[🔎👁‍🗨The Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty👁‍🗨🔍] [Episode 45]
Let's go.
Forty-eight.
Not one less.
We have to quickly transfer these Bolangs…
Stop!
Are you OK?
It's a herb called elaeagnus henryi found in Mobei.
It has a nickname Immortal Wolf Herb.
It can instantly stimulate energy.
The persons will not be afraid of hurt and pains.
Even if they're fatally injured,
they will only become more and more courageous.
They are all Oirat's dare-to-die warriors.
They are all Oirat people.
The leader's name is Ashi.
What's the point of saying this now?
I know him!
Exactly!
You know all of them!
Li Zilong gathered his associates in conspiracy.
You took part in it and we caught you red handed!
While they said you're their sworn enemy,
somehow they let you go without a good reason!
You personally used the bait they gave you
to catch this big fish of the Bolangs of the Western Depot!
While we were fighting a bloody battle outside, what were you doing?
You gave all the Bolangs to them without even making a sound.
Tang Fan,
who are you?
That's enough!
If you are not Li Zilong's spy,
then you are the biggest idiot in the world!
You and I know better than anyone who he is.
The most important thing in front of us
is to find the Bolangs back soon.
Otherwise…
Your team searches northward, and mine will go south.
Let's get to work.
Xue Ling.
This is a matter of great weight.
Summon everyone you can to start a grid search now.
Yes, sir!
Forty-seven,
forty-eight.
Gentle, be gentle.
Slower.
Put them down lightly. Be careful.
Let's send them out of the city from the Desheng Gate.
I like its name which means victory.
Let's go.
Aren't we going to use them soon?
Why are you still shipping them out?
It was all you guys' fault.
You guys made such a big movement.
Both the Western Depot and the Imperial Guards must be very anxious.
I guess they are probably looking for them in the city now.
The best way is to go to an unexpected place.
Now they all think we are going to go into action in the capital.
So we are going to… But they wouldn't expect
we have transported the Bolangs out of the city.
Take my words for it.
Hey.
Excuse me for a minute.
I need to move my pawn.
Qingge.
Do you know what kind of disaster you made this time?
Is Mr. Tang coming?
Mr. Tang.
My dear Mr. Tang.
I really want to thank you this time.
Come on. Take a seat.
I've been waiting for you for a long time.
Here, have a drink.
Or
Do you want to talk about it?
How did it go?
Did they scold you?
Drink some wine to cool down.
Today is our celebration feast.
I just want to confirm one thing.
That's right.
Originally I only had one Bolang.
It was a pity to use it,
but also a pity to just keep it.
I couldn't let that Bolang waste in vain.
Mr. Tang.
So I took advantage of you, who is so eloquent and persuasive,
to persuade them for me so that I could get the big fish I wanted.
And voila, one Bolang became 48
plus a good opportunity to change the regime.
I didn't expect I bet on the right horse by betting on you.
You are sinister, and shameless!
Curse me whatever you want.
I'm incredibly happy today.
Since I'm happy,
the deal we had earlier about
sacrificing one for one million is still valid.
Come on, Mr. Tang.
When are you ready to trade?
You are sinister,
and shameless!
He is a scholar,
yet he has such a poor vocabulary.
Does it make sense to curse me now?
Just say it.
Deal or not deal?
Tang Fan.
Choose wisely.
You have already lost the Bolangs.
If you also get millions of people killed,
how will the history books describe you in the future?
I am not in a hurry.
Think about it.
Let's set off.
Search the place!
Let's go!
Search!
Tang, come and have breakfast.
We've been waiting for you for a long time.
Did Zhou make it?
Sui only came back this morning
and immediately went to the kitchen to cook for you.
Did you find the Bolangs?
Let's have breakfast first.
I really made a huge trouble this time.
You are lucky enough to be back alive.
No matter what happens next, we'll cross the bridge
when we come to it.
Yes, Tang.
The most important thing is to stay alive.
Moreover, we have been through so many troubles before.
What are you afraid of this time?
Eat your food or it will get cold.
Dong is right.
Eat it.
We have to go to the Western Depot to discuss it in a while.
Commander.
What are you going to do?
I thought about it.
Li Zilong was just bluffing
when he said sacrificing one's life for a million
so that he could use me as part of his scheme.
Because he knew that I care about the people.
In fact, this so-called deal never exists at all
nor is it logically possible.
Even if we don't hand over His Majesty to him,
what can he get by bombing the whole capital?
As the saying goes,
- use the best steel to make the knife's edge - Just get to the point!
Tomorrow is the Beginning of Spring ceremony.
All the officials will feast at the Meridian Gate with His Majesty.
Li Zilong will definitely use Bolangs to make an attack.
If he succeeds,
the political impact on the Ming will far exceed the Tumu Crisis.
There is no trace of Bolangs in the whole capital.
Can Li Zilong just appear out of thin air?
If you can't find them, I suggest
we cancel tomorrow's ceremony.
I know His Majesty's character best.
The ceremony cannot be cancelled.
The only thing we can do now is to find the Bolangs before tomorrow.
I have to see General Gao.
Gao Yi is now a felon of the royal court level!
You can't see him at will.
There is a saying that if you walk around the river, you will get your shoes wet one day.
You just went into the river to swim a few rounds.
After you got yourself all soaked,
now you say you don't know how to swim!
I almost feel sorry for you!
You want to see Gao Yi?
Okay.
How about I put you to jail today so that you can keep him company?
That's enough.
Tang Fan is the last person in the world
who would want this to happen.
What do you think of me is
what you should think of General Gao.
Mr. Tang.
He is different from you.
He once took an order from the Oirat's government.
But he definitely means no harm to the Ming.
He cares about all the people.
And he certainly will not hurt His Majesty.
He penetrated into the enemy's camp regardless of his life
before he came to the Western Depot to tell you
Li Zilong's scheme of assassination.
These are proofs of his integrity.
Amasanj is going farther and farther on the wrong track.
General Gao.
Do you know his whereabouts and how I can convince him?
If you ask me, that mean you still trust me.
Yes.
Why don't you let me go if you still trust me?
If I am released, I will deal with Amasanj in person.
According to the previous circumstances the Bolang was detonated,
there are two methods of the Bolang's denotation.
One, turn the switch on the top
so that the phosphor powder in the middle chamber falls
and gradually reacts with the igniting tube
filled with mercury and thenardite
which creates an instantaneous explosion.
Second, hit the igniting tube from the bottom
which will cause a delayed explosion.
With the current understanding we have of the Bolangs,
you can only choose between turning the switch and hitting the Bolang.
Is it possible to have a third way of detonating?
Unless you disassemble and modify it
and then you might detonate it by igniting a blasting fuse.
But this way is too much trouble.
General Gao is willing to go out.
He will solve the problem with Amasanj.
Are you kidding me?
I know what you are thinking.
I have carefully considered it.
It's quite feasible, actually.
I thought you just swam in the river and went ashore.
I didn't expect
you were even kind enough to rescue another one in the river.
Have you ever thought about where the safest place is for General Gao?
I don't need to think.
Of course it is the Oirat's territory.
No. He is the safest in your Western Depot's cell.
Now he is considered a traitor to both the Ming and Oirat.
Although I won't exaggerate by saying everyone wants to eat him alive,
but it's true that this man has nothing but a loyal heart now.
And nowhere to hide at all.
Indeed.
Getting out of the Western Depot has all harm and no benefit
for General Gao.
He must have made up his mind
to spare his life to protect His Majesty.
Anyway,
letting him go will not cause any harm to the Ming's interests.
You two always have a great teamwork in persuading others.
Fine!
What else do you want?
An important matter.
I thought about it.
In case General Gao fails,
and we can't find the whereabouts of Bolangs
while His Majesty insists on holding the ceremony, then we can only
use the last resort.
Take His Majesty out of the palace.
Absolutely not!
You know in your heart this is a desperate move we have to do
for the sake of the people and country.
How dare you?
The ceremony is a tradition decided by Emperor Yongle.
And it has never been canceled in the past sixty years.
It was held even in the turmoil that my father was captured by Oirat.
Now the whole country is at peace.
There is no reason to cancel it!
Your Majesty, please calm down.
The reason is we haven't captured Li Zilong.
And we have reliable intelligence that
he is likely to assassinate Your Majesty at the ceremony.
So I venture to implore Your Majesty to temporarily move to another safe place.
So is an emperor supposed to hide everywhere
just because of an outlaw?
Then why would I still need you guys?
I am willing to sacrifice my life for Your Majesty's mission.
But if the ceremony will be held as usual tomorrow,
- It… - That's enough.
My dignified Ming Dynasty will not change the tradition
because of an outlaw.
I will not run away, either!
Otherwise, where are the dignity and pride of the Ming?
Where are the ancestral rules and traditions?
Say no more.
Yes.
Capturing Li Zilong is the task for you and Tang Fan.
Don't let me pay for your dereliction of duty.
I am sorry.
Get up.
I feel safe.
Even I'll be in peril
I will still have you by my side, right?
You can go.
Yes, Your Majesty.
How can I leave the palace
if His Majesty doesn't leave?
This Li Zilong is a villain.
It will be really dangerous this time.
I am afraid... Shut up.
I will never leave His Majesty.
In the end, His Majesty
said something while watching me.
He said it in a low voice.
What did he say?
His Majesty said that
he felt safe
because even if he would be in peril
he still has me by his side.
Wang Zhi.
You know, it is difficult to be an emperor.
I understand.
He won't agree to leave the palace.
But you must protect him at all cost.
Do you understand what I mean?
I understand.
After you go back,
prepare for all circumstances, and watch out.
But if things really come to that point,
I give you my permission to take His Majesty out of the palace.
Yes, Your Highness.
Send all the children out to collect information.
Report to me if they find anything.
Pei.
Take care of my sister and others for me.
And yourself.
Hurry up.
Fan.
Take care of yourself.
Tang.
- Take care. - Tang.
Tang!
Check every corner!
Don't miss any detail.
Yes, sir!
Let's go!
I don't know if it's joy or worry.
There is no sign of anything will happen.
Mr. Tang.
Mr. Sui.
How have you been?
I am good.
How are you? Mr. Lu.
Mr. Tang, why are you also among the security inspecting team today?
I just join in the fun.
Sure.
I'm going.
See you later in the palace.
Sorry. I have to walk through the motions.
I spent a long time in the local government that
I forgot the rules of the capital.
By the way, Mr. Lu, are you still in the post of Yunhe governor?
Yes?
This time I came to the capital to report my work.
And I was lucky enough to just in time of the Beginning of Spring ceremony.
Since His Majesty wants to entertain the ministers,
the Ministry of the Personnel invited me, too.
Mr. Lu.
His Majesty attaches great importance to this time's ceremony.
We can't make any mistakes.
So Shall I leave?
No. I mean
could you keep an eye on everything for me?
In case there is anything that seems out of place
or something strange, let me know.
Sure!
Excuse me.
Your Highness.
This year's ceremony went exceptionally smoothly.
Be always ready.
Mr. Lu.
Mr. Tang.
Please rest assured.
At the daytime's ceremony everyone behaved normally.
There was nothing wrong at all.
The night banquet will be held inside the palace.
My rank is not high enough to attain.
And so…
The fireworks in the capital
are really more spectacular than the local ones!
Sui Zhou.
Who set them off?
It is said it was applied by the Ministry of Rites.
Since when releasing sky lanterns becomes a part of Beginning of Spring tradition?
Never.
This is not good!
They want to let Bolangs fall from the sky!
There are so many Bolangs!
If they fall and explode,
the entire palace, no, even the entire Imperial City
and all the people living around will be killed!
Let's go!
Someone asked me,
why do we hold the Beginning of Spring ceremony?
The solar term of the beginning of spring
marks that everything comes back to life.
It's a good omen that the future of the Ming is bright and promising.
Come on.
My beloved ministers.
Cheers.
Time to act according to the plan.
Wait.
Although this is not a brilliant plan, it works.
Open it when it is the most critical moment for you.
I didn't have friends in my life.
Thank you for everything you two did these days.
Your Highness.
It's time.
Here, Mr. Zhang.
- Drink it. - Cheers.
I just focused on drinking with my officials.
I made my beloved concubine feel lonely.
Cheers.
Zhen'er.
I think I am drunk.
His Majesty is drunk.
Let's call it a day.
Goodbye, Your Majesty.
This is too risky!
What other solution do you have?
Do it or not, I am afraid the Imperial City is bound to be destroyed.
See you on the gate tower.
You take someone to stop the fireworks from shooting off.
The sooner the better!
Bring a team to work together with the marksmen
to collect the falling Bolangs in and out of the Imperial City
to avoid any possible troubles.
After all these are done, gather a troop to go to the Huanyi Brothel.
Take care of yourself.
Your Highness.
Please move to the safe place with His Majesty.
I will only slow you guys down.
Do your best to protect His Majesty.
Just go.
Your Highness, it's really dangerous to stay here any longer.
Leaving here is safer than staying here.
You finally grow up, and can protect His Majesty.
I am so content.
You have to remember.
The only person you must do your best to protect is His Majesty.
Mark my words.
Yes.
Now off you go!
Unlock it!
I need you guys' help.
All the Ming's hunting grounds will be permanently open to you.
In the future all the trade caravans you escort
will be given priority in entering and departing the Ming's checkpoints.
This is the VIP membership card of the Huanyi Brothel.
In the future all the cost of your visit there
will be covered by Wang Zhi of the Western Depot.
Bows and arrows.
Wait.
If the Bolangs were set to detonate by hitting the firing pin,
they may explode if you shoot them.
What's the use of just talking?
We'll know when we shoot one down.
No, it's still too close to the Imperial City.
Unless you can directly hit its initiation device.
What is the explosion range of Bolang?
A radius of 100 steps.
Then at least you need to hit Bolang's initiation device
over 150 steps away.
Better still, more than two hundred steps away.
I am still confident that I can do it within two hundred steps.
Be careful.