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Uncle
I don't think
these men in black
are regular thieves
and horses.
They didn't come for our money
Rather, they look like trained assassins, trying to kill us all.
Right
they seemed to know our plans very well.
They were ambushing
on the only way to Yu Bazan's camp.
We must've been exposed.
Shit
Li Jianqing and his sister might
belong to the rebel party trying to sabotage our government.
So you think
Li Jianqing and Li Yihuan
sent these assassins?
Our operation this time
was pretty secretive
so how did these assassins know?
Eunuch Li has been serving for over 30 years
and the imperial concubine Li is Commander Shu's daughter.
Other soldiers
are all selected from the Eight Banners.
They are reliable
and won't conspire with the assassins to kill us.
The only suspects
are Li Jianqing and his sister.
Uncle
if they
belong to the rebel party.
They would
not only want us killed.
I'm afraid
the emperor is also in danger.
It's my fault.
I shouldn't have listened to the emperor
and went to mobilize the army.
I should've insisted to ask the emperor
to return to the capital immediately.
So what should we do now?
Go for the army
or back to see the emperor?
They can't be far away. Hurry up.
Shit, let's run.
It's been over ten days
why isn't Songgotu back?
Did something happen to him?
Sorry
my bad.
Don't worry, master
I've sent two soldiers
out to gather information.
We don't know when he
can come back.
Yi Huan
why don't you
sell these treasures
from Liu Dezhao
for some food
and give them to the refugees.
Junior Long, I have the same idea
but was too shy to speak.
You want the same thing.
Great minds think alike indeed.
Sis. Huan
you misspoke again.
How can you compare with our master?
I...
It's ok
I've always regarded
Yihuan as a heroine.
With vision and guts.
Master
we can't do that.
If we use Liu Dezhao's bribery
to buy large amounts of food
it will attract Liu and Qiu Gui's attention.
If they find out that
you are not on the same boat with them.
They might take the risk
of killing you.
The mighty dragon is no match for the native serpent.
You are right.
Liu Dezhao must have
put us under surveillance.
We haven't heard from Songgotu
so we can't act rashly.
We can set up four porridge distribution sheds
on each direction in the city.
But we can't do this on a large scale.
If anything unexpected happens
we can't stand the fallouts.
You are right.
I didn't think it through.
Current measures can only ease their suffering for now
not a long-term solution.
Only when I go back safely
and overhaul the governing system
can I save the people
from suffering under corrupted officials like Liu Dezhao.
Now we're talking.
Your safety is
of paramount importance.
Yihuan
we have money now.
So you can go
redeem those jewelries
of yours and Concubine Li's.
Or, you'll ask me for more interests
when we go back to the palace.
Junior Long,
I find that you're
getting more careful with your money.
Qiu Gui,
what's going on with Long San right now?
Nothing.
He just set up several porridge distribution sheds
and is handing out porridges 24/7.
He is a person with mercy and persistence.
And he knows how to win people over.
Has he been visiting Wan Su frequently?
Yes
every night for four hours.
But he doesn't stay there.
He leaves early morning.
Every time he went there,
he wore plain clothes and went in from the backdoor.
When he visited Wan Su
he took only his maid
and that Guard Li
so no others can get close.
So he is being really careful.
No wonder he rose to
such a high position at such a young age.
And he won the emperor's trust
to be the commissioner.
Youth are to be regarded with respect.
Bullshit.
He is satisfied with what he gets now, money and girls.
But I'm still sick
thinking about his pretentiousness.
Don't be like that.
If Long San was not a lecher
then we won't be able to manipulate him.
Guard Meng
did this Official Long come every midnight
and leave early morning?
Yes, uncle.
I'm still worried.
We can't relax
until he leaves Taiyuan.
You keep watching him closely.
Yes sir.
Don' worry, I'll keep my eyes on him.
Thank you.
Brother
it was Wan Su, not you
who played for me that day
in the Pleasure Pavilion
right?
You got me again.
I think so.
I reckon that you could not have
played Pipa that well
with your three-minute passion to everything.
There is one thing that I'm good at
bragging. I'm the best at it.
When it comes to bragging,
nobody can compete with you.
Brother
although I
haven't seen Wan Su's appearance
I think
she must be
an extraordinary woman
from her elegant gesture
and her Pipa skills.
I think it's my loss by just sitting out here and drink tea
while others
call me a lecher.
How about
you leave us alone
and I see her beauty for real.
No way.
Why not?
Wan Su
is a gift from Liu Dezhao.
She's mine if I really want her.
Besides
if I really like her
I can take her back with me to the capital.
Absolutely not!
You're jealous.
No, I'm not.
I'm protecting you,
and your reputation.
So I have a reputation in your mind.
Then who said that
I'm the man not worth loving by all the women in the world.
Brother, how about this
if you admit that you are jealous.
I'll
stay away from her
to...
to lessen your suffering.
Or...
I really can't drink tea
for ten consecutive nights out here.
I...
Stop right here.
Stop!
No
you're losing it again
just like last time with me.
Listen, Wan Su is different.
She has someone in her heart
and that person is on our side.
So don't bother thinking about her.
Bullshit.
You lied to me like this last time
saying one has to marry Long San
no touching confidant's woman.
You are tricking me again
I won't fall for it this time.
I'm not lying, really.
Do you know why our robbery
went that well?
Because we have a planted agent next to Liu Dezhao.
The agent
is Wan Su's lover.
So if you
want her
then you really are
an asshole and a lecher.
Really?
Yes. I'm telling the truth.
Ok, I'll pass this time.
Brother
My experience these days
makes me not in the mood for women.
I was joking with you.
But I'm not like someone
talking about
all these principles
and noble causes
while in fact is just being jealous.
Kangxi is a lecher indeed
who can't stop flirting with Sis. Huan.
Huan, you must resist it
and not fall in love with our enemy.
Quit it!
Official Long, it's late
I'll see you out.
See?
Wan Su
doesn't like you at all.
She wants you to leave, so go now.
So jealous
Ok, Wan Su
I'll see you later.
Bro. Meng.
Bro. Li.
Qiu Gui had been watching you from across the room.
He just left
so you can go back to Commander Shu's place with no concerns.
Thank you very much.
Commissioner
this is Meng Xianghe
Wan Su's lover I was talking about.
He has been helping us behind the scenes.
Isn't he much more handsome than you?
Your argument
only proves your jealousy.
Thanks for your help.
You're welcome.
I've been
serving Liu Dezhao for a long time
during which I met many officials.
But you are the only one
truly cares about the people.
I admire you a lot
so I'm honored to
make my humble contributions.
So you take care
see you soon.
See you soon.
Sis. Wan!
Bro. Meng!
Sis. Wan!
Bro. Meng!
You're finally here.
I miss you a lot
but couldn't find the right chance to visit.
Now, we're good to go.
My ten-year-contract with Official Liu
is due tomorrow.
So we can be free to go together.
For real?
That's great!
Sis. Wan, you go pack your things.
I'll pick you up tomorrow.
Nasai,
I need to sit down.
I can't take it.
Nasai
take this golden plate
go to Yu Bazan
and ask him to deploy his army to rescue the emperor. Go now.
No
what if something happens to you after I left?
Nasai
you have to understand.
If I'm dead
we have the queen in the harem.
There are many others
in our Heseri Hala family.
As long as the emperor is safe,
we still have hope.
But if the emperor is in danger
not only us
but the whole of Qing Empire will be threatened. So go now!
No!
Go!
I don't care
about other things.
I can't live without you.
So, let's go.
Ok, you stubborn boy.
Go
go
you stubborn boy.
Go.
Ok.
Let's go.
Go.
Here.
Go.
If anyone approaches...
Don't say it.
My lord.
Xianghe
have you recovered from the injury?
I'm much better. Thanks for asking.
Xianghe.
Give me an update on the investigation
to find out the rat among us.
We're still investigating, with no progress.
My lord
I need to talk to you about this issue.
Ok.
Before my father died, he asked me to serve you.
I signed a ten-year contract to be your guard.
Today is the due date.
So I want to resign and retire.
Xianghe.
So have you made up your mind?
You don't want to serve me anymore?
I'm too lazy and prefer an idle life style. I'm not used to officialdom.
Please let me go.
Ok
if you have decided
I won't force it.
Everyone has his own aspirations.
But
can you help me
with a last mission
before you go?
What do you think?
I'll do my best.
What do you want me to do?
You have to sneak into Commander Shu's place
to kill Concubine Li tonight.
My lord
You want me to kill Concubine Li?
Yes
we have Long San under control
for now.
But if Concubine Li, who is pregnant with the emperor's baby
gives birth when she returns to the capital
it would be a disaster for us.
So we have to kill her as soon as possible.
How do you know that she is pregnant?
Guard Meng
I'll be honest with you.
Long time ago
I bribed Shu's butler
who told me that
Concubine Li's nanny was
really happy these days.
She cooks all kinds of soup for Concubine Li every day.
And one night...
Miss
you'd better eat more
because you're pregnant with the emperor's baby.
You have to take care of yourself.
It was just the nanny's dream talk.
How can you take it seriously?
Yes, it was a dream talk.
But the nanny put
all kinds of
herbs to prevent miscarriage in the soup.
So I'd rather
be cautious
about it.
Even if she
was not pregnant
the emperor's favor
means she will bear the emperor's child sooner or later.
Do you think
Concubine Li would let us live then?
So she has to be eliminated.
But the commissioner brought many top-notch bodyguards
to protect Concubine Li.
And, my injury isn't fully recovered.
Xianghe
we can do this.
tonight
I'll ask the commissioner to come to dinner
so half of his guard will be with him.
And I'll send my people
to sneak into Shu's place
and lure away the remaining half.
Then you can do your business with no concerns.
My lord
there are evidences
connecting Shu Jian's death to you.
If you kill Concubine Li now
it will make the commissioner even more suspicious of you.
He took your bribes
but it doesn't mean he won't sell you out when he returns to the capital.
You're not completely wrong.
Let me think about it.
Xianghe
is this knife
your father's?
My lord
this knife
is a family heirloom.
I remembered that
your father carved some words on the handle.
Can I take a look?
Here you are.
What a nice knife.
Arrest him.
Stay down Guard Meng.
Feeling weak?
I put something in your herbal medicine this morning.
Haven't you noticed?
My lord, what is this about?
Meng Xianghe
I trusted you so much.
But I didn't expect that
you would conspire with Long San against me.
I don't know what you're talking about, my lord.
Still trying to lie to me?
I've found out last night
that it was Commissioner Long San
who robbed the silver in my manor.
My lord
you think Long San
was the thief.
Can you prove it?
You want prove, let me show you.
Shu's butler said
Long San and his guards
were not at home
when the robbery happened.
They returned next morning
wearing masks and black clothes, looking very suspicious.
And Long San went out later
disguised as an old man.
When I show the picture to the butler
he said
Long San was Mr. Ai
the merchant.
The words he wrote on my face
still haven't come off.
Meng Xianghe
still won't tell the truth?
Let me tell you.
Last night
we drugged the nanny
who told us everything.
Meng Xianghe
you need to go.
My master belongs to the emperor now,
carrying his baby.
Xianghe.
You've been with me for many years.
So I don't understand
why you would conspire with Long San,
an unrelated and unfamiliar person
against me.
I know
for all these years
you've been taking my money
but not the maids.
Why?
because you fell in love with someone.
I just didn't realize
that your lover
was Shu Wanxin, daughter of Shu Jian.
You were having an affair with Concubine Li.
Yes
l love Shu Wanxin.
My lord
it's a fact that you treated me well.
You've been really nice to me
in the last ten years.
I never thought about betraying you.
I just don't want to see you
fall into the abyss of evil.
My lord
please follow my advice
and stop your misdeeds.
It's never to late to repent.
I see
no reason
to repent.
I knew that
Commissioner Long San
accepted my money and the girl
as a cover-up.
The day he returns to the capital
is my judgment day.
So what should we do?
We have no way back.
I would take the risk
of killing him
and blame
the Ox horn Village mobs for his death.
My lord.
Have you thought about the fact that
Ox horn Village is in Shanxi.
Even if the emperor believed that
the commissioner and Concubine Li
were killed by those mobs
you, as provincial governor of Shanxi
can't escape from the crime of dereliction of duty.
Dereliction of duty?
Xianghe.
Hear me out.
After thorough investigation
I found that commissioner Long San
conspired with those Ming remnants on the Ox horn Village.
He forged the imperial edict
and robed the official treasury together with those bandits.
Their infighting due to uneven split of the booty
turned deadly.
And I led my soldiers and wiped out Ox horn Village.
Do you think
the emperor
will punish me for dereliction of duty then?
And
Commissioner Long San is punishable by death
for his crime of fabricating the imperial edict.
First, you
impute the crime to the Ox horn Village
and now, you claim that the commissioner fabricated the imperial edict?
Let me show you the proof.
See?
Ever since I found out about Long San's robbery of the silver
I knew he must be hiding something.
So I asked the butler
to watch him in the dark.
Surprisingly
he found the chance
to sneak into Long San's room
and discovered these.
After careful inspection we found that
the imperial seal and the secret edict
were fake.
This is impossible.
The commissioner has another secret edict
ordering him to investigate the assassination of Shu Jian.
I checked that one
and it is authentic.
Maybe he was indeed ordered to investigate Shu Jian's death
but he was bold enough
to interfere with Shanxi's internal affairs
and even forged the imperial edict and the seal out of desperation.
What is this called?
They have to break into hell
when they had a pass
to heaven.
Qiu Gui
Official Long carved these words on your faces
as a reminder and an alarm, hoping you would repent
and mend your ways.
But you still refuse to admit your errors.
Bullshit!
What is Long San to me?
From my perspective
He is only a cunning hypocrite
and hustler
How can you be tricked like this
after ten years of experience as an official.
Different people go different ways.
Official Long didn't want to be as corrupt as you
so you wen so far as to kill him.
You are seeking your own destruction.
My lord
It's ok if god does evil
but if you do evil
you can't survive.
Well
I promised my father to serve you for ten years.
Now ten years has passed.
So I kept my end of the deal.
Liu Dezhao
I'm in your hands now.
My life
is yours to take.
Xianghe
you followed and guarded me
for ten years.
You saved me many times.
I'm grateful for that.
But you betrayed me
and risked the lives of my whole family
just to save a woman.
Xianghe
don't blame me
for my cruelty and mercilessness.
Take him away.
Move.
It's twelve hours till sunset.
Hope nothing goes wrong.
Master.
How is Songgotu doing?
He had an accident.
We found his guards
down a cliff.
They were dying of serious injuries.
They said they were attacked half way
by two groups of unidentified mobs.
Three of them
covered for Songgotu and Nasai to escape.
But they were
injured and thrown down the cliff.
Where is Songgotu now?
He was seriously wounded.
But we couldn't find him.
We don't know whether he arrived at
Yu Bazan's military camp safely or not.
So I plan to have two people
rush to Yu Bazan's camp.
But they don't have your golden plate
to prove their identity.
So I don't know whether Yu Bazan believes them
and deploys his army or not.
Master
how about
I go myself.
Yu Bazan knows me
so if I go and explain the situation
he should believe me.
Then you go again. Thank you for that.
Don't mention it.
I don't need to bring anything with me.
I'll travel light.
I'll send two guards to go with you.
Ok.
Bad news! Junior Long.
The fake seal and imperial edict were missing.
They were there when I checked yesterday.
But now
they're all gong.
Someone here
must've been bribed.
Liu Dezhao has
the seal and the edict now.
No way.
They worked here for a long time
so they couldn't have been be bribed by their arch enemy.
Monkeys disperse when the tree falls
Someone must've betrayed us
after Official Shu
the pillar of the family died.
If there is a spy
then we
are probably exposed.
Not probably
we are definitely exposed.
Liu Dezhao will definitely use the fake seal
and fake edict to incriminate
even kill, our master.
What should we don now?
We'd better run.
And run fast.
We can't find Songgotu so far.
So we'd better get out of Taiyuan right now.
I'm afraid
it's to late for us to escape.
Don't worry, you'll be fine
with our protection.
Someone's coming.
Official Long,
the governor sends some one
to invite you to go discuss disaster-relief related matters.
Gui'er
can you not walking back-and-forth in front of me?
I'm dizzy.
You' re dizzy?
I'm annoyed.
Brother-in-law.
See these words?
Still not coming off.
I hate him a lot.
And...
does that stubborn guy
know the rules of the officialdom?
You're wasting this meal.
I would
arrest him right here
torture and then kill him.
No rush.
Wait a sec.
Give him
and ourselves, a chance.
Gui'er.
To be honest
since he got here
I haven't found out
about his background
and it's making me nervous.
And...
What if Long San
bow to us when he
knows that we have proof
of him killing officials
and forging the seal and the edict?
After Long San surrenders
what should we do about Concubine Li
whose father was killed by us?
She must die.
Plus
if Long San
yields to us
then he will cover
many things for us.
Or...
we'll send him to hell as well.
Where is Long San anyway.
Official Long, please.
Is Concubine Li still here?
Yes.
She just asked her nanny
to gather people at the hall
and pray for her father's soul with her.
Have you finished what we instructed you to do?
Yes.
I've put drugs in the soup.
It will take effect soon.
I'll go pray at the hall now. You wait for my signal.
Ok.
When it's done we will give you a big reward.
Mind your steps
Official Long.
Sorry for not picking you up sooner.
Official Long.
Have a seat please.
I have to other intentions inviting you here.
There are two things
I want you to have a look at.
Official Long
are you familiar with
these two things?
Official Liu.
How did you get it?
Official Long.
It doesn't matter how I got it.
What matters is that
you've committed
a felony punishable by death.
What do you want?
Ok, Official Long
let's be frank now.
I know that
you have evidences of my misconducts.
And...
What do you want?
It depends on whether you
want us to die
or live together.
Official Liu.
A live dog is better than a dead lion.
Of course I want to live.
Nice.
I know
you're a wise man.
Right.
A wise man submits to fate
From now on
we ¡®re on the same boat.
It's great, Official Long.
We finally formed an alliance.
Let's drink to
our alliance
and to this great day.
Cheers.
It's so good.
Official Long
since we're family now
I need to ask you a favor.
What is it.
Can you help me
remove your calligraphies
from my face?
Mr. Qiu,
my maid
made the ink.
It won't come off for a month.
So I can't help you.
Mr. Qiu
you can wait till it comes off.
Ok
I wait then.
I'm sorry.
You're so kind.
Cheers
to our family.
Cheers.
Cheers, Official Long.
You're
a man with no desire,
not even aroused by
such an extraordinary girl like Wan Su.
Official Liu.
I'm not a man with no needs.
Right.
We were not as close then.
So...
I stayed away from her because I was afraid that
you would write to the emperor to criticize me.
Now we're good.
Since we are family now
you can relax
and be with Wan Su as intimate as you like.
As the saying goes
if you weren't amorous in your youth, you never lived it fully.
Thank you for your help.
My pleasure.
Official Long.
As family
I need to
ask you a favor.
What is it?
We got the news that
Concubine Li was pregnant with the emperor's baby.
Yes.
But later we heard that
saddened by her father's death
she miscarried
and died after loosing a lot of blood.
Official Liu.
What is this suppose to mean?
When I left
Concubine Li was ok.
Official Long.
As the saying goes
accidents
will happen.
Official Long.
A wise man like you
must know how to report
Concubine Li's death to the emperor.
You can write the report.
We can jointly submit it.
Hurry up.
Hurry.
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