[English subtitles are available.]
The Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty
Episode 38
You came.
Father.
Is there
any progress?
Father,
according to Tang Fan's investigation,
the most critical person in the case now is
Zhang Gongzhu.
This person seems to be a middle man,
and the Mastermind behind Wang Xian.
Zhang Gongzhu.
No matter who he really is,
since he has schemed and penetrated under cover for so long,
why would he expose himself so easily now?
Actually
this is also a question beyond me.
Since Wang Xian has been detained,
it's inevitable that this matter will be followed and investigated by all the people.
Under such a situation,
if Gong Zhu was the mastermind,
he wouldn't have shown himself anyway,
but he even
went to see Wang Xian so boldly.
That being the case,
there could only be one reason
for his behavior.
Please enlighten me.
He wanted to save Wang Xian.
In order to get Wang Xian off the hook,
he'd rather direct
all their suspicions to himself.
I don't see why.
Why is he doing this?
Why is that?
Wang Xian.
Zhang Gongzhu.
I come up with a person's name.
A person who was wiped out in history.
That person
was once an emperor of this country for eight years.
He was the brother of the late emperor,
and the uncle of the current emperor.
The reason why the current emperor
could ascend to the throne
was because his uncle abdicated.
The biggest reason for his abdication
was because his two-year-old son died.
From now on, he had no heir
to succeed to the throne.
But although he had no son,
he had one…
Princess.
Yes.
A princess,
with the title of "Grand Princess".
What happened
to that princess?
After the current emperor's father ascended to the throne for the second time,
he abolished all the titles of that Grand Princess.
Thirteen years later,
the current emperor gave her the title back as a princess,
and married her
to a low ranking official in the Ministry of Personnel.
That nobody is
Wang Xian.
Mr. Wang.
What did he say?
What purpose did Zhang Gongzhu have to come here?
Zhang Gongzhu.
Did he do it?
What is his intention?
Did Zhang Gongzhu threaten you?
Remember,
if you got caught,
just say
you don't know anything except developing weapons.
Everything is Zhang Gongzhu's idea.
Zhang Gongzhu.
Zhang Gongzhu did what?
Zhang Gongzhu.
What's wrong with Zhang Gongzhu?
Zhang Gongzhu.
What did he say?
Zhang Gongzhu.
What did Zhang Gongzhu say?
Zhang Gongzhu.
Xue Ling and I will break into it through the front and back entrances.
The rest of you are divided into six units to do a grid search.
No trace of Zhang Gongzhu in the entire Bureau of Provisions.
Maybe Zhang Gongzhu seized an opportunity to escape from the Bureau of Provisions?
Except for these units,
the rest of Imperial Guards
have surrounded the entire place.
If he was here,
he won't be able to escape.
Did you guys search his place?
All relevant persons of the Bureau of Provisions
have been brought to the Western Depot for investigation.
But the strange thing is
Zhang Gongzhu came to work and got off on time every day
but no one knows where he came to work from
and where he went after work.
He has a dormitory in the Bureau of Provisions.
But so far no one knows
where his home is.
Wang Xian spoke just now.
He reacted
once I mentioned Zhang Gongzhu.
But no matter what I asked him,
he would only repeat Zhang Gongzhu's name.
Anyway
we can't let Zhang Gongzhu escape from town.
the Warden's Offices of the four wards
all have this person's portrait
and have pinned down the whole city.
There is no way for him to go out of town.
He can only hide in the city.
This is a sure catch.
Ding Rong.
Immediately bring a portrait of Zhang Gongzhu
to inform the Warden's Office of the central ward
and lead a team to cooperate with their investigation.
find this person
even if you have to turn the capital upside down.
This is not ploughing a field.
We already turned the capital upside down once
in order to find Li Zilong.
Now I have to turn it back,
it's just a waste of efforts.
Why are you full of crap today?
I'll do it now.
I'd like to ask the Northern Administrative Court to cooperate
and put a wanted on Zhang Gongzhu.
Ms. Dong, where's the wine?
Coming!
Sorry for the delay since I am on my own today.
We didn't eat much all day long.
Don't you feel hungry?
Why does he have more meat than me again?
In the past few days, we ran around many places.
You must be tired.
I know I'm exhausted anyway.
We had to run outside
while reviewing the files at home.
I feel tired in both body and soul.
But
I can memorize
basically all those files.
You guys can test me if you don't believe me.
Here is your wine.
Sui
You can ask me the personnel transfer of
the Northern Administrative Court in recent years.
Thank you, Ms. Dong.
Tang.
At least you want to know
who were transferred to
the Office of Transmission in the past five years, right?
I not only memorized it
but also analyzed the situation.
Tang, what about
your contributions to Shuntian Prefecture and the Office of Transmission since you took office?
You've got to be interested in these!
OK.
Here, your double cooked pork slices.
OK, thank you.
Your Highness.
Someone wants to see you.
Who is it?
He refused to say his name.
But he said
he has news about Mr…
This wooden kite is such a great invention.
Look at the exquisite design
and ingenious workmanship of this thing.
It doesn't look like something of this mortal world.
In the whole world,
ordinary people wouldn't have such a bold idea
except a genius like Mr. Wang Xian.
This thing is simply
the key to change the whole game.
Just imagine,
if we can amplify it several times and fly it to the sky,
even the legendary Mongolian Cavalry
wouldn't defeat us!
What a pity that
a genius like him
was not trusted with
important positions
even though he's a peerless genius.
It seems our emperor
has failed the country,
the talented people,
and that throne he's sitting on.
Who are you?
It doesn't matter who I am.
What is important is I can help you.
I believe
your husband is in deep trouble.
Only one person can save him.
Who is it?
Zhang Gongzhu.
Nonsense!
Hear me out.
If one day,
and when that day eventually comes that
you decide you need my help,
just hang a red lantern outside the gate of your mansion.
I will come to see Your Highness.
Goodbye.
Someone!
Prepare a carriage!
Sui
Eat some buns before you go.
No, thanks.
At least take them with you.
Sui, drink some ginseng soup then.
At least take a sip.
-Take a sip. -Go away!
Go away.
Fasten it over here.
OK.
Coming.
[Wanted]
Zhang Gongzhu?
This person is Wang Xian's assistant in the Bureau of Provisions.
He's our major suspect.
So
I can bring my husband home today?
Zhang Gongzhu has not yet been brought to justice.
Mr. Wang still needs to stay in the Western Depot for a few more days.
A few more days?
Just wait until the culprit is apprehended.
This is absurd!
It has been proven that he is innocent.
Why should he be held here?
Mr. Wang will only be proven innocent
when Zhang Gongzhu is brought to justice
and we know what happened.
I hope Your Highness can make allowance for me.
I make allowance for you?
Who will make allowance for me?
He is weaker than ordinary people.
-If You hold him in prison… -This is a major case.
And we can't guarantee Zhang Gongzhu has no associates.
He's safer to stay in the Western Depot.
The whole Western Depot has been respecting him
and taking good care of him.
Once the mastermind is caught,
I will drive a carriage in person
to take him back home
and ask for your forgiveness.
I don't know
Zhang Gongzhu well.
How can you say that?
That day
you were the one who introduced him to us.
Officers.
I don't know Mr. Wang Xian well,
let alone his assistant.
Zhang Gongzhu usually only stays by Wang Xian's side.
Have you ever talked to him somewhere?
I said I don't know him well.
How could I talk to him?
You two hand over inventory when the shift is over every day.
You told me you don't know him well?
That's true!
Say that again! Say that again!
Sir!
Your Majesty, Princess Gu'an is here.
She is on her knees outside.
What's the matter?
Ask her to come in.
Yes.
Your Majesty.
She refused to get up.
Does she want to put pressure on me?
Then let her be on her knees.
How long has she been like that out there?
Your Majesty.
For the duration of four joss sticks.
Fine. Tomorrow release Wang Xian from Western Depot
and transfer to the Imperial Clan Court for further notice.
Yes. Your Majesty.
Mr. Tang.
What happened to you?
I…
Mr. Sui has been in a bad mood recently.
You mean Sui Zhou did this?
Yes.
He has gone even further this time!
It's OK.
Let him get it out of his system.
Maybe it's better for him to vent his anger.
If he's still angry,
he can hit me again.
I am totally OK with that.
Ouch!
-It hurts! -Bear with me.
Bear with me.
The more you guys let him abreact,
the more painful he will be.
The more he abreacts,
the deeper and worse
he will be in entangled emotions and restlessness.
Sui Zhou has a serious disease.
Disease?
What disease?
Mental disease.
Actually this disease
was there from the days
he was still at border defense army.
Didn't you see the symptoms over the past years?
For example, he has nightmares quite often.
Sometimes he can't control his emotions
and almost hurt others.
This often happened before.
It was just never been so intense.
But the things happened few days ago…
Anyway
when one has undergone drastic changes,
his accumulated emotions will suddenly burst out
which leads to abnormal behaviors.
From time to time he will hurt others
or hurt himself.
This disease is actually not very uncommon.
Many veterans who retired on the battlefields
often have similar symptoms.
Similar symptoms?
So
is there any cure?
Yes.
Actually it needs a potent remedy.
Otherwise he will get worse with each passing day.
Then give him a prescription.
This is a mental disease.
It takes mental remedy to cure him.
At this moment
I can't think of any solution.
Actually you guys can also think about it.
In recent years
what is he relying on
to suppress his disease?
Why did you come here in the first place?
I wanted to come to you
consulting about Wang Xian's dementia.
But
now I already know the answer.
Bear with me.
Have you eaten?
I'm starving.
Thank you for the food.
They are still looking for that
illusory Zhang Gongzhu.
Tang Fan claimed himself to the salt of the earth for the country.
Salt my ass!
Incompetent.
No one can be compared with you
when it comes to strategy.
They are incompetent,
but still they can become my firewood.
Might as well burn the fire up for me
as long as it can force Gu'an to make desperate moves.
Father, you want me to light this fire, right?
Zhou.
Look!
Zhang Gongzhu?
He deliberately did it.
But why would he deliberately reveal his whereabouts
to let us find out about him?
In order to save Wang Xian.
Wang Xian is indeed not the mastermind.
But
why did Zhang Gongzhu
want to save Wang Xian
even if he had to expose himself?
I don't understand that now.
But under the sky,
there is only be one person
who wants to rescue Wang Xian at all costs.
Princess Gu'an.
Tang, move back in.
It is more convenient for you to discuss cases.
Go back to bed.
Go on.
I can't sleep, I can't sleep.
Wait, wait!
Don't send him to the Royal Clan Court!
Why not?
When he's transferred there,
Our Western Depot will pass this hot potato to them.
Why not?
Absolutely not!
I want to see His Majesty.
Are you serious?
Yes.
He hurriedly brought the files back to Sui Zhou's home.
and then went to the Western Depot.
Since then, I didn't see Wang Xian being transferred to the Royal Clan Court.
I just saw Tang Fan got on the carriage of the Western Depot
and went into the palace.
It seems
it's finally time for us to harvest the result.
Your Majesty.
Get up.
I wants to ask Your Majesty for forgiveness.
What did you do?
I will venture
to ask Your Majesty a question.
Get up and ask.
I have been thinking about it for a long time.
But I always wonder
why Your Majesty arranged Prince Gu'an
to marry to a person with dementia?
Do you also think
I did it to guard against Emperor Daizong's only daughter?
I shall not dare to think so.
Even if I did guard against her,
do you think I would do that?
Gu'an is my cousin.
She's my family.
I wouldn't
ruin the happiness of her life.
So her marriage with Wang Xian
was not your idea.
I was never fond of the idea.
My mother was particularly opposed it
because people would gossip.
And she was right. Look.
Now even you come to accuse me.
Sorry.
Gu'an begged me several times
to marry her to Wang Xian.
Without any other choice
I had to give my blessing to this marriage.
Tang Fan,
is the answer good enough for you?
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Yes.
So, it was her.
Right now it's just his speculation.
We can only say
Her Highness may be involved.
If there is no actual evidence,
don't risk doing anything to her.
Yes, Your Majesty.
My father and I
owed her father and herself a lot.
If it really is Gu'an,
try to minimize her wrongdoing
as much as you can.
I understand.
Over these years
I watched his siblings and cousins
die one by one.
Your Majesty.
Please take care of your body.
His Majesty is sad by the possibility.
People like me
must keep running
to stay on my current spot.
But people like Princess Gu'an
have to stay where they are
to stay alive and safe.
And for people like me,
as long as there is the tiniest lead,
I will grab it and keep pursuing.
I always thought
her marriage with Wang Xian
was arranged by His Majesty.
This is what all the people thought and gossip.
But the source of this rumor
was the princess herself.
The reason she spread the rumor
was to cover up
the real purpose of marrying Wang Xian.
I remember
when we mentioned his name,
her eyes lit up.
She really adores Wang Xian.
She was the first person to discover the value of Wang Xian.
Marrying him
was to use him.
Use him,
and Bolang
to seek revenge for her father and herself.
A woman can be very cruel and determined when she wants to.
They are cousins.
If she has a problem with His Majesty, why can't they talk it out?
Why did she have to cause such a serious catastrophe
and kill innocent people?
Tang Fan,
let's get back to the business.
No wonder you can't catch Zhang Gongzhu
even though you searched the whole city.
Because there is no Zhang Gongzhu at all.
"Zhang Gongzhu" is phonetically similar to
Grand Princess.
Of course it was her.
Grand Princess?
You mean her title when Emperor Daizong was still on the throne?
Exactly.
During the reign of Jingtai,
Princess Gu'an was bestowed as the Grand Princess by her father.
It can be said
from the moment
she used the identity of Zhang Gongzhu,
she announced her plan to the world.
Wang Zhi
Let's go to the Western Depot to get people
and go to her mansion.
You are so naïve.
His Majesty said
we can't take actions without solid evidence.
And even if she's involved,
let's try to minimize her wrongdoing in it and even make things go away for her.
But…
His majesty said
during the past years
he watched his siblings and cousins die one by one.
Tang Fan.
Don't just think about solving the case.
Fine.
We can't do anything to the Princess.
But at least we can do something to her husband
who is a suspect in our hands, right?
What do you mean?
Princess Gu'an chose not to make any action
because that is her strategy.
But we can do something
to force her into making actions.
What a miserable life for him.
Excuse me. Let me come through.
What are you doing?
Why did you tear it off? Don't do it!
Cook some Master's favorite dishes.
Yes, Your Highness.
Your Highness! Bad news!
Something terrible happened!
Why are you so panic?
This is a notice from the Western Depot.
[He will be beheaded in public soon]
They're pushing me too hard!
Another little fish.
Sorry.
Sorry for keeping you waiting.
Who are you?