Timing and subtitles brought to you by ⚖Defenders of the Law ⚖ Team @ Viki
["Water and Flame" by Shu Linzuo]
♫ The boundless world is pitch-dark as the night ♫
♫ Your appearance is like a lightning bolt that tore through the night ♫
♫ My birth is neither impure nor pure, neither born nor destroyed ♫
♫ Perseverance is in my heart behaving atrociously, who can comprehend? ♫
♫ The sharp sword that penetrates desire is stained with blood ♫
♫ The season tainted with the hypocrisy of the world is prosperous yet withering ♫
♫ Give me some time, I can change everything ♫
♫ The courageous moth can also extinguish a sea of flames ♫
♫ Sorrow and delight are interweaving with colors ♫
♫ Layers upon layers covered by a dense fog ♫
♫ Numerous obstacles cannot stop me ♫
♫ To uncover the truth ♫
♫ A region of burning fire and deep waters ♫
♫ Calm and blazing both existing ♫
♫ Who will indulge the wicked flames ♫
♫ To boil the deep sea ♫
♫ This is the era of survival of the fittest ♫
♫ Everything will be planned by oneself ♫
♫ Even if it is a proud and aloof predestination ♫
♫ Even if completely incompatible, I’m still here ♫
[🔎👁‍🗨The Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty👁‍🗨🔍]
[Episode 7]
Brother Tang, you're back.
How was it? Did you take revenge?
Brother Tang?
It hurt! It hurts! It hurts!
Try to be gentle.
Brother Tang, 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 going to have a fierce fight with her.
Dong'er, 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.
Owner 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 evening, aren't you afraid of getting robbed of your daily income?
How could that happen?
Now we're leading a comfortable life.
Under the rule of Official Huang, no one dares to do such things.
Owner, how is public security in Ji'an City?
Very good.
However, it used to be bad.
Since Official Huang came, 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, officials.
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 was taken away by him, my entire day's business would go to waste.
You might kill him by hitting him like that.
Who are 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 too brutal to him.
A questionable stranger who attacks 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 officers when they were chasing the robber.
These three people were brought here for obstructing justice.
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 have 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?
Robbing 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 for doing this?
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'll allow me to go back home?
A man should take responsibility.
It takes a responsible man to right the wrong.
I'd like to make a bet on you.
I 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 Guard.
I'll say, Official 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.
Official Huang seems to be an honest, fair-minded person.
No wonder people in Ji'an are so nice.
It seems we came here for nothing.
His Excellency is writing a routine report.
The pigeon is still at the stable. I'll fetch it.
Your Excellency, Official Huang is here.
Official Sui, sorry for bothering you.
Official Huang, please take a seat.
Official Sui, apologies for my impoliteness in today's court.
Please forgive me.
Official Huang, there is no need to apologize.
At court, there are certain rules to be observed.
With all due respect, I don't suppose Official Sui
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 this 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… Brother Tang.
My pickles.
My osmanthus cake.
Brother 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 have 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 here.
Then, I pass the back wall and go uphill to get here.
After that, I can get onto the roof by climbing up the wry-necked tree.
This place 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 shortcomings.
This time, I'll be in the dark
and attack her shortcomings with my strongpoints.
This time, that woman will get into my trap
before she becomes aware of it.
Still eating?
Brother Tang, is it going to work?
Of course.
Dong'er, check if it hit her.
No.
Brother Tang, she is gone.
Let's leave now.
What do you mean leave?
How can I retreat before having my revenge?
Brother Tang, take care of yourself.
Dong'er, is this how 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.
Brother Tang, you always get hurt like this.
This can't go on.
How about putting a hold
on the revenge thing till Brother Sui is back?
However, Brother 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.
[Case file records]
- Your Excellency. - Your Excellency. - Your Excellency.
Sit down. Sit down, all of you.
Let's eat.
After all these years, what do you all 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 kind of confidence.
What do you say?
Your Excellency, the imperial guard, Official Sui, wants to visit the prison.
Are all the prisoners kept together like this?
They're all sinners.
What's the point in making a distinction between them?
What's 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 expenses 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 Doyan Three Guards have been serving the Ming government. (T/N: three guards for Mongol chiefs)
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 Doyan Three Guard.
They've been invading the Liaodong border 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 Guard.
In the third year of the Chenghua reign,
the Ming government joined hands with Joseon (dynasty of Korea) and eradicated the 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 the Jurchen people benefit most from it.
Based on the commercial trade in the horse markets,
they're growing strong again.
Jia Kui!
Envoys of the Three Guard are here to welcome Official Wang.
Jurchens of Jianzhou are here to welcome Official Wang.
Officials of Guangning are here to welcome Commander!
Sorry for being late. Please forgive me.
Is everyone here?
Chen Yue, Guardian of Guangning, is not here.
Chen Yue?
Interesting.
[Guangning]
Serve the food.
Commander Wang, Guardian prepared this dish especially for you.
Please have a taste and see if you like it.
Everyone. Everyone!
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 will do anything to please you.
The Doyan Guard is very considerate.
I'm really touched.
Well, this way,
I sort of feel a bit of regret.
I should have said that I was born in the year of the horse.
You all took 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.
Official Chen, 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 will guard the town if I leave 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 not just anyone coming, 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 the 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 the dust,
His Majesty is graceful.
His Majesty is concerned about Liaodong affairs.
He sent me here along with his Honor Guard.
The presence of the Honor Guard 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.
There is no use in staying there.
I'm not going to 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 going to apologize.
Not in this life.
However, if you want to have revenge, she'll give you a chance.
Okay.
Aha said she will stand still right here.
You have three chances to hit her with a slingshot.
No matter if you hit her or not, the matter is settled.
She'll stand still on the spot?
Well, you said that.
You've all been very 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've just managing to get by.
Look at this jewelry 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.
You spent so much effort 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 all 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 that she won't apologize.
Not in this life.
I'm here to solve the problem.
This mudball 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 the 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 Doyan Three Guard must be jealous of 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 a balance between the Jurchens and the Three Guard.
I've guarded the border in Guangning for many years.
I fully understand the difference between the Jurchens and the Three Guard.
I don't think it's the right time to reopen the horse market now.
General Chen, no matter if it's the right 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,
steeds 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, I have another issue to discuss with you.
Go ahead, please.
The guarding of Guangning is of great importance.
Commander, 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 youve 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 for him for near a month?
Brother Tang, I thought you said we shouldn't apply public resources to personal use.
Brother Sui is our friend. He is not a public resource.
We can ask him for a favor.
Brother 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?
Aren't you going to let me eat until I'm full?
Fine.
Remember. If there is any news from Sui Zhou, please let me know immediately.
Official Sui.
Sorry for visiting so late in the night.
Please forgive me, Official Huang.
Come. Have a seat.
This way, please.
I'm here because I've some consulting questions for you.
Go ahead, please.
Why do 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, distinguish between rewards and punishments.
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 Official Huang judges the human mind too simply.
You're still young.
When you're my age, you'll understand
the human mind is a simple thing.
A man's life can be divided into four stages.
At the first stage, one knows how high the sky is.
One knows where the top of the world is.
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 deep the ditch is.
One knows the people's darkest thoughts
and the filthiest corners in the world.
Most people can't get back up at this stage.
Because darkness is hard to observe.
One must go through it in person.
Experience misery in others' or their own difficult situations.
They either survive or die.
They get to learn that the lower limit of the world
is not something they learn in school,
but the desperate situation in the real world
where they have no one to turn to.
At the third stage,
one learns where he is.
The universe is so immense. (T/N: lit. the sky is 30,000 chi high, earth is 30,000 chi deep)
Tiny as a human being who is 7 chi, 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 any particular thinking.
You just need to discover it at a certain moment.
For instance, now.
Official Huang, actually, I'm here late at night,
to ask 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.
Official Huang.
As I said,
you'll find me useful one day.
Brother, he won't come.
Official Huang 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 reports to the capital every day.
I tried to convince you but you wouldn't listen.
Then I have to betray our friendship.
Since when did we have a friendship?
Tough guy, huh?
Bring him here.
He still has one hand and two feet.
You still have three chances.
Stop!
What's wrong with you?
It must hurt a lot to be hit by that mudball.
I suppose.
Actually, I didn't want revenge.
All I wanted was an apology.
One should apologize for their mistake.
One should be reasonable.
Am I right?
Brother Tang, I just don't get it.
You were unhappy when you failed to hit her.
Now that you did hit her, why are you even more unhappy?
I don't know the reason, either.
I got news from our brother. Here you go.
[Kan Dun. Ye Xu. Jing Di.]
- Show me the previous routine reports. - Okay.
[All is well in Ji'an] [Met with Ji'an Official Huang]
Sui Zhou is in trouble!
[🔎👁‍🗨The Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty👁‍🗨🔍]
["Mortal World" by Cui Zige and Xu Liang]
♫ Out of the mud but not tainted with the world of mortals ♫
♫ The sea drifts along while the heart is calm for a fraction ♫
♫ All alone in the world with no love nor hate ♫
♫ Being too slow-witted is also an innate intelligence ♫
♫ The cold fireworks branded the palm lines of predestination ♫
♫ New wounds cannot easily conceal old scars ♫
♫ The naked eye cannot easily break through worldly affairs, it can only hold on to one’s pure inherent quality ♫
♫ Hold his hand, don’t let him sink into degradation ♫
♫ In this mortal world together, both wandering to the end of the world ♫
♫ Brushing past each other, there’s no need to be bothered with the past ♫
♫ A fish leapt over the dragon gate (after becoming successful), you eventually forgot your original identity ♫
♫ I only ask for you to always remember my expression as I gazed back ♫