Sir.
I am little exhausted, so I'm taking a drink for the mind.
This wine...
is both Zhang Xiao Jing's and my favourite.
It's the yellow wine from Fu Yuan Tavern.
Has Zhang Xiao Jing ever run away at the last moment?
Never.
The messer sword he uses is three inches shorter than the others.
It's the blade of humiliation given by Prince Xin An.
That blade is named 'Useless'.
That is a long story.
Zhang Xiao Jing...
joined the army in the 17th year of old calendar.
He was the first batch of recruit.
In the 23th year of old calendar,
before he was transferred to Bohuan City in Anxi,
he was already an Assistant Commander...
in Prince Xin An's troops.
At that time,
Prince Xin An was planning an attack...
on the Stone Fortress.
Zhang Xiao Jing...
refused Prince Xin An's command right on the meeting.
He refused to deploy the troops.
He was lucky Wen Wu Ji was there to plea for him.
His life was spared.
The two of them...
were both transferred to An Xi.
All of their ranks were stripped.
They became privateers once again.
Before they left,
Prince Xin An gave him a short dagger.
It bears the meaning of...
cowardice and uselessness.
A soldier that refuses to go on a battle?
What was his reason?
The Stone Fortress...
is a fortress formed by nature.
Its defence is impregnable.
There may only be dozens of bandits living up there,
but to seize that fortress,
thousands of Tang's soldiers...
will lose their lives.
Most importantly,
it's not a stronghold that must be taken for the nation.
All of the previous generals...
wished to seize it...
simply because it has a reputation of being the strongest defence.
Whoever takes down the Stone Fortress...
will be seen as a great general...
in the emperor's eyes.
All those who attended the meeting...
understood this very reason.
But no one would dare to voice their thought.
But Zhang Xiao Jing was brave enough.
He spat at Prince Xin An for trading the soldier's lives...
for mere glory,
that Prince Xin An was despicable.
He cherishes human lives.
He wasn't wrong.
But he held onto his own code...
and disobeyed his superior,
that is a fact as well.
On the outside,
he seems to have a proper life.
But the truth is,
his life is full of pain.
When we hold onto our own code,
there is a price to be paid.
That is the price...
not everyone can afford.
" The Longest Day in Chang'an "
Episode 17
The case is closed. Get back to your prison.
We bring you clothes as per regulations.
Please,
get changed, Commander Zhang.
The Peacekeeper Corps did a great job...
by eliminating the Wolven Squad.
The people of Chang'an are saved from a disaster.
Chief Li Bi of Peacekeeper Corps...
shall close the case now.
Li Bi will follow the crown prince...
and attend the celebration at the Grand Auditorium tonight.
A feast to celebrate their feats.
All the personnel temporary relocated by the Corps...
What about our credits?
All the personnel temporary relocated by the Corps...
shall return to their original posts.
-This order must be obeyed. -No merits and no promotion?
No merits and no promotion?
Investigating the case...
was part of your job.
Those who sacrificed their lives for the sake of Great Tang...
just died in vain?
-They died in vain for this? -Cui Qi!
A work done for the sake of merits...
is not a display of loyalty!
Did my brother...
die for nothing?
Fifty men of the Wolven Squad came.
They planned this for over six months.
If they are using Jahannum-dhool,
they can't just be using 15 crates of the Crouching Fire.
We found a huge amount of human remains in the Changming Street.
Those are remains of over 20 people, who are they?
The lost map of Chang'an is yet to be found either.
Who has it now?
There is a man that goes by the name Long Bo.
He rented a house for the Wolven Squad on Xiuzheng Street.
-Who is exactly is that man? -The emperor said the case is closed.
It shall now be closed.
-Uncle Guo. -It's General Guo.
General Guo, there are still answers to be found.
Chang'an could still be in danger.
Why would the emperor order us to close the case?
Tell me something.
Where is the official seal of the Corps now?
-It's in the archive. -No.
I have been busy with investigation, I didn't use the seal.
The seal is with He Zhi Zheng.
My teacher is not feeling well today.
He went back to Paradise Height to get his rest.
After the commotion in the Western District,
Li Shi Zhi the Left Counsellor...
led four high-ranking officers to meet the emperor,
they plead for the Corps and the crown prince to be credited.
The documents regarding the case from the Corps...
was brought to the emperor at the same time.
It was sent in your name.
'The Wolven Squad is eliminated, the people of Chang'an are saved.'
On top of that document...
is the seal of Peacekeeper Corps.
Are you saying that someone faked the seal?
Uncle Guo.
If Chang'an faces any kind of trouble again,
the crown prince will be blamed.
Why is Director He in such a hurry to close the case?
This old man is rather interesting.
I have known him for over 30 years.
We started off having a pleasant time.
Our conversation was even rather sentimental.
But somehow our friendship...
is not that close.
I wonder what you feel about him?
Since he wants you to stop investigating,
even if he is bed-ridden,
he will have his way to stop your work.
As for Zhang Xiao Jing,
send him back to prison at once.
Uncle Guo.
General Guo.
I wrote to have him transferred for 24 hours.
His time is not up yet.
You are still trying to use him for your investigation?
Do you know why the emperor...
doesn't reward the other personnel of the Corps?
You may have killed the Wolven Squad,
but a convict on death row caused so much troubles.
Letting you go without punishment...
is more than enough tolerance for the crown prince.
But there are so many questions left.
I am still worried.
If you disobey this order, not only you will get killed,
think about the officers that plead and supported you,
think about the crown prince.
What about the people of Chang'an?
If the eagle soars above the clouds,
the vermin on the ground means nothing to it.
If you wish to stay innocent for the rest of your life,
you might as well resign...
and keep meditating in your monastery.
Chief Li.
Do you need the watchtower to send out the message...
that the case is now closed?
Send out the words.
The case is closed as ordered by the royal decree.
You will now return to your respective departments.
Commander Zhang...
will be sent to Chang'an Prison as well.
Yes.
He Zhi Zheng,
what did he even said to those people?
They praised the crown prince in front of the emperor?
The emperor's servants said it was...
Li Shi Zhi the Left Counsellor,
Wei Jian the Vice Censor-in-chief,
Pei Kuan the Minister of Treasury,
Han Chao Zong of the Capital Ministry,
and Master of Remonstrance Yang Shen Jin.
Doesn't that make him worry...
that the emperor will suspect the crown prince...
for conspiring with the officers?
He risked so much just to make the Corps...
stop investigating this case?
Something is amiss.
He Zhi Zheng...
is probably trying to cover up something.
Ever since he got wind of me taking over the rule,
he just couldn't wait to eat me alive.
Rest assured, my lord.
That convict that worked for the Corps...
once drew a map of this manor for the enemy.
We can use this charge to send him to Right Cavalries for interrogation.
Not only will your safety be insured,
we can even get information to charge against the crown prince.
All the rewards and credits for the crown prince...
will be retracted.
Get it done now.
The order to transfer the convict is sent.
Now, we wait for Zhang Xiao Jing to be sent to the Right Cavalries.
From now on,
the Royal Escort will be under the command of Gan Shou Cheng...
from the Right Cavalries.
Chief Li always thinks that in the whole Peacekeeper Corps,
only Zhang Xiao Jing...
is actually capable of something.
Only when you get the promotion will you and...
your brother's dream come true.
Master.
Allow me to escort...
Zhang Xiao Jing back to the prison too.
I must have let you down as well.
Not at all.
Whatever ranks you hold,
under the emperor's rule,
you are nothing.
You can't possibly go against the royal decree.
Give this to Zhang Xiao Jing.
Do not let anyone see you.
He escapes from the prison,
we couldn't stop him.
-Yes. -After he got away from the prison,
tell him to meet me in Daji Tavern in Huaiyuan Street.
I have a job for him.
There are a lot of Xian pilgrims.
The soldiers won't go there.
Xu Bin also told me that...
the shopkeeper is trustworthy.
He can keep our secret.
As you wish.
Watch your back.
Chief Li ordered me to remind you that...
this place is only four streets away from the prison.
There will be crowds on the street.
While we are transferring you there,
Commander Zhang,
I hope you won't run away.
There is a better place than...
the Peacekeeper Corps for us.
Guarding the royal palace means we are closer to the emperor.
Only officers of high ranks and nobles will be there.
Will you come with me?
I am going.
Those who would follow me, come.
They only need a small favour from us.
It will be easy.
Arrest a man on my order.
If he resists,
kill on sight.
I am not running away. I wouldn't dare.
Where is Commander Zhang?
He said he lost a kin.
He needs to find her.
Take him down.
I don't want to hurt you.
Take him down.
Not even a god can stop me.
Kill me and you will still get hunted down.
This won't be the first time...
that you killed one of your own.
Master, Zhang Xiao Jing was taken by Captain Cui to the Right Cavalries.
It was the order from General Gan...
to have Zhang Xiao Jing arrested.
I never saw any warrant for this arrest!
It was Captain Cui that took this order from General Gan.
After them now!
Where is the Royal Escort?
They followed Captain Cui and left.
Only the guards at the main hall and entrance remain.
The Corps don't even have a troop now.
-Chief Li. -Chief Li.
As per order of the emperor, we are getting off work.
Chief Li, hope you have a wonderful Lantern Festival.
Please, stay with me.
Help me with the investigations.
Sir, please don't make it hard for us low-ranking officers.
Professor Pang, you may go home now.
I, Pang Ling,
am the scholar of time.
My shift lasts for 24 hours.
The shift only ends at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning.
The shift is not over, I cannot leave.
Where is Chamberlain Xu?
He went missing after 5 o'clock just now.
It's been over an hour.
Chamberlain Xu?
Bad news!
There were more than 15 crates of Crouching Fire.
There are 300 crates.
There are 300 crates of Crouching Fire in Chang'an!
There is a mole in the Corps.
He was trying to kill me.
Who is the mole?
It was Lu San the messenger.
Chamberlain Xu!
-Who is it? -Lu San.
You are back.
Lord Long is in the house.
Lord Long.
Who is Lord Long?
-I am Long Bo. -Lord Long.
You are the healer that will cure Great Tang of its sickness.
Why did you come back so early?
The Corps closed the case.
So you came back?
Someone in the Peacekeeper Corps...
found out about real inventory list of Su Transport.
I had no choice but to kill him.
I might already be compromised.
I cannot stay in their headquarters until 2 o'clock the next morning.
I had to disobey your order and come back here.
It's been four months since you were recruited.
How was it?
Getting paid by the Imperial Court...
and having a decent life,
do you like it?
Yes.
The Peacekeeper Corps is the latest among all departments.
It was all about the authority of the higher-ups...
and the fight for power among the subordinates.
I like it when they do that.
Each passing day has shown me that I follow the right man.
Today, I can be here with you...
and do something so great that it will shake the heaven.
It is my greatest honour.
Get up.
Go and change out of this uniform.
Your brothers are waiting for you.
Yes.
San.
Change your shoes. I prepared a new pair for you.
You have been running around all day.
Good job.
You even remember the details.
We are leaving.
We need good shoes for that.
What's wrong?
We are out of time.
I want to see your face.
They know about the 300 crates of Crouching Fire.
Is this house even safe now?
Fear not.
No one would dare to go up against the owner who has our backs.
Don't worry about it.
Where is Wen Ran?
She left on her own.
She said I wouldn't dare to stop her.
Those who swear loyalty to you...
will stay by your side at all time.
She won't come back.
I don't even know why.
You liar.
Why do you always let her do as she pleases?
Because she is my family!
Or you can say...
what we are doing right now...
are for her.
Are you sure you can trust her?
Yu Chang.
I need to see it through her eyes...
to see the justice in what we are doing.
Then we need her to tell it to the whole world...
that...
we did the right things.
Tell me.
Where is Wen Ran?
I will look for her.
I am taking you out from this secret passage.
If you want to see Zhang Xiao Jing,
bear this in mind.
Unless I ask a question,
do not make any noise.
Why are you helping me?
For the merits.
The information you hold...
could bring me a great reward.
Handing me over to the Imperial Court will bring you reward.
Little girl, you know nothing.
The Imperial Court is huge.
I need to know who will have the last laugh...
before I decide who I should hand you over to.
You vermin!
This is how it works in Chang'an.
I am considered the honest bunch.
Where is Zhang Xiao Jing?
" Headquarters of Right Cavalries "
Stop, state your business here!
Order from General Gan Shou Cheng.
We are bringing in Zhang Xiao Jing...
to the Right Cavalries for interrogation.
Let them through.
Reports say there are 300 crates of Crouching Fire in the city.
The Corps is in disarray.
The Royal Escort betrayed them.
The prisoner is now inside the prison.
He is inside the headquarters of the Right Cavalries.
He cannot escape no matter how hard he tries.
Li Bi has no man to follow him. He can't investigate further.
Send a man to investigate without using my name.
It must be someone from the Court of Judicature.
The Court of Judicature?
Yuan Zai? Yes!
Appraiser Yuan of the Court of Judicature...
has been aiming for a promotion for such a long time.
Get it done.
I want him to relocate all the case files and evidence the Corps has.
I want to know where the 300 crates of Crouching Fire...
are going to attack.
Yes.
It's holiday.
The works here just keep coming.
This is an important suspect.
Where are you going to keep him?
Do you really think it's easy to watch over...
the south side gates of the royal palace?
Because of this Lantern Festivals,
we haven't had any good sleep in weeks.
And now we have to work the whole night.
I just returned from Guangde Street and want to take a break.
But the Corps just won't get it.
Here comes another trouble.
-It was the order of General Gan. -Don't you dare bring up his name!
What was your name again?
I am Captain Cui of the Royal Escort.
Do you know what makes a smart guy?
Talk if you know how to flatter and shut it when you don't.
That is how to be smart.
Zhang Xiao Jing is fierce and killed a dozens of men.
You need to keep him watched at all time.
Sure, General Cui.
No, I am just a mere captain.
I am no general.
Soon enough.
Is that so?
Have you heard any news?
-Lock him in cellar. -Yes.
Cellar?
The Right Cavalries are standing guard in the royal palace.
There are riders on duty all the time.
I can lock him in a toilet and he still couldn't get out.
Come on, let's get the paperwork done.
Chief Li.
I am Yuan Zai of the Court of Judicature.
I was ordered to come by...
to acquire all the case files, evidences and witness.
Especially the Alpha Cao Po Yan.
Why rights do you have to take the criminal we caught?
The Peacekeeper Corps does play by the rules.
Tan Qi, dismiss.
My master knows his manner,
that doesn't mean he can be picked on.
Chief Li, there are still questions about the mastermind of Wolven Squad.
Since the Corps has the case closed,
it's only natural to hand over the criminals...
to the Court of Judicature.
So, the Court is investigating?
I am only an appraiser of the eighth rank.
I wouldn't be here without any orders.
What if I refuse to hand them over?
Chief Li.
The emperor knows you since you are seven years old.
You joined the crown prince in the Royal Academy at age of 12.
Everyone was envy of you.
I am sure you know the laws very well.
The punishment of obstructing the Court's investigation...
is something you should be aware of.
Please, this is not a joke.
Come over here.
I wish to have a word with you.
Do you think I would resort to violence?
In order to save me, Appraiser Yuan killed off a dozen of bandits.
Even if you resort to violence, that won't scare him.
Gentlemen never uses violence.
Fine.
I will take you to him.
Officer!
Do you have food? Can you spare me some food?
Li Bi!
If you mess with me,
you will pay for it!
Let us out now!
Track down Lu San.
Find out who sent him here.
Much obliged, Chief Li.
Tan Qi, come with me.
Sir.
You are locking the officer of the Court?
We cannot let anyone else know about this.
Yuan Zai didn't bring any document with him.
There is no way he is here for official business.
Also,
the Court of Judicature are just a bunch of vultures.
They prey on the weak.
Unless the case is solved,
they wouldn't dare to take over.
Besides,
this fallout we had...
must be made known to the world.
Send a man to spread the word.
I want the officers to know...
that no law can bind me down...
and I see no one as ally.
If anyone tries to take over the Peacekeeper Corps,
lock them up.
Yes.
Can I have some of it?
Food?
If it wasn't because of you,
all of us would have been with our families by now.
Well, you should probably go home.
Otherwise...
you will be in grave danger.
Danger?
Here?
You want to escape?
You want to go against me?
That means you are going against Captain Cui.
Say it.
I send you here because it was an order.
I am a soldier.
A soldier must obey his order.
I didn't do anything wrong.
Cui Qi.
You conspired with Zhang Xiao Jing...
to escape and threaten the safety of the palace.
I can...
execute you without any trial.
-Tie him up! -Yes!
Tie him up properly!
Do you want to be general?
You must first learn to betray your comrades...
without feeling any guilt.
Are you happy now?
I brought him here for interrogation.
He just saved the city.
Someone is trying to escape from our headquarters,
that could be humiliating.
Can't you hit harder?
Are you happy now?
He is not happy. Keep hitting.
I am happy!
I envy him for getting the higher-up's attention!
I will be even happier if you beat him to death!
I want you to listen closely.
If Zhang Xiao Jing really gets away,
there will be no room for us in the palace.
Without your uniforms...
your families will starve to death.
When they are harassed by those thugs,
remember what happened here.
Remember your failure.
Get back to your patrol.
-Yes.
Get back to your patrol if you can move.
We don't hire the useless here.
Or just beat it and go back to where you came from.
Chief Li.
Can he speak now?
He is still unconscious.
Let me know when he wakes up.
Yes.
If Lu San is the mole,
the enemies will know all of our watchtower codes.
We can't send any message from the watchtower.
If there is anything I can do, I will gladly help.
The city is in danger.
We can't afford any error.
And there is...
As long as you give me the order,
I will find a way to complete it.
You must not say you are working for the Corps.
Sir.
Do you have a plan to turn the tide?
If we don't get to the bottom of this,
not only will the people of Chang'an be in danger,
all the neighbouring nations...
will think that our defence is weak.
Great Tang will lose its authority.
Our enemies, vessel states and commissioners at the borders...
will follow suit too.
Chang'an will never know peace again.
There is only one man who can save us all.
The Right Cavalries are wrong...
to arrest him.
All right.
I shall bring Zhang Xiao Jing back.
Their headquarters is in the royal palace.
It won't be easy to get in.
Sir.
Don't you know I am an expert in lying?
If I get caught,
I will tell them...
I plan this prison break out of personal feeling.
It has nothing to do with the Corps.
I can't care so much today.
I hope you understand.
Your wish is my command.
Wait.
Let Yao Ru Neng go with you.
Tell him it's my order.
He may be a smooth-talker,
but he does have a brave heart.
When time calls for it,
-we can trust him. -Yes.
The two of you will go to Right Cavalries' headquarters.
Stand by and wait for my order.
At seven o'clock,
if you still don't get my message,
commence your mission.
Where are you going?
Paradise Height.
Director He's villa?
Sir,
are you suspecting him as well?
If he is willing to help me rescue Zhang Xiao Jing,
I won't suspect him.