[English subtitles are available.]
The Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty
Episode 28
Three sesame cakes, please.
OK, please take a seat.
Here you go.
Enjoy.
Here you go.
Here's the money.
This is the most opportune time
to act according to our plan yesterday.
In my opinion,
this will work.
Okay!
Guys, just wait to get your share from Mr. Li!
Yes.
Hey.
What do you think?
Even if we rob the bank
and retreat here,
and then what should we do?
This is a very good question.
With such a big robbery in an important place like the capital,
the Warden's Office of the Five Wards will go all out.
They will quickly block all city gates
and put a warrant to track down both the robbers and lost money.
So this first step of robbing is the easier part.
The second step is the more important part.
[Buddha]
The second step
isn't sharing the money?
The second step is to hide.
All our men
need to go off the grid.
Bring all the silver we robbed with us.
After the coast is clear,
we will bring all the silver
and get away from their hunting
and get out of town safely.
Then Mr. Li,
we can just go back into this temple
and hide.
It's far away from the city
so it's not easy to run back here after the robbery.
And Tianning Temple is such a landmark.
It's not a safe place.
Guys,
look at this.
Me and my brother
used to be only petty thieves
until that evening
we broke into this Sui's house.
So we did a few big jobs with his identity.
No one is in this house.
There'll be no interruption.
The most important thing is
this is an imperial guard's house.
Think about it.
Those government's hatchet men
would never thought we would hide there.
Where does this Sui live then?
The address?
Well,
I only remember the general location.
I'll figure it out later.
Alright.
No need.
I was bullied by him several times.
I can find his home
with my eyes closed.
That'd be great.
Save you a trip.
There is one more thing
I have to make it clear to everyone beforehand.
No matter how much
we get this time,
we'll only take half to share.
The rest will be donated to family members of our fellow soldiers who died or
got disabled on the battlefield.
Understand?
Yes, sir!
When I was in the army,
we would dig a hole in the ground.
Stick branches on both ends of the hole to make a grill.
Cut the chicken open from the middle
and then grill it.
Exactly.
That size of the chicken grill
must be based on the size of the chicken.
it can't be too thin
nor too dry.
You guys are weak.
When we were garrisoning the borders,
we wouldn't eat chickens.
We ate real meat
in big chunks.
Who eats petty portion of meat like a chicken?
Hey.
I forgot to tell you.
They were all veterans who had been in real battles.
The one who brought you back
is Ponytail.
He was a deserter.
The three of them served the army in the same troop.
They were very brave men
in battles protecting our land.
But the battles also left them a lot of injuries.
Right?
Now that the country is peaceful,
veterans can't even feed themselves.
How about you two?
Us?
My brother and I were from Henan.
We were chosen to enlist by impressment.
Of course,
we also went to the army
so that our family could pay less tax.
We went to Guyuan Town to join the army
where we spent eight years defending the borders.
Right? Brother?
Yes.
Come on, don't just talk.
Here.
Cheers.
In these eight years
every day was so painful.
And then after eight years in the frontier,
we were informed
our dad was killed by a local tyrant
who also seized
our family's land.
Our mother couldn't stand it
so she jumped into a well to kill herself.
Upon hearing this new,
how could we still
serve the army?
We returned to our hometown
and killed that local tyrant to avenge for our parents.
After that we couldn't stay at hometown
or go back to the army.
We two brothers became refugees in this way.
So many hardships being a soldier.
Why was I born in an armed forces household?
Bid farewell to my home.
There is no food in the soldier's plate.
I came to the battlefield
but there is nothing like I expected.
We arrived at the enemy's territory.
The strongest solders were sent to escort provision.
The rest old and weak can't protect themselves,
how could they fight enemies in battles?
My little child was still breast-fed
but was sold by my wife on the street for my military uniforms
When these soldiers garrison for years were killed,
civilians at the borders cried loudly.
I want to go home and see my parents.
But the emperor is so far away to see me cry.
Sir, cheers.
What are you sighing for?
Then what are you sighing for?
You really want to know?
I can tell you.
But then I'll have to kill you.
Then don't tell me!
I am not going to listen!
Then tell me,
what are you sighing for?
Since that stupid girl Qingzi killed herself,
Huanyi Brothel
has been lack of a
famous girl.
So our thunder was stolen by other high-end brothels.
So these two days I thought of a way.
I finally made up my mind
and spent a lot of money to buy the best girl you can get
from Suzhou's Department of Official Prostitutes.
A lot of money?
How much is it?
Five thousand taels?
plus ten.
Fifty thousand taels?
Don't make a fuss about this.
If we want to make big money, we have to spend big money first.
These equal to two years of military provisions for Guangning garrison army in Liaodong.
When I had to make up for the shortfall with the Department of Revenue,
you only gave me six thousand taels.
Now for an escort girl,
You spent fifty thousand taels of silver
without thinking it twice?
I am a businesswoman.
Pursuing profits is my justified instinct.
You are right.
I like you because you're shameless.
So real.
Thank you.
What's her name?
Qingge.
Qingge?
This name is a bit quaint.
Let me tell you,
this girl is
not just about a pretty face.
She's proficient in
all fancies of men of letters.
You'll never regret the deal.
As long as she sits here,
I assure you,
Huanyi Brothel's business
will soar up.
Then I wish you a prosperous business.
Come on.
It's "We wish us a prosperous business".
Are you familiar with
Li Zilong?
That depends on from which angle you see it.
What about your angle?
In a place like this,
every day we see endless customers.
For those who are willing to spend money
and give generous tips,
then naturally we are familiar with them.
Who doesn't like money?
Besides,
There are three types of purposes for people who come here.
They come for fun,
come for making wealthy friends as connections,
or
they have something that is not convenient to discuss anywhere else.
No matter what, give me the money
and I'll serve him well.
We look so familiar with him,
but
that's just business.
Business.
You understand what it's like.
I do.
If you ask me if I am familiar with someone,
we only get familiar with silvers.
Well said.
Silver
will never betray you.
Are you really ready?
You mean my knife?
Almost done.
Committing a robbery in the capital
is not like other minor crimes.
If you are caught and punished,
it won't be just exile.
We're all living a dangerous life.
Why would we be afraid of this?
Instead of worrying this,
why don't you think about
what we will do with the money?
If I get the money,
the first thing I do
is go home and get a wife.
Little bastard.
Your hair down there hasn't fully grown yet.
You want a wife?
I want to marry two.
Then I will
find a small place
and buy a small shop
to live a peaceful life.
The first half of my life
was soaked in wine.
When I get my share,
I will learn winemaking.
I can drink as much as I like
and you guys can, too!
I love that.
I can still make money from it.
Good idea.
Yes.
Good idea.
What about you?
If I get the money,
Sui Zhou will never exist in this world.
Good for you.
Come here.
Sir!
So early in the morning, we haven't assigned today's job yet.
Where is everybody?
They were taken by Mr. Xue.
Where did they go?
I don't know.
He took a lot of people away
early in the morning.
Something is going to happen.
Gather rest of the people.
Follow me.
Go now.
Yes, sir!
Here you go.
Mr. Wang, come to my house for dinner tonight!
Sure.
Noodles!
How many bowls of noodles do you want?
One bowl.
A bowl, right?
Candied fruits!
Delicious candied fruits!
Let me tell you,
the food I bought in that shop is quite fresh.
Let's go there to do our grocery shopping in the future.
Sure.
Money
is such a good thing.
It's a pity
that it's also so heavy.
We can't take these away.
Sir.
Do us a favor.
Give us something that we can take away.
Just take the money.
Don't kill him.
Ponytail.
Go, go.
Go out.
What are you looking at?
Are you trying to remember my look?
Listen carefully.
I'll just say it once.
Did you see that joss stick?
You have the duration of one burning joss stick to consider.
We are here only for money,
not for killing.
Give us what we want, and we'll leave right away.
You are such a big bank
and you only have these notes,
silvers and coins?
Do you think I will believe you?
How about this?
Think again.
Money matters
or your lives matter.
But…
As you also know,
official band notes are really worthless.
No one wants to exchange silver with bank notes.
Even if you don't like these,
they are what I got.
Fine.
You.
Sir!
Ponytail.
Go over there.
Sir!
Kill all of them.
Sir.
Let's go!
Don't, no!
Yes, I have more!
I have more.
Go away.
Sir.
Gold!
Take a look at this basket.
Is it strong?
Of course!
I made them by myself. Look.
Don't rush. Mr. Sui told me,
wait until they reach the intersection.
We need to catch them red-handed
all at once.
Yes, sir!
Here you go.
Bring everything you can.
Sir.
Hurry up!
Why would you care about
if those unimportant people are
dead or alive?
I have seen too many dead people.
I know that human life is valuable.
Then you haven't seen enough.
If you really have seen many deaths,
you will know
human life is not valuable at all.
Take a look!
Sir.
Candied fruits!
Sesame cakes!
Freeze!
Damn!
Go after them!
Yes!
Go after them!
Hurry up!
Freeze!
Hurry up!
-Come on! -Stop!
What are you waiting for? Go after them!
-Come on! -Stop!
Step aside!
Freeze!
Here, come on!
Stop!
Keep up!
Step out of the way!
Move!
Here.
Go in there.
[Huanyi Brothel]
Get the carriage ready.
Yes.
Don't move!
Nobody move!
Don't move!
Search room by room.
Gather everyone here.
Yes.
I'd see you run.
Sit down.
What is this all about?
Dirty and poor.
You guys came here to make trouble?
Do you know where this is?
Do you know who is protecting this place?
Believe it or not, I just need to stomp once
and someone will come to teach you a lesson.
Stomp away.
Sir.
Stomp.
I'm just kidding with you.
Stomp.
Do it.
Do it with two feet. Go on.
Come over here.
Come here!
Go downstairs.
Faster.
Do you hear me?
Go downstairs.
Mr. Wan.
Is something wrong?
Why didn't you report such a big case to me
instead you came to arrest them privately?
You want to take all the credits.
Sui Zhou went undercover into the robbers.
For the sake of confidentiality
I did not notify you, sir.
He is no longer an imperial guard.
What right does he still have
to go undercover?
You arranged it?
The day before yesterday,
I saw him with the robbers.
And then
I found a note in my clothes.
By the way, he stunned me.
That's enough.
It is clear to me.
Sui Zhou is one of the gangs.
He is using you
trying to create a distraction
so that he and his gang can escape after the robbery.
If it weren't for me to arrive in time
and block them here,
you wouldn't have been still alive.
That's not true, sir!
Why is Wang Zhi's carriage here?
Look. Another group.
Another batch of law enforcers came.
I knew something is wrong.
You go sound him out.
OK.
Bro.
I forgot something.
I forgot to ask your name.
My name is Sui Zhou.
You lied to me?
Don't move!
Ponytail!
Tie him up.
Yes, sir.
You tipped the government off about our operation?
Yes.
We have never treated you badly.
Why would you do that?
I'm trying to save you.
So far
you didn't kill anyone.
If you go out now and surrender,
at worst you'll get exiled to borders.
If you really understand us,
you wouldn't have thought
we'll ever go back to the shithole of borders.
I am serious.
It's not too late to surrender.
If the Imperial Guards rush in,
then it'll be too late.
We have so many hostages in our hands.
Who dares to rush in?
The Imperial Guards are not ordinary city wards.
They don't care about the lives of your hostages.
Sir!
He is with them!
He just wants to cheat us to surrender then he'll take the credit.
I am telling you the truth.
People inside listen carefully!
Don't hurt Commander Wang!
Otherwise
you'll be sliced to pieces alive!
I will give you the duration of a burning joss stick.
Release Commander Wang
or the Imperial Guards will break in
and kill you all!
Mr. Wan?
What are you doing?
What do you mean?
This is called deterrence
to prevent them from harming Commander Wang.
Xue Ling,
call the archers to stand by.
Why do we need archers?
Just do as I said!
Which one of you is Commander Wang?
You won't say, huh?
It's easy.
All the men,
take off your pants.
It's OK.
I am Wang Zhi.
With such an important person in our hands
we can get away alive.
Stop!
Sir?
This is the scene of my case!
I make the final call!
Stop!
Don't shoot. Put your bows down.
Commander Shang.
Wang Zhi is also inside?
How can you force your way with an archers?
This is not safe!
I think we need to use
fire to attack this place.
Oops.
What I mean is to use smoke
to smoke them out of the place.
Sir, but if the fire is out of control,
Huanyi Brothel will be burned down
and all people in this building…
Can I talk to you in private?
Keep an eye on them!
Ponytail.
I killed someone.
I never killed anyone even on the battlefields.
I killed here,
and I killed a civilian.
Sir.
I didn't do it on purpose.
I really didn't mean it.
I…
What is done is done. We won't blame you.
If the royal court treated us well,
we wouldn't have ended like this.
Jerks!
If you dare to make any act outside,
I'll kill you all.
If we die, you'll die with us!
Today is your big day.
What do you mean, sir?
Do you have to make me say it out loud?
When Wang Zhi dies,
who else can be the leader of the Western Depot?
I assume in next month at the latest,
we'll all call you Commander Ding.
Tang!
I passed by Huanyi Brothel just now.
Something happened to Sui !
Really?
Right in Huanyi Brothel?
Tang,
let me go.
What can you do even if you go?