ADAPTED FROM QING LINGYUE'S NOVEL OF THE SAME NAME
Zhong Li.
Show Prince Xieyue to his room.
Yes.
Come with me, Prince Xieyue.
Do you care for a stroll?
I'll pass.
I'll be in my room.
Thank you for your help today.
You have a good taste.
That, I always have.
I already took a glimpse
at his dam project.
It's quite thorough.
Also, now that we're in Liang City,
we can adapt it to the local needs.
Using the mess Yu Ming left behind,
time needed for the construction can be reduced.
He can be quite cunning,
but he does hold his subjects dearly.
He's a wise ruler like you.
I'm not talking about this.
I came here for two reasons.
One, for the peace talk.
And the other
is to see how serious
Feng Lanxi treats you.
When we were conversing,
I took many glances at you
and he noticed it.
That shows he really likes you.
Only when you're truly into someone,
you will pay attention to them closely.
You'll hate to miss out on any details.
I'm just worried
that he would notice something is off
and figure out your identity.
He's smart in everything
except
for that.
He can view other things objectively,
but he can only
think about you
whenever he sees you.
Prince Yongping has arrived!
Why is he here?
Hide yourself.
Greetings, Prince Lanxi.
Have you gotten acclimatized, Prince Xieyue?
Do you need anything?
All is well.
Did you come here
looking for more clarifications?
During our meeting just now,
I noticed that you had been staring
at the court lady.
Keen observation, Prince Lanxi.
I admit.
That court lady looks like an old friend of mine.
I was taken aback
and thus, behaved inadequately.
Please forgive me.
However, she is just a court lady.
Why the intervention in person?
I'm here to warn you
not to have any wrong ideas about her.
I do wish to have her serve me instead.
Would you do me this honor, Prince Lanxi?
And I thought you were a classy man.
Your platitude is quite disappointing.
Can you explain,
Prince Lanxi?
First of all,
she is not my subordinate.
She is my partner.
I am lucky to have met her.
She doesn't belong to anyone
except to herself.
Secondly,
all men have their free will.
No one should be traded away like goods.
I see.
However,
if she has her own free will,
should she develop feelings towards me,
will you let her leave?
If she does harbor feelings towards you,
I will not intervene.
My sister, Xiyun,
is also an unrivaled beauty.
All men want to have a look at her.
Is that court lady
better than Xiyun in your eyes?
If Xiyun harbors feelings toward you,
who will you choose?
In my heart,
she is one of a kind.
No one holds a candle to her.
Why all these questions?
During our encounter today,
I used your loved one to test you.
It seems like all the rumors about you
didn't do you justice.
You do not speak from the high horse.
You view everyone as equal.
You care about your loved ones
and the people.
Your heart is one with freedom and generosity.
Are you testing me?
Why?
I have my own reason.
One day,
you'll see it.
Farewell, Prince Lanxi.
Your taste is better than I imagined.
See you.
Buns!
Big and steamy buns!
Black Fox.
Don't you want to take a stroll with me?
I'm free now.
Let's take a stroll together.
You toss me aside
and come to me as you like.
That doesn't reflect well on me.
It sure doesn't.
In that case,
I'll go back then.
Wait.
Since you implore me to take a stroll with you,
I guess I can still hand out this bit of kindness.
Excuse me.
All right.
Buns!
Look at Liang City.
What has changed?
It's getting livelier.
There are more smiling faces.
And that's
all thanks to you.
Yu Ming was their oppressor.
And you got rid of him for them.
A compliment from you?
My trip here is worth it then.
I should thank you.
If you want to protect
all the people,
you have to be in politics.
The small feuds in the world
can only save a few people.
One day,
I wish to see
a peaceful and harmonious world.
If you can keep doing this,
I will always be by your side
and help you.
Thank you for your assistance then, Heroine Fengxi.
What a sudden spring rain.
After this rain, the freshet will arrive soon.
Wait for me.
UMBRELLA
Two umbrellas, please.
Sorry, mister.
I only have one left.
It seems like
a rainy day isn't all that bad.
This umbrella is so small.
Don't get soaked.
The people here are counting on you.
I have an idea.
You are a man of your word.
I do not joke around
when my subjects are involved.
I hope it is the same for you.
Of course.
I didn't come to Liang City
to meet the fool of a governor, Yu Ming.
Once the water canals are done,
Liang City will prosper.
Once the canals are connected,
before long,
Liang City will be the center
that leads to everywhere.
By then,
maritime routes will be established,
bringing in free trade.
Most importantly,
the rich mineral source from the upstream
will be accessible to Liang City.
You know me very well, Prince Xieyue.
This is your government plan.
Why would you involve me
in such an important matter?
I want us to work together.
Don't worry, Prince Lanxi.
Qingzhou will be your best ally.
JIZHOU
Father, you're awake.
Are you still unwell?
My son.
Come.
Lift me up.
You have stayed by my side the whole night.
I appreciate it.
I failed to protect you
and let harm come to you.
Please punish me accordingly.
You saved me in time.
You are guilty of nothing.
Get up now.
What is happening?
Father.
Please read this.
THEY FRAMED ME SO THAT I WILL BE OUSTED AND THEY CAN INSTALL A NEW LORD.
Is…
Is this true?
I couldn't believe it at first.
They are the ministers of Jizhou.
Why would they want to poison their Lord?
However, it is a serious allegation,
so I conducted a thorough investigation.
None was spared.
That's how I got this clue.
Solid evidence
in black and white.
As government ministers,
they forgo their mission to serve the society
and instead scheme
to sow discord between you and me.
This is unforgivable.
But they have served me
for more than 20 years.
They are like my brothers!
Why would they betray me so?
I have become old.
Sorry for accusing you.
However, this incident has made us communicate more frankly.
You wish to enforce justice in the world
and to unite the Six States.
And so,
our nation shouldn't be a burden to you.
This is not a bad thing.
Get up.
Thank you, Father.
Once you get rid of those people for me,
a bright path awaits you.
You care about your nation
and you're aided by Yu Wuyuan.
You will rule the world sooner or later.
I just hope that when that day comes,
you will rule with kindness.
If you conquer to feed your thirst
for power,
then you're a tyrant,
not a ruler.
Understood, Father.
I let Yu Wuyuan be my advisor
because I know
he cares deeply about the world.
He is not a cruel person.
With his assistance,
I will not let all commoners down.
What you have to do is justified,
but people will talk.
I will issue a public apology and tell everyone
how you helped me eliminate the unscrupulous ministers,
as well as your wise leadership.
I will seal the mouth
of those good-for-nothing ministers.
But please, do not forget
your promise today.
Of course.
Thank you, Father.
Young Master.
As expected,
Lord of Jizhou has issued an apology.
Jizhou now belongs to Huang Chao.
Knowing him,
he will turn that place anew.
And news from the Imperial City.
Bai Jiande was there,
but our people couldn't stop him.
I don't know what he found out.
I will deal with it myself.
Any news on Feng Lanxi?
Feng Lanxi arrived in Liang City
and ousted the military commissioner, Yu Ming.
He then had a peace talk with Prince Xieyue.
Qingzhou has now withdrawn its army.
Feng Lanxi will stay in Liang City for the dam project.
I knew he was a talented man.
If we can't get rid of him soon,
he'll be a nuisance to our plan.
Help Feng Ju in secret
in the capital of Yongzhou.
I will arrange for it now.
Also,
give me the intel on Youzhou.
After this incident,
Huang Chao will head to Youzhou for a marriage proposal.
The change
might start with Youzhou.
Noted.
Wuyuan, are you here?
Why did you dress up so?
After we parted ways, I asked Huang Chao
to find a way to let me join the military
and follow General Qiu Jiushuang.
But why?
I just want to help Huang Chao.
Besides, General Qiu is female.
Bai Fengxi is a heroine.
Why can't I do the same then?
Indeed, women can do what men do.
Wuyuan.
I won't let you down.
I have to go to the training ground.
See you then.
Huang Chao!
My sister really likes you.
She knows we are after the world
and volunteered to be enlisted.
She has endured all the hardship alone.
But you know the fate of my family.
Why didn't you stop her?
You know her temper.
The thing in Jizhou has ended.
I'm heading to Youzhou.
Will you join me?
I have packed my luggage.
Your Highness,
after we posted the recruitment notice,
only less than 100 men signed up.
It's not enough
to construct the dam in time.
Did you include everything in the notice?
I tell the truth, Your Highness.
I wrote what you asked me to do.
Eight hours of work per day.
Twenty wen per working day.
One free meal.
It is not compulsory.
Everyone can sign up if they want to.
In my opinion,
it's the last line
that gave them the entitlement.
Your Highness, the commoners are foolish.
If you want to use them,
giving a reward is not enough.
We should roughhouse them a bit.
General, what you said
makes me understand
why no one signs up.
I'll bring some men tomorrow
to drag them to the dam and force them to work half a day!
Nonsense!
Listen up.
Not many signed up
because they lost their trust in the government.
They do not trust you,
so they will not sign up.
As long as I'm still here,
do not let me hear
what you said just now again.
Apologies, Your Highness.
Your Highness.
I have an idea.
Many did not sign up
for another reason.
The lack of food supply.
Even if they are paid,
they still can't use the money to buy food.
Money is then worthless for them.
I propose that we establish
a food relief program first.
Once everyone can feed themselves,
they will sign up.
It is a good idea.
However, Your Highness,
our food supply is running low.
We might not have enough for a food relief program.
Let them work for food then.
Gather the people to build the dam.
Their salary will be converted to food
according to the market price.
Also,
inform the capital of Yongzhou.
Ask them to find a way
to send some food.
Yes.
You're dismissed.
-Yes, Your Highness. -Yes, Your Highness.
Why the frown?
You already know it's a problem.
Why do you want to hear it?
What if you join me
and we frown together?
What if it's only a problem for you,
but not for me?
Just tell me.
All right.
What do you think of it?
To regain the people's trust,
compensating them is almost crucial.
Yu Ming exploited the people,
refused to pay the workers,
and added unnecessary taxes.
Those had destroyed all the trust.
The money Yu Ming embezzled
all went to the treasury, didn't it?
In that case,
giving it back to the people
can regain their trust.
It's not that I haven't thought about it.
However, money is an enticing demon.
If you hand it out like that,
crimes might happen in the city.
Also, those old financial records
cannot be traced back clearly.
It will only make the people distrust us more.
I didn't ask you to give them the money directly.
What do you mean?
Have some people
divide the money into smaller slices
and bury them under the water canals.
Then spread the rumors
that the money Yu Ming embezzled
is all hidden under the water canals.
That might work.
If they dig out the money,
they will receive a small windfall.
When they think about how they were exploited by Yu Ming,
they will want to make up for their losses,
so they will sign up.
I can
give this a try.
How exhausting.
When will this dam project ever end?
If it weren't for the food,
I wouldn't work here.
Stop complaining. Just work.
My family still needs to eat.
All right.
Silver coins!
-Silver coins! -Let me see.
There is more.
Hurry!
Dig up.
Hurry up.
There is more!
-There are silver coins! -There is more! Hurry!
Silver coins!
Have you heard?
Wang from the east of the city went to build the dam.
He found silver coins from the water canals.
-Impossible! -Seriously?
Why are there silver coins in the water canals?
-Exactly. -I heard the corrupted official, Yu Ming,
hid his money in the canals.
I have to sign up then.
I need to find the money he took away from me.
-I will too. -Let's go.
Come on.
Your strategy is an effective one.
Of course.
To thank you,
let me cook dinner for you.
Are you sure?
No, I'm not.
Black Fox.
You said you would cook for me.
No taking it back.
When did I say that?
Black Fox!
You said you would cook!
All right. Line up, please.
Line up.
No need to push.
-Everyone will be recruited. -Come.
Here. Give me a hand.
Come.
Come. When I count to three,
-we'll carry this together. -Careful.
One, two, three.
-Come on. -Keep it up.
Now!
All right. There are many vacancies.
Everyone will be recruited.
-Go carry the sacks. -All right.
I have investigated it
per your request, Your Lordship.
Please have a look.
House of Jade did take part
in some illegal trades.
And many serving ministers are implicated.
I do not yet know
its purpose.
However, I have reasons
to believe that they are scouring intel
for Fountain Abode.
It will then sell the intel.
Zhongge, in your opinion,
have they planted anyone around me?
I…
do not know.
However, Your Lordship,
Fountain Abode is a very discreet party.
My investigation
did not reveal much about them.
To be able to achieve this,
its mastermind
cannot be underestimated.
If they do plan to overthrow you,
we have to be extra careful.
Hei Fengxi.
Feng.
Do you think
the mastermind is a descendant of the royal family?
If he is from the royal family,
then…
We already have a lead on Fountain Abode.
Now, get to the bottom of it.
Go
and capture the House of Jade's shopkeeper in secret.
Interrogate him
and see if we can find out who Hei Fengxi is.
Yes, Your Lordship.
Your Lordship, news from Liang City.
Yuan Lu.
This son of mine is quite talented.
Yesterday,
I received flash news from Liang City.
Liang City Military Commissioner, Yu Ming,
was found embezzling the people's money.
He tried to take over the city and ruled it himself.
Prince Yongping has executed him.
Then Prince Yongping had a peace talk
with Prince Xieyue of Qingzhou.
Qingzhou has withdrawn its army.
As expected of Prince Yongping, a descendant of the royal family.
He is an educated and wise leader.
Your Lordship,
I believe
we should invite Prince Yongping back here to reward him.
I concur.
I concur too.
Liang City is a remote place.
Prince Yongping shouldn't stay there for long.
As the Minister of Civil Service Affairs,
I will nominate a new military commissioner
as soon as possible.
No need, Minister Feng.
Your Lordship,
I have a nominee.
Vice Minister of War, Liu Zhong.
Prime Minister, this is not a trivial matter.
Liang City is a remote city.
After the bad precedence which is Yu Ming,
the new military commissioner
should be carefully selected.
All right.
Before Prince Yongping left,
he mentioned
that he wanted to build a dam.
Let him govern
Liang City for now.
He will be rewarded handsomely.
Make an announcement.
Another 3,000 households will be given to Prince Yongping.
He is also authorized to use half the royal carriage.
Yes, Your Lordship.
Your Highness,
His Lordship gave half the royal carriage to Prince Yongping.
What should we do now?
Find someone
to spread his feats in Liang City
far and wide.
-This-- -History has shown that all rulers hate
to have their thunder stolen by someone else.
If everyone knows
that the Liang City Father could never tame
was tamed by Feng Lanxi,
Father will think otherwise.
As for his rewards today,
didn't you notice?
Having more land and access to the royal carriage serves nothing.
Father did not grant him more money nor more soldiers.
I see.
You want to make him grow complacent.
Go.
Make sure everyone sings his praises.
Yes, Your Highness.
Two weeks have gone by
and the dam is almost connected.
Once it's connected,
we can build the cofferdam and the sluice gate.
Chuanyun and Chuanyu did a great job.
I have to make sure they are rewarded.
Also,
commoners in Liang City
contributed to this cause too.
The scene of everyone working together like this
reminds me of the peaceful times depicted in the novels.
You read novels too?
What else do they mention?
The sign of a peaceful time
is when the people are treated more highly than the ruler.
You are full of surprises.
It's like the closer I am to you,
the less I know about you.
When will I be able
to understand you completely?
I have seen many things in the world.
Unfortunately,
everyone shares the same fate.
No matter how hard you work,
your journey won't be a smooth one.
Now that every state is eyeing more power,
the people
will have to suffer soon enough.
If you want all of them to live happily,
you need to avoid conflicts.
If all States within the Dadong Empire can put the people
above themselves,
there will be no war.
-Greetings, Your Highness. -Greetings, Your Highness.
-Greetings, Your Ladyship. -Greetings, Your Ladyship.
Great job, everyone.
-Thank you, Your Highness. -Thank you, Your Highness.
-Thank you, Your Ladyship. -Thank you, Your Ladyship.
One, two. Lift.
Lift!
One, two. Lift.
Pull!
One, two. Lift.
Keep it up!
One, two. Lift.
Steady.
Steady, everyone.
Keep it up.
Come.
-Lift. -All right.
Continue.
Good.
Steady.
Go, help them!
Pull!
One, two, three. Pull!
Pull!
Hurry!
Keep it up!
-It's connected! -It's connected!
-Thank you, Your Highness. -Thank you, Your Highness.
For our work today, Liang City will surely benefit from it.
All of you have contributed to Liang City
and Yongzhou.
A feast
for everyone tonight!
-A feast! -A feast!
-Thank you, Your Highness. -Thank you, Your Highness.
Why are you panicking, Chancellor Ren?
Did something grave happen?
House of Jade is in trouble.
What?
I received news this morning
that everyone from House of Jade went missing.
Something is amiss.
House of Jade is related to Fountain Abode.
I had people follow the incident
and I found out that the entire House of Jade is empty.
Not even a sheet of paper was left.
It's almost as if it was never occupied.
All within a night?
How can this be?
House of Jade holds the clue to His Highness' identity.
Our enemy
has expended a huge effort to pull this off.
He must be an important figure.
Now that we're unclear about everything,
we have to be careful as they are in the dark.
Chancellor Ren,
it's an emergency.
Send someone to Liang City to inform His Highness.
I will check the Royal Palace.
And I will check the streets.
We'll split here.
All right.
LIANG CITY, YONGZHOU
Your Highness,
now that the dam is connected,
the rest of the construction is successful.
Judging from the current progression,
the water canals will be done in a month or so.
You have left many years of legacy here, Your Highness.
How is the food supply?
Fret not.
Extra food supplies have arrived.
We have plenty of food.
Good.
Chuanyu.
What about the Moyu Cavalry?
Chuanyun incorporated Liang City Army
into the Moyu Cavalry.
We have 5,000 men now.
Five thousand.
It is still lacking.
Before I arrived in Liang City,
I heard that there were bandits outside of the city.
Is this still true?
Yes.
I tried to chase them away,
but those bandits are elusive.
They also hide in the mountains,
so I can never uproot all of them.
Those bandits steal and rob.
If they can sneak out of Liang City Army's searches,
it means they must have a close tie with Yu Ming.
I…
Or perhaps,
they are very close
to certain generals.
Your Highness,
I have nothing to do with it.
Yu Ming
colluded with the bandits.
Please right my name, Your Highness.
Do you know
the relationship between them then?
I have some information.
Get up.
-Thank you, Your Highness. -Thank you, Your Highness.
I'll assign you this task.
Go to the nearby mountains and gather the bandits.
If they are willing to change
and join the Moyu Cavalry to defend Liang City,
they will be pardoned.
Yes, Your Highness.
Chuanyu.
Chuanyun and you will bring the Moyu Cavalry along.
Our purpose is to recruit soldiers.
If there are people
who are hellbent on committing crimes,
you can exercise laws on the spot.
Yes, Your Highness.
You're dismissed.
-I will take my leave. -I will take my leave.
Where is Fengxi?
Ms. Feng left the Protectorate this morning.
On a medical trip, she said.
A medical trip?
She can't sit still at all.
Let's check it out.
I heard the female physician here
is the consort of His Highness.
Really?
What's the matter?
Your Ladyship,
can you give me some ointment?
-What for? -I twisted my ankle
when I was transporting the food.
You can't do that.
You are a noble person.
Don't mind it.
Here.
-Does it hurt? -Yes.
This place here.
Mister, you're fine.
I'll give you a prescription for physical exertion.
But where can I get the medicine from?
Do you have a financial problem?
I can pay for you first.
You have no idea.
All apothecaries in the city have been shut down.
The sick can only let their ailment
heal itself.
There is not a single apothecary
in the city?
Not at all.
-I have some medicine. -I--
-Thank you, Your Highness. -Thank you, Your Highness.
-At ease now. -Thank you, Your Highness.
Get up.
-Thank you, Your Highness. -Thank you, Your Highness.
I came to Liang City
with some medicine too.
If you need medicine,
bring your prescription to the Protectorate.
Everything has been arranged.
Wonderful.
-Thank you, Your Highness. -Thank you, Your Highness.
Go get your medicine.
All right. Thank you so much.
Thank you, Your Highness.
The rest of you
can consult me too.
-What? -You can heal too, Your Highness?
-I… -You don't trust me?
My medical knowledge
might be superior to hers.
Excuse me? Don't make a bold claim.
Do you fancy a competition
to see who can save more lives?
Bring it on.
All right.
Whoever comes to me
will receive extra rice.
-Be careful. -Line up, please.