel so weak
What have you given him? Now he is half dead
He has just taken a detoxification decoction that is very cold in nature
It will feel weak
Let me have a look
His constitution is weaker than I thought
I think he really is not suitable for such medication
You are killing him
What is the use of keeping the leg if he is dead?
It can be amended Please don't feel so bad
Don't touch him, Shui doesn't need you
I will not believe in you again
Please, I got him some tonifying medicine before I came
Give it a try
Make into decoction with Eucommia bark red dates, tangshen, Rehmannia
Barbary Wolfberry Fruit And a chicken with the skin off
Drink it everyday before meal Until the gangrene is healed
You keep an eye on him
Should there be new developments Call me
I will stay outside
Thank you indeed
We have limited space here
If you don't mind, you could stay the night in the shack next door
It is windy here, you have been standing here for so long
Don't you fall ill now
You shouldn't fall ill It is you the patient needs now
Please don't say so You have done a good job
I mean it, before I used the formula I was not sure it really could work
Mrs Kam Shui was overwrought and so blurted out the words
Don't take them to heart
She was right
I was too eager for results And it ended like this
Actually you have done a good job
Don't find me excuses
I made a wrong judgment I can't excuse myself
You are much reinvigorated
The wound is healing well You are making good progress
Who knows a common tonifying formula can do such wonder
I want to go down for a walk
Be careful Careful
Take it easy Just be careful
You don't have to hold me My leg has strength
Brother Shi Chun, thank you for saving my life
Don't mention it, we can't afford to be complacent now
Mrs Kam Shui, you keep on giving him this decoction
Until he is fully recovered
Yes, benefactor, we really don't know how to thank you
Brother Shi Chun, if there is anything I can do for you
I will help you even if it means giving my life
Come on, seeing you fully recovered I am more than happy
Brother Shi Chun, you are high in medical expertise
Other doctors are not on your par
You will become a greater doctor of Binhu
Just come out, you can snigger in the open
I am not sniggering I just don't want to disturb you
Not on your face But you are sniggering in your heart
I admit I am not on your par, you happy now
What are you talking about? I never meant to compete with you
And I thought I could specialize in strange diseases and make my name
It turned out that all I had were the enthusiasm and impulsiveness
I refused to listen to others
My medical expertise is far from adequate
Or I am not cut out for it
Please don't say so We all have our shortcomings
Making mistakes is no big deal if we know where we are wrong
You are given the talent for medicine
If you give it up it will be such a waste
You think I have the talent?
Of course, it is such a pleasure discussing medicine with you
To be honest, I don't think greatly even of my dad
But you are the exception
Why suddenly praise me?
I have learned one thing from you
Though you disagreed with my formula
You went to look for it with me
It proved that you are a man with an open-mind
I saw you with such a great knowledge of medicine
You know that no girls go into medicine
That's why I admire you
Thank you, you urged me not to waste my talent
But you can use it yourself too
Actually, you don't know
When I was 14, I passed the county exam and became first grade scholar
Dad gave this jade pendant to me
I know, dad wants me to pass the province exam
But I really disapprove of the civil exam system
Candidates are tested on their eight-part essay writing
The questions are all cliches
I have failed twice already
I can't disappoint dad again
I promised him I would put my heart into it this time
You are a loving son
But pass it nor not don't waste your talent in medicine
You have to fight to be a doctor
None of the people I know encourages me to practice medicine
You are the only one
I don't want to lose a competitor
With competition comes progress
Well, I have to go See you
See you
When will we have the chance to discuss medicine again?
Will you go up to the mountain for herbs?
I don't think so, I have to focus on the exam for the time being
Oh
But studying is boring, you can visit me
All right, see you then See you
Bro Dad is here again?
Scared? You went to treat the man with the rotten leg?
It was cured
I went up Skeleton Mountain with the Goddess of Medicine
It was quite dangerous
But luckily we did find Chinese gall
And then we cured the fisherman
You don't know, she really knows a lot about medicine
And she is nice and kind-hearted
I don't know why I find everything about her good
I have never heard you praised a girl like that before
You are in love with hei?
No, nothing of that sort
You can still smile? It is no laughing matter
You have forgotten you are betrothed?
Mo Yung is a good girl
But I don't know why
I just don't have to heart-beating excitement when I am with her
That means you have that feeling when you are with the Goddess of Medicine
You mean to call off the betrothal?
Miss Mo Yung loves you so much How can you tell her?
You don't know how? Then don't think about it
And focus on your studies
What? So many people?
I feel like I can't breathe
Then let us go back
I fear that before you can get in You will be pushed out by the crowd
No, I have to give this brush to Shi Chun
Then he can pass the exam
I know, and then marry you
Don't worry, before I came to work for Prince King
I used to be in an acrobatic troupe
Let me get it for you
Let us go then
Excuse us
We are in time for the Champion Scholar Brush event before leaving Binhu
Young Master, if you take part They can't compete with you
You have been in the army after all
In the Academy It is capability that counts
Not by any Champion Scholar brush
Let us just enjoy it
Excuse me
Ladies and gentlemen
The Confucius temple Champion Scholar Brush event is about to start
With the chime of the gong You can go in to grab the brush
Go...
Miss, you all right? The brush
Let me
Miss, you all right?
I am fine, thank you I am sorry
I got it, I got it
He got the brush
Miss, I am sorry, it was my fault
I will not give up Miss
Young Master, it is about time we started
From her attire She comes from a noble family
Why she has to get the brush?
It must be for her beloved probably her husband
Or her brother, or even her dad
Young Master, I think you are interested in this pretty lady
Don't be nosy, let us go
Please, please give me the brush
You have been following me from the temple You aren't tired?
I have told you many times I will not give it to you, now just go
It is all right you don't give her the brush, but don't you yell at her
How will you give me the brush?
I can pay whatever price you ask
I got it not for money but for passing the exam
Let me be frank, I want it for my beloved
Then let me tell you
I sit for the exam for my beloved
This brush is very important to me
Miss, he won't give it to you
Don't be humiliated by him, let us go back
If you will give me the brush I will do anything you ask
Miss, don't be so silly
Miss, look at you, you can barely walk What can you do?
You will do it if I ask you to till the field?
Yes, I will till it for you
All right, I have business to tend to
See if you can till this field before sunset
You have a deal
Miss, you don't mean to till it?
Don't try to talk me over I have made up my mind
Is the brush worth it?
Love can make one so crazy?
Oh, it is the girl again
How come she is tilling here?
Stop... Miss, you remember me?
You gave me a hand in the Confucius temple
Miss, why are you tilling field here?
For the brush, she agreed to till the field
Kin Hei
Young Master said you wanted it for your brother
But I say you want it for your beloved right?
Siu Tung, we shouldn't get in the way
Miss, see you
It is hot today, you have to be careful
Thank you, see you
Young Master, I told you she is spoken for
Don't be nosy
She is such a gentle girl
Yet she can be so persistent for her lover Her love is deep
Uncle doesn't know I am out
Kin Hei, you go back home
If Uncle asks about me, you just say I don't feel well and is asleep
All right, you be careful Just go
She seems to be Mo Yung But how can Mo Yung be here?
No, I have just finished two rows
I can't give up, for Shi Chun I have to finish it
Kin Hei, where are you going?
Mr Li, I am glad you are here
To get you the Champion Scholar Brush
Miss has agreed to till the field
She is not back yet Sol come back to check her out
The pulse is weak and her skin damp Her temperature high
It is sunstroke Now what should we do?
What happens?
It is your fault
Had it not been for your prank Miss would not have been in such a state
All right... Kin Hei, say no more You go get the sedan ready
Let us take her back Yes
You happen to have any garlic? Yes
Crush the garlic and give her the juice The pungency will make her come to
Mo Yung, you all right?
Shi Chun, how come you are here?
You had sunstroke
How do you feel now?
I was tilling the field, then I felt dizzy and then it blacked out
You are already weak in constitution
You were tilling under the hot sun
I am worried the heat might go into your lung
When you go back you have to have a good rest
I will finish the field for you
You will give me the brush, right?
Miss, you did all these for him?
Your love is deep indeed
Mister you are a lucky man You have such a good girl
I am not as lucky
I meant to pass the exam and then asked for my beloved's hand
I just went to her
But she has already agreed to another betrothal
How come?
You can tell I am no study material I am only good in the fields
I wanted the brush, only hoping that miracle would happen
But now I think you should have the brush
You really will give me the brush?
I am not going to sit for the exam Why should I want the brush?
Mister, you have to cherish this lady
Thank you for your kindness
My pleasure
Mo Yung, you really don't have to do so much for me
I can't help you much that's all I could do
Please don't say so, whatever, thank you
You know why I asked you back for dinner?
Good news stays home, bad news travels far
I bumped into Prince King in the market
He was angry and he told me Mo Yung had sunstroke because of you
I knew he would tell
Let me remind you one more time
Mo Yung really loves you very much
You have to pass the exam and don't fail her
I just don't want her to have too high an expectation for me
What? You won't sit for the exam?
No, but I don't want her to worry so much
Didn't I tell you in the kitchen no mentioning of study during dinner?
Your mother has put in a lot of effort in the dinner
Come, let us tuck in
Your dad knew you would be home for dinner
He asked me to prepare you a chicken dish You have more
Why keep staring at the Moon? You can see the Moon Goddess?
That night when we were up on the mountain looking for Chinese gall
The Moon was just as bright
So you are not thinking of the Moon Goddess But the Goddess of Medicine
I had never thought that I would discuss medicine with a girl
Whenever we were on it We both enjoyed the talk very much
You are smitten
But I have shown nothing in front of her
I just felt that it was not right to show my feelings
Because you know Mo Yung loves you You are afraid that you will fail her
That's why I don't know what to do
One is your betrothed, one is your love Whom will you choose?