Record 1 for Year Bingchen
Liu Yong, how come the pages are blank?
It's careless of me!
Your Honor, please forgive me...
Be more careful...
Concrete evidence is now gone in a puff.
How will the trial go on?
Gentlemen, let me ask you,
are you going to plead guilty?
I am innocent...
Day 6 of the Lunar New Year
Sire, I plead guilty.
Tell me everything. Name your accomplices.
I may grant you leniency.
I did commit misappropriation during confiscation.
I did take bribes and let inmates go.
But my accomplice is not Grand Secretary Heshen,
it's Liu Yong's adopted son Lou Huanzhi.
So it involves Honorable Liu's kin.
I wonder if some mistakes are made out of confusion.
Sire, please investigate.
What nonsense!
Honorable Liu is an upright and impartial man.
It's beneath him.
I am sure it's a setup!
I believe in Liu Yong's integrity.
Liu Huanzhi's corruption charge will be thoroughly investigated.
Aye...
The case goes to...
Sire, the case involves my son.
Allow me to prove my integrity.
Please, grant me the case.
I too think that Honorable Liu is the right person for it.
He's known to be impartial and incorruptible.
Though the suspect is his next of kin,
I am sure he won't be partial to him.
Sire, please, grant me the case.
I can swear on my life,
I will be impartial and do it by the book.
Alright.
Liu Yong, you have the case.
Aye.
Sire, greetings.
Is the person found?
I've looked everywhere. No eunuch fitted Honorable Liu's description.
How come?
How couldn't he be found?
The person probably was not a eunuch at all.
He's planted here for the setup.
Sire, you mean it's Heshen's doing?
With his gall, there's nothing he dares not do.
I'll keep digging into it.
What about the fireworks storehouse incident?
Sire, there is still no evidence to link it to Heshen.
We are working on the Hebei barrack flood caused by embankment explosion last year.
It's said Helin was involved in it.
If it's true, we can nail Heshen and his clique on collusion.
Let me see how far the two siblings can go.
Have Heshen watched.
He and his cohorts will give themselves away sooner or later.
Aye.
Honorable Liu...
Honorable Liu, good morning.
You had a long night. It's bad enough.
Now you have to make an arrest so early in the morning.
It's worse for you, Honorable Heshen,
waiting for me here already.
I feel sorry for you.
You are going to arrest your own son.
Oh, I made a mistake.
Liu Huanzhi is not your own son.
He's your late brother's son and only heir.
Honorable Heshen, respect yourself.
My family affair is not your business.
Honorable Liu, please wait.
Corruption charge is punishable by death.
I have a way to save his life.
Honorable Heshen, I think the sparing of life rests with Sire, not you.
Whatever the outcome, I'll do it by the book.
Honourable Liu, Godspeed.
Fuling Pavilion
Honourable Heshen, you did have the gall.
Why should I worry when I had Your Highness back me up in the palace?
Do you know how far I had to go to get it?
Your kindness will not be forgotten.
You took the bull by the horns.
You used the White Lotus Sect to get Dorji.
He's my cousin after all.
It's not right to gamble with his life to save yours.
Highness, you are mistaken.
I didn't use him to save my own skin.
It's to hand Prince Yonglin the credit of a successful rescue.
Prince Yonglin, look...
How many dye houses in the capital have this dye?
Sire is suspicious in nature.
It's not easy to win his trust.
By pacifying the Mongol tribes, Prince Yonglin saved Sire's face.
Sire would place his trust in him.
It's a great convenience to your coming plan.
I always appreciate your capability.
I am sure you too know I hold sway in the imperial harem.
If I could make a eunuch disappear, I too could make him reappear.
I'll bear it in mind.
Sire doesn't just see Liu Yong as a courtier, he's his mentor too.
You really can alienate them?
Highness, have patience.
You will soon see if my plan works out or not.
You don't have to worry about trivial happenings in the imperial harem either.
Highness, what do you mean?
Nothing.
Cong'er, will Heshen honor his word?
We can't turn back now. Play by ear.
Halt.
Show your document.
Let them go.
Chongwen Gate
Stop them!
White Lotus rebels! Arrest them all!
Prince Yonglin...
Halt and retreat...
Run...
Father, what do you think about my copy of Zhang Xu's Stomach-ache rendition?
I don't think I got his free-flowing feel.
Rascal!
Liu Huanzhi, Shuntian Prefecture Prefect
Father, what have I done wrong?
When you carried out the confiscation of corrupt official Bi Yuan's house,
did you keep any of his possessions?
No!
All his valuables were listed and reported to the court.
I took nothing.
What about the Stomach-ache rendition in his collection?
It's just an imitation.
It's not an excuse!
It's already made known to Sire!
I am here to arrest you!
Father, I took a leaf from you, I too am a calligraphy lover.
When I saw the renowned piece,
I took it to Senior Deputy Minister of Justice Chen Zengxi for confirmation,
he said it's just an imitation.
So I kept it for myself.
You just took his word for it?
Why didn't you use your head?
Did you know your subordinates secretly replaced gold nuggets with silver ones?
I didn't know about it...
You are the prefect.
You failed to keep your ordinates in line.
You kept the calligraphy rendition without declaration.
It's fatal!
It means execution!
Father, I didn't know about it...
You have failed as a Liu!
I've failed my late brother!
I am taking you to court to clear our name!
Father, no...
Milord, no...
Huanzhi...
No...
Shut up!
The Liu family doesn't have such a disloyal and dishonest descendent!
Brother-in-law...
Milord...
He's our only heir...
He may have made a mistake...
But you promised you would take care of him.
You can't give him up...
Father, I didn't mean it...
I didn't know it could be so serious.
You are now a magistrate in Shandong.
Year 50 of Qianlong Era
The first rule as an official is to refuse bribes from your subordinates.
Stick to your principles!
I'll remind myself of your teachings everyday.
Sire has spoken. Huanzhi's fate is set.
Plead no more.
Brother-in-law, save him...
Mother, I failed you. Take care...
Huanzhi...
Heshen's Mansion
Are the White Lotus Sect followers all out of the capital?
Chen Jie was told to let them go.
But Prince Yonglin suddenly showed up.
His men and the followers had a fierce fight.
How did it end?
The followers managed to get away.
Why would Prince Yonglin show up?
Was he tipped off?
If he was tipped off, there would have been an ambush waiting for the followers.
Since we heard nothing from Zhengyong on Prince Yonglin's movements,
it probably was a coincidence.
Maybe Sire has found out we are linked to the sect?
With the followers out of the capital, there is no substantiated evidence,
what can Sire do about it?
One more thing.
Noble Consort Dowager Ying just summoned Madam Mei to the palace.
Why didn't she tell me about it during our meeting?
Something's not right.
Lady Heshen, you are called here because I want an answer.
I'll tell you whatever I know.
You had the nerve to prevent Sire's procreation!
What you said is a mortal crime.
I don't think Lady Heshen would be so foolish.
I blurted out because I was too impatient for the truth.
I didn't mean it.
Lady Heshen, did you know that Royal Noble Consort is grounded?
I've heard about it.
It's said she's grounded for taking the saffron powder I gave her.
It's what I want to know.
Why did Heshen make you do it?
He has got nothing to do with it.
Her Highness asked me for saffron powder.
I couldn't say no.
Still, saffron may cause miscarriage.
The consequence will be too great for me.
I replaced it with something else.
I didn't know how it's used.
I found it in Jingren Palace. It's a fact.
Lady Heshen, get up first.
Thank you, Highness.
Royal Noble Consort was blessed with Sire's undivided love.
Why should she take such a harmful drug?
It's not for me to second guess Her Highness or would I dare to ask her.
I understand.
One thing baffles me.
Her Highness was given some harmless powder.
How come Lady Xian could find real saffron powder?
If I just keep the doubt to myself, no one will suspect it.
You two Highnesses...
can be rest assured.
Lady Heshen, you sure are a smart lady.
You are excused.
May I be excused?
Highness, why let her go so easily?
Should we take her to Sire to expose your setup?
I am sorry...
This woman is very smart.
She knows how to play her hand.
Don't underestimate what she can do for Heshen.
Heshen's Mansion
Milord...
Why was you summoned to court?
Nothing special.
Noble Consort Dowager Ying couldn't see His Late Majesty for the last time.
It depressed her greatly.
I was summoned to ease her grief.
I had a meeting with her.
She showed no grief at all.
She didn't?
It's just an excuse to summon you.
She wanted to know about the saffron powder
Did you know it's harmful?
I did. That's why I only gave Royal Noble Consort something tonic.
It wouldn't harm her at all.
It's serious. Why didn't you discuss it with me first?
It's over now.
Why should I bother you with it?
What did you really care about?
The drug or the person in the imperial harem?
I need to know about every happening in the imperial harem.
We are in a treacherous time.
Nothing is too minor for my decision making.
One wrong step can be fatal.
You should know about it.
Of course I do.
Does it mean I should report everything big or small to you?
Yes, everything big or small.
Milord, is the respect mutual?
Milady, what do you mean?
So you know I am your lady.
Yes, to others, I am your properly married wife.
I am addressed as Lady Heshen.
I run your household.
I also do the legworks and networking for you.
What about in private? What am I to you?
Your strategist? Your soulmate?
Have you shared your heart with me?
For all I have done for you,
you didn't even have time to dine with me.
Grand Secretary Heshen, allow me to ask you,
who am I to you?
We are both in bad mood.
It's not the time for it.
Leave it for later.
Milord, you need to eat, however busy.
Year 55 of Qianlong Era
I've made some snacks. Take a break.
Just leave it here.
Milady, would you please...
I am sorry...
I was careless.
Let me have it cleaned.
Don't bother.
Maybe you should go out.
Don't be cut by the shards.
This feast is held in you two's honor.
I wish you two everlasting happiness.
Sire, you are too kind.
I'm sure it'll come true.
It's our pleasure to be invited.
I too wish you two everlasting happiness.
Prince Jia, you are too kind.
The flowers are in bloom and the fragrance intoxicating.
What's missing is some music.
Lady Jia, it's said you are good at playing ocarina.
It's much exaggerated.
Father, if you care to hear it, I'll do my best.
What's left is just the memory...
Ocarina will never sound the same.
How much do I still have to do to make you think only of me?
Master...
Uncle Quan, how's it?
Has Doukou set out already?
She's out of the capital six hours ago.
She has Lin Gan with her.
She won't fail you.
Poor her. She's just a woman.
Yet she has to make journeys and run errands for me.
She is fine with it.
I never heard her complain about it.
Or she just keeps them to herself.
Madam Mei is still mad at you?
If Confucius was baffled by women, who am I to understand them?
It'll turn out alright in the end.
There a message from Helin.
It's childish of him.
He sent you a childhood toy but no words.
He doesn't have to put it into words.
The pine cone means mission accomplished.
Good!
Chongwen Gate
Which one should I execute first?
You guys decide.
Or you will all die.
Helin, Sichuan Viceroy
You White Lotus rebels have committed treason.
Death is too light a punishment for you.
I now let you choose to die now or later,
it is very lenient of me.
Your Honor, an express letter. It's confidential
Fucha Mingliang, Helin's Deputy
Here at last.
Helin, release White Lotus captives without letting the court know.
Just report the sect was routed.
Don't come back to the capital.
Stay in Shandong. Have fun.
Your brother, Heshen
Your Honor, what's my order?
This is my dispatch.
The White Lotus Sect was routed
Followers refused to surrender.
They were all killed.
It'll be done.
Let them go.
Aren't they to be killed?
Whatever my brother says.
It's never wrong to follow his orders.
Yes, Your Honor.
There's a treat for all this evening.
We'll stay here for another month for our pleasure.
Thank you, Your Honor...
Ziguang Pavilion
Sire, why this sudden desire for a game of go?
I thought recent happenings would have taken all your time.
It seems I have worried for nothing.
All the more I should take a break from those hassles, personal or otherwise.
Treacherous characters can't wait to see me beleaguered.
You play how you think.
Sire, you are more hasty than usual.
It reflects your inner restlessness.
Sire sees Honourable Liu not just as a courtier, but a mentor as well.
It's understandable why you feel uneasy.
Go is like a war game played in silence.
You are employing the distracting strategy to lure me into traps.
I won't fall into it,
nor will Liu Yong betray me.
I envy the mutual trust between Sire and Honourable Liu.
Still, Liu Huanzhi is their only heir.
Impartial as Honourable Liu is,
does he have the heart to do it?
Sire, you really think his bond with you is stronger than that with his son?
It's blown! What will happen to my Stomach-ache rendition?
Forget about it! Your life comes first.
I don't want to die yet!
I still have calligraphies to copy.
If you want to live, I have a way.
A loyal subject always puts his ruler before himself,
the country before his family.
He honors his ruler and his integrity.
Heshen, are you doubting the words of the sages?
Oh, I forgot alienation father and son is your forte.
It doesn't work this time.
I have absolute trust in Liu Yong.
Please forgive my blathering.
Honourable Liu's loyalty is one of a kind.
Who am I to cast a doubt on it?
Rascal...
Father...
Take him back...
Yes...
A Go game has myriad possibilities.
It is a tug-of-war in progress.
It's arrogant of you if you think you can overtake my conquest.
You are playing in my domain.
Sire, Honourable Liu awaits you in Wenhua Hall with Liu Huanzhi.
Good!
Liu Yong has proved his loyalty to me.
He has not failed my trust in him.
I did lose this game to Sire.
I am quite pleased with the outcome.
It has shown me my shortcomings.
I'll improve on it and play with Sire again.
Sire, it's confirmed.
During the confiscation of Bi Yuan's house,
Liu Huanzhi pocketed Zhang Xu's Stomach-ache rendition out of greed.
He has committed misappropriation.
There's more.
His subordinates replaced gold nuggets with
silver ones when summitting the valuables
He's guilty of negligence.
Sire, grant him the death penalty.
Father, I know I was wrong.
I don't want to die...
Please, save me...
I taught you integrity.
If you had followed my teachings, it wouldn't have happened.
Come! Take Liu Huanzhi out!
Father...
I knew it's not easy.
Liu Yong, you made the right decision.
You have not failed your position as the head of the Anti-corruption Council.
At ease.
Thank you, Sire.
Sire, I pledge you my services.
I feel no relief before corruption is totally wiped out in court.
You can't be complacent.
Remove corrupt officials and clean up the court
to ensure peace in the country.
Aye...
You are excused.
Aye...
Heshen, you have something to report?
No.
I just think that courtiers like Honourable Liu are Qing's blessings.
He did put his ruler above his son.
Heshen, your alienation trick didn't work this time.
A subject bears his rule no grudges.
Honourable Liu pledged you his unwavering loyalty.
He'll bear you no resentment.
However, how much do you trust him?
You alone have the answer.
Sire, I need to copy sutras for His Late Majesty.
May I be excused?
Heshen's Mansion
Liu Yong sacrificed his son. Yet he still didn't get Sire's total trust.
Have them watched.
Aye.
Sire is suspicious in nature.
Not to say his long-time mentor,
he doesn't even trust the one that shares his bed.
The leopard cannot change its spots.
Didn't I say Sire would praise you?
Thanks to your guidance.
It saddened me that loyalty could be so easily bought with a chest of gold.
One can only trust oneself.
The human heart is fickle.
However, a ruler can ensure loyalty through manipulation.
Highness, you are the future emperor.
You don't rule through trust, you do it through manipulation.
The way to ensure loyalty is through carrots and sticks.
By playing with Sire's suspicious nature, the seeds of distrust I planted will grow.
He will end up trusting no one.
A man who trusts no one can go nowhere.
Liu Yong is just the start.
I'll target Sire's inner circle one by one.
The day will come when Sire realizes he has no one to trust anymore.
Isolating Sire is the way to get him.
He's not that easy to tackle.
He has no qualms discarding his trusted aides like pawns.
He had not been happy under His Late Majesty's tutelage.
I suspect His Late Majesty didn't die a natural death.
Should I have it investigated?
Don't bother. It's taken care of.
My informant in the palace had a discovery.
A eunuch who used to wait on His Late Majesty died of illness.
Sire personally ordered this Changchun's cremation.
Check it out. His letters home may offer some clues.
Gan...
Changchun's family members.
They were all killed with one stab.
It's done by a pro.
We came too late.
Don't be afraid. I mean you no harm.
Come on over...
It's alright now... You have me...
Who are you? Don't kill us...
Spare us...
Please...
Gan, take care of her...
Where are you going?
Young Doukou
I'm hungry...
Beggar girl, go away...
I'm just looking...
You are in the capital, where the emperor lives.
I'll have the emperor take you away...
The capital belongs to the emperor?
He must be a great man.
I need his help. Where can he be found?
The emperor can't be reached.
Go away! Get lost!
Little girl...
Are you hungry? Here you are.
Are you the emperor? I need your help.
What is it?
My family were all killed.
Please avenge them.
I am not the emperor.
The emperor will never come here.
He lives within high walls.
Ordinary people can't reach him.
As for your case,
the emperor may not be able to help.
Even the emperor can't help me?
Then who can?
Take the money to get yourself some food.
Hunger fuels anger.
When your belly is full, you will forget about revenge.
You'll come to realise, food is the most important thing.
I don't want money! I want revenge!
Revenge is important.
But you can't have revenge when you are weak from hunger.
Heshen's Mansion
Year 56 of Qianlong Era
Master...
Honourable Heshen...
You are...
Doukou. Do you remember me?
If we had met, no way would I forget such a pretty face.
It must be many years ago.
I am not my old self.
It's natural you don't remember me.
However, I have not forgotten you.
If I had been rude to you, please forgive me.
You were rude, but you were kind to me.
I am here to repay my debt.
You gave this to me in the restaurant.
It was more than ten years ago.
I have not forgotten about it.
I am here to repay the kindness done to me.
You are the little girl?
I am no longer a helpless little girl.
I am now in trade.
I make my living trading information.
I can afford to repay you.
I didn't expect you to repay me.
Still, this chest of silver shows you are sincere.
It'll be impolite if I don't accept it.
Honourable Heshen, you said when my belly was full, I would forget revenge.
I am well-fed, yet I still can't forget how my family died.
I know I can never forget it.
Could you please help me with my revenge?
Shouldn't you go to the magistracy for your grievance?
Why come here to ask for my help?
Grand Secretary Heshen, you hold sway in court.
You are second only to the emperor.
If my grievance is beyond the emperor,
then you are my last resort.
Alright, I'll help you.
There is nothing too difficult for me.
Give way...
Miss, you alright?
How careless...
Are you hurt?
How useless of you! What revenge?
Are you hurt?
You've forgotten about revenge...
What an ungrateful daughter!
I feel sorry for your parents...
Be careful...
Are you hurt...
Go to a physician...
Heshen's Mansion
Where are the others?
It's such a starry night,
isn't it good for us two to have a drink together?
These dishes are specially prepared for you.
They are your favourite dishes.
Enjoy.
How would I nit-pick what you prepared for me?
You took the trouble to have them made,
they must be to my taste.
I will be more caring from now on.
I'll stay at home more often to keep you company.
You won't feel lonely again.
All I ask is a dinner together.
It's not too much a request. You won't disappoint me, right?
Will you get tired of me?
Then I'll return you to the palace.
Good...
Master, someone wants to see you.
I said no visitors this evening.
It's Miss Doukou. It seems urgent.
Milord, the dishes are getting cold.
Have some soup to warm yourself up.
I need to go out.
Just wait here. It won't take long.
Come on...
Doukou, what happened?
I never saw you this distraught.
I thought I had overcome it.
I thought nothing could terrify me.
The eunuch's family were all killed.
A little girl survived.
It broken my heart when I saw her.
It's alright, you have me...
What about her?
I was lucky enough to meet you.
What about her?
Who will help her?
She's on her own now.
She will be fine.
She'll be as tough as you were.
Her sorrow would become her strength.
She would go to four corners of the earth to look for her foes.
You are her support.
You should protect her and teach her.
I am sorry. I let it get the better of me.
I shouldn't have come here. I'm sorry.
Hush...
I know your heart.
I will honor the promise I gave you.
I'll find your foes.
I won't let you suffer again.
Jingren Palace
Empress, I wronged you...
Please forgive me...
Year 2 of Jiaqing Era
Help...
Highness...
Help...
Highness...
Help...
Who is it?
Sire?
What did you just say in your dream?
Why were you asking for the empress's forgiveness?
She died in the Qianqing Court fire.
Was there something behind it?
Are you hiding something from me?
Ziguang Pavilion
was the military personnel exam hall.
Qianlong was proud of his ten victories.
Portraits of victorious generals
would be hung here as a reward.