[🔎👁‍🗨The Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty👁‍🗨🔍] [Episode 26]
Stand at attention!
Straighten your back.
Commander.
On the fifth day of last month
some thief sneaked into Sui Zhou's home.
The file record is here.
Commander.
For Sui Zhou's case of extortion, it might not be what it looked like.
I think it is very likely that the thief stole his identity badge
and then used it to pretend to be him.
Moreover, Sui Zhou just returned to the capital yesterday.
He has alibi for the blackmail cases.
Are you teaching me how to handle a case?
I shall not dare to do so.
It's just… It's just that Sui Zhou has an associate.
Can it be you?
There is no one in this world
who can stand his acupuncture torture of 100 needles.
Now there are only over 60 needles on you.
Just tell me where Li Zilong is
and you can be free from the physical pain.
Why are you so stubborn?
Sooner or later you are going to tell me.
It'll only get yourself unnecessary pain.
Commander Wang.
Someone wants to see you.
Mr. Wang, Mr. Wang,
Mr. Wang, Mr. Wang!
Mr. Wang!
Mr. Wang, Mr. Wang!
Mr. Wang.
Sui was arrested.
On the way Sui and I went to buy ice, but when we were back,
Sui was stopped by the Imperial Guards
and they took him back to the Northern Administrative Court.
I don't know whether he's still alive.
So I hurried home to Tang for help.
But I went home and saw Tang scratched his hand
with that poisoned arrow for Dora's treatment.
Are you hungry?
I didn't expect you can cook.
When I was little, and I was in the palace,
every time I got homesick,
I would cook a bowl of rice noodles for myself.
Only when I was eating rice noodles
I could pretend that I was not far from home.
Where is your home?
Guangxi.
Are you homesick now?
What do you plan to do in the future?
I want to find a way to rescue Sui first.
Then we can find a solution to detoxify Tang.
What if Sui Zhou and Tang Fan are both gone,
what would you do by then?
If you want to come here,
the door of Western Depot is open for you every day.
That man couldn't stand it.
He died.
Did you get anything?
Li Zilong is in the capital right now.
That's it?
Sir, this is all the property we have.
I don't think you hope your husband
can be safe and sound in the Imperial Edict Prison.
Please!
Sir, we really don't have any money left!
Sir, take these.
Pawn them for some money.
These are not enough.
Your husband will be given some lashing.
By the time if something happens to him,
don't say I didn't warn you.
Sir, please have mercy on my husband!
Sir, I'm begging you!
Fine.
I'll cut you a deal.
Thank you, sir. Thank you, sir.
Can I have your names?
Honey?
Honey!
-Officers, what's going on? -Honey!
Honey.
You are finally home.
Honey.
You are more familiar with this place than anyone else.
If you say it now,
you can be free from tortures.
After all, we used to work together for so many years.
I will definitely intercede for you.
But if you refuse to tell you,
you can't blame me for what I'm going to do.
Come on.
We were colleagues.
Why do you have to make this so awkward for us?
I will just ask you one thing.
What is Wang Zhi up to now?
I just returned to the capital yesterday.
These good old instruments of torture have been sitting idle for a long time.
Mr. Wan.
What?
An official of the Ministry of Revenue came to report that
two suspects posing as Imperial Guards
were practicing fraud in his home while he came home and saw them.
Okay.
I got it.
You can leave.
Release him.
-Commander. -Sir!
Do we just let him go like that?
Hold him for another two hours.
Yes.
Do you know what these two hours are for?
Torture him?
You idiot!
Spread the news out
that Sui Zhou is no longer with the Imperial Guards,
especially to the people once arrested by him.
Is two hours enough?
Yes.
Go on then.
Yes.
These decoctions have different ingredients
and all are with very medicine effects.
Some may cause extreme adverse reactions.
You have to get ready for it.
For example, like this one…
Come take a look!
Gadgets!
How much do we have?
Just these dozens taels of silver.
There are still several families we haven't visited.
This money is not enough.
Don't go.
You haven't paid yet.
Give me the money.
What money?
You can't leave.
Old bastard!
Are you crazy?
How dare you charge me?
I will kill you today.
Get lost!
Go!
Thank you, sir.
Thank you.
Here you go.
Sir, I can't take your money.
Paying for one's food is justified.
Whoever takes something from you has to pay for it.
This is the rule.
Take it.
Let's go.
Thank you.
I want to do another job today.
What?
But Bro, didn't we agree that we only get money from one house a day?
Moreover
we blew our cover just now.
It's too risky if we do another job today.
Just because we just got caught
others will think we will not have any action today.
It is safer for us.
This is called "Darkness Under the Light."
But… All the officials must be alert of identity fraud now.
Let's not go to an official's house today.
Where are we going then?
Follow me.
He came out.
Go.
Sir.
Do you come to drink tea or shake your elbows?
Do you know according to the Law of the Ming Dynasty,
opening a private casino will be exiled 250 kilometers away?
This is a felony.
Sir, don't scare me.
Although it looks small,
it's officially registered in the Northern Administrate Court.
And we always pay the monthly tax on time.
No matter what it was like before, starting today,
all stores of this street have to pay money to us.
Sir, but we already talked to Mr. Wan…
I don't care who the hell Mr. Wan is.
In short, from now on, your casino will be protected by us.
Understand?
Yes, yes.
This way, please.
I'll call the boss to let him talk to you.
This way.
This one looks good.
Sorry guys.
I'm sorry, everyone.
We have to close early today.
Please come and play again some other day.
This way please.
Take care.
Please.
Forget it, I am going home.
Let's go.
I was winning!
Who is it?
Which one in the Northern Administrate Court is in charge of this street?
Come out.
Let me see you.
I thought it was someone important.
Since the two of you are imperial guards, okay.
Let's go to the Northern Administrate Court
to talk to Mr. Wan about this matter.
Take them.
Stop them!
Stop!
Stop it!
Get up!
Don't come any closer!
Sir, are you okay?
Sir!
Go get them!
Yes! Let's go.
Go get him!
Don't run! Freeze!
Freeze!
What is going on?
What's the matter?
Guys, go!
Hurry!
Go.
Step aside!
Where are they?
Stop fighting!
Go after them!
Hurry!
Go!
Fan!
What's wrong with him?
The side effects of the antidotes he tried are extremely large.
Some will make him feel like burning up,
some is like thousands of worms eating his marrow.
The dose he just tried will make him feel very cold,
as if falling into an ice cave.
He is freezing.
What should we do?
There's no other way.
He has to tough it out.
Fan!
Yu… I am here.
I'll go get another blanket for him.
Fan.
It's okay, I'm here with you.
You're going to be fine.
Hurry up!
Chase over there.
Yes!
Go after them.
The two of you are officers of the Imperial Guards?
Officers?
Have you ever seen an officer being chased by thugs on the street?
Yes.
You guys just now.
Judged by your fighting skills, did you serve in the army?
I was in garrison at the borders for three years.
I saw you two also received military training.
Were you also soldiers?
Of course.
We are veterans.
What are you doing for a living, brother?
I was unemployed at home without any livelihood.
What?
But… Come on.
We didn't get any money today.
Since we are all veterans, we should share what we have.
Thanks a lot.
If you want to make some money,
come to Tianning Temple outside Guangning Gate to find us.
Let's do something together.
Let's go, come on.
Fan.
How about Fan?
What happened to him?
The previous medications didn't show any effect.
After several different decoctions in succession,
he's in great pain now.
I'm afraid he can't stand it and will kill himself.
So I tied him up.
How many left to test?
Eleven.
Help him up.
Fan.
Untie it.
Give me another dose.
No way.
You can't try anymore.
Give me another dose.
Help me over.
What?
You met those two who pretended to be you?
Why didn't you catch them and take them to the court?
I couldn't.
I was even unable to protect myself at that time.
Fortunately, the two came to the rescue so I was able to get away.
Besides, I could control one man.
I couldn't control two at the same time.
What should we do then?
Just let those two run away?
I already know where they spend the night.
I'll try to persuade them to turn themselves in.
If they surrender, at worst they will be exiled
for pretending to be officials.
But if they are caught, the punishment will be much more serious.
Sui, why are you still thinking about them?
They almost got you in prison.
Those two were soldiers.
If it weren't for a good reason, they wouldn't end up
living by frauds.
What happened?
He tried too many antidotes.
His body can't stand it
and has reached the limit.
Will Tang be alright?
For the time being,
not too serious.
But… Doctor Pei,
I am begging you.
Save my brother!
Now we can only feed him some Huanxu Tonic.
This may buy us some time.
But his body temperature is bound to rise after he takes the tonic.
If we don't cool him down in time,
he will die due to exhaustion caused by hyperthermia.
Even if he survives,
the heat will damage his brain.
He might become mentally handicapped.
Now the situation is the amount of ice
is just enough for one person.
Fan!
Let him drink the medicine.
Let me figure it out how to find more ice.
Cheers.
This time..
Thank you.
Thanks for your help that I did it.
Yuanda.
This time you came to the capital, it should be me who entertains you.
You don't have to do this.
You got it wrong.
Yuanda.
Let me tell you,
there is a place called Annan.
You should go there if you want to buy grain in bulk.
You came to the wrong place in the capital.
Garlic!
Look at my garlics.
Guys.
Enjoy.
There's more if you need.
Have a look.
Thank you.
You are welcome.
Have you seen this person?
No.
Where's the stall owner?
Nice.
Sir, I am the owner.
What's going on?
The Northern Administrative Court is
investigating and hunting imposters pretended to be imperial guards.
Have you seen this person?
Sir.
Never saw him.
If you see him, go to the Northern Administrate Court to report.
Sure.
Remember!
Those who fail to report if they know anything
will be charged as well!
I'm afraid we can't stay in the capital anymore.
What should we do?
Let's do a final big job then we'll leave the capital.
A big job?
Just the two of us?
That's not enough.
Then we find someone to work together.
Where can we find more people?
This will cost you your head.
High risk, high reward.
As long as there is enough profit,
someone will do it even if it might cost them their head.
Kid,
being too greedy will harm you.
It's the same with begging.
I gave some money to you just now, right?
Why are you still following me?
I don't want money.
You don't want money?
What do you want?
I want…
Stop!
Freeze!
Stop!
I knew something was fishy.
What's up?
Someone wants to see you.
You have the final say about the time and place.
Li Zilong really asked me to meet at Huanyi Brothel?
Yes.
This Li Zilong is kind of interesting.
Commander Wang.
I'm sorry.
I am late.
Actually, I went out and headed here a long time ago.
Really.
But the capital streets are full of traffic.
My carriage was stuck in traffic for a long time.
- Sorry. - It's olay.
Mr. Li, the traffic jam in the capital is a long-term problem.
Both Shuntian Prefecture and the Ministry of Revenue are trying to solve it.
It's easy.
Let Shuntian Prefecture issue an administrative order.
In the future, all capital residents,
regardless of pedestrians, horses, or carriages,
will have traffic restrictions based on even and odd-numbered dates.
Then you will cut the traffic by half every day.
What if that person has something urgent?
Something urgent?
Pay the extra traffic tax in case of emergency.
If he pays the tax he can hit the road when he is not supposed to.
Those who are not willing to pay?
I don't think it's actually urgent.
This is a great idea.
Sorry again for keeping you waiting for a long time.
Mr. Li.
You came alone without bringing anyone with you?
Apart from the Imperial Palace,
this property of yours is the safest place in the whole capital.
Why would I need to bring anyone?
Right?
Commander Wang,
I wonder what this meeting is about.
There are three things I'd like to discuss with you, Mr. Li.
Three things?
I am all ears.
These days I asked around about you.
You have been wandering around all these years
and has done many things and made a lot of money.
I am flattered.
It's just business.
I am a businessman.
Making money is what I do.
What's wrong with that?
There is nothing wrong with making money.
But as for the money you earned, some is legitimate
while some is not,
and mostly not.
Commander Wang.
Frank word to the wise.
Let me ask you,
among the rich people in this world,
how many of them have a clear conscience?
Of all the ways to make money in this world,
how many are really clean?
Mr. Li,
whether you made money or not doesn't concern me.
How you made the money doesn't matter, either.
What's important to you then?
While you were making money,
you have bought officials of different ranks in all the ministries
as well as the local officials all over the country.
This is a bit important to me.
I'm quite puzzled.
Not only puzzled, I am a little panic.
Panic for what?
What you're doing now is not just about making money anymore.
Am I right?
I have seen a lot of people making a lot of money.
But this is the first time I have seen someone like you.
You can manage officials of different ranks so well,
which tells us how highly capable you are.
Commander Wang, you're giving me too much credit.
For an excellent person, we are not afraid of him being greedy,
or being a bad person.
But we will be afraid if we don't know what he wants to do.
Mr. Li, tell me, shouldn't I be panic?
So you mean,
you guys want me to work for the royal court.
To be honest,
I can't find a second person as capable as you
among all the courtiers.
You and I hit it off so well.
Isn't it nice to work for the court and His Majesty together?
I venture to ask,
if I work for His Majesty, can I get anything I want?
Fame and fortune, everything you want.
What if His Majesty can't give what I want?
For the thing that even His Majesty can't give you,
I'm afraid no one in this world can give you that.
So does that mean you won't spare my life?
In this world, for someone that can't be used by His Majesty,
since we can't keep him,
we have to kill him.
Commander Wang, are you going to kill me?
Yes.
Today?
Here?
Why don't you do it then?
Since you dared to come alone,
I am sure you have prepared for this situation.
Yes.
What is in here?
A guarantee.
A guarantee that can make me leave here safely.
What if I don't want you to leave?
Everyone will go down with me.
Mr. Li, it was a pleasure to meet you.
I have to go.
Thank you for the drink.
Alright.
Mr. Li, goodbye.
I won't see you out.
Commander Wang.
You have to see you out.
Commander Wang.
When I finally met you today, I wish we could meet earlier.
That's right.
Me. too.
I don't know when we will see each other again.
I was wondering what it will be like when we meet next time.
Commander Wang, please take it.
You don't need me to see you out any further?
Here will do.
But we're still inside the Huanyi Brothel.
Here is good enough for me.
Look.
I'm so sorry.
Don't lower yourself to her level.
Next time, I will give you a better girl.
Don't be angry.
I am sorry.
I'll never come here again!
Sorry, sorry.
Sorry.
Thank you for coming.
Sorry, sorry.
Come back next time.
Thank you for coming.
Take care.
Thank you for coming.
All of you, out.
Yes, sir.