Great!
The jade green leaves of willow...
are dangling down like threads of green silk.
Who sliced the leaves into strands?
The spring breeze of February that cuts like blades.
Who sliced the leaves into strands?
The spring breeze of February that cuts like blades.
Sir, why is your new poem...
using harsh words like...
'blades' and 'sliced'?
So, you noticed as well?
Everyone noticed that?
The emperor thought...
I wrote this for the crown prince,
that I disagree with His Majesty...
and use this poem as an analogy.
They say this poem is a mocking against the emperor...
for slicing off the crown prince's alliance...
which turned out to have made His Highness rise in power.
He gained even more followers.
His Highness has his own forces.
He is standing tall like the willow tree.
But that was not what you meant in the poem.
Someone is using it against you.
His Majesty respects your talents.
He won't believe the rumours.
When I wrote this poem,
do I...
really mean to pass this message?
I am not even sure about that either.
The emperor has over twenty sons.
But only the crown prince...
is subtle and decisive with actions.
He is a force to be reckoned with that is lurking in the dark.
After His Majesty passes the throne,
the crown prince can right the wrongs of this nation.
His Highness will be the one that returns...
the nation to its glory days.
Anyone...
who wishes to harm His Highness...
will pay...
dearly for it.
The jade green leaves of willow...
are dangling down like threads of green silk.
Who sliced the leaves into strands?
The spring breeze of February that cuts like blades.
5 o'clock in the evening!
Sunset!
" The Longest Day in Chang'an "
Episode 18
Greetings.
Do you...
-have any food to spare? -Get lost!
Say another word to me...
and my father will have your head!
Miss Wang, try to calm down.
-After we get out of here... -You!
How did a feeble weakling like you...
kill those bandits and save me?
Was that a lie too?
Everyone is lying to me.
You lied to me. Wen Ran lied to me.
You are all liars!
Get back inside!
We have a crowd in here.
Do not touch that man.
He is ill.
It's contagious.
Do you smell something?
They won't let us investigate.
I will use this chance for something personal.
Do not tell anyone about that little feud in my family.
The crown prince rewarded us the best dried meat from Lingwu.
Take your share from me later.
Yes, Commandant Yao.
Right, Chief Li was looking for you.
He wants you to follow Tan Qi on a task.
You should go now.
Very well.
Who are we fooling this time?
-Just come on. -Where are we going?
We are busting Zhang Xiao Jing from the Right Cavalries headquarters.
But that place is inside the royal palace.
Hold on.
Troops of soldiers are stationed there.
You need to pass the barbican and the palace front gate.
Li Bi is sending us for this job?
Commandant Yao, are you faltering?
I am the descendant of Minister Yao.
He refused His Majesty's offer to be the Chancellor.
That courage is a trait in our family.
Do not accuse me of being a coward so lightly.
Don't go there.
I feel pity for you.
You know you will be doomed if you do this.
But don't you know?
The most pathetic thought in this world...
is to think someone...
got the job done because he tried.
But the reality is exactly the other way around.
Commandant Yao, will you join me and follow Chief Li's order...
or will you take a break here?
The palace permit from the Right Counsellor?
-Where did you get this? -I bought it.
What?
I am surprised the forgery technique is so advanced.
It's not convenient to ride in this outfit.
I need you to escort me to the palace main street.
It's the headquarters of the Right Cavalries.
It's all right if this is too much of you.
What makes you think you can get in?
Get on the horse now.
You are keeping secret from me now?
You can either tell me or I am leaving you.
Fine, go home and get your rest.
If anything happens to you,
I still need to tell Li Bi what went down.
Otherwise he will be haunted by nightmare forever.
Sure.
If anything goes wrong,
you must tell my master what happened to me...
so he can clean up our mess.
When we reach there,
I will pretend to work for the Right Counsellor.
I am the person that does the dirty works for him.
Hold on.
The Right Cavalries are not idiots.
You may look pretty,
but they can't just take your word for it.
Let me show you something.
This is the Jade Flower Pendant the Counsellor uses.
I am sure they recognize this.
The craftsmanship is fine.
All the details are right.
You would need at least a year or so to craft this thing.
How did you know this thing will come in handy one day?
When I was investigating the case with Ming Ying...
-What happened? -Come on.
We will be breaking laws if we help Zhang Xiao Jing escape.
You don't really need to go.
Am I really such a coward in your eyes?
This is not about courage,
you are the last son of your family.
It's only natural to be more cautious.
The Right Cavalries headquarters?
I know them well.
Why isn't there any guard?
You have to welcome the guest on your own.
We don't need guards.
We sent them away.
How is my teacher?
My father is not seeing guests.
It's not safe to live here without guards.
-Let me call the Royal Escort... -If someone sees this,
they would think you are here to arrest him.
Are you...
looking for that seal?
I took that seal from the Corps...
because I know my father likes it.
So I stole it.
It's not about that. He wasn't feeling well when he left earlier.
I am worried so I came to visit him.
You really do care for my father.
How thoughtful of you.
After my father...
was discharged by the emperor,
the only person who came...
is you.
Take this pill.
My father caught a cold on his way home.
I don't want you to be infected.
Take this tonic pill...
before meeting him.
He made this himself?
The doctor who lives next door gave us.
Can you tell what are the ingredients?
Let me know if you can tell.
It keeps me well and healthy.
I want to make some myself.
It's just some herb with warm nature like China root and ginseng.
And some Mayflower gloryberries.
Take the pill and you can see my father.
How is he now?
Not bad.
But he has some headache.
Go inside.
I am going to have some fun.
Greetings, Director He.
Watch your steps! Watch it!
Do not step on the pills the crown prince gave me.
I am 86 years old.
My hands are already shaking.
But His Highness cares about me.
He granted me three years' worth of pills for the headache...
so I can bring them back to my hometown.
There are too many of them. I can't pick them all up.
I don't want to take up your time.
Did you take the pill He Fu gave you?
I took the pill.
Good.
I don't want to get you infected.
Both you and the crown prince...
will attend the same feast.
You need get your spirit up.
-Sir. -Good.
Good.
I told the others I am here for a visit.
But I am here...
to ask a favour from you.
The people are gone now.
No one would listen to me.
There is nothing I can do.
I hope you can request...
for the Right Cavalries to release Zhang Xiao Jing.
The emperor ordered us to close the case.
The work at the Peacekeeper Corps is done.
If you were capable of persuading the other five officers...
and have them submit a request for His Majesty to close the case,
I am sure you can help to release Zhang Xiao Jing.
It's not worth it for a convict on death row.
That man can save Chang'an. It's worth it.
Chang'an is already saved.
No, it's not.
There are another 300 crates of Crouching Fire in the city.
A single crate...
is enough to blow up the Watergate of the Western District.
It's hard to imagine what 300 crates will do to us.
Tonight is the Lantern Carnival.
It doesn't matter where the enemies attack,
there will be heavy casualties.
How do you learn about the other 300 crates?
Xu Bin found the list.
He was almost killed.
Who else know about this?
Tan Qi, Xu Bin, Pang Ling and me.
No one else must find out about this.
Once it causes a mass panic,
there will be pandemonium in Chang'an.
We can't keep this a secret. We must track it down.
I am also here to retrieve the seal of Peacekeeper Corps.
With that seal, I can bypass everyone to the emperor.
I can tell His Majesty about this crisis...
and urge His Majesty to cancel the celebration.
That is our best plan.
We can even delay the transferring...
-of rule to the Right Counsellor. -No.
Why not?
Sir, why do you keep standing in my way today?
All the ambassadors are watching from the Grand Auditorium.
They are not just here for the meals.
They are here to see the glorious illusions of this city.
If the celebration is cancelled,
all the neighbouring countries will know we are invaded.
If they no longer fear the authority of Great Tang,
there will be uprisings at the borders.
That would be more than just a moment of danger for this city.
The people at the borders will suffer for years to come.
Right now,
all the regions are using mercenaries.
They need to be paid before the battle even starts.
The war will take a toll on the national treasury.
The people will still be paying for the cost of war.
Chang Yuan.
A day and a lifetime.
This is serious, you must think this through.
If I run away now,
I will always be on the run.
If I can't save the present,
I can't save the future.
I will track down the enemies.
If you won't help me,
I will seek help from Uncle Guo instead.
You!
State your business here!
My lord sent me here for a job.
Security is tight here.
No one can pass without the Fish Pendant.
I have an appointment with Commander Zhao.
I need to have a word with him.
May I know your name?
Ju Ping Kang.
Fine, come with me.
-Bring me the name register. -Yes.
Wait here.
All the names are here.
Your name is not in the register.
Are you sure?
I am sure I talked to Commander Zhao about this.
Please, try to search again.
-It's the same. -This is an important matter.
How could you not prepare the register beforehand?
We are in charge of security, the register is not part of our job!
I don't care what you do in the Right Cavalries.
-Stop wasting our time here. -Stop!
Calm down.
We are here on order.
If our job is delayed,
I am afraid the punishment will be harsh for you.
What is going on here?
What is with all the noises?
What is going on in this cold weather?
The carnival is starting.
What are the two of you doing here?
Zhao Qi Lang.
My lord wants me to take a prisoner from you.
How do you know I am the seventh child?
The Jade Flower Pendant?
Is your lord...
the Right Counsellor of...
A wise man...
should know what must...
be kept to himself.
But this gentleman here...
Sir, have we...
met each other at the Peacekeeper Corps?
Sure.
That is because your rank wasn't high enough.
If you are a big shot,
you would have seen me with the crown prince.
Which lord do I serve...
is not something you should know.
Come with me.
I never thought...
a lowly officer like me will be known by your lord.
My lord told me...
the poem 'Brotherhood' you wrote...
carries a chivalrous message but was sadly ignored by the world.
I am not talented scholar.
But I did publish a poetry collection.
I never thought he would read it.
So the Right Counsellor...
Watch your word.
Yes, certainly. Did your master sent you here...
to take someone from us?
Zhang Xiao Jing.
But he is a criminal of the nation.
He is an important lead.
Sending him to the Right Cavalries...
was my lord's plan all along.
Otherwise why isn't a name written on the official...
document sent for the Right Cavalries?
So, that is what it is.
General Gan only got his hand...
on a document to detain the suspect.
But no name was mentioned.
Wise indeed.
If the Corps comes asking for him,
we can just get some other guy and fool them.
It says we are to detain suspect,
but it didn't mention Zhang Xiao Jing's name.
The carnival is starting.
Please, take me to the prisoner now.
Please, this way.
Please...
wait here.
This was planned hastily.
If things go south, bring Zhang Xiao Jing out by force.
No, that is too dangerous. I am not doing it.
Leave if you want.
Leave while you can.
This matter...
is slightly complicated.
What is it?
If he were a normal prisoner,
I could call the shot.
But he is involved in a serious case.
I must follow the regulation to transfer him.
I need a signed permission from General Gan.
I am sure your lord told you about this.
Did you talk to General Gan about this matter?
If you have his permission,
please show it to me.
This is the top secret of the Imperial Court.
My lord wishes to keep it down.
But you on the other hand want it recorded in files?
Do you wish to cause mass panic?
No, I wouldn't dare.
But the Right Cavalries...
obey the rules.
I don't have the right to transfer him.
Well,
how about this?
General Gan is on patrol in the city.
If you pass your lord's token to me,
I will send a fast messenger...
and get his signature within the next hour.
My lord has urgent use of this prisoner.
Time is running short.
If this doesn't go well,
Zhao Qi Lang,
will you take on the blame for us?
We are in the army base.
It's only natural for me to check the document for a transfer.
This is nothing about...
who should be responsible or blamed.
I have an idea.
Take us inside and have a look.
Zhao Qi Lang.
Are we asking too much of you?
Perhaps we have to report to my lord...
and tell him what happened here.
This is the man.
My lord has some questions for him.
May I ask him now?
Sure.
You are no outsider.
You can stay here.
Commander Zhao, please.
Untie this man for us.
No, this man is dangerous.
The riders of Right Cavalries are just outside.
Whatever he is capable of,
he can't possibly bring you any trouble.
You have a point.
I took him down just now when he tried to escape.
But I am sorry.
Your request is indeed...
not allowed in here.
My lord...
has some questions for you.
They think I am working for the Right Counsellor.
I will find an opening to untie you.
Hold me hostage.
We can't act too recklessly.
What are you planning now?
-What? -I don't use lady as hostage.
What plan? What hostage?
Pervert! Thug!
How are we supposed to leave now?
You do look good in this dress.
Old Man Wang?
That pill...
will make you feel weak.
He Fu...
is no fool.
All I know is that...
he is adopted by Director He.
But recently, I found out that...
on the 14th year of old calendar,
the Governor of Chenzhou...
was charged against by...
the Vice Censor-in-Chief of that time, Lin Jiu Lang.
He Fu's family died...
on their way to their exile.
But in the end,
one of the children survived.
He Fu...
and Lin Jiu Lang...
hold a grudge tied by bloodshed.
He is planning to use...
the Crouching Fire for assassination.
-Does Director He know about this? -Director He...
Is he being coerced by He Fu?
Run!
Old Man Wang!
Those who know must die.
I spent ten years planning this.
I am doing this for vengeance.
As my loyalty ran out,
I will stand tall on the peak with grey hair.
This foster father of mine...
has a brilliant mind.
He does come in handy.
Listen, this place...
is the manor of He Zhi Zheng, the Director of Palace Library.
Last year, he ordered his son...
to sell off all his houses in Chang'an...
except this manor.
Paradise Height has a great view.
I don't think he would sell this place.
Maybe I can get you a house somewhere around here.
Get lost.
As long as you like it.
My horse!
How dare you rob me on the land of Great Tang!
I am borrowing this. Get it back tomorrow at the Peacekeeper Corps!
Who do I get it from?
Chief Li Bi!
There is no tomorrow.
Where is the smoke coming from?
Commander Zhao? A fire broke out?
-Commander Zhao? -Commander Zhao?
Commander Zhao? What happened?
The candle lit up the haystack! Put out the fire now!
-I am taking him somewhere safe. -Yes!
-Sound the alarm! -Yes!
Zhang Xiao Jing, this time,
we are doomed because of you.
We came to your rescue and you set fire to the place.
No one can save my skin from this mess now.
Let's get it done to the end.
You will be freed once we leave the barbican.
Hurry up and get moving!
Someone set fire in the royal palace.
A crime of treason.
Let us through.
A prisoner is escaping.
-Take him down! -Stop!
None of you can get away with this.
Why are you stopping me?
You betrayed your brother who was your spy.
Not bad.
Back off.
Back off!