Congratulations, sir.
What is that about?
Lu Ting is dead.
As soon as heard this news,
we head over here to meet you, sir.
About this,
I knew it long ago.
I'm making a toast now.
Sir.
Lu Ting is dead.
In this capital,
you have no opponent.
But
Lu Yi is always against you
and has something on you.
Shall we take him away
while Lu Ting is dead?
One more had to be guarded.
Who is it?
Lan Qing Xuan.
celestial being Lan?
Now His Majesty trusts him very much.
I once sent someone to
persuade him to join us,
but he
never replied.
I suspect that his purpose of approaching
His Majesty was not simple.
Sir.
There was someone else
behind this man beside Xu Jing?
I'm not sure about this.
But I'm sure that
I don't like
this guy.
Sir, sir Lan is here.
Why did you come?
I heard about
commander Lu's death in the palace.
Thinking you must be suffering the most now,
I, anyhow,
have to slip out of the palace to see you.
You're here at the right time.
Come, help me look at this thing.
This is Feng Shui Map.
Northern Black Turtle, Southern Red Phoenix,
Eastern Green Dragon, Western White Tiger.
Mountains are people, water is money.
A spoon of water can save the poor.
Look.
Here.
And here.
There are three outlets here on the lake.
They are all Qing water
which mean a lot of treasure here.
This place has the sign of a king.
Where did you get this?
My father gave it to me before he died.
He said Yan Shi Fan built a house in this place.
Commander Lu
does understand His Majesty.
He designed this Feng Shui Map
to set Yan Shi Fan up.
I thought about it.
And I think
it shouldn't be used yet.
Wait a little longer.
If you want to destroy Yan clan,
it is no use even if
trying to win over more people in court.
We can only let His Majesty
slowly lose faith in Yan clan.
Only that we can
totally destroy Yan family.
This is a good way.
But it needs a long way to go.
I'm afraid they will fight you back before you have enough time
to build up strength.
Play it by ear then.
Zhan Xing Guan will be finished in a few days.
We can use this time
to attack on Yan clan.
Okay.
It's all ready in my side.
Just wait for your call.
About the question Your Majesty ask me,
please wait for me to do it.
After asking the immortals to possess on me,
I will answer your question.
I already knew
about what you asked.
My name is Zhu Hou Cong.
My greeting.
The world failed to rule
all because of treacherous ministers are in the way,
virtuous ministers not be used.
You.
You were the wise emperor sent by heaven to save the people.
Now
you are blindfolded by treacherous ministers,
causing the people to be uneasy
and turbulent in the court.
Do you know that?
I do.
I know my sin.
Please guide me.
Yan?
Using the oracle to defeat me?
Ridiculous.
Maybe Lan Qing Xuan
thinks that his life too long.
Sir.
You had a plan?
Yan clan has assigned someone
to stay by His Majesty's side.
I don't believe
there is no loophole in this shaman.
Since he wants to play,
I'll play along with him.
Master.
Guards are coming in.
Priest Lan.
What did I do wrong
to make a bunch of you come here?
You have been accused of reading imperial edicts while you are in augury ceremony.
By His Majesty's order, you are put on trial at the Ministry of Justice.
If that's the case,
I will go with you.
The elixir
of His Majesty was still left in the furnace.
Three hours later,
remember to send it to him.
Yes, master.
Sir.
Priest Lan
was taken away by the Ministry of Justice this early morning.
What happened?
Ministry of Justice's men said
he was denounced by the eunuch
on duty beside His Majesty
that he read imperial edicts while in the augury ceremony.
Looks like
someone can't help but do it first.
What you mean is?
Lan Qing Xuan's blocking someone's way
and that one want his life.
Where is the eunuch who denounced Lan Qing Xuan?
I heard that
the eunuch disappeared after the case.
Presumably being killed.
What about Ceremonial Supervisor?
Didn't someone check it out?
His Majesty has recently been infatuated with the dharma of celestial beings,
and several of the dharma in the palace
have already drove Ceremonial Supervisor crazy.
How can he care about a little eunuch?
He just let it go easily.
Sir, there is something strange about this.
I sent someone to take that eunuch's information.
But I can't do anything
with just these information.
Investigate more.
We must find that eunuch.
Yes sir.
Sir.
Imperial Police Department is good at tracking.
Why don't you ask bailiff Yuan for help?
No need.
Yes sir.
Bailiff Yuan.
Cen Fu.
Why are you here?
You want to meet him?
Does he here?
Yes.
Follow me.
Sir.
Bailiff Yuan is here.
Jin Xia.
I heard Lan Qing Xuan is put in Ministry of Justice's jail.
What happened?
Yan Shi Fan used an eunuch in the augury ceremony
to falsely accuse Lan Qing Xuan.
He was convicted of lying to His Majesty.
Him again?
I heard about augury ceremony.
But it's not like
the words Lan Qing Xuan will say normally.
He usually speak leave half sentence,
and the rhetoric
is the vaguer the better.
How can he accuse Yan clan
as a treacherous minister so plainly?
He didn't want to let this chance go away.
He offended Yan clan this time.
Yan Shi Fan will not
let him off so easily.
If he is tortured to extract a confession,
I am afraid he will not endure.
Do you have a plan?
We must
find that eunuch now.
So we can save him.
That eunuch ran away?
The eunuch had long suspected that
Yan Shi Fan would kill him,
so after finishing the job,
he took the money
and fled the palace.
Then we need to find that eunuch
before Yan Shi Fan does.
Let him recant for Xiao Lan.
I'll find him now.
Wait.
Where are you going to find him?
I don't know.
Cen Fu.
Bring Jin Xia the file and portrait
of that eunuch.
Yes sir.
Just look at it first.
Things will easier for you.
Childe.
How is it going?
Palace guards seized Ling Ji Palace early in the morning.
That immortal Lan
was put in Ministry of Justice's jail.
What immortal Lan?
He is just a liar.
He just used His Majesty's favor
to tell our Yan clan what to do.
I've talked to Ministry of Justice's men
to let them take good care of him.
Be careful.
Don't let him die.
Yes sir.
It will be hard to explain to His Majesty.
I understood.
But this Lan Qing Xuan
has a hard mouth.
It's been a morning,
but Ministry of Justice has found nothing.
Useless.
That eunuch was handled properly?
No, sir.
I was careless.
He ran away.
Now he is nowhere to be found.
But I guess
he can't leave the city that soon.
He might be still inside the city.
Find him.
Only the dead cannot speak.
Understood?
Yes sir.
Go.
Follow me to Ministry of Justice's jail.
I want to see
how hard this immortal Lan's mouth.
Yes sir.
Confess or not?
Such a tough one.
- Sir Yan. | - Sir Yan.
Sir.
Don't stop, keep going.
Yes sir.
Well? Did he confess?
Sir.
He didn't say a word so far.
Why?
Why don't you hit him more?
Don't dare to?
Yes sir.
Stop!
- Sir Lu. | - Sir Lu.
Sir Lu.
What a coincidence.
Sir Lu.
His Majesty only ask for interrogation,
not the punishment.
When did this Ministry of Justice
become a place of extort confessions by torture?
Please forgive us, sir.
Extort confessions by torture?
It's a confession anyway.
Sir Lu.
You have so much torture in The Imperial Guards.
Isn't it for
tough guys like him?
Why do sir Lu
cut him some slack?
But don't worry, sir Lu.
He is priest Lan.
He's an immortal.
Not like mortals like us.
He had learned to be made of steel.
These normal torture
can do no harm to him.
He is priest Lan granted by His Majesty.
If something happens to him,
your lives won't be saved.
It doesn't matter, don't be afraid.
I will protect you.
- Yes sir. | - Yes sir.
Just be careful.
Don't let him die.
Beat him as much as you want.
- Yes. | - Yes.
Keep going!
This is that eunuch's house.
So the life of this family
is not so good.
So much dirt.
I'm afraid this room hasn't been occupied for some time.
The medicine urn was heavily stained,
so he must have been ill for a long time.
Da Yang, look.
This residue has no acid taste.
It's new.
It means that although they don't live here,
they often boil medicine here.
Looks like they should be hiding around here.
What should we do?
Just wait for them?
Now that he is seriously ill,
he can't run far.
Let's look around
and see if we can find such a patient.
Okay.
This is the list of Dao masters
whom sir Yan had brought to Your Majesty from all over the country.
He wrote in the booklet, do you want to take a look?
No.
I want to meet nobody.
So annoying.
Yes.
They are just good-looking people.
Normally they always give invitation to him.
Now what?
They all want me to punish Lan Qing Xuan.
Please don't be mad, Your Majesty.
Useless Ministry of Justice.
Investigating for days without result.
Pass my order.
Within 10 days,
close the case.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Go away!
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Go away!
Sir.
Open the door.
Yes sir.
You're here.
Sorry.
What's for?
Don't worry.
Just flesh wounds.
Don't forget.
I am immortal Lan.
I have magic to protect my body.
These planks hit me
like I am tickling myself.
It's just...
Ministry of Justice's food
is kind of low-quality.
Look at the situation now.
And you still in the mood for a joke?
Come on.
This is painkiller.
Take it.
I will find the way to save you.
Just bear it a little longer.
Find a way
to let me meet His Majesty.
Meet His Majesty?
His Majesty
had only heard
one side of the story of the little eunuch now,
and nothing from me.
As soon as...
As soon as I have a chance to see His Majesty,
I'll have
my way.
I got it.
I'll think of something soon.
Cen Fu will be here with you.
If something happens,
he will let me know.
I'm leaving.
How is priest Lan?
Your Majesty.
Not so good.
What do you mean?
I went to Ministry of Justice
and found out
they tortured him.
Priest Lan is unconscious now.
I think
he is dying.
I never said they could torture him.
Bastards!
They really have guts.
Tell them.
I will kill anyone who dares to torture him.
Yes, Your Majesty, I will go now.
Childe.
Lin Qing Xuan still keeps silence.
Still?
Keep beating him.
Use all kind of available torture.
We must let him tell us
who is behind him
and asks him to use oracle to harm Yan clan.
This...
There was news from the palace.
His Majesty sent a command.
No torture.
If we rebelled against His Majesty's will,
I'm afraid it will be to your disadvantage
if someone finds out that it was our idea.
Send someone to watch him carefully.
Let's see
if the one behind him
have some moves.
Yes, sir.
I knew you were here because of Lan Qing Xuan.
But I was the one recommended him to His Majesty.
I can't help him now.
Or else His Majesty will think that we're in the same boat.
I know.
Although His Majesty
forbid to use torture,
Ministry of Justice is under Yan Shi Fan's control,
he won't let Lan Qing Xuan off easily.
For the moment, I have to observe quietly.
Find a chance to let Lan Qing Xuan meet His Majesty
to see if things can be changed.
His Majesty is still angry now.
It will be hard
to see him.
I'm afraid Lan Qing Xuan can't hold it anymore.
Actually,
we're all clear
that the best way is
Lan Qing Xuan dies in the jail.
Only so,
Yan clan
will lose His Majesty's faith.
But
we can't be that cruel.
No.
I can't let him die.
I sent my people to look for that eunuch.
If he can change what he said,
maybe we still have a chance.
Not so easy, I'm afraid.
If thing is really beyond control,
you must not be soft-hearted
and miss the good chance.
Lan Qing Xuan is in danger because of me.
I can't just let him die.
I want to live.
I want to be good.
But sometimes, I can't have both.
Sacrifice for the good.
I believe Lan Qing Xuan has thought it out
since he entered the palace.
Having entered this plan,
he will have to set aside life and death.
Look at it first.
Impeachment proceedings against Yan Shi Fan?
Sir Xu wants to take this advantage
to clarify Yan shi Fan is treacherous minister
and hope that His Majesty will spare Lan Qing Xuan?
I hope so.
Your Majesty, I have something to say.
Say it.
Deputy secretary Zou of Censorate.
Deputy secretary Yan Shi Fan of Ministry of Works.
They awarded and bribed others as their will.
Corrupted election methods,
fairness in the market,
benefit of groups
and made the price rose.
Please off for Shi Fan's head
in the market gate.
As a punishment for not being loyal to you.
If I dare to lie to you,
I'm willing to be dead.
I agree.
Deputy secretary Yan Shi Fan seeks private gain through power.
Corruption, bullying and concealing.
About the case of Zhan Xing Guan recently,
apparently it was for Yan Shao Qiong's own benefit,
but in reality it was Yan Shi Fan's.
Your Majesty, please punish him!
To show Your Majesty's certainties of principle.
I agree.
I agree, too.
Li Fang.
At your service.
Announce my command.
Yes.
A great misfortune has come.
This day has come, sooner or later.
Is our Yan clan's fate
end here?
Father.
Don't worry.
In His Majesty's order,
he didn't mad at you because of my fault.
He just said you didn't
teach me well in front of other ministers.
And let him down.
So he let you go back to your hometown and retire.
Although he
asked Three Judicial Offices to punish me according to the law,
as long as
he doesn't forget you,
I will still have way to save myself
without humiliating His Majesty.
What do you want to do?
Father.
Please join a play with me.
Eunuch Li.
Sir Yan.
It's wet and cold in the snow,
so please come back.
Don't let yourself catch a cold.
His Majesty is angry.
Please say a few good words to His Majesty.
I brought my son here to apologize.
Sir Yan.
His Majesty doesn't want to meet anyone today.
If you have something to say,
please send it via document.
Eunuch.
Seeing him like this,
His Majesty
won't see us today.
Since we decided to use "the battered-body trick",
we have to do it well.
I don't think His Majesty
won't show any mercy.
Okay.
Your Majesty.
Considering I've been in the court for dozens of years,
please, Your Majesty, punish my lax discipline sin.
Your Majesty.
Your father died suddenly.
Priest Lan
now is in the jail due to my order.
Now I
have nobody to talk with.
Luckily, Lu Ting has a son like you.
You can stay here
hearing me nagging.
I'm willing to share your concerns.
Everyone admires this above
thousands people's seat of mine.
But who knows
the truth that it is so lonely at the top.
I know
what they've done over the years.
I indulged them again and again
because of their loyalty to me.
Every time I give them something to do,
it's done beautifully.
It saved me
a lot of worry.
Those loyal ministers, imperial censors
keep using their lives to threat me all the time.
I'm tied down by them everywhere.
Am I their puppet?
Am I still the Emperor of this court?
Take a look out there.
The weather is cold and snowy.
Yan Song is old.
But he has to be here to beg for his son.
How can I
let them be that way like a heartless man?
Your Majesty's mercy is a blessing to the people.
But sir Yan's notoriety
in the hearts of the people,
I worry that
it will damage your reputation.
You have sharper words than your father.
You don't choose a neutral path.
You're not afraid to offend others.
Alright.
Yan Shi Fan's corruption case,
you look it up for me.
Off you go.
Yes, Your Majesty.
What's he doing here?
Your Majesty.
The weather is cold.
And it's snowing now.
Don't be on your knee.
Go home.
I'm guilty.
I don't teach my son well.
Ungrateful jerk!
He has let Your Majesty down.
You are indeed guilty.
To feed without teaching, is the father's fault.
Just look.
Look at the good son
you have been taught.
You have great power.
But the greater the power,
the greater the constraint.
Thi higher the position, the stricter would be.
You've been grand secretary for more than 20 years.
Don't you understand that?
I am guilty.
And you.
Yan Shi Fan.
Da Ming Dynasty is base on filial piety.
You watch your old father
kneel in the snow
and plead for you.
This is unfilial.
That alone,
I can punish you for a felony.
I am guilty.
From now on, I will try my best to serve the country.
And take care of my father.
You may go.
Three Judicial Offices
will decide what and
whose sins should be punished.
Your Majesty.
Your Majesty!
His Majesty does care about you.
He just punish me as a ungrateful child.
I have my way
to deal with Three Judicial Offices.
Father, please rest assured.
Let's go home.
The snow is falling harder and harder.
Right.
Hurry up, quickly!
Clean it well!
Da Yang.
You're here.
Is there anything urgent
that have to assemble all of us?
Don't ask, let's work.
They said
we had to clean everything up before 5 p.m.
What?
This time is not Lunar New Year.
Why do we have to do this?
I don't know.
There must be a reason for this.
Hurry up, let's clean everything up.
leaf, leaf, leaf,
Li, clean it now.
What's wrong?
Why do we have to do this?
Sir Yan is coming.
Which sir Yan?
Yan Shi Fan.
Did His Majesty send him to prison?
What does he do in Imperial Police Department?
Go in prison with such a fuss?
He thinks there is no royal law?
Stop working!
Stop cleaning!
Jin Xia, what are you doing?
- Put it down. | - Stop yelling.
Come over here.
Jin Xia, I really don't know.
If I did, I'd never called you here.
Do you want to leave first?
If they ask about you,
I will say you feel unwell.
Bring me that bucket.
I'm fine.
I still remember when we first came to Imperial Police Department,
we were determined to punish the evil and uphold justice.
I can't believe
now we're cleaning the court yard for the imperial inmate.
Yan Shi Fan is in jail due to order.
Da Li Temple, Ministry of Justice,
Censorate, all ministers
in the court, nobody can lay a finger on him.
Then what do we be bailiffs for?
Catch criminals for what?
Sir.
How is Lan Qing Xuan?
From what I heard,
although His Majesty didn't allow to torture him,
but priest Lan was hurt badly before.
If he is not treated in time,
I'm afraid if it goes on like this,
he won't last more than a few days.
What about that eunuch?
You got anything?
No, sir.
How about Yan Shi Fan?
He asked Yan Feng
to look for that eunuch too.
Send more people.
We have to find that eunuch before they do.
Yes sir.
Come on in.
Come, hurry.
Stand firmly, sir Yan is coming.
Sir Yan, it's about lunch time.
It's not convenient here.
But there is a restaurant next door.
May I invite sir Yan to go there to have lunch?
I think
it's good here.
Set up tables.
We can have lunch here.
Here?
Good idea, sir Yan.
There is big wind here.
We can block the wind.
Set up now.
Yes sir.
Sir Yan, please come inside for a cup of tea.
We will have lunch when they finish their job.
Please.
Damn it.
How arrogant!
Sir Xia, sir Xia, listen.
You just missed death by a hair's breadth.
Don't be reckless.
How arrogant!
Sir Yan.
The meal is ready.
Please sit down.
Where is Yuan Jin Xia?
Why don't I see her here?
Sir.
Jin Xia looked for a case in the countryside since morning.
She will be on duty tonight.
So she can't come back.
Really?
Yes.
Pity.
Sir, please.
Please.
Let's eat.
Yes, yes, yes.
We should make a toast to sir Yan.
Good idea, come.
Sir Yan.
Sir Yan, sir Yan, please.
Sir Yan, His Majesty
gave your case to Three Judicial Offices.
The result is that
you corrupted 3.000 taels of silver.
Sir, what do you think?
What?
2.000 taels, then.
How much?
1.000.
Are they bargaining?
Sir Yan.
You know.
His Majesty asked us to investigate carefully.
So we have to report to him.
Right, sir?
I think the best way is
don't be over 1.000.
800 taels is good, I suppose.
800?
This...
What?
As you wish, sir.
800 taels.
Come on, let's eat.
Yes sir, come on.
Sir.
Municipal secretary Lu of The Imperial Guards is here.
Sir Yan.
If he sees
we are having meal here,
and tell His Majesty that we are irresponsible.
I'm afraid His Majesty won't be happy.
Afraid of what?
His Majesty doesn't have enough time to study the Dao,
so he doesn't have time to deal with such trifles.
Let him in.
Yes.
So all of you are here.
I was impolite.
Municipal secretary Lu.
Did you go here for me?
His Majesty asked me to
investigate your corruption case.
I just found out
that you went to Imperial Police Department.
Imperial Police Department is a small place.
It has all kinds of people in prison.
I thought you wouldn't fit in.
Now the bailiffs of Imperial Police Department
have become sir Yan's assistants.
It seemed I really worried too much.
Municipal secretary Lu.
You came here this time
because you worried I will give some bailiffs Yuan a hard time?
But you went in right time.
Three Judicial Offices has just investigated.
They condemned me.
For corruption.
How much is that?
The result is 800 taels.
Municipal secretary Lu.
You can report it to His Majesty.
I was really worried too much.
Winter to spring,
who laughs last
is the winner.
You really have a good attitude.
I'm not bother your mood anymore.
If you'd excuse me.
There are many things you don't need to know.
There are some favors
I have to accept.
Can't you
do anything but show weakness?