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The Plough Department Of Song Dynasty
Episode 06
What a big place
Such beautiful scenery.
You bet!
Kaiyang!
I miss you so much!
We've got a new member!
Hi. What's your name?
Kaiyang.
I'm just about to see you.
Wenqu and I are going to see Defense Minister.
To make a report.
You may show him around.
Yes, my lord.
Demiao
mystified things
to fool civilians.
So hideous.
Our department manages all strange events in the world.
But if not man-made,
how can immortals and good omens exist?
Demiao
wants to step in the court
to cheat his majesty.
Unforgivable.
We can't let go of
such a crafty sinister person.
After I saw your letter,
I discussed with Dongming that
we can't push them too hard.
Although Demiao is resentful,
the shadow behind her is really horrible.
We gotta wait for the bigger target to appear,
see what kind of bigshot we will get.
Now go report this case to the Court of Judicial Review.
I wanna know what kind of people
will be interested into this case.
Yes.
Well.
After this business trip,
I feel so exhausted.
Isn't it just one-night stay?
Go tell the post house manager
to prepare a room for me.
Tonight, I'll live in this place.
I'll go back to the palace tomorrow morning.
Yes. Yes.
Yes.
Come back. Come back.
Eunuch Lei.
Since it's still early,
take my letter
to the Court of Judicial Review.
Even if it's the celestial emperor,
I'll make him suffer,
let alone it's the Plough Department!
The Court Of Judicial Review
Judge Dou.
This case is on you.
Okay.
Got it.
And two more urgent indictments here.
We don't know how to deal with it.
But,
you're very resourceful.
His lordship said that,
leave them to you.
Okay.
Got it.
See you.
Now in the Court of Judicial Review,
even a petty errand runner
also dare not respect your lordship.
Unbelievable!
Remain calm.
We just need to do what we should do.
Shifu said that you're a good official.
Clean-handed.
Told me to follow you.
So that I can use my kungfu to return the court.
But I think,
I'll be driven crazy
by you before I make it.
The murder case of imperial censor Zheng?
The eunuch accuses the officer of disobeying the imperial edict.
The officer accuses the eunuch of interfering with state affairs?
As a petty judge, how can I try such a major case?
No.
I gotta turn to the Minister of Justice for help.
My lord...
He'll repel them again.
I bow in respect before your lordship.
Judge Dou.
In such a hurry.
Anything urgent to report?
My lord.
I received two indictments.
One is from the eunuch Lei Yun.
The other is from the Plough Department.
Lei Yun accuses the Plough Department of cheating his majesty,
trying to assassinate and arrest
Demiao, who're invited by his majesty.
While the Plough Department accuses Demiao of committing homicides,
but being sheltered by Lei Yun.
After I received the two indictments,
I felt that...
Judge Dou.
Let me review them first.
Judge Dou.
It's about off duty.
Why don't you leave?
My lord.
This case matters a lot.
Imperial censor Zheng is a major official.
But he died for nothing in Taian.
The court will definitely uphold justice for him.
Now the criminal is in the post house,
not the prison.
How can we allow this to happen?
My lord.
Please make a conclusion as soon as possible.
Tell his majesty to find out the truth
rather than be blinded by the eunuch.
Judge Dou, you're right.
But...
If we have to tell right from wrong,
we gotta hold a trial
and check the evidence.
How can it be that fast?
If we wanna his majesty to know this thing...
Not hard.
You may...
Transcribe these two indictments.
And send them into the palace tomorrow morning.
So his majesty will know, right?
Here you are.
Yes, my lord.
Upright yet inflexible.
Always follows the routine.
Dou Cheng. Dou Cheng.
You topped the two imperial tests in vain.
Reading too much makes you an idiot.
Who the hell are you?
You may call me Master Doumu.
Master Doumu?
Manages life and death, blessings and misfortunes in the world?
Yes.
Life and death, blessings and misfortunes are all under my control.
You...
You want me to pay allegiance to you.
What the hell you want me to do?
You're Tian Guizi's grand disciple?
You have excellent illusion-making skills.
But use it to cheat those countrymen.
What a waste.
How could you know my background?
What I know is far more than what you know.
Alright.
Listen carefully.
I'll tell you some details to help you
overturn the conviction during the trial.
Do listen carefully.
Taisui.
You'll live in here tonight.
What a big room!
If you need anything else, feel free to tell me.
Thank you, Miss.
You're Yaoguang's friend.
So you may call me Kaiyang just like she does.
Okay.
Alright.
I gotta leave now.
Before I leave,
I'll give you another big gift.
What gift?
Take it easy.
You'll know.
What are you watching?
Listen to me.
You can't go anywhere else during the night.
Just stay here and be good.
Don't go disturb Kaiyang, got it?
Wait.
Look at you.
Normally,
you either curse others
or scare others.
But look at Kaiyang.
She speaks in a tender and considerate way.
And her voice.
So fair-sounding.
Idiot.
What did you say?
Kaiyang...
Who's that?
I'm the post house's manager, Xiao Yuan.
Minister Wei comes visit you.
Which minister Wei?
Wei Lin, the Secretariat Chancellery.
Our prime minister.
The prime minister?
This way.
Prime minister Wei.
This is guru Demiao.
Guru.
This is prime minister Wei.
Didn't know that you're coming.
Sorry for not picking you up.
My fault. My fault.
No.
Not that serious.
Guru, after a long trip,
you just rested in this inn.
But I came visit you.
Am I a little annoying?
No. Not at all.
Prime minister Wei, please have a seat.
After you.
Excuse me.
Leave us, all of you.
Yes, my lord.
Prime minister Wei, you came here so late at night.
What's the matter?
Guru, do you know
how did his majesty know your name?
Well...
It's me
who told eunuch Lei to recommend you.
Thus his majesty invited you.
Minister Wei, thank you for your help.
Save it.
Please sit down.
Guru, your case
is handled by the Plough Department.
It must be tried.
But I'll do my best to help you
clear your name as soon as possible.
So that you can see his majesty.
It's counting on you, prime minister Wei.
For your help today,
I'll bear it in mind.
You and I will both work for his majesty.
If we can look after each other often,
isn't it good for both sides?
Dou Cheng.
Prime minister Kang.
Well, Dou Cheng.
I've heard that
you're not welcomed in the Court of Judicial Review.
Superiors and subordinates often make it hard on you.
My colleagues treat me well all the time.
Look.
Just ignore them.
How could little sparrows know the goose's ambition?
You're a judge.
Why did you come in the palace?
Congrats, your majesty.
Congrats.
What makes you say so?
Yesterday, my ancestor came in my dream.
Said there's an immortal coming from the east
to assist your majesty.
Isn't it something worth mentioning?
Your ancestor came in your dream.
Prime minister Wei, your ancestor is...
My ancestor was from Liaodong,
Ding Lingwei.
So you're a descendant of the immortal?
I didn't know it.
My ancestor flew away on a crane's back.
Became an immortal.
He often showed up in his offspring's dreams
to enlighten them
and bless them.
This time, he told me that in my dream.
It means a lot.
So I came here to report it to your majesty.
Your majesty.
An immortal comes from the east.
Could it be...
Demiao.
What kind of person Demiao is?
It's said that she's very capable.
His majesty heard her name.
Sent eunuch Lei Yun to Taian to invite her into the palace.
To discuss
how to expand longevity.
While the Plough Department went to Taian
to investigate the imperial censor's death.
They found that Demiao swindled civilians there,
confused public opinion and aimed to get promoted.
In order to conceal the truth,
they assassinated the imperial censor Zheng Ziwen.
Now,
Demiao
is a guest of his majesty.
So she's not in prison,
but settles in the courier hostel
under eunuch Lei's help.
Ridiculous.
Ridiculous!
His majesty is the emperor
but believes a swindler?
Regardless of the law?
Unbelievable.
The Plough Department answers directly to his majesty.
Eunuch Lei Yun has the inner palace behind him.
So the Court of Judicial Review refused to try it alone.
And I came here
asking his majesty to judge.
Come.
Let's go see his majesty.
Okay.
Your majesty, is it the Demiao from Qixing Temple in Taian?
What,
you also know her?
Guru Demiao has enormous magical power.
She's world-known.
My family know a lot.
I cultivated since childhood.
Listen.
He's mystifying again.
My lord.
Wait.
See what kind of slanderous talk he's gonna make.
Okay.
That's to say,
guru Demiao
is kinda an immortal with real capabilities.
Yes. Yes.
But...
Minister Wei.
His majesty invited guru Demiao into the capital.
But people from the Plough Department
said guru Demiao's involved in a homicide case.
Meant to put her in prison.
Ridiculous!
That's so ridiculous!
Guru Demiao is called the living Goddess of Mercy.
She's kindhearted.
Helps the villagers.
How would she kill anyone?
Your majesty.
Please don't believe such a ridiculous rumor.
Prime minister Wei is right.
Minister Wei is so right.
Your majesty, look.
There're still sensible men in the court.
I see.
Just as I expected!
Prime minister Wei abetted his majesty from the very beginning.
If he works with the so-called guru Demiao,
they assist each other in collusion,
won't the court
become more foul and messy?
How can I watch this happen?
I think,
by inviting guru Demiao into the palace,
your majesty will know if she's a real immortal at once.
Shut up!
That's sheer nonsense!
Wei Lin.
Confucius never talked about paranormal things.
How did you read the classics?
What's the use?
How could you say that without feeling ashamed?
Prime minister Kang.
Where're your manners as the prime minister?
Before his majesty,
you shouted aloud
and cursed me.
Isn't this improper?
Your majesty.
Demiao committed a homicide.
The Plough Department got a witness and evidence.
Wei Lin.
Whether she's sinful or not, gotta go through the trial by law first.
How could you decide that by yourself?
Your majesty.
A nation needs the law to rein.
A man needs the law to exist.
Your majesty can't disregard public interests for personal ones.
Can't ruin the law's enforcement
just for personal desires.
Dou Cheng, the judge of the Court of Judicial Review, greets your majesty.
Arise.
Your majesty.
Minister Kang is right.
One-thousand-mile dam may be ruined by an ant nest.
If your majesty decide it alone without any trial,
the criminal can't be punished,
who will believe the law again?
If civilians all disregard the law,
kill and pillage for personal desires,
what kind of scene the world will be?
Impudent!
A petty eighth-rank official.
How dare you utter nonsense before his majesty?
Leave right now!
Shut up!
You castrated eunuch.
How can you interfere with state affairs here?
Leave!
Well...
Your majesty, please have a look.
This...
Should be tried by law.
I agree.
Your majesty.
Genuine gold fears no fire.
Let them be!
Since that,
the Court of Judicial Review,
the Ministry of Punishment and the Censorate shall join hands
to find out the truth.
Surely wise, your majesty.
Thus, Demiao will also be able to clear her name.
Are you used
to living in our department?
Pretty well.
Your illusion magics are amazing.
And you're clever.
But your kungfu...
I don't remember you've displayed any seriously.
How about competing with me in the drill ground?
I...
Taisui.
Liu.
News of Demiao's case.
What's that?
Wei Lin speaks for Demiao.
While minister Kang says she's a swindler.
They've had a big fight before his majesty.
And his majesty decides
to let the three judicial departments to try Demiao in public.
In public?
You...
What's wrong with you?
Demiao
killed my Shifu.
While my Shifu
treated me like his son.
He's also like my father.
I've been waiting
for so many years to avenge him.
The three departments try her for you.
They'll make the truth known to all,
and uphold justice for you.
If nothing else,
I gotta return to my room first.
Since he was a kid, he lost his parents.
And then his Shifu was killed.
It's not easy for him to grow up till now.
Don't know
how much he's suffered.
You don't say.
Can't you sit properly?
I've finally become a senior from a junior.
From a petty assistant captain
to the vice defense minister.
Isn't it just for a casual sitting or
standing posture?
So uneducable for no improvements.
You're the best, huh?
Well.
Here's the thing.
This time, I've found a potential student.
Taisui.
They met him when handling the case in Taian.
I've tested him.
Pretty interesting a boy.
So I brought him back here.
Yinguang.
How many times I've told you?
Our Plough Department
is not a place for raising pets
that someone picked up.
But he's not a pet!
He can make illusion effects, can you? You can't.
He can remain alive, can you? You can't, either.
And you call him a pet?
Such power do exists?
They saw that in person.
Yaoguang is unreliable. You may not believe her.
But Wenqu has assured that, you don't believe him?
Look.
I'll call him here
and slap him to death before your face.
And he'll come back to life again, okay?
You...
Behave yourself.
If he's
really that capable,
of course we can recruit him.
But we gotta pay attention
to his personality.
I think he's quite a good boy.
He's waiting for ten years to avenge his Shifu.
So loyal and upright.
He knows that Demiao is an admired immortal.
But still cherishes his original wish and fears no power.
So persistent.
He has amazing illusion-making skills.
If he's greedy even for a little bit,
he would have earned countless wealth.
But he stays humble.
Such a personality.
Isn't it reliable?
I see.
I asked you, isn't it reliable?
Enough.
Isn't it reliable?
Yes,
There you go!
The Court of Judicial Review
Bring the suspects,
Demiao and Xue Liang to the court!
Civilian Demiao kowtows before your lordship.
Criminal Xue Liang kowtows before your lordship.
The Plough Department
accuses Xue Liang and Demiao
of faking good omens,
cheating his majesty,
profiting from making illusion tricks.
Imperial censor Zheng got the evidence but was killed.
The Grand Secretary of Zhaowen Office,
the crown prince's teacher,
the Secretariat Chancellery,
minister Wei, Wei Lin arrives!
- Minister Wei, Sorry for not picking you up. - Don't be so serious. Don't.
Don't need to make a scene like this.
I'm here just for the hearing.
Go on as if I was not here.
You three departments gotta
try this case in a fair manner.
Gotta find out the truth.
Don't let his majesty down.
You guys go on.
Go on.
Fetch the chair!
The Plough Department
accuses Xue Liang and Demiao
of faking good omens, cheating his majesty...
The Grand Secretary of Jixian Hall,
the Acting Security Commander of Dongjing,
the Secretariat Chancellery,
the crown prince's tutor,
prime minister Kang, Kang Pingzhong arrives!
Minister Kang.
Sorry for not picking you up.
I heard you three departments try the case today.
Try an immortal.
So I'm here to watch it.
Get me a chair.
I wanna sit here.
Fetch...
Fetch the chair!
The Plough Department accuses Xue Liang and Demiao
of cheating his majesty...
The director of North Xuanhui Yard,
the acting State Defense Khrom commander,
the Signatory of the Bureau of Military Affairs,
general Cao, Cao Wei arrives!
Alright. Alright.
Sit. Sit.
Don't mind me.
Don't stand up.
Back to your work.
I'm here to look for someone.
Sit. Sit.
Prime ministers, you're also here.
Daughter.
How can you still be angry with your dad?
Have had enough of fun outside?
Come home with me.
- No. - Bye!
So many people here, save some dignity for me.
Look.
Why have to go against me?
Go home with me.
Daughter.
You don't miss me.
But must miss your mom.
If still no,
the pets that you keep,
Sanhua, Si Yatou...
What're you talking about?
Stop talking nonsense before so many people.
I finally found that you're in the Court of Judicial Review.
So I came.
Go home with me.
I caught these criminals.
If I leave,
how can they continue the case?
You caught the criminals?
Good for you!
You.
Get me a chair!
Today,
I gotta see my daughter try this case!
The Plough...
Start the trial!
The Court of Judicial Review
Eunuch Lei.
Any result now?
Not yet.
Well...
It's been a while
why still no result?
Prime minister Wei came.
Just sit down.
Prime minister Kang also came.
When they just sit down,
general Cao also came.
Well...
General Cao is a military official.
Why did he come for the hearing?
General Cao came for his daughter.
So it can't be started but now.
I see.
I was afraid that you'll be anxious.
So I came inform you.
Now I gotta go back.
Okay. Okay.
Thanks. Thanks.
Please.
The Plough Department accuses Demiao, from Qixing Temple in Taian,
of faking good omens,
and committing the homicide.
With any evidence?
My lord.
All the evidence of our department
are recorded.
Any witnesses?
Yes.
Right outside.
Summon the witness here!
Civilian Taisui
greets your lordship.
Suspect Demiao.
Just now,
Taisui stated the facts of your crimes.
Now with the witness and evidence here,
will you plead guilty?
I'm not guilty.
With solid evidence,
how dare you deny it!
Demiao.
Even if you've got a glib tongue,
but,
right here,
you...
I didn't ask you.
Be quiet!
If you make any noise,
I'll drive you out!
Silence.
Taisui.
Calm down.
Suspect Demiao,
Taisui just accused you of killing and then hiding the corpse,
using a trick to move it to the market,
so that you've got an alibi.
Is that true?
Please see the truth, my lord.
If I killed him and hid the body,
it would be unnoticeable.
Why did I have to move it again
and make his majesty known?
Well.
Imperial censor Zheng's letter
proves that you're the murderer.
Can you explain?
That so-called letter.
Who saw imperial censor Zheng write it?
After multiple sides' authentication,
it's confirmed to have been written by imperial censor Zheng.
Imperial censor Zheng's handwriting can't be copied?
It must be someone who took revenge
on me by framing me up.
You claim to be indifferent to fame and wealth.
And kindhearted.
Who could you offend?
And who would take revenge on you?
Xue Liang, the Magistrate of Taian County.