Changming Street!
Read it!
Commander Zhang lured the Royal Escort to an empty house...
but a sudden explosion crumbled the house.
The whole Royal Escort has fallen.
Say something if you are still alive!
-Put out the fire! -Help!
Those who were in the vicinity were injured by flying debris.
The are currently...
eleven known casualties.
Someone, help! Hurry up!
The victims' bodies were crushed.
Their bone were burned to char.
The sound of explosion was like a roar from hell...
that echoed across the Southern District.
Charred bones.
Charred black?
The black bones.
Jahannum-dhool.
" The Longest Day in Chang'an "
Episode 14
Contact all the Sleuth-hounds and commandants with the watchtower!
Increase the security of the whole city.
All fire brigades and commandants, stand by.
Make way!
-Make way! -Make way!
The guest you are waiting for is not here yet?
The food won't taste as good if it went cold.
Waiter!
They increased the security. What are we up against now?
How should I know? Just follow your order.
It's started.
I ran into that convict.
Don't leave me disappointed again.
I will beat him next time.
What about Wen Ran?
She has works to see to. She will come to you later.
-Did you kill her? -No.
Hurry up and eat. We will leave soon.
Thanks.
Come on.
Who brought in the Crouching Fire?
The star in the sky.
Where are the rest of the bombs?
Speak!
I won't let you die before I get an answer.
Speak!
The star in the sky!
Don't you die on me!
Open your eyes!
How did you know there were Crouching Fire in the houses?
If any of your men sees a woman's body,
let me know.
The Crouching Fire was a myth from the Western Region.
While I was stationed in Longyou, I heard rumours about...
someone mixing stone grease with other materials...
to produce the Crouching Fire.
But I have never seen it.
How did you know before we do?
The hound caught the scent of stone grease.
What about you?
-I caught the scent too. -Stone grease is not Crouching Fire!
The stone grease only burns!
-It doesn't... -First of all,
do not let the civilians come in here!
Secondly, keep the fire from spreading further!
Thirdly, your men have bone injury and can't be moved!
Settle them down and set up a medical tent!
-Is that clear? -Yes!
-Bring the community officers here! -Yes!
Now!
According to Wang Xiu Yun,
Zhang Xiao Jing drew the map of the Right Counsellor's house for them.
Judging by what you know about him, what was his planning?
I only make analysis with the database.
I am no expert in speculation.
Chief.
They have result about you from the database.
Would you like to know?
Why not?
Even I am curious about...
what kind of man I really am...
according to the database.
Since January of the 25th year of older calendar...
until June of second year of Tian Bao era,
Xu Bin had a total of 92 unpaid bills...
at the Fuyuan Tavern.
Only the wines of lowest quality were bought.
I was too pathetic, I can't eve afford to pay for wine.
In the records of the Ministry of Personnel,
Xu Bin is an officer of the eighth rank.
His annual salary is 20 taels of silver,
1325 kilograms of grains,
250 mu of land and a total of eight taels of silvers for the servants.
You have a son and a daughter with your wife Madam Wang.
You hired no servants.
You live as a family of four in the small house of Southern District.
You have more than enough salary to live a life.
Why is your wife still working as helper in the kitchen?
She loves cooking.
-She loves to work. -She works for five kitchens...
and get paid.
You went to five different pawn shops in the city.
You pawned your 250 mu of land in five installments.
Your old house in Yanzhou was sold as well.
Selling the land that comes with your rank is a crime.
Why would you need so much money?
I lead a wasteful life and spend without limits.
I spent all my money on books.
I have a lot of books, all of them are collector's edition.
The wine you drink doesn't come cheap.
You started drinking red wine.
My friend paid for me.
I do have some friends, right?
The bartender knows your friend.
It was Zhang Xiao Jing.
From that time onwards, you and Zhang Xiao Jing...
met every month and had long conversation...
until he was jailed in September.
After that, there was no more records.
Am I right, Chamberlain Xu?
You went to another tavern?
Zhang Xiao Jing was jailed.
I was in pain and I tried to douse it with alcohol.
The database didn't choose Zhang Xiao Jing for this job.
I chose him.
Why?
Because he is my close friend.
-You two don't look like friends. -Why not?
He is the closest friend I have!
Tell me what kind of man he is.
When said face to face,
most of the talks are meaningless.
The case scrolls I have in the archive are much more interesting.
I don't like conversations and I am not interested.
But Zhang Xiao Jing's stories...
are something I like a lot.
It felt exciting.
Exciting?
Correct.
It's lively, realistic and it has the human touch.
He would talk to you about...
the news interests of the common folks,
the price of vegetables in different districts.
He would even tell you...
the secrets that are hidden within the city wall.
But most importantly,
-he likes them. -What does he like?
He likes the people of Chang'an.
He loves this city whole heartedly.
That is why he is different from you.
While he was the Captain of the Sleuth-hound,
he had to deal with all kinds of villains.
But he didn't judge their sins right away.
He chose to find the truth within.
When he interrogated the criminals,
he will run a background and tax record check,
and find out about the criminals' personal lives.
With those factors, he analysed...
what were missing from the criminals' hearts.
He once told me that...
not having what was desired...
is the reason for all sins.
Which is why most of the people he interrogated...
were reminded of their loss in the past...
and shed tears out of sadness.
They say he was like the Yamaraja himself.
He may not play by the conventional rules,
but the criminals...
chose to admit their crimes.
-How's that any different from my way? -You use the same method,
but Zhang Xiao Jing cares for the people,
while you care only for yourself.
At this moment,
the answer you seek...
is whether you chose the wrong man to trust...
and made a mistake.
You wish to know if you have done anything wrong.
I want to know if Zhang Xiao Jing is really working for us.
Chief.
There are someone in this world...
who feels like the truth he believes in...
cannot be wavered by anyone else.
That is the nature of Zhang Xiao Jing.
Zhang Xiao Jing didn't know I tempered with the files.
I chose him so he can get away from death row...
and have a chance to live.
-That's all? -That's all.
-Are you being completely honest? -Yes.
How do I know I can trust you?
You can't.
I don't mind telling you a secret.
The death of Wen Wu Ji...
might be connected to the Right Counsellor.
I just confirmed that...
Zhang Xiao Jing waited for the reinforcement that never arrived.
The newly appointed Minister of War...
wouldn't allow General Gai to send reinforcement.
In the 23th year of the old calendar,
the newly appointed Minister of War...
was Lin Jiu Lang himself.
Chief Li, you mean to say that...
Zhang Xiao Jing is planning a revenge...
and purposely lured the Wolven Squad to the Right Counsellor?
To make it worse, stone grease was use by troops in Western Region.
The stone grease from Western Region will burn on contact.
The explosion from Changming Street is confirmed to be the Crouching Fire.
Rumour has it a man in Longyou mixed stone grease with the Crouching Fire.
The inferno burned for days and couldn't be put out.
They took down an entire stronghold with ease.
However,
the process of making Crouching Fire is sophisticated.
The slightest mistake will cost the maker his life.
That makes it hard to be mass manufactured.
If the Wolven Squad uses this to attack the Right Counsellor's manor...
Zhang Xiao Jing drew the map of this manor for the enemy.
Perhaps he is trying to use the Wolven Squad to kill you.
Did the Peacekeeper Corps kill all of them?
It's unclear.
Are there any other stock of Crouching Fire?
That is unclear too.
-Gan Shou Cheng. -Yes.
Can the Royal Escort that serves the Corps...
be redeployed by the Right Cavalries?
As you know, the Royal Escort is technically...
under the command of Right Cavalries.
Send them here.
-But the Crown Prince... -On the feast tonight,
the Emperor will announce the national policies.
We need to make sure the people of Chang'an won't get hurt.
Only then will the Emperor enjoy his feast with the officers.
Chief Li of the Peacekeeper Corps...
was only a scholar on waiting list.
He has no experience in capturing criminals.
It would be fine if it were a few foreign bandits.
But I am worried because our enemies are using the Crouching Fire.
The case would be a hot potato if we take over now.
If anything goes wrong...
If it goes wrong?
Troops at Longyou needs more men to seize the Rock Fortress.
General Gan, if you fail you job in Chang'an,
you might as well hone your skills at the borders!
It will be done.
Sir, you are concerned for the safety of the people,
but who would be here to keep you safe?
I will send in another 300 men...
to escort you to the Grand Auditorium as precaution.
I will be waiting right here.
I will wait until the whole Wolven Squad is perished!
Sir, the threat of the Crouching Fire...
Right Counsellor, sir!
You know nothing.
It's safer here than on the street!
A wonderful Lantern Festival for the Crown Prince!
We have been waiting for Your Highness.
General Guo wanted me to pass a message.
His Majesty is furious after learning the explosion caused casualties.
His Majesty's departure is delayed.
Your Highness is blamed for this failure.
Lin Jiu Lang holds Your Highness accountable for four charges.
Tomorrow at the Censorate,
several officers will charge against Your Highness.
Very well.
Also...
What is it?
Lin Jiu Lang has a secret report...
sent by Appraiser Yuan of the Court of Judicature.
It states that Zhang Xiao Jing of the Peacekeeper Corps...
is conspiring with the Wolven Squad.
He drew the map of Right Counsellor's manor for the enemies.
He might be attempting to assassinate the Right Counsellor.
Very well.
Dismiss. Well done.
Yes.
" Li Jing Zhong the eunuch "
Did you hear what he said just now?
Go to the Corps headquarters.
Inform Li Bi at once.
Yes.
Where is Commander Zhang?
The star in the sky?
I need to put this on.
You can wear this all you want.
Did you bury the Crouching Fire inside the houses?
Did Long Bo order you to do so?
Where are they now?
You need to know,
but you wouldn't dare to know.
Where is Wen Ran?
My master is skilled at healing, he can treat him.
This is Cao Po Yan, the leader of Wolven Squad.
-Bring him back to the headquarters. -Yes.
Captain Cui!
There are pieces of woman's clothes under the debris.
She might already be dead.
Be there or be square.
I will be waiting.
Old Man Wen.
I failed you at everything you asked of me.
Perhaps Wen Ran was never here.
Tell that little fox Li Bi,
from now on, do not interfere with my plans.
What are you going to do?
Run a background check on Long Bo, and most importantly,
see if he was a soldier before this.
Come on, follow him!
-Hurry up. -Hurry up.
This way, come on!
-Bring him there and get some water. -You, come over here!
-Are you the Community Officer? -I am Old Man Sun.
-You may call me Sun Zheng. -Tell me,
why do you have a gate on the street wall?
Is it registered?
No one was inspecting the Changming Street.
To make transporting the cargo mush easier,
we secretly built a gate here.
Whose kid is it?
Make way, stand aside.
That is the message the Crown Prince wanted you to know.
You should focus on capturing the rest of the Wolven Squad.
Find out if Zhang Xiao Jing is really planning an assassination.
If someone uses this rumour against the Crown Prince,
your so-called investigation...
would bring His Highness troubles.
You have my thanks.
Chief, we couldn't find the ink.
It took you so long and you found nothing?
What's the matter?
Can't you do anything without Xu Bin?
You have ten minutes to find out how much stone grease...
were transported to Changming Street.
Yes!
Chief.
Maybe I should help them out.
You created the database.
But you used it to lie to us.
Even if I let you go for your biased decision,
will the scroll-readers here...
have any trust in you?
It can't be that bad.
-Messenger. -Yes.
Summon Yao Ru Neng with the watchtower.
Keep me posted on Commander Zhang's whereabouts.
Yes.
Make way!
Zhang Xiao Jing!
-Do you need help? -Get down.
A man from the Wolven Squad got away in a carriage.
He is carrying the Crouching Fire.
Inform the watchtower to keep an eye on the carriage.
Keep me posted on its location.
Cui Qi.
Are you all right?
You wish to get promoted to the Right Cavalries?
As of now, I have achieved nothing and failed at everything.
It would be my brother's blessing if I could get away with this.
That is all I ask for now.
This is from the Right Cavalries.
From now on,
the Royal Escort will follow commander of Gan Shou Cheng...
of the Right Cavalries.
Does Chief Li know about this?
This is the decision of the higher-up. He doesn't need to know.
If I follow the command of the Right Cavalries,
I would be bypassing my promotion.
It's not that serious.
Try to see everything in a simpler way.
You have the document, right?
But this isn't appropriate.
The Royal Escort is serving under the Peacekeeper Corps.
And you, Commandant Yao,
why are you asking me to lead my men away from the Corps?
You may think that I failed my duty,
but this mission is not over yet.
But today,
I really did give it my all.
-I gave it my all! -Cui Qi!
You are being paranoid again.
I am trying to save your career.
Only a promotion to the Right Cavalries...
can realize the dream you and your late brother had.
I can't possibly stop your dream.
What is your next plan?
Where are you going?
-Do you need an escort? -Never mind.
I need to get to a watchtower.
I am in no hurry to get a promotion.
I don't need to work as hard as you.
My job is to report everything I must.
Whatever Zhang Xiao Jing does,
I must report back to Chief Li.
Chief Li feels like in the whole Peacekeeper Corps,
only Zhang Xiao Jing...
is actually capable of something.
How do I get to Pingkang Street?
Have a nice day.
Head north along this main road...
and turn right when you are almost at the palace,
head to Zhuque Main Street and move forward past the next two streets.
That is the fastest route.
However,
Your carriage is too wide.
You can't pass the checkpoint barrier of Pingkang Street.