[English subtitles are available.]
Under The Power
Episode 53
Congratulations, Mr. Yan.
Why?
Lu Ting died.
As soon as we heard the news,
we immediately came to congratulate you.
Well.
I already knew it.
Can't see I'm drinking?
Your Excellency,
since Lu Ting is dead,
in the capital,
there's no opponent for you.
However,
Lu Yi always goes against you
and tries to catch you out.
How about getting rid of him as well
since Lu Ting is dead?
There is another person we have to guard against.
Who?
Lan Qingxuan.
Priest Lan?
Now he is His Majesty's favorite.
I sent someone to lobby him,
in the hope that he can join us.
But he
has never responded.
I suspect that he approaches His Majesty
with not a simple purpose.
Your Excellency,
apart from Xu Jing,
is there anybody else who is behind him?
I'm not sure about this.
But I'm sure that
I hate
this man.
Your Excellency, here comes Mr. Lan.
Why are you here?
In the palace, I heard
that Commander Lu passed away because of an illness.
Thinking that you must be very sad now,
no matter what,
I came out to see you.
Since you are here,
come and take a look at this stuff.
This is the geomantic map.
The Black Tortoise of the North, the Vermilion Bird of the South,
the Azure Dragon of the East, and the White Tiger of the West .
Mountains represent people, and water represents wealth.
One spoonful of water can help the poor.
Look.
Here.
And here.
All the three outlets are on the lake.
And they are all waters of favor.
They are all waters of wealth.
There is the atmosphere of emperor here.
Where did you get this thing?
My father had given it to me before he passed away.
He told me that Yan Shifan had a house built here.
Commander Lu
really knew about His Majesty well.
He had long designed the geomantic map
and set a trap for Yan Shifan.
After thinking it over and over again,
I feel we cannot
use this thing for the time being.
Let's wait.
To topple the Yan family,
it's useless to
win more officials' support.
We have to let His Majesty
gradually lose confidence in the Yan family.
Then we can
get rid of the Yan family completely.
It is a good idea.
But we still have to wait for a chance.
I'm afraid the Yan family won't give you time to build up strength.
They'll begin to attack soon.
Let's be smart to tackle problems.
The star observation temple will be completed in a few days.
We can take this opportunity
to demoralize the Yan family.
OK.
Everything is ready on my side.
I'll wait for the news from you.
Your Majesty, you can give me your question.
After I practice magic
and ask the immortal to possess me,
he'll answer your question.
I've known
your question.
I, Zhu Houcong,
show my respect for you.
The country is not in great order.
It's all because evil court officials rule the country
and good officials are not valued.
You
are supposed to be the wise emperor sent by heaven to save the people.
Nowadays,
you are blindfolded by evil court officials,
making the people uneasy
and the court unstable.
Do you admit your guilt?
Admit your guilt.
I admit it.
Please provide guidance.
Yan?
He wants to topple my Yan family with the help of the oracle.
That's ridiculous.
Lan Qingxuan
may think his life is too long.
Your Excellency,
you already have an idea?
Around His Majesty,
there are my men.
I don't believe
that there is no loophole in such a trick.
Since he wants to act,
I'll let him continue.
Master!
There are guards coming in.
Priest Lan.
What crime did I commit?
So many guards came here.
Someone testified that you peeked at the imperial decree when writing on the planchette.
By order of His Majesty, we are taking you to the Ministry of Justice to stand trial.
If so,
I'll go with you.
In the furnace,
there is the elixir for His Majesty.
Six hours later,
remember to send it to His Majesty.
Yes, master.
Your Excellency.
Mr. Lan
was taken away by the people of the Ministry of Justice early in the morning.
What happened?
News from the Ministry of Justice says that
the eunuch on duty around His Majesty
reported that Mr. Lan
peeked at the imperial edict when writing on the planchette.
It seems that
someone couldn't wait, so he took action first.
Your Excellency, you mean...
The one whose way was blocked by Lan Qiangxuan
wants to kill him.
Where is the eunuch who denounced Lan Qingxuan?
I heard that
he disappeared after the incident.
Perhaps he's afraid of being killed.
Didn't the Directorate of Ceremonial
send people to investigate?
His Majesty has recently been fascinated by the ways of immortality.
Several rituals in the palace
have made the Directorate of Ceremonial unable to fend for themselves.
Not to mention an insignificant eunuch.
They covered it up and just let it go.
Your Excellency, I thought it was weird,
so I asked someone to get the archive of that eunuch.
But just with these,
I still don't know how to start.
Send more people to investigate.
You must find that eunuch.
Yes.
Your Excellency,
Department Six is well-known for their tracking technique.
Why don't we ask Constable Yuan for help?
No need.
Yes, Your Excellency.
Constable Yuan.
Cen Fu.
What are you doing here?
To see His Excellency?
Is he in?
Yes.
Come with me.
Your Excellency,
here comes Constable Yuan.
Jinxia?
I heard Lan Qingxuan was put into the prison of the Ministry of Justice.
Just what happened?
Yan Shifan bought the eunuch who was on duty in planchette writing
and asked him to frame Lan Qingxuan up.
He was convicted of deceiving His Majesty.
Him again.
I've heard about the planchette writing.
But that doesn't look like
what Lan Qingxuan usually says.
He always talks with something left.
And he always
tries to talk vaguely.
How could it be possible that
he accused of the Yan family of being evil officials?
He didn't want to miss the chance.
He offended the Yan family this time.
Yan Shifan definitely won't
easily let him go.
If Yan Shifan wants to extract confession by torturing Qingxuan,
I'm afraid Qingxuan won't withstand it.
Do you have any way?
Now,
we must find that eunuch first.
Then we'll have a way to save him.
That eunuch escaped?
The eunuch had already guessed
that Yan Shifan would kill him to keep his mouth shut.
So after he did that
and got the money,
escaped from the palace.
So we must find that eunuch
before Yan Shifan tortures Qingxuan.
And ask him to retract his testimony for Qingxuan.
I'm going to find him right away.
Wait.
Where are you going to find him?
I've no idea.
Cen Fu,
bring the archive and the portrait of that eunuch
to Jinxia.
Yes.
Take a look.
They may help you track him.
Your Excellency.
How is it going?
The Imperial Guards sealed up the Lingji Palace in the morning.
Priest Lan
has been transferred to the prison of the Ministry of Justice.
Lan Qingxuan
is just a liar.
Relying on the favor of His Majesty,
he spoke ill of the Yan family.
I've told the people of the Ministry of Justice
to torture him.
Ask them to pay attention.
Don't make him die.
Yes.
Or it'll be hard for me to explain to His Majesty.
I understand.
But Lan Qingxuan
is hard-mouthed.
With a whole morning,
the Ministry of Justice didn't get anything from him.
A group of good-for-nothings.
Have you done away with that eunuch?
Not yet.
Due to my carelessness,
he escaped.
When I went to chase him, he had already disappeared.
But I think
he can't get out of the city within half a day.
He must still be in the capital.
Find him.
Only the dead can keep their mouth shut.
Understand?
Yes.
Go.
Go with me to the prison of the Ministry of Justice.
I want to see
how tough he is.
Yes.
Let me see whether you'll confess or not today.
You are so tough.
-Mr. Yan. -Mr. Yan.
Your Excellency.
Don't stop. Go on.
Yes.
How is it going? Did he confess anything?
Your Excellency,
He hasn't said anything since the interrogation yesterday.
Why?
Don't you know torturing him harder?
You are reluctant to?
OK.
Stop!
-Mr. Lu. -Mr. Lu.
Mr. Lu,
what a coincidence!
Mr. Lu.
His Majesty just asked you to interrogate him.
He didn't ask you to torture him.
Since when did the Ministry of Justice
become a place where you obtain confessions by means of torture?
Your Excellency, please forgive.
Isn't torture
a way too?
Mr. Lu,
you Embroidered Uniform Guards have so many means of cruel torture.
Aren't they used to deal with
unyielding people like him?
Why do you want to
be kind to him?
But don't worry.
He is Priest Lan,
an immortal,
different from us mortals.
He has acquired a body strong as iron.
Ordinary punishments like this
count for nothing to him.
He is Priest Lan conferred by His Majesty.
If anything happens to him,
you won't survive.
It's nothing. Don't be scared.
I'll take care of you.
-Yes. -Yes.
Be careful.
Don't make him die.
Torture him as you should.
-Yes. -Yes.
Go on.
This is the home of the bribed eunuch.
It seems that this family's life
is not so good.
So much dust.
I'm afraid this house has been empty for a while.
There is thick medicine residue on the jar.
It seems he has been sick for a long time.
Yue, look.
This medicine residue is not sour.
It is still fresh.
It means although they don't live here,
they often decoct medicine here.
It seems they are hiding nearby.
What do we do?
Let's wait for them to appear?
Since he is seriously ill now,
he definitely can't go far away.
Let's look around
to see whether we can find such a patient.
OK.
This is a list of Taoists with attained wisdom
Mr. Yan Song found for you, Your Majesty.
He asked in his report whether you would like to meet them.
No!
I won't meet any of them.
It annoys me.
OK.
They pose as people of high morals.
Normally, they write congratulations one after another.
But now
they all ask me to punish Lan Qingxuan.
Your Majesty, please cease to be angry.
The Ministry of Justice is useless.
They have interrogated him for a few days, but there is still no result.
Tomorrow, tell my order to them.
Ask them to close the case
within ten days.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Go, go, go!
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Go!
Your Excellency.
Open the door.
Yes.
You are here.
I'm sorry.
No need to say sorry.
Don't worry.
Just some flesh wounds.
Don't forget
that I'm Lan Qingxuan,
and I have the immortal protect my body.
When they hit me with these boards,
it is like they are scratching itches for me.
It's just...
It's just that the meals provided by the Ministry of Justice
are really bad.
At this moment,
you are still joking.
Here.
This is a painkiller.
Take it.
I'll think of a way to save you out.
Hold on for a little longer.
Think of a way
to let me meet His Majesty.
You want to meet His Majesty?
His Majesty
just heard
that eunuch's one-sided story.
He hasn't listened to my explanation.
As long as...
As long as I have a chance to meet His Majesty,
I'll have a way
to get out of here.
I see.
I'll find a way as soon as possible.
Cen Fu is watching here.
If anything happens,
he'll let me know in time.
I'm leaving.
How is Priest Lan?
His Majesty,
he is not very well.
What do you mean by "not very well"?
When I went to the Ministry of Justice to announce the decree,
I found the prison guards put him to torture privately
and he is now confused.
It seems
he is dying.
When did I order them to put him to torture?
A bunch of jerks!
They are getting bolder and bolder.
Tell them
that if anyone dares to put him to torture again, I'll kill him.
Yes, Your Majesty. I'll go there at once.
Your Excellency,
Lan Qingxuan still hasn't said anything.
Since he is hardmouthed,
put him to torture.
Use all means of torture.
Be sure to make him say just who is
behind him
and asked him to frame my family up in the name of the oracle.
Well...
News from the palace
says that His Majesty specially ordered
them not to put him to torture.
I'm afraid that if we disobey His Majesty's order
and we are found out that we caused it to happen,
the situation won't be favorable for you.
Ask some people to watch first.
Let's wait and see
whether the man behind him
will do something.
Yes, Your Majesty.
I know you are here to ask me to help Lan Qingxuan.
It's just that I recommended him to His Majesty.
But I can't say anything good for him.
Otherwise, His Majesty will definitely believe that we collude with each other.
I know.
Although His Majesty ordered that
they are not allowed to extract confession by torturing him,
as those people of the Ministry of Justice are Yan Shifan's men,
they won't let him go easily.
Right now I have to observe in secret
strive for a chance to make His Majesty see Lan Qingxuan
to see if there is any turnaround.
His Majesty is still angry.
It's really difficult to
let them meet.
I'm afraid Lan Qingxuan can't stand it for a few days.
Actually,
both of us know
that the best way to solve this problem
is to let Lan Qingxuan die in prison.
Only in this way
can the Yan family
completely lose His Majesty's trust in them.
But
neither of us is heartless.
No.
I can't let him die.
I've sent people to find the bribed eunuch.
If he can retract his testimony,
maybe we still have a chance to turn it around.
I'm afraid it's not that easy.
If you really can't show consideration for all,
don't be soft-hearted,
or you will lose a good chance.
Lan Qingxuan got into trouble because of me.
I can't watch him die without doing anything.
Survival is what I want.
Righteousness is also what I want.
I cannot have them both.
So I'll give up my life for righteousness.
I believe, since Lan Qingxuan entered the palace,
he has already understood that.
Since he has entered this game,
he definitely has long left life and death out of consideration.
Take a look at this.
The memorial to the throne for impeaching Yan Shifan?
Mr. Xu, you want to take this chance
to confirm Yan Shifan's crime as a treacherous official
and try to make His Majesty forgive Lan Qingxuan?
I hope it will work.
Your Majesty, I beg to report.
Say!
Deputy Minister Zou, Censor-in-chief of the Chief Surveillance Bureau,
impeaches Yan Shifan, Left Deputy Minister of Works,
for arrogating ranks of nobility and salary and rewards, receiving gifts,
corrupting the selection,
affecting operation of the market,
making people compete to go after,
and charging high prices.
I suggest beheading Yan Shifan
hanging his head in the downtown area
to warn others against following the bad example of being fierce and arrogant and disloyal.
If what I said is not true,
I'm willing to be killed.
I support the proposal.
Yan Shifan, Left Deputy Minister of Works, abused his power for personal gains,
twisted the law to obtain bribes, and concealed the true state of affairs from above and below himself.
Recently, the star observation temple fell.
On the surface, it was for Yan Shaoqiong's personal gains.
In fact, the personal gains all went to Yan Shifan.
We request Your Majesty to punish him
to show your impartial governance.
I support the proposal.
I support the proposal too.
Li Fang.
Yes.
Issue my order!
Yes.
Disaster is imminent.
Sooner or later.
Has the good fortune of the Yan family
run out?
Dad,
don't worry.
According to His Majesty's order,
he didn't vent his anger on you because of my fault.
Considering the officials' feelings,
he just said that you failed to discipline me well,
which let His Majesty down,
so he ordered you to retire and go home.
Although His Majesty
ordered the Three Judicial Offices to judge my mistake according to law,
as long as His Majesty
doesn't forget your contribution,
I'll have a way to solve the problem
while showing due respect for His Majesty's feelings.
What do you want to do?
Dad,
please put on a play with me.
Eunuch Li.
Mr. Yan Song,
it's wet and cold outside on the snowy day.
You'd better go back.
Don't get ill.
His Majesty is still angry.
Please speak something good for us in front of His Majesty.
I specially brought my son here to confess.
Mr. Yan Song,
His Majesty won't see anyone today.
If you want to say anything,
just send your memorial to the throne.
Eunuch Li...
Since he said that, it seems that
His Majesty
won't see us today.
Since we used the trick of having ourselves tortured to win His Majesty's confidence,
let's do our best to make the play more touching.
I don't believe His Majesty
won't be impressed.
OK.
Your Majesty,
I've been an official for decades.
Please punish me for not disciplining my son strictly.
Your Majesty!
Your father passed away suddenly
and Priest Lan
has been put in jail.
Now,
there's nobody who can chat with me like a friend.
Luckily, you, Lu Ting's son,
can still be here
listening to me.
I'm willing to share your cares and burdens, Your Majesty.
Everyone is envious of
my position.
However, who understands
it's lonely to be in a high position?
I also know
what the Yan family have done over these years.
The reason why I connive their deeds over and over again
is that they are loyal to me.
Every time I ask them to do something,
they can complete it well,
which makes me
save worry.
Those so-called loyal officials and censors
always propose with death.
If I'm held in check by them everywhere,
am I their puppet?
Then can I still have my prestige?
Look outside.
It's so cold and it's snowing heavily.
Yan Song is at an old age,
but he still came to intercede for his son.
How can I
be hardhearted and ignore him?
Your Majesty, you benevolence is the blessing of the people,
but Mr. Yan
is infamous in people's mind.
I'm afraid
it will damage your reputation.
You speak more sharply than your father.
You don't follow the golden mean.
You are not afraid to offend people.
Good.
About the corruption case of Yan Shifan,
investigate it thoroughly.
Leave.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Lu Yi?
Why did he come here?
Your Majesty!
It's so cold
and it's snowing.
Stop kneeling.
Go back.
I'm guilty.
I'm not strict in managing my family.
My son
disappointed you and feels guilty.
You are really guilty.
The father is to blame for the son's fault.
Look.
As a father,
you have such a bad son.
You hold a high position with high power.
But the greater your power is,
the more you are constrained.
In the imperial court, you should obey laws.
You have been the Grand Secretary for over 20 years.
Don't you understand that?
I'm guilty.
And you,
Yan Shifan.
The Ming Dynasty rules the world with filial piety.
Watching your elderly father
kneel in the snow to intercede
for you,
you are unfilial.
For this reason only,
I can punish you for your grave crime.
I'm guilty.
I'll definitely do my best to be loyal to our country
and filial to my father.
Go back.
For what crime you should be punished
and whom of you should be punished,
the Three Judicial Offices will decide.
Your Majesty!
His Majesty actually considered your contribution.
He just blamed me for being unfilial.
At the Three Judicial Offices,
I have a way to deal with them.
Dad, don't worry.
Let's go home.
It's snowing more and more heavily.
Yes.
Hurry. Do it quickly.
Wipe that side clean.
Yue!
You are here.
Is there anything urgent
that we all have to be back?
Don't ask. Just do it.
The superiors say
this place must be cleaned before 5 p.m.
Come on.
We are not going to welcome the Spring Festival.
Why do we have to make it so clean?
I don't know.
But there must be a reason.
Hurry up! Clean up the yard!
Leaves! Leaves! Leaves!
-Mr. Li. -Clean it right away.
What's going on?
Why do we have to make it so clean?
Because Mr. Yan is coming here.
Which Mr. Yan?
Mr. Yan Shifan.
Isn't he imprisoned by His Majesty's decree?
Why is he coming to Department Six?
He is going into the prison in such a big way.
Is there law in his mind?
Stop!
Stop sweeping. Stop sweeping. Stop wiping.
What are you doing, Jinxia?
-Put that down. -Don't shout.
Don't shout. Come here.
Jinxia, I really don't know that.
If I knew, I wouldn't have let you come here.
How about you leave now?
If they ask me,
I'll tell them you are not well.
Get the bucket here.
I'm fine.
I still remember when we just entered Department Six,
we were determined to punish evil and promote good.
I didn't expect that
now we are actually cleaning the yard for a criminal.
Yan Shifan was put into to prison by His Majesty's decree,
but the Court of Judicial Review, the Ministry of Justice,
and the Chief Surveillance Bureau ignore what he had done.
None of the civilian and military officers at court can do nothing to punish him.
Why do we still work as constables
and catch thieves?
Your Excellency.
How is Lan Qingxuan now?
The man I asked to watch there reported that
although His Majesty ordered them not to put him to torture,
as Priest Lan has been seriously injured before,
if he cannot be treated in time,
I'm afraid that in this case,
he won't hold on any longer.
Have you found
that eunuch?
We haven't found him yet.
How is it going on Yan Shifan's side?
He sent Yan Feng
to investigate the whereabouts of the eunuch these days.
Send more people.
We must find him before them.
Yes.
Get in.
Come on. Hurry.
Attention! Attention! Mr. Yan arrives.
Mr. Yan, it's about the dinner time.
It's not convenient here.
There is a restaurant nearby.
Mr. Yan, how about having a meal there first?
I think
this place is good.
Bring tables and chairs here.
Let's eat here.
Here?
Mr. Yan, good idea.
It's cold and windy.
But the wind is blocked here.
Get prepared.
Yes.
Mr. Yan, please have some tea inside.
After they get it ready here, we'll come out to eat.
This way please.
Damn!
He's too arrogant.
Jinxia, listen to me.
You just narrowly escaped death.
Don't act impulsively.
He's too arrogant.
Mr. Yan,
the dishes are ready.
Please take a seat on the seat of honor.
Where is Yuan Jinxia?
Why can't I see her?
Your Excellency,
Jinxia went to the suburbs in the morning to handle a case
and she has to keep watch there at night,
so she hasn't come back.
Really?
Yes.
What a pity.
Your Excellency, please.
Please.
Together.
OK.
I suggest we make a toast to Mr. Yan.
OK. Come on.
Mr. Yan.
-Mr. Yan. -Mr. Yan, please enjoy.
Mr. Yan, the case about you
is judged by the Three Judicial Offices by His Majesty's order.
The result is that
you embezzled 3,000 tael of silver.
Your Excellency, what do you think?
What?
Then 2,000 tael?
How much?
Well... How about 1,000 tael?
He is even bargaining about that.
Mr. Yan,
you know,
His Majesty ordered us to investigate strictly,
so we have to make do.
Am I right?
I think it should be
less than 1,000 tael of silver.
Let's say 800 tael of silver.
800?
Well...
What?
OK, as you said,
800 tael of silver.
Come on. Eat.
OK. Come on.
Your Excellency,
Mr. Lu from the Embroidered Uniform Guards wants to see you.
Mr. Yan,
if he sees
us eating here,
and reports to His Majesty by saying that we misconduct,
I'm afraid His Majesty will be angry with us.
What are you afraid of?
There's not enough time for His Majesty to cultivate himself according to Taoism.
How can he have time to care about such small things?
Let him come in.
Yes.
It turns out you are all here.
Sorry to disturb you.
Mr. Lu,
you specially came here to me?
His Majesty ordered me to investigate
your embezzlement.
I just knew
you came to Department Six.
This place is small.
There are all sorts of people in the prison.
I thought you would get used to this place.
Now even the constables of Department Six
can keep out the wind for you.
It seems I worried too much.
Mr. Lu,
you specially came here this time
because you are worried that I'll make things difficult for Constable Yuan, right?
But you came here at a good time.
Just now, the Three Judicial Offices
convicted me.
They said I embezzled...
How much money?
The result is 800 tael of silver.
Mr. Lu,
you can report it to His Majesty.
I really worried too much.
Winter ends and spring comes.
Since ancient times, he who laughs last
is the winner.
Mr. Yan, you have a good state of mind.
I won't disturb you when you are enjoying the meal.
I'm leaving.
There are lots of things that you don't need to understand.
I have to do something
that I hate.
Apart from showing weakness,
don't you have other ways?