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The Sleuth of Ming Dynasty
Episode 7
Tang, you're back.
How was it? Did you take revenge?
Tang?
It hurt! It hurts! It hurts!
Try to be gentle.
I thought you brought your weapon with you.
How come you got hurt like this?
That crazy woman cheated and threw the first punch.
She caught me off guard.
It hurt! It hurts! It hurts!
I'm not done with her yet.
When I recover,
I'm gonna have a fierce fight with her.
Dong, are you killing or saving me?
It hurts so much!
It's very delicious.
It's the first time I've tried it.
It tastes so smooth and savory.
Perhaps you're from the north.
It's not made of wheat flour. It's made of rice.
Mr. Wang, you're here.
Come on in. Have a seat. Have a seat.
It's nice of you.
Waiter! Serve this table.
I'm coming.
Your restaurant is very popular.
It's bustling with people.
How many customers do you serve a day?
Well, it's hard to say.
Normally, we're open till it gets dark.
In the night, will you be afraid of
getting robbed of daily income?
How come?
Now we're leading a comfortable life.
Under the rule of His Excellency Huang, no one dares to do such things.
Sir, how is public security in Ji'an?
Very good.
However, it used to be bad.
Since His Excellency Huang is here,
one can find
what he lost on the street
a dozen days ago.
Well, take your time and enjoy your dish.
Thief! Stop!
Stop!
Give it to me.
Thank you so much, sirs.
He took herbal medicines and ran away
without paying for them.
One of the herbal medicines is Liaodong ginseng
which is very expensive.
If it's taken away by him,
my today's business will go to waste.
You might kill him by hitting him like that.
Who're you?
What do you have to do with this?
I'm a passerby.
This kid just stole something.
He didn't kill anyone.
You're being brutal to him.
A questionable stranger who attacks police officers.
Take him away along with the robber.
Go. Go.
Go.
Your Excellency,
the robber robbed an herbal medicine shop of herbal medicines
and was caught on the spot when he ran away.
This man attacked police officers
when they were chasing the robber.
These three people are brought here for hindering police business.
What's your name?
Nie Ping.
Why did you rob the herbal medicine shop?
My mother is seriously ill, and we don't have money.
Have you turned 15?
I'll turn 15 in the sixth month of this year.
Do you any other family?
My father died an early death.
My mother is the only family member I have.
Do you know what crime you committed?
Rob a herbal medicine shop to save your mother. It's blind filial piety.
However, it's understandable.
Do you know the price you have to pay?
When they arrested you,
you tried to run away in order to avoid the consequence.
Where were you running to?
Do you dare go home?
If not,
what about your mother who is seriously ill?
Have you thought about that?
A man should always be responsible
for every single choice he makes.
According to the Law of the Ming Dynasty,
the punishment for robbery is
one year in prison.
Judging from the prescription,
your mother is suffering from lung disease caused by constant overwork.
The prescription is fine.
However, two of the herbal medicines are too expensive.
Replace Lycopus lucidus Turcz with roots of kudzu vine.
Replace quinoline with Licaohua .
It might be less effective.
However, if the decoction is prolonged
for about thirty minutes
and the patient takes the medicine three times a day,
the treatment may have the same effect.
This way,
the cost of one serving of medicine
can afford ten servings of medicine.
Keep the IOU.
I'll lend you five taels of silver.
Buy medicines for a year's treatment.
Get your mother settled. After that, come back here to serve your sentence.
Pay the money back
when you make money after you've served your time and are released.
You…You allow me to get back home?
A man should take his own responsibility.
It takes a responsible man to right the wrong.
I'd like to give it a try.
Hope I didn't back the wrong horse.
You're excused.
Who are you, then?
Sui Zhou, from the Northern Administrative Court of the Imperial Guards.
Well, His Excellency Huang
is indeed different.
Knowing that we're here to investigate him,
instead of attending to us carefully,
he put us in this shabby tavern.
His Excellency Huang seems to be an honest,
fair-mined person.
No wonder people in Ji'an
are so nice.
It seems we came here
for nothing.
His Excellency is writing routine report.
The pigeon is still at the stable.
I'll fetch it for you.
Your Excellency, His Excellency Huang is here.
Your Excellency, sorry for bothering you.
Your Excellency, please take a seat.
Your Excellency, apology for my impoliteness
at today's court.
Please forgive me.
Your Excellency, there is no need to apologize.
At the court, there are certain rules to be observed.
With all due respect,
I don't suppose Your Excellency
came all the way to Ji'an
to watch me judge a case.
All these years,
the death toll of prisoners in the prison of Ji'an
has been hovering at a high level.
I'm here to investigate
the case.
What can I do for you?
We need to check
all the case files about the prison of Ji'an during the past five years.
When do you need it?
The sooner, the better.
Understood. I'll arrange it for you.
Tang…Tang.
My pickles.
My osmanthus cake.
Tang?
Hear me out.
I thought carefully about what happened yesterday
and found out the key problem.
I was caught off guard
because this crazy woman blocked my retreat.
Speaking of books on the art of war,
I read one or two of them.
The key to winning a war
lies in knowing oneself as well as the enemy.
See? This is the reproduction of the iron market.
Put down the butcher shop around the corner!
First, I arrive at here.
Then, I pass the back wall
and go uphill to get here.
After that, I get onto the roof
by climbing up the wry-necked tree.
Here
is definitely the most ideal site for an ambush.
It has a wide view and is suitable for both attack and defense.
I can promise you…
I dare to promise you that
no one can find an ambush point in the entire iron market
as perfect as this one.
Last time, I underestimated the enemy
and attacked her strongpoint with my shortcoming.
This time, I'll be in the dark
and attack her shortcoming with my strongpoint.
This time, that woman will get into my trap
before she becomes aware of it.
Still eating?
Tang, is it going to work?
Of course.
Dong, check if it hit her.
Nope.
Tang, she is gone.
Let's leave now.
What are you talking about?
How can I retreat before having my revenge?
Tang, take care of yourself.
Dong, is that what I taught you to be?
How could you be so heartless?
I've run out of it.
You…Why did you break the tile basin?
Did you have your revenge?
The salve is almost used up.
Tang, you always got hurt like this.
I'm worried.
How about putting a hold
on the revenge thing
till Sui is back?
However, Sui is not coming back soon.
What about asking for help from Shuntian Prefecture?
It's my own business.
How can we apply public resources to personal use?
Your Excellency, here is another case.
The prisoner was imprisoned for stealing four bags of Setaria Plicata .
He died in prison a month later.
Here is another case.
The prisoner was imprisoned for hurting someone in an altercation.
He died in prison two months later.
-Your Excellency. -Your Excellency. -Your Excellency.
Sit down. Sit down, all of you.
Let's eat.
After all these years,
what do you think of me?
I've nothing to be ashamed of and I'm at peace.
Everything I did in Ji'an
is for justice and law.
Please bear it in mind.
When imperial guards interrogate you,
just talk about whatever you know. Speak from your conscience.
All these years, as an official,
I can give myself that credit.
What do you say?
Your Excellency,
the imperial guard, His Excellency Sui, wants to visit the prison.
Are all the prisoners kept together like this?
They're all sinners.
What' the point in making a distinction between them?
What' the total number of prisoners here?
Five hundred and fourteen prisoners.
Over five hundred prisoners.
The prison is built to accommodate no more than two hundred prisoners.
The number is more than doubled.
The limit for monthly expense is still for two hundred prisoners.
They're sinners. They should suffer for breaking the law.
They've committed crimes, after all.
Your Excellency.
Since the reign of Emperor Yongle ,
the Three Guards have been serving the Ming government.
They have been bound by interests.
Among Doyan, Fuyu and Taining guards,
the Doyan Guard is the most powerful one.
That's why they're collectively known as the Three Guards.
They've been invading Liaodong boarder for years.
The Ming government has been troubled
by invasions from Oirats and Tatars in the northeast,
having no time to deal with the Three Guards.
In the third year of the Chenghua reign,
the Ming government joined hands with Korea and eradicated Jurchen people.
Nearly all the Jurchen tribes perished.
However, in recent years, in order to obtain steed,
horse markets are flourishing in Liaodong tribes.
It turns out it's Jurchen people
who benefit most from it.
Based on the commercial trade in the horse markets,
they're growing strong again.
Jia Kui!
Envoys of the Three Guards
are here to welcome Your Excellency.
Jurchens of Jianzhou
are here to welcome Your Excellency.
Officials of Guangning are here to welcome Commander Wang.
Sorry for being late. Please forgive me.
Is everyone here?
Chen Yue, Guardian of Guangning, is not here.
Chen Yue?
Interesting.
Serve food.
Commander Wang,
His Excellency prepared this dish
especially for you.
Please have a taste and see if you like it.
Gentlemen. Gentlemen.
There is something about the dish.
There is really something about the dish. Wonderful!
To the happiness, longevity and health of Commander Wang.
The snake is so true to life.
The Doyan Guard would do anything to please you.
The Doyan Guard is very considerate.
I'm really touched.
Well, this way,
I sort of feel regret.
I should have said that I was born in the year of horse.
You take it seriously?
General Chen Yue is here.
Since I'm in armor,
sorry for not being able to pay a full salute.
Chen Yue, why are you late again?
As a punishment, you should drink three cups of wine.
I'm on duty tonight. I'm not allowed to drink.
Your Excellency, you're really busy.
You can't even spare time to welcome Commander Wang
outside the town with us.
I'm a general guarding the border.
Who guards the town if I leave here to welcome the Commander?
General Chen, please don't exaggerate.
All the generals and soldiers in the town
are patriotic nationals of the Ming Dynasty.
With them being here,
it's not a big deal for you to leave the town for a moment.
Besides, it's Commander Wang
who came here on imperial orders.
I'm guarding the town for His Majesty.
Protecting the town always comes first.
When it comes to unimportant matters such as welcoming or seeing someone off,
it's only natural that unimportant people should do it.
Besides, it's clearly stated in laws by the Ministry of Rites.
None of such laws indicate that a town-guarding general like me
should go out of town to welcome a eunuch.
How dare you? Chen Yue, you went too far.
General Chen is very gallant.
I'm nothing but a eunuch.
You're right.
As a dignified general guarding the border,
you really don't need to welcome me out of town.
However, it seems you have omitted something.
Though I'm as humble as dust,
His Majesty is graceful.
His Majesty is concerned about Liaodong affairs.
He sent me here along with his guards of honor.
The presence of guards of honor represents the presence of His Majesty.
When His Majesty was standing on the city walls…
General,
after all these toilsome years of guarding Liaodong,
you've got grey hairs.
Guarding the border for His Majesty
and protecting the town is not toil for me.
Thank you for your devotion, General.
His Majesty can rest assured.
Liaodong is extremely cold. Thanks for your devotion.
Come on.
There is no use in staying there.
I'm not gonna leave.
You must apologize for this,
otherwise you'll never get away with it.
If you stay there for one day,
I'll wait here for one day.
If you stay there for one month,
I'll wait here for one month.
If you stay there for one year,
I'll wait here for one year.
What if she stays there for a lifetime?
Then I'll stay here for a lifetime.
Aha said
she's not gonna apologize.
Not in this life.
However, if you want to have revenge,
she'll give you a chance.
OK.
Aha said she would stand still right here.
You have three chances to hit her with a slingshot.
No matter you hit her or not,
the matter is settled.
She'll stand still on the spot?
Well, you said that.
You've been hardworking.
Did you get your salary on time?
Commander Wang, you're so benevolent.
Most of the time, our salaries are issued on time.
It's just that we're poorly paid.
The payment of pension and subsidy is always delayed.
We're just managing.
Look at these jewelries and delicacies.
I wonder if you can afford them with your low salary.
But these days, I heard that some local officials
keep creating new ways to skimp on military expenditure
and take money from civilians,
in order to buy these treasures.
However, I believe
you're better people than those officials.
You spent so many efforts in enriching the national treasury for His Majesty.
I'm touched.
I express my gratitude
on behalf of His Majesty and our nation.
Ding Rong.
A detailed list has been made about all the items.
I should read the list for you
to show my gratitude.
However, it's a long list.
You're on a tight schedule.
I'm afraid you don't have time for this.
I promise
all the items will later be properly transported
to the capital
and handled by the national treasury.
You may rest assured.
Come on. I'd like to propose a toast
to pay tribute to you all.
Come on.
This time, the most important business for me in Liaodong
is to reopen the horse market.
His Majesty is very concerned about this issue.
As officials,
it's our duty to solve problems for His Majesty.
Thank you for your cooperation in advance.
We're standing so close.
I can hit you even with my eyes closed.
I can forgive you for hitting me.
However, you must apologize for
breaking my chopsticks.
Aha has said,
she won't apologize.
Not in this life.
I'm here to solve the problem.
This mud ball is a gesture of my sincerity.
How come it's so accurate?
My apologies for being impolite last time.
Please forgive me, Commander Wang.
General Chen,
I want to know current situation in Liaodong.
Nowadays, tribes in Liaodong seem to be obedient.
However, there is a lot going on under the table.
The benefits of opening the horse market are known to all.
Every tribe hopes to
host the horse market.
However, this time, it's located in Guangning.
Guangning is closest to the Jurchens.
The Three Guards must be jealous about it.
I'm concerned
they might sabotage it in the dark.
The government
chose to open the horse market in Guangning
in the hope of keeping balance between the Jurchens and the Three Guards.
I've guarded border in Guangning for many years.
I fully understand the difference between the Jurchens and the Three Guards.
I don't think it's time to reopen the horse market now.
General Chen.
No matter it's time or not,
the horse market must be reopened now.
Since the reign of Emperor Hongwu,
the Ming Dynasty has been at war for many consecutive years.
His Majesty has been terribly troubled
by the rapid consumption of horses.
Under the dangerous, unpredictable circumstances,
steed will play a pivotal role
in our military affairs.
I'm sure you know that
the root cause in the failure of the Song Dynasty against Kublai Khan
lies in losing sixteen prefectures of Yanyun ,
an important production area of horses.
I respect your loyalty
and appreciate your military knowledge.
However,
His Majesty's judgment means everything.
Sometimes, our thoughts don't matter at all.
Understood.
We're counting on you.
Commander Wang, I have another issue to discuss with you.
Go ahead, please.
The guarding in Guangning is of great importance.
Commander Wang, as an imperial commissioner,
please issue a strict order
that tribes entering the horse market
shall not carry any weapons along with them.
I'll do as you asked.
When will Sui Zhou come back?
When he left, he said
no sooner than half a month, no later than a month.
It's been only a few days.
It seems we still need to
wait him for near a month?
Tang,
I thought you said we shouldn't apply public resources to personal use.
Sui is our friend.
He is not a public resource.
We can ask him for a favor.
Sui has sent routine reports these days.
This one is from yesterday,
saying he's arrived in Ji'an.
These ones are from today,
saying he's started the investigation.
It seems
he won't come back for a while.
Three more bowls of noodles, please.
Could you please eat less?
Can I eat till I'm full?
Yes.
Remember.
If there is any news from Sui Zhou,
please let me know immediately.
Your Excellency,
sorry for visiting in late night.
Please forgive me.
Come. Have a seat.
This way, please.
I'm here
because I've some consulting questions for you.
Go ahead, please.
Why you exercise heavy punishment for prisoners?
You must know what's happening in the prison.
People committed petty theft
and those who committed homicide and robbery
are punished in the same way.
Don't you think it's against
fairness and justice?
Fairness? Justice?
You asked a good question by mentioning these two words.
I'd like to know your idea
about fairness and justice.
I'm listening.
Justice is about
treating different behavior in different ways.
That's to say, put saddle on the right horse.
Fairness is about
treating the same behavior
in the same way.
In other words,
every criminal should be punished.
In my opinion, big or small, a crime is a crime.
Don't you think it's too brutal and inhuman
for someone to die a tragic death in prison
because of a small mistake which could be corrected?
A small mistake?
Let's take that boy who robbed herbal medicines for example.
This time, he robbed herbal medicines
in order to cure his mother's disease.
Who can ensure one day
he won't kill someone
for emergency reasons?
Everyone has his own priorities.
But no one should cross the line.
Once he crosses the line,
he becomes evil.
It seems Your Excellency judges human mind too simply.
You're still young.
When you're my age,
you'll understand
human mind is a simple thing.
A man's life
can be divided into four stages.
At the first stage, one knows how big the world is.
One knows how wonderful the world can be.
The most delicate dishes, the finest clothes.
Most people can reach this stage.
Because it's simple.
One just needs to look up.
At the second stage,
one knows how dark the world is.
One knows people's darkest thoughts
and the filthiest corners in the world.
Most people stop at this stage.
Because darkness is hard to observe.
One must go through it in person.
Experience misery
in others' or his own difficult situation.
He either survives or dies.
He gets to learn that the lower limit of the world
is not something he learns in school,
but the desperate situation in real world
where he has no one to turn to.
At the third stage,
one learns where he is.
The universe is so immense.
Tiny as a human being is,
where does he belong?
Lost in his achievements or difficulties,
one forgets where he is.
One forgets his starting point and his limitations.
At the fourth stage,
one gets to know
he is surrounded by other people in the world.
It's not only about the immensity of the world,
but also about all living things in the world.
They're all different.
But they all exist for a reason and abide by certain rules.
Understand everything. Embrace everything.
Feel happy for others' happiness.
Feel sad for others' sorrow.
Integrate into the mundane world
and help living beings in the world.
Then, which stage do you belong to?
Which stage do you belong to?
I've never thought about it.
It's not something that requires particular thinking.
You just need to discover it at a certain moment.
For instance, now.
Your Excellency, actually, I'm here late at night,
asking you to come back to the capital
with me.
Both of us know what's happening in Ji'an.
It's not as simple as you put it.
It seems I failed to convince you.
If you'll excuse me.
You take care.
Your Excellency.
As I said,
you'll find me useful
one day.
Tang, he won't come.
Your Excellency is here to see me off
or say goodbye?
Neither.
Then…
To tell you the truth,
I'm here to arrest you.
Arrest us? Do you know who we are?
How dare you say this word to us?
Pretend to be government officials.
I know as imperial guards,
you send routine report to the capital every day.
I tried to convince you but you wouldn't listen.
Then I have to betray our friendship.
Since when do we have a friendship?
Tough guy, huh? Bring him here.
He still gets one hand and two feet.
You still get three chances.
Stop!
What's gotten into you?
It must hurt a lot
to be hit by that mud ball.
Well, I suppose.
Actually, I didn't want to revenge.
All I want is an apology.
One should apologize for his or her mistake.
One should be reasonable.
Am I right?
Tang, I just don't get it.
You were unhappy when you failed to hit her.
Now that you did hit her, why you're even more unhappy?
I don't know the reason, either.
I got news from Tang.
Here you're.
-Show me the previous routine reports. -OK.
Sui Zhou is in trouble.
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